Ad-hoc playback group creation and operation
Disclosed embodiments include playback devices, groups of playback devices, and methods of operating playback devices and groupings thereof configured for hybrid sniffing and rebroadcast for networks, including Bluetooth networks.
1. A first playback device comprising:
one or more processors; and
at least one tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions that are executable by the one or more processors such that the first playback device is configured to:
after receiving one or more indications that the first playback device will operate as a group coordinator for a group comprising the first playback device and at least a second playback device, broadcast configuration information comprising a first set of one or more channel configuration details for a first wireless channel via which the first playback device is to transmit an output stream of packets addressed to the group comprising at least the second playback device; and
while receiving an input stream of packets comprising media content, (i) generate the output stream of packets addressed to the group, wherein the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprises portions of the media content from the input stream of packets, (ii) transmit the output stream addressed to the group via the first wireless channel, and (iii) coordinate playback of the media content in synchrony by the group via control messages exchanged with at least the second playback device.
2. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions that are executable by the one or more processors such that the first playback device is configured to generate the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprise program instructions executable by the one or more processors such that the first playback device is configured to:
generate playback timing for individual packets in the output stream of packets addressed to the group, wherein the playback timing is sufficient for use by the first playback device and the second playback device to play the media content in synchrony.
3. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the first set of one or more channel configuration details for the first wireless channel via which the first playback device is to transmit the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprises one or more of (i) a channel identifier or link identifier for the first wireless channel, (ii) a frequency hopping sequence for the first wireless channel, or (iii) a security key to decode transmissions received via the first wireless channel.
4. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the program instructions comprise program instructions that are executable by the one or more processors such that the first playback device is configured to:
transmit a second set of one or more channel configuration details for a second wireless channel via which the first playback device is to receive the input stream of packets comprising the media content from a source device, wherein the second set of one or more channel configuration details comprises information about an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) Bluetooth link between the first playback device and the source device.
5. The first playback device of claim 4 , wherein the second set of one or more channel configuration details for the second wireless channel via which the first playback device is to receive the input stream of packets comprising the media content from the source device comprises one or more of (i) a channel or link identifier for the second wireless channel, (ii) a frequency hopping sequence for the second wireless channel, or (iii) a security key to decode transmissions received via the second wireless channel.
6. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the first set of one or more channel configuration details for the first wireless channel via which the first playback device is to transmit the output stream of packets comprises information about Connectionless Slave Broadcast (CSB) Bluetooth transmissions from the first playback device to the group comprising at least the second playback device.
7. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein an individual packet of the input stream of packets comprising the media content comprises one or more of (i) a portion of the media content and (ii) a sequence identifier corresponding to the portion of the media content in the individual packet.
8. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein an individual packet of the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprises one or more of (i) a portion of the media content, (ii) a sequence identifier corresponding to the portion of the media content in the individual packet, and (iii) playback timing corresponding to the sequence identifier.
9. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the control messages exchanged with at least the second playback device comprise clock information of the first playback device.
10. The first playback device of claim 1 , wherein the input stream of packets comprises an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) stream received from a media source, wherein the output stream of packets comprises a Connectionless Slave Broadcast (CSB) stream, wherein the control messages exchanged with at least the second playback device comprise control messages exchanged via one of a Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) link.
11. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media comprising program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a first playback device, cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising:
after receiving one or more indications that the first playback device will operate as a group coordinator for a group comprising the first playback device and at least a second playback device, broadcasting configuration information comprising a first set of one or more channel configuration details for a first wireless channel via which the first playback device is to transmit an output stream of packets addressed to the group comprising at least the second playback device; and
while receiving an input stream of packets comprising media content, (i) generating the output stream of packets addressed to the group, wherein the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprises portions of the media content from the input stream of packets, (ii) transmitting the output stream addressed to the group via the first wireless channel, and (iii) coordinating playback of the media content in synchrony by the group via control messages exchanged with at least the second playback device.
12. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein generating the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprises:
generating playback timing for individual packets in the output stream of packets addressed to the group, wherein the playback timing is sufficient for use by the first playback device and the second playback device to play the media content in synchrony.
13. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the first set of one or more channel configuration details for the first wireless channel via which the first playback device is to transmit the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprises one or more of (i) a channel identifier or link identifier for the first wireless channel, (ii) a frequency hopping sequence for the first wireless channel, or (iii) a security key to decode transmissions received via the first wireless channel.
14. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the functions further comprise:
transmitting a second set of one or more channel configuration details for a second wireless channel via which the first playback device is to receive the input stream of packets comprising the media content from a source device, wherein the second set of one or more channel configuration details comprises information about an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) Bluetooth link between the first playback device and the source device.
15. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14 , wherein the second set of one or more channel configuration details for the second wireless channel via which the first playback device is to receive the input stream of packets comprising the media content from the source device comprises one or more of (i) a channel or link identifier for the second wireless channel, (ii) a frequency hopping sequence for the second wireless channel, or (iii) a security key to decode transmissions received via the second wireless channel.
16. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the first set of one or more channel configuration details for the first wireless channel via which the first playback device is to transmit the output stream of packets comprises information about Connectionless Slave Broadcast (CSB) Bluetooth transmissions from the first playback device to the group comprising at least the second playback device.
17. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein an individual packet of the input stream of packets comprising the media content comprises one or more of (i) a portion of the media content and (ii) a sequence identifier corresponding to the portion of the media content in the individual packet.
18. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein an individual packet of the output stream of packets addressed to the group comprises one or more of (i) a portion of the media content, (ii) a sequence identifier corresponding to the portion of the media content in the individual packet, and (iii) playback timing corresponding to the sequence identifier.
19. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the control messages exchanged with at least the second playback device comprise clock information of the first playback device.
20. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , wherein the input stream of packets comprises an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) stream received from a media source, wherein the output stream of packets comprises a Connectionless Slave Broadcast (CSB) stream, wherein the control messages exchanged with at least the second playback device comprise control messages exchanged via one of a Bluetooth Classic or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) link.