18560063. Managing Content Quality and Related Characteristics of a Media Playback System simplified abstract (Sonos, Inc.)

Managing Content Quality and Related Characteristics of a Media Playback System

Organization Name

Sonos, Inc.

Inventor(s)

Brandon Wright of Santa Barbara CA (US)

Ryan Edward Kitson of Tillamook OR (US)

Won So of Boston MA (US)

Ted Lin of Ayer MA (US)

Jeffrey M. Peters of Cambridge MA (US)

Michael Sheldon of San Francisco CA (US)

Managing Content Quality and Related Characteristics of a Media Playback System - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18560063 titled 'Managing Content Quality and Related Characteristics of a Media Playback System

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes a system where a first playback device plays audio content in synchrony with a second playback device. If the quality of the connection between the second playback device and a network device drops below a certain level, the second playback device switches to playing a different version of the audio content until the connection quality improves.

Key Features and Innovation:

• Synchronizing playback of audio content between two devices.
• Automatically switching to a different version of audio content based on connection quality.
• Resuming playback of the original audio content when connection quality improves.

Potential Applications: This technology could be used in multi-room audio systems, live event streaming, and online gaming where maintaining synchronized audio playback is crucial.

Problems Solved: This technology addresses issues related to maintaining synchronized audio playback in the presence of fluctuating network connection quality.

Benefits:

• Improved user experience with consistent audio playback.
• Seamless transition between different versions of audio content.
• Enhanced reliability in maintaining synchrony between playback devices.

Commercial Applications: The technology could be valuable for companies developing audio streaming platforms, smart home devices, and entertainment systems where synchronized audio playback is essential for user satisfaction.

Prior Art: Readers interested in prior art related to this technology may explore patents in the field of audio synchronization, network quality monitoring, and adaptive streaming technologies.

Frequently Updated Research: Researchers in the field of audio streaming and network optimization may have ongoing studies related to improving the quality of synchronized playback in varying network conditions.

Questions about Synchronized Audio Playback: 1. How does the system determine when to switch to a different version of audio content? 2. What are the potential challenges in maintaining synchrony between playback devices in real-time applications?

Original Abstract Submitted

An example first playback device is configured to: while the first playback device is in a synchrony group with a second playback device, play back a first version of audio content in synchrony with the second playback device; in response to identifying that a quality of a connection between the second playback device and a network device is below a threshold criterion, cause the second playback device to play back a second version of the audio content in synchrony with the first version of the audio content playing back by the first playback device; and in response to detecting a change in the quality of the connection between the second playback device and the network device such that the quality of the connection meets the threshold criterion, cause the second playback device to play back the first version of the audio content in synchrony with the first playback device.