Providing a Multi-Channel and a Multi-Zone Audio Environment
AssigneeSonos, Inc.
InventorsSimon Jarvis, Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Luis Vega
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-channel and multi-zone audio environment is provided. Various inventions are disclosed that allow playback devices on one or more networks to provide an effective multi-channel and a multi-zone audio environment using timing information. According to one example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a low-latency network to provide audio along with a video display. In another example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a mesh network to provide audio in one or more zones or zone groups.
Claims20
A first networked 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, cause the first networked device to perform a method comprising:
- receiving a first audio signal at the first networked device from an audio source, wherein the first audio signal comprises home theater audio information for playback by a plurality of playback devices;
- assigning a first plurality of home theater timestamps to portions of the home theater audio information, wherein individual home theater timestamps in the first plurality of home theater timestamps indicate times at which corresponding portions of the home theater audio information is to be played by a first type of playback device;
- assigning a second plurality of home theater timestamps to portions of the home theater audio information, wherein individual home theater timestamps in the second plurality of home theater timestamps indicate times at which corresponding portions of the home theater audio information is to be played by a second type of playback device;
- and
- sending the first plurality of home theater timestamps and corresponding portions of home theater audio information to the first type of playback device and sending the second plurality of home theater timestamps and corresponding portions of home theater audio information to the second type of playback device.
A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions encoded therein, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause a first networked device to perform a method comprising:
- receiving a first audio signal at the first networked device from an audio source, wherein the first audio signal comprises home theater audio information for playback by a plurality of playback devices;
- assigning a first plurality of home theater timestamps to portions of the home theater audio information, wherein individual home theater timestamps in the first plurality of home theater timestamps indicate times at which corresponding portions of the home theater audio information is to be played by a first type of playback device;
- assigning a second plurality of home theater timestamps to portions of the home theater audio information, wherein individual home theater timestamps in the second plurality of home theater timestamps indicate times at which corresponding portions of the home theater audio information is to be played by a second type of playback device;
- and
- sending the first plurality of home theater timestamps and corresponding portions of home theater audio information to the first type of playback device and sending the second plurality of home theater timestamps and corresponding portions of home theater audio information to the second type of playback device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.