Patent Description:
This disclosure is generally directed to wirelessly distributing audio when playing content, such as a movie or TV show.

When playing content on a TV, such as a movie or TV show, the playback of audio should be synchronized with the playback of the corresponding video. Otherwise, the user's viewing experience can be greatly diminished.

But, synchronizing audio and video can be a challenge in whole home entertainment systems where the home wireless network is being used to transmit the audio to wireless speakers. This is the case because a media player (or other device) could be simultaneously using the home network to stream the content from a content source. Even if, instead, the content is being provided by a non-streaming source (such as cable, satellite, DVD/Blu-Ray player, etc.), many devices could be using the home network to access the Internet. Due to this burden on the home network, there may be delays or latency with delivering the audio to the wireless speakers, and this latency may make it difficult to synchronize the audio and video playback.

<CIT> discloses a content output device that may include a communication interface comprising communication circuitry, an output unit comprising output circuitry and a processor configured to control the output unit to output a content received from an external device through the communication interface, to control the communication interface to transmit, in response to a output request of the content being received from the external device via a first communication network, the content to an external content output device via the first communication network, and to control the communication interface to transmit, in response to completion of setting a connection with the external content output device via a second communication network, the content to the external content output device via the second communication network.

<CIT> discloses methods and apparatus to monitor audio/visual content from various sources. An example method disclosed therein comprises determining first information based on a video signal corresponding to monitored media content, determining second information based on an audio signal corresponding to the monitored media content, and identifying a selected one of a plurality of media content sources based on a decision tree comprising a plurality of decision nodes, a first decision node of the decision tree corresponding to a first classification decision resulting from processing at least one of the first information or second information, and a second decision node of the decision tree corresponding to a second classification decision resulting from processing at least one of the first information or second information, the second decision node of the decision tree being selected for evaluation based on an outcome of evaluating the first decision node of the decision tree.

Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing audio by a media device to wireless speakers while content comprising the audio is being played on a display device, wherein the media device includes a single wireless radio.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method in a media device as specified in claim <NUM>. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a tangible computer-readable device as specified in claim <NUM>. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a media device as specified in claim <NUM>. Optional features of the present invention are set out in the dependent claims.

The invention includes: determining that the media device is not a source of the content, such that the media device does not need to stream the content over a first wireless network (such as a home wireless network); informing the audio speakers to switch from the first wireless network to a second wireless network (in other words, informing the audio speakers to move to a "clean channel"); disconnecting the media device from the first wireless network; establishing the second wireless network; and providing the audio to the wireless speakers for playback over the second wireless network.

In some embodiments, to determine whether or not the media device is a source of the content: (a) it may be determined whether first audio provided by the media device to the display device corresponds to second audio being output from the display device; and/or (b) one or more heuristics may be used to further determine whether the media device is the source. In some embodiments, it may be concluded that the media device is the source if (a) indicates that the media device is the source, and at least one of the heuristics of (b) also indicates that the media device is the source.

Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing audio when playing content, such as a movie or TV show. In some embodiments, the audio is transmitted over a wireless network to wireless speakers. The wireless network may be a home WIFI network. In addition to transmitting the audio, the home WIFI network may also be used to stream the content, and/or enable what could be a multitude of electronic devices to access the Internet. Due to this heavy use of the home WIFI network, it may take some time to transmit the audio to the wireless speakers when using the home WIFI network, and this may make it difficult to maintain synchronization of the audio and video playback. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a separate wireless connection/network may be established with the wireless speakers. This separate wireless connection/network (or "clean channel") may then be used to transmit the audio to the wireless speakers. Since this separate wireless connection/network is not subject to the burdens of the home WIFI network, the audio may be transmitted significantly faster, thereby better enabling audio/video sync during playback of the content. According to some embodiments, this functionality is achieved by a media device that has only a single wireless radio.

As will be appreciated, most modern WIFI radios can simultaneously connect to a network (for example, act as a client connecting to an Access Point or AP; this may be referred to as the primary network), and create a wireless network of its own (for example, act as an AP and have clients connect to it; this may be referred to as the secondary network). However, the secondary network must share the channel with the primary network, so the secondary network still suffers from congestion caused by traffic on the primary network. This disclosure includes embodiments that operate to move the radio off the main AP channel to a clean channel that is not affected by traffic on the main AP channel.

