Patent ID: 8364296

Claim:
A method of synchronizing play of first and second auditory files on first and second secondary audio playback devices and a primary audio playback device, the first and second auditory files being stored on both the first and second audio playback devices, the method comprising the steps of: the primary audio playback device receiving requests from both the first and second audio playback devices to play auditory files in synchronization with the primary audio playback device, and in response, the primary audio playback device registering both the first and second audio playback devices to play auditory files in synchronization with the primary audio playback device; based in part on the registrations of the first and second audio playback devices, the primary audio playback device sending a play list, listing the first and second auditory files, to the first and second audio playback devices to enable the first and second audio playback devices to acquire the first and second auditory files if not already stored on the first and second audio playback devices; and subsequent to the storing of the first and second auditory files on both the first and second audio playback devices and the sending of the play list to the first and second audio playback devices, the primary audio playback device determining that both the first and second audio playback devices are registered to play auditory files in synchronization with the primary audio playback device, and the primary audio playback device communicating to the first and second audio playback devices, at approximately the same time, a command to begin play of the first auditory file stored on the first and second audio playback devices such that the first and second audio playback devices play the first auditory file substantially in synchronization with each other and the primary audio playback device, and after play of the first auditory file, the primary device communicating to the first and second audio play devices, at approximately the same time, another command to begin play of the second auditory file stored on the first and second audio playback devices such that the first and second audio playback devices play the second auditory file substantially in synchronization with each other and the primary audio playback device; and wherein the play list also lists a third auditory file which is stored on the second audio playback device but not on the first audio playback device; and the primary playback device receives from the first audio playback device a request to remove the third auditory file from the play list, and in response, the primary audio playback device deletes the third auditory file from the play list and does not command either the first or second audio playback device to play the third auditory file.