Method and apparatus for switching between a directly connected and a networked audio source

A first audio playback device comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the first audio playback device to perform a method comprising:
• changing from operating in a first mode to operating in a second mode in response to control information received over an asynchronous network from a controller device;
• wherein in the first mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising:
• (i) receiving an input signal comprising first audio information from a first audio information source directly connected to the first audio playback device, (ii) converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first plurality of packets comprising the first audio information, (iii) generating first playback timing information for the first audio information, (iv) transmitting the first plurality of packets, the first playback timing information for the first audio information, and first audio playback device clock information over the asynchronous network to a second audio playback device via a network interface of the first audio playback device, and (v) using the first audio information, the first playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a first analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device;
• and
• wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising:
• (i) receiving over the asynchronous network, a second plurality of packets comprising second audio information from a second audio information source via the network interface and second playback timing information for the second audio information, wherein the second audio information source is different than the first audio information source, and (ii) using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.

A tangible non-transitory computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a first audio playback device to perform a method comprising:

• changing from operating in a first mode to operating in a second mode in response to control information received over an asynchronous network from a controller device;
• wherein in the first mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising:
• (i) receiving an input signal comprising first audio information from a first audio information source directly connected to the first audio playback device, (ii) converting at least a portion of the input signal into a first plurality of packets comprising the first audio information, (iii) generating first playback timing information for the first audio information, (iv) transmitting the first plurality of packets, the first playback timing information for the first audio information, and first audio playback device clock information over the asynchronous network to a second audio playback device via a network interface of the first audio playback device, and (v) using the first audio information, the first playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a first analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device;
• and
• wherein in the second mode, the first audio playback device performs functions comprising:
• (i) receiving over the asynchronous network, a second plurality of packets comprising second audio information from a second audio information source via the network interface and second playback timing information for the second audio information, wherein the second audio information source is different than the first audio information source, and (ii) using the second audio information, the second playback timing information, and the first audio playback device clock information to generate and play a second analog signal in synchrony with the second audio playback device.