<FIG> illustrates a block diagram of a whole home entertainment system <NUM>, according to some embodiments. In a non-limiting example, whole home entertainment system <NUM> is directed to playing content such as movies, TV shows, games, audio books, and music, to name just some examples. System <NUM> may be located in a user's home or any other location, such as a business, a park, a stadium, a restaurant, a bar, or a government office, to name just some examples.

Whole home entertainment system <NUM> may include one or more display devices <NUM>. Display devices <NUM> may be any combination of monitors, televisions (TVs), computers, smart phones, tablets, wearables (such as a watch), appliances, and/or projectors, to name just some examples. Display devices <NUM> may include internal speakers <NUM>.

Each display device <NUM> may be connected to a media device <NUM>. Each media device <NUM> may be separate from its respective display device <NUM>, or may be part of or integrated with the display device <NUM>.

Each media device <NUM> may be a streaming media device (that is, a streaming source) that may stream content from content sources <NUM>, and may provide such content to its respective display device <NUM> for playback to users. For example, a given media device <NUM> may communicate via a home (or local) wireless network <NUM> to stream content from content sources <NUM> via the Internet <NUM>. Wireless network <NUM> may be any wireless network, wireless medium or communication protocol such as WIFI, Bluetooth, infrared, cellular, etc., or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the media device <NUM> may be connected to its respective display device <NUM> via a HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) ARC (audio return channel) connection <NUM>. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant art(s), the media device <NUM> may transmit audio and video to the display device <NUM> over the HDMI ARC connection <NUM>. Also, the media device <NUM> may receive from the display device <NUM> over the HDMI ARC connection <NUM> the audio that is being played by the display device <NUM>. The media device <NUM> receives the audio in real time from the display device <NUM>, that is, as the audio is played on the display device <NUM>.

Each content source <NUM> may store content <NUM> and metadata <NUM>. Content <NUM> may include any combination of music, videos, movies, TV programs, multimedia, images, still pictures, text, graphics, gaming applications, advertisements, programming content, public service content, government content, local community content, software, and/or any other content or data objects in electronic form.

Metadata <NUM> may include data about content <NUM>. For example, metadata <NUM> may include associated or ancillary information indicating or related to writer, director, producer, composer, artist, actor, summary, chapters, production, history, year, trailers, alternate versions, related content, applications, and/or any other information pertaining or relating to the content <NUM>. Metadata <NUM> may also or alternatively include links to any such information pertaining or relating to the content <NUM>. Metadata <NUM> may also or alternatively include one or more indexes of content <NUM>, such as but not limited to a trick mode index.

Each display device <NUM> may also receive content for playback from any number of non-streaming sources <NUM> in addition to media device <NUM>, such as cable or satellite <NUM>, an over-the-air antenna <NUM>, a Blu-Ray/DVD player <NUM>, etc., to name just some examples.

Each display device <NUM> may also or alternatively wirelessly receive content from any number of other electronic devices <NUM> over the home wireless network <NUM>, such as from computers <NUM>, smart phones <NUM>, appliances and internet of things (IoT) devices <NUM>, etc., to name just some examples. Any or all of these electronic devices <NUM> may also use the home wireless network <NUM> to access the Internet <NUM> in a well-known manner.

The whole home entertainment system <NUM> may include wireless speakers <NUM>. In some embodiments, when playing content (such as music, movies, TV shows, etc.), the audio portion of the content is provided to the wireless speakers <NUM> for playback (the audio may also or alternatively be provided to the internal speakers <NUM> in display devices <NUM> for playback). For example, during streaming, the media device <NUM> may receive content from content sources <NUM> via the Internet <NUM> and the home wireless network <NUM>. Then, the media device <NUM> may transmit the content to the display device <NUM> for video playback via the HDMI/ARC connection <NUM>, and may transmit the audio of the content to the wireless speakers <NUM> via the home wireless network <NUM> for audio playback.

