Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.

Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices having independent clocking arrangements. A task distribution device is to distribute tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices to perform tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to synchrony group members over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which synchrony group members are to execute the task. Each synchrony group member periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices

In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network.

Controlling and manipulating groupings in a multi-zone media system

A method and system facilitating selection of participants in multiplayer online electronic games. The method provides an efficient procedure for players to host and join new instances of multiplayer online electronic games, as well as providing a scheme that enables players to join multiplayer online electronic games that are already in progress. The method is implemented through a gaming utility that runs on each player's electronic device (e.g. PC) and interacts behind the scenes with an online messaging service. Player hosts are enabled to select players from a list of contacts provided by the online messaging service who they want to invite to join a chat session. A selected multiplayer online electronic game is selectively launched on all of the player's computers through a single command issued by the host. Additionally, the gaming utility provides players with a list of existing chat sessions being hosted by other players so as to enable the players to join multiplayer online electronic games that are already in progress. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices linked in communication across a communications network, such as a LAN or the Internet. Each electronic device is operatively coupled to a headset having a pair of headphones and a microphone. The headset is worn by a player, enabling the players to verbally communicate with others in a verbal chat session.

Use of online messaging to facilitate selection of participants in game play

In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.

User Interfaces for Controlling and Manipulating Groupings in a Multi-Zone Media System

The audio signal processing device of the present invention arranges objects in a virtual three-dimensional space and generates audio signals by performing, at a prescribed listening position, audio simulation to sounds generated from a prescribed sounding position. This invention is characterized in that the sound field space subject to audio simulation is structured by combining spatial objects and audio simulation is performed thereto. Here, “spatial object” shall mean the space (sound field space) for audio simulation which was simply modeled in order to simplify audio simulation, and is a virtual object provided with prescribed audio parameters. The sound field space is structured by combining these spatial objects.

Audio signal processing device

By enabling exchange of information relating to players, apart from game data, “communication” between the players is increased, and the sense of rivalry and level of interest generated by a game are raised. The communicative game system 1 forms a network comprising a plurality of game devices 2 a -2 d connected mutually by communications media 3 . The plurality of game devices 2 a -2 d respectively comprise a communications system 31 for receiving data transferred over the network and transferring the received data and data generated by the home game device onto the network, and a host system 32 for accessing the received data. By this means, data comprising a game packet, sound packet and video packet can be transmitted by conducting broadcast communications based on the communications system 31 and host system 32 between the plurality of game devices 2 a -2 d.

Communicative game system

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an acoustical signal processor generating an acoustical signal based on a sound field environment to be formed in a virtual three- dimensional space, especially, an acoustical signal processor capable of realizing an acoustical simulation easily. SOLUTION: This acoustical signal processor generates an acoustical signal by acoustically simulating a sound which is to be sounded from a prescribed sounding position at a prescribed listening position by arranging objects in a virtual three-dimensional space. This processor has such features that an acoustical simulation is performed by constituting a sound field space becoming the object of the simulation while combining spatial objects (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D). 'The spacial object' is an object in which a space (sound field space) where an acoustical simulation is performed is simply modeled in order to perform the simulation easily and is a virtual object to which a prescribed acoustical parameter is given. The sound field space is constituted by combining these spatial objects.

Acoustical signal processor

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve 'communication' between players and to enhance the sense of competition and interest by exchanging information concerning the respective players except game data SOLUTION: A communication game system 1 is the one where plural game devices 2a-2d are connected with communication media 3 so as to form a network The plural game devices 2a-2d are respectively provided with a communication system 31 for receiving data which is transferred in the network and also transferring the reception data and data generated by the game device of one's own machine onto the network and a host system 32 for performing access to reception data Thus, broadcasting communication by the communication systems 31 and the host systems 32 is executed among the plural game devices 2a-2d so as to exchange data consisting of a game packet, a sound packet and a video packet

Toshihiro Nakane

Papers

Audio signal processing device

Communicative game system

Acoustical signal processor

Communication game system