Abstract: The present disclosure includes techniques for providing timing for outputting audio from two or more devices. An example method includes determining, at a first device, timing for outputting audio from a second device and a third device in an attempt to have the audio from the second and third devices play in a synchronized manner. The example method further includes communicating from the first device to the second device, using a first wireless communication technology (e.g., Wi-Fi), the timing for outputting the audio. The example method further includes communicating from the first device to the third device, using a second wireless communication technology (e.g., Bluetooth) that is different from the first wireless communication technology, the timing for outputting the audio.

Abstract: Techniques for wireless audio synchronization are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of audio playback devices including a first audio playback device and a second audio playback device. The first audio playback device is connected to an audio source via a Bluetooth connection to receive audio content, and the first audio playback device is configured to distribute the audio content to at least one other audio playback device of the plurality of audio playback devices. The second audio playback device is configured to distribute clock information via a wireless network to at least one other audio playback device of the plurality of audio playback devices.

Abstract: A method is provided that can be performed by an audio source for negotiating latency in an audio network. The audio source receives information regarding an audio processing latency associated with each of a set of two or more audio output devices connected to the audio network. The audio source determines, based at least on the received information, a maximum delay for outputting audio samples streamed by the audio source from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source determines, based on the maximum delay, timing for outputting the audio samples from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source then communicates the determined timing to the set of audio output devices for processing the audio samples in accordance with the timing.

Abstract: An audio distribution system includes an audio source; and a plurality of audio playback devices in communication with each other and with the audio source. A group of the audio playback devices are arranged to render audio content provided by the audio source in synchrony. One of the audio playback devices within the group is configured as an audio master which distributes audio content from the audio source to the other audio playback devices within the group, and one of the plurality of audio playback devices, other than the audio master, is configured as a clock master, which distributes clock information that the group of audio playback devices synchronizes to.

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.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing reliability for media data distribution using an unreliable protocol within a network of devices is provided. A preemptive packet recovery (PPR) module is provided within a receiver to organize any correctly received payload packets and recover any missing payload packets using a plurality of forward error correction packets. The forward error correction packets include redundant payload data corresponding to the payload packets. If the PPR module is not able to recover a missing payload packet, the PPR module sends a Negative Acknowledgment (NACK) to the provider requesting that the provider resend the missing packet. The system relies on the recovery logic enabled by a packet reconstruction module to recover any missing packets and only requests the resending of missing packets when packets are not recoverable, thus maintaining the increased speed of UDP while increasing the reliability of the data being sent and received.

Abstract: A method is provided that can be performed by an audio source for negotiating latency in an audio network. The audio source receives information regarding an audio processing latency associated with each of a set of two or more audio output devices connected to the audio network. The audio source determines, based at least on the received information, a maximum delay for outputting audio samples streamed by the audio source from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source determines, based on the maximum delay, timing for outputting the audio samples from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source then communicates the determined timing to the set of audio output devices for processing the audio samples in accordance with the timing.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing reliability for media data distribution using an unreliable protocol within a network of devices is provided. A preemptive packet recovery (PPR) module is provided within a receiver to organize any correctly received payload packets and recover any missing payload packets using a plurality of forward error correction packets. The forward error correction packets include redundant payload data corresponding to the payload packets. If the PPR module is not able to recover a missing payload packet, the PPR module sends a Negative Acknowledgment (NACK) to the provider requesting that the provider resend the missing packet. The system relies on the recovery logic enabled by a packet reconstruction module to recover any missing packets and only requests the resending of missing packets when packets are not recoverable, thus maintaining the increased speed of UDP while increasing the reliability of the data being sent and received.

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.

Abstract: An audio distribution system includes an audio source; and a plurality of audio playback devices in communication with each other and with the audio source. A group of the audio playback devices are arranged to render audio content provided by the audio source in synchrony. One of the audio playback devices within the group is configured as an audio master which distributes audio content from the audio source to the other audio playback devices within the group, and one of the plurality of audio playback devices, other than the audio master, is configured as a clock master, which distributes clock information that the group of audio playback devices synchronizes to.