But, the home wireless network <NUM> may be burdened by having to stream the content to the media device <NUM> from content sources <NUM> (as just described), as well as having to provide connectivity to the Internet <NUM> to a multitude of electronic devices <NUM>. Due to this burden on the home wireless network <NUM>, it may take some time to transmit the audio to the wireless speakers <NUM> over the home wireless network <NUM>. For example, it may take <NUM> of milliseconds to transmit the audio to the wireless speakers <NUM> over the home wireless network <NUM>, and this latency may greatly vary depending on the load on the home wireless network <NUM> at any given moment. This latency may make it difficult to maintain audio and video synchronization when content is played. As persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate, loss of audio/video sync may greatly detract from users' experience when consuming content.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, a new wireless connection or network <NUM> may be established that is separate from the home wireless network <NUM>. This wireless network/connection <NUM> may be used to transmit audio from the media device <NUM> to the wireless speakers <NUM>. Since the wireless network/connection <NUM> is not burdened like the home wireless network <NUM> (that is, since the wireless network/connection <NUM> is a "clean channel"), it make take significantly less time to transmit the audio. For example, in some embodiments, the audio may be transmitted from the media device <NUM> to the wireless speakers <NUM> via this wireless connection/network <NUM> in approximately <NUM>-<NUM> milliseconds. Accordingly, use of the wireless connection/network <NUM> in this manner makes it much easier to maintain audio/video sync. Also, embodiments of this disclosure achieve these technological advantages while using only a single wireless radio in the media device <NUM>. This shall now be described further.

<FIG> illustrates an example media device <NUM>, according to some embodiments. The media device <NUM> may include one or more video processing modules <NUM>, and one or more audio processing modules <NUM>.

Each video processing module <NUM> may be configured to decode, encode and/or translate video of one or more video formats, such as but not limited to MP4 (mp4, m4a, m4v, f4v, f4a, m4b, m4r, f4b, mov), 3GP (3gp, 3gp2, 3g2, 3gpp, 3gpp2), OGG (ogg, oga, ogv, ogx), WMV (wmv, wma, asf), WEBM, FLV, AVI, QuickTime, HDV, MXF (OP1a, OP-Atom), MPEG-TS, MPEG-<NUM> PS, MPEG-<NUM> TS, WAV, Broadcast WAV, LXF, GXF, and/or VOB, to name just some examples. Each video processing module <NUM> may include one or more video codecs, such as but not limited to H. <NUM>, HEV, MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG-TS, MPEG-<NUM>, Theora, 3GP, DV, DVCPRO, DVCPRO, DVCProHD, IMX, XDCAM HD, XDCAM HD422, and/or XDCAM EX, to name just some examples.

Similarly, each audio processing module <NUM> may be configured to decode, encode and/or translate audio of one or more audio formats, such as but not limited to AAC, HE-AAC, AC3 (Dolby Digital), EAC3 (Dolby Digital Plus), WMA, WAV, PCM, MP3, OGG GSM, FLAC, AU, AIFF, and/or VOX, to name just some examples.

Media device <NUM> may also include buffer <NUM> for buffering video, as well as other types of data.

The media device <NUM> may include a microphone <NUM> for receiving audio input, such as spoken audio commands from users, as well as audio output by the internal speakers <NUM> and/or the wireless speakers <NUM> while content is being played. The media device <NUM> may include an audio detection module <NUM> for detecting the presence or absence of audio being received by the microphone <NUM>. The audio detection module <NUM> may also be configured to compare and process two or more audio streams; this is further described below.

In some embodiments, the media device <NUM> includes a single wireless radio <NUM>, for communicating wirelessly in a well-known manner.

Media device <NUM> may include a networking module <NUM> for connecting and disconnecting the radio <NUM> to the home wireless network <NUM> in a well-known manner. The networking module <NUM> may be also configured to create, establish and maintain a wireless connection or network <NUM> using the radio <NUM>, where the wireless connection/network <NUM> is separate from the home wireless network <NUM>. The networking module <NUM> may perform this function in any well-known manner, such as via the well-known SoftAP (software enabled access point) technology. However, the networking module <NUM> is not limited to this example embodiment for creating, establishing and maintaining the wireless connection/network <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> collectively illustrate a method <NUM> for wirelessly distributing audio while playing content that includes such audio, according to some embodiments.

Method <NUM> can be performed by processing logic that can comprise hardware (e.g., circuitry, dedicated logic, programmable logic, microcode, etc.), software (e.g., instructions executing on a processing device), or a combination thereof. It is to be appreciated that not all steps may be needed to perform the disclosure provided herein. Further, some of the steps may be performed simultaneously, or in a different order than shown in <FIG>, as will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Method <NUM> shall be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. However, method <NUM> is not limited to those example embodiments.

