US 12,756,491 B2 · Systems and methods for synchronizing device clocks

Abstract

A media system, method, and a computer program product for synchronizing device clocks including a plurality of devices having device clocks, where each device is capable of independently selecting a primary clock device from the plurality of devices to coordinate clock synchronization of the remaining devices, e.g., secondary devices. Each device can utilize the same criteria or set of rules to select the primary clock device from among the plurality of devices after an initial exchange of data during a discovery phase. The selection of the primary clock device can be based on random or arbitrary selection, or based on at least one devices characteristic exchanged within the data obtained during the discovery phase. Once selected, the primary clock device coordinates a clock synchronization sequence with each secondary device until each secondary device clock is synchronized to within a predetermined threshold with the primary clock of the primary clock device.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for synchronizing clocks of a plurality of devices within a media system connected over a network, the method comprising:

discovering all devices of the plurality of devices within the media system;
selecting a primary device of the plurality of devices to coordinate clock synchronization for all other devices of the plurality of devices, the selecting of the primary device performed according to an algorithm;
at the primary device of the plurality of devices, periodically exiting a power-saving state and wirelessly transmitting a clock synchronization request from the primary device to a secondary device of the plurality of devices, the clock synchronization request configured to initiate a clock synchronization sequence and cause the secondary device to exit a power-saving state, the clock synchronization sequence configured to synchronize a clock of the secondary device with a clock of the primary device to within a predetermined threshold, wherein the secondary device is configured to wirelessly receive the clock synchronization request in the power-saving state;
and
after the clock synchronization sequence has been performed, reentering the power-saving state at the primary device and the secondary device.

2 more elements

A system for synchronizing clocks of a plurality of devices within a media system connected over a network, the system comprising:

a primary device of the plurality of devices;
and
a secondary device of the plurality of devices,
wherein all devices of the plurality of devices are discovered within the media system prior to selecting the primary device, the primary device configured to coordinate clock synchronization for all other devices of the plurality of devices, the selecting of the primary device performed according to an algorithm,
wherein the primary device is configured to periodically exit a power-saving state and wirelessly transmit a clock synchronization request to the secondary device, the clock synchronization request configured to initiate a clock synchronization sequence and cause the secondary device to exit a power-saving state, the clock synchronization sequence configured to synchronize a clock of the secondary device with a clock of the primary device to within a predetermined threshold, wherein the secondary device is configured to wirelessly receive the clock synchronization request in the power-saving state, and
wherein after the clock synchronization sequence has been performed, the primary device and the secondary device are configured to reenter the power-saving state.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for synchronizing device clocks

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for synchronizing device clocks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20