System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices

An audio processing device comprising:

• a network interface configured to receive audio information from a packet network;
• a user interface module that includes a display configured to display a list of audio tracks to be played;
• a control module configured to receive control input from the user interface module indicating that a currently playing track is to be skipped and to advance playback to a next track in the list;
• an audio information channelization device connected to the network interface configured (i) to receive the list, (ii) to request the audio information from an audio information source according to the list, (iii) to transmit the audio information in packet form via the network interface to two or more audio playback devices, and (iv) to cease transmission of packets associated with a currently playing track and begin transmission of packets associated with the next track in the list to the two or more audio playback devices.

A tangible computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon that when executed cause a device to:

• process audio information received from a packet network;
• receive a list of audio tracks to be played;
• display the list of audio tracks to be played;
• receive a first control input from a user interface module identifying a first track from the list of audio tracks to be currently played;
• request, based on the first control input, a first audio information from an audio information source;
• transmit the first audio information in packet form via the network interface to two or more audio playback devices;
• receive a second control input from a user interface module indicating that the currently playing track is to be skipped and to advance playback to a second track in the list;
• request, based on the second control input, a second audio information from the audio information source;
• and
• cease transmission of packets associated with a currently playing track and transmit the second audio information in packet form via the network interface to two or more audio playback devices.

A method comprising:

• processing audio information received from a packet network;
• receiving a list of audio tracks to be played;
• displaying the list of audio tracks to be played;
• receiving control input from a user interface module indicating that a currently playing track is to be skipped and to advance playback to a next track in the list;
• requesting the audio information from an audio information source according to the list;
• transmitting the audio information in packet form via the network interface to two or more audio playback devices;
• and,
• ceasing transmission of packets associated with a currently playing track and beginning transmission of packets associated with the next track in the list.