Method <NUM> may operate while the display device <NUM> is playing content, such as a movie, TV show, game, music, etc., to name just some examples. This is indicated by <NUM>.

In <NUM>, the media device <NUM> may determine if it is the source of the content currently being played by the display device <NUM>. Operation of <NUM> is described below with reference to <FIG>. If the media device <NUM> is the source, then <NUM> is performed.

In <NUM>, the media device <NUM> may stream the content from a content source <NUM>. In particular, the media device <NUM> may receive the content from the content source <NUM> via the Internet <NUM> and the home wireless network <NUM>. The content may include both video and audio.

In <NUM>, the video processing module <NUM> of the media device <NUM> may decode the video, and optionally buffer the decoded video in the buffer <NUM>. Such buffering <NUM> may be performed to compensate for delays in transmitting the audio to the wireless speakers <NUM> over the home wireless network <NUM>, to thereby better achieve sync between the audio and video during playback of the content.

In <NUM>, the audio processing module <NUM> may decode the audio of the content, and then the media device <NUM> may transmit the decoded audio to the wireless speakers <NUM> via the home wireless network <NUM>. It is noted that, since the media device <NUM> includes just a single radio <NUM>, the home wireless network <NUM> must be used to deliver the audio to the wireless speakers <NUM>, because the home wireless network <NUM> is also needed by the media device <NUM> to receive the content from the content source <NUM> (that is, the media device <NUM> cannot disconnect from the home wireless network <NUM> and establish a separate wireless connection/network <NUM> in the manner that is described below).

In <NUM> and <NUM>, the video may be provided from the buffer <NUM> to the display device <NUM> over the HDMI/ARC connection <NUM> for playback, and the audio is provided to the wireless speakers <NUM> over the home wireless network <NUM> for playback. Since the video was buffered in the buffer <NUM> to compensate for delays in the home wireless network <NUM>, such playback of video and audio is in sync.

Referring back to <NUM>, if it is determined that the media device <NUM> is not the source of the content being played on the display device <NUM>, then <NUM> is performed (see <FIG>). It is noted that, in this case, the display device <NUM> may be receiving the content (both audio and video) from one of the non-streaming sources <NUM>, or any other source other than the media device <NUM>.

In <NUM>, the media device <NUM> may inform the wireless speakers <NUM> that it should begin communicating via a new wireless connection/network <NUM>. Such operation may be achieved in a well-known manner using signaling or messaging (or any other means) via the home wireless network <NUM> or any other communication medium, means, methodology, approach and/or technology.

In <NUM>, the networking module <NUM> of the media device <NUM> may disconnect the radio <NUM> from the home wireless network <NUM>, in a well-known manner. Such disconnection is possible in this case, since the media device <NUM> is not the source of the content being played on the display device <NUM> and, thus, the home wireless network <NUM> is not needed to stream content from the content source <NUM>.

In <NUM>, the networking module <NUM> may create and/or otherwise establish the new wireless connection and/or network <NUM> in a well-known manner (using SoftAP technology, for example). This wireless connection/network <NUM> may be different and independent of the home wireless network <NUM>, such that any burdens on the home wireless network <NUM> (as discussed above) do not impact the wireless connection/network <NUM>. In some embodiments, the wireless connection/network <NUM> may be dedicated for the transmission of audio data from the media device <NUM> to the wireless speakers <NUM>.

In <NUM>, the media device <NUM> may receive the audio of the content from the display device <NUM>, while the content is being played on the display device <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the audio is received via the HDMI/ARC connection <NUM>. In other embodiments, the media device <NUM> may receive the audio from the display device <NUM> via other means during playback of the content, such as via SPDIF (SONYIPHILLIPS Digital Interface), analog audio, etc..

In <NUM>, the audio processing module <NUM> may decode the audio of the content (to the extent necessary), and then the media device <NUM> may transmit the decoded audio to the wireless speakers <NUM> via the wireless connection/network <NUM>.