Abstract: A method is provided that can be performed by an audio source for negotiating latency in an audio network. The audio source receives information regarding an audio processing latency associated with each of a set of two or more audio output devices connected to the audio network. The audio source determines, based at least on the received information, a maximum delay for outputting audio samples streamed by the audio source from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source determines, based on the maximum delay, timing for outputting the audio samples from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source then communicates the determined timing to the set of audio output devices for processing the audio samples in accordance with the timing.

Abstract: An audio distribution system includes an audio source; and a plurality of audio playback devices in communication with each other and with the audio source. A group of the audio playback devices are arranged to render audio content provided by the audio source in synchrony. One of the audio playback devices within the group is configured as an audio master which distributes audio content from the audio source to the other audio playback devices within the group, and one of the plurality of audio playback devices, other than the audio master, is configured as a clock master, which distributes clock information that the group of audio playback devices synchronizes to.

Abstract: A method is provided that can be performed by an audio source for negotiating latency in an audio network. The audio source receives information regarding an audio processing latency associated with each of a set of two or more audio output devices connected to the audio network. The audio source determines, based at least on the received information, a maximum delay for outputting audio samples streamed by the audio source from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source determines, based on the maximum delay, timing for outputting the audio samples from the audio output devices in the set. The audio source then communicates the determined timing to the set of audio output devices for processing the audio samples in accordance with the timing.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing playback of audio data sent over a first wireless network from an audio source to a wireless speaker package that is adapted to play the audio data. The method includes comparing a first time period over which audio data was sent over the first wireless network to a second time period over which the audio data was received by the wireless speaker package, and playing the received audio data on the wireless speaker package over a third time period that is related to the comparison of the first and second time periods.

Abstract: A method for dynamically changing the master audio playback device of a set that includes at least two audio playback devices, wherein one audio playback device of the set is a set master audio playback device that controls the play of audio data by at least one other slave audio playback device of the set. A first slave audio playback device receives its selection as a new recipient of audio data and, in response, the first slave audio playback device is designated as a new set master audio playback device and the set master audio playback device is designated as a new slave audio playback device. The new set master audio playback device controls the play of audio by the new slave audio playback device.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing playback of audio data sent over a first wireless network from an audio source to a wireless speaker package that is adapted to play the audio data. The method includes comparing a first time period over which audio data was sent over the first wireless network to a second time period over which the audio data was received by the wireless speaker package, and playing the received audio data on the wireless speaker package over a third time period that is related to the comparison of the first and second time periods.

Abstract: An audio distribution system includes an audio source; and a plurality of audio playback devices in communication with each other and with the audio source. A group of the audio playback devices are arranged to render audio content provided by the audio source in synchrony. One of the audio playback devices within the group is configured as an audio master which distributes audio content from the audio source to the other audio playback devices within the group, and one of the plurality of audio playback devices, other than the audio master, is configured as a clock master, which distributes clock information that the group of audio playback devices synchronizes to.

Abstract: A method for dynamically changing the master audio playback device of a set that includes at least two audio playback devices, wherein one audio playback device of the set is a set master audio playback device that controls the play of audio data by at least one other slave audio playback device of the set. A first slave audio playback device receives its selection as a new recipient of audio data and, in response, the first slave audio playback device is designated as a new set master audio playback device and the set master audio playback device is designated as a new slave audio playback device. The new set master audio playback device controls the play of audio by the new slave audio playback device.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing playback of audio over a plurality of wireless speaker packages that are each adapted to play audio, where the audio comprises a plurality of frames of encoded audio data. The method includes determining an offset time of a frame of encoded audio data, where the offset time corresponds to the time when the frame playback is to begin, and inserting the determined offset time into the frame of encoded audio data.