Abstract: A system may include a controller coupled to a user interface. A user may provide user commands specifying mapping relationships between one or more audio inputs and one or more audio zones via the user interface. The controller may be configured to determine individual audio inputs to be outputted to individual audio zones based on a priority policy. The system may further include audio streaming applications coupled to the controller. The controller may launch the audio streaming applications to the user interface for interaction with the user. The audio streaming applications may provide audio streams to be outputted at the individual audio zones. The system may further include a streaming interface coupled to the controller and the audio streaming applications and configured to receive the audio streams. The streaming interface may be further configured to transmit the audio streams to output devices of the individual audio zones.

Abstract: An embedded computing device which receives and buffers one or more digital audio streams provided by wired or wireless devices such as computers, tablets and smart phones via a network. The streams are buffered to allow for delays and irregularities in the rate at which these streams are delivered. The streams are then distributed to a series of digital amplifiers while allowing each amplifier to play a chosen source at a volume level that is selected by a user. This embodiment reduces the number of required electronic components, delivers high quality audio because the system is entirely digital from source through amplification, and is energy efficient thereby minimizing the generation of waste heat. In addition, the invention allows for features such as limiting the volume for certain users, or for certain zones during specified periods of time, as well as features to diagnose and/or compensate for installation errors or problems.

Abstract: An embedded computing device which receives and buffers one or more digital audio streams provided by wired or wireless devices such as computers, tablets and smart phones via a network. The streams are buffered to allow for delays and irregularities in the rate at which these streams are delivered. The streams are then distributed to a series of digital amplifiers while allowing each amplifier to play a chosen source at a volume level that is selected by a user. This embodiment reduces the number of required electronic components, delivers high quality audio because the system is entirely digital from source through amplification, and is energy efficient thereby minimizing the generation of waste heat. In addition, the invention allows for features such as limiting the volume for certain users, or for certain zones during specified periods of time, as well as features to diagnose and/or compensate for installation errors or problems.

Abstract: An embedded computing device which receives and buffers one or more digital audio streams provided by wired or wireless devices such as computers, tablets and smart phones via a network. The streams are buffered to allow for delays and irregularities in the rate at which these streams are delivered. The streams are then distributed to a series of digital amplifiers while allowing each amplifier to play a chosen source at a volume level that is selected by a user. This embodiment reduces the number of required electronic components, delivers high quality audio because the system is entirely digital from source through amplification, and is energy efficient thereby minimizing the generation of waste heat. In addition, the invention allows for features such as limiting the volume for certain users, or for certain zones during specified periods of time, as well as features to diagnose and/or compensate for installation errors or problems.