In <NUM>, the audio plays on the wireless speakers <NUM>. Since the audio was provided to the wireless speakers <NUM> much faster over the wireless connection/network <NUM> compared to the home wireless network <NUM> (that is, for example, <NUM>-<NUM> milliseconds versus <NUM> of milliseconds), the audio and video playback are synchronized. This is the case, even though the video was playing on the display device <NUM> when the audio was provided to the media device <NUM> over the HDMI/ARC connection <NUM> (or via other means, as described above). In practice, there may be some latency between such video playback and audio playback, but due to the greater speed of the wireless connection/network <NUM>, such latency is not so great to be discernable by users experiencing the content.

In some embodiments, the media device <NUM> may cause the wireless speakers <NUM> to switch back to the home wireless network <NUM> to receive audio data. This may occur, for example, if the media device <NUM> determines that, based on current conditions, traffic on the home wireless network <NUM> would not prevent audio/video playback sync if the home wireless network <NUM> was used to transmit the audio to the wireless speakers <NUM>,.

As discussed above, in <NUM>, the media device <NUM> may determine if it is the source of the content currently being played by the display device <NUM>. Alternatively, the source of the content may be a non-streaming source <NUM> (such as cable or satellite <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, Blu-Ray/DVD <NUM>, etc), or any other source. Operation of <NUM> shall now be described below with reference to <FIG>.

In <NUM>, the display device <NUM> may signal or otherwise indicate to the media device <NUM> that it is or is not the source of content currently being played on the display device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> may provide such signaling via a hot plug detect (HPD) pin of the HDMI/ARC connection <NUM>, or through any other well-known means, approach, functionality, mechanism or technology. However, some display devices <NUM> may leave the HPD pin active (or inactive) irrespective of the current source. Accordingly, in some embodiments, even if the display device <NUM> indicates through the HPD pin that the media device <NUM> is (or is not) the source, <NUM> and/or <NUM> may still be performed.

In <NUM>, the audio detection module <NUM> of the media device <NUM> compares the audio being provided by the media device <NUM> to the display device <NUM> over the HDMI/ARC connection <NUM>, to the audio being received by the media device <NUM> from the display device <NUM> over the HDMI/ARC connection <NUM>, to determine whether the display device <NUM> is playing the audio that is being provided by the media device <NUM>. If it is determined that the display device <NUM> is playing the audio that is being provided by the media device <NUM>, then the audio detection module <NUM> concludes that the media device <NUM> is the source. In some embodiments, the audio detection module <NUM> performs such comparison using any one or combination of well-known correlation methods, techniques, procedures, approaches and/or technologies.

It is noted that the comparison of <NUM> may be possible even when the HDMI connection <NUM> is not ARC (or the audio is being delivered via other means such as SPDIF, analog audio, etc.). For example, the audio detection module <NUM> may instead compare the audio being provided by the media device <NUM> to the display device <NUM>, to the audio output by the display device <NUM> using internal speakers <NUM> (or wireless speakers <NUM>) and received by the media device <NUM> via microphone <NUM>.

It is noted that it may not be possible for the audio detection module <NUM> to conclude with substantial certainty that the display device <NUM> is playing the audio that is being provided by the media device <NUM>. This may be case for a number of reasons. For example, the display device <NUM> may process the audio before playing it back (to enhance quality or add sound effects, for example). Therefore, even when the audio detection module <NUM> in <NUM> concludes that it is likely that the media device <NUM> is the source, <NUM> may be performed.

In <NUM>, the audio detection module <NUM> performs one or more heuristics to determine with more certainty whether the media device <NUM> is the source. For example, the audio detection module <NUM> may cause silence to be sent to the display device <NUM>, and determine whether the display device <NUM> is outputting silence. If the display device <NUM> is outputting silence, then it is more likely that the media device <NUM> is the source; otherwise, it is more likely the media device <NUM> is not the source.

More generally, the audio detection module <NUM> may cause known data to be sent to the display device <NUM>, and determine whether the display device <NUM> is outputting such data. If the display device <NUM> is outputting the known data, then it is more likely that the media device <NUM> is the source; otherwise, it is more likely the media device <NUM> is not the source.

As another example, the audio detection module <NUM> may detect if users have interacted with the media device <NUM> within a given time period. For example, the audio detection module <NUM> may determine if users have used a remote control (not shown in <FIG>) to interact with a user interface of the media device <NUM>, or have used pause/rewind/fast forward/stop (etc.) buttons of the remote control to control playback by the media device <NUM>. If users have interacted with the media device <NUM> within the given time period, then it is more likely the media device <NUM> is the source; otherwise, it is less likely the media device <NUM> is the source.

In some embodiments, if any of <NUM>, <NUM> and/or <NUM> indicates that the media device <NUM> is the source, then the audio detection module <NUM> concludes that the media device <NUM> is the source. Otherwise, the audio detection module <NUM> concludes that the media device <NUM> is not the source.

In other embodiments, at least two of <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> would have to indicate that the media device <NUM> is the source, in order for the audio detection module <NUM> to conclude that the media device <NUM> is the source. Otherwise, the audio detection module <NUM> concludes that the media device <NUM> is not the source.

In other embodiments, <NUM> and at least one of the heuristics of <NUM> would have to indicate that the media device <NUM> is the source, in order for the audio detection module <NUM> to conclude that the media device <NUM> is the source. Otherwise, the audio detection module <NUM> concludes that the media device <NUM> is not the source.

Various embodiments and/or components therein can be implemented, for example, using one or more computer systems, such as computer system <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Computer system <NUM> can be any computer or computing device capable of performing the functions described herein. For example, one or more computer systems <NUM> or portions thereof can be used to implement any embodiments of <FIG>, and/or any combination or sub-combination thereof.

One or more processors <NUM> can each be a graphics processing unit (GPU). In some embodiments, a GPU is a processor that is a specialized electronic circuit designed to process mathematically intensive applications. The GPU can have a parallel structure that is efficient for parallel processing of large blocks of data, such as mathematically intensive data common to computer graphics applications, images, videos, etc..

Computer system <NUM> also includes a main or primary memory <NUM>, such as random access memory (RAM). Main memory <NUM> can include one or more levels of cache. Main memory <NUM> has stored therein control logic (i.e., computer software) and/or data.

Computer system <NUM> can also include one or more secondary storage devices or memory <NUM>. Secondary memory <NUM> can include, for example, a hard disk drive <NUM> and/or a removable storage device or drive <NUM>. Removable storage drive <NUM> can be a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup device, and/or any other storage device/drive.

Removable storage drive <NUM> can interact with a removable storage unit <NUM>. Removable storage unit <NUM> can be a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disk, DVD, optical storage disk, and/ any other computer data storage device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, secondary memory <NUM> can include other means, instrumentalities or other approaches for allowing computer programs and/or other instructions and/or data to be accessed by computer system <NUM>. Such means, instrumentalities or other approaches can include, for example, a removable storage unit <NUM> and an interface <NUM>. Examples of the removable storage unit <NUM> and the interface <NUM> can include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM or PROM) and associated socket, a memory stick and USB port, a memory card and associated memory card slot, and/or any other removable storage unit and associated interface.

Computer system <NUM> can further include a communication or network interface <NUM>. For example, communication interface <NUM> can allow computer system <NUM> to communicate with remote devices <NUM> over communications path <NUM>, which can be wired and/or wireless, and which can include any combination of LANs, WANs, the Internet, etc. Control logic and/or data can be transmitted to and from computer system <NUM> via communication path <NUM>.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory, tangible apparatus or article of manufacture comprising a tangible computer useable or readable medium having control logic (software) stored thereon is also referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, computer system <NUM>, main memory <NUM>, secondary memory <NUM>, and removable storage units <NUM> and <NUM>, as well as tangible articles of manufacture embodying any combination of the foregoing. Such control logic, when executed by one or more data processing devices (such as computer system <NUM>), causes such data processing devices to operate as described herein.

The Summary and Abstract sections can set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments as contemplated by the inventors, and thus, are not intended to limit this disclosure or the appended claims in any way.

Claim 1:
A method in a media device (<NUM>) for distributing audio to wireless speakers (<NUM>) while content comprising the audio is being played on a display device (<NUM>), wherein the media device includes a single wireless radio (<NUM>), the method comprising:
determining that the media device is not a source of the content currently being played on the display device, such that the media device does not need to stream the content from a content source over a first wireless network (<NUM>) and provide the content to the display device for playback;
informing, by the media device, the wireless speakers to switch from the first wireless network to a second wireless network (<NUM>);
disconnecting the media device from the first wireless network;
establishing the second wireless network between the media device and the wireless speakers; and
providing, by the media device, the audio to the wireless speakers for playback over the second wireless network.