Invalidity dossier
US 10031715
Added 5/13/2026, 6:00:15 AM
⚖️ 1 PTAB proceeding on file for this patent
— Inter Partes Review, Post-Grant Review, or Covered Business Method proceedings at the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
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Patent summary
Title, assignee, inventors, filing/issue dates, abstract, and a plain-language overview of the claims.
Here is an analysis of US patent 10,031,715.
Patent Summary
Title: Method and apparatus for dynamic master device switching in a synchrony group
Assignee: Sonos Inc
Inventor: Nicholas A. J. Millington
Filing Date: April 17, 2013
Issue Date: July 24, 2018
Abstract:
A first device in a synchrony group is operating as a master device, and a second device in the synchrony group is operating as a slave device. The first device and the second device are playing a media stream in synchrony. The first device receives a request to transfer mastership of the synchrony group to the second device. In response to the request, the first device sends, to the second device, a message to cause the second device to begin operating as the master device of the synchrony group.
Independent Claims in Plain Language
This patent has three independent claims: 1, 10, and 17.
Claim 1: This claim describes a method for a "slave" device in a group of synchronized media players to take over as the "master" device. The method involves the current master device receiving a request to transfer its master role to a specific slave device. In response, the master sends a message to that slave, causing it to become the new master. This new master then informs a third device (which could be another slave or a controller) about the change in leadership.
Claim 10: This claim focuses on the "slave" device itself. It outlines a method where a slave device, while playing media in sync with a master, receives a message from the master instructing it to become the new master of the group. Upon receiving this instruction, the slave device takes on the master role and then sends a notification to a third device to announce that it is now the master.
Claim 17: This claim describes a physical media playback device. The device includes a network interface, a processor, and memory with instructions. When these instructions are executed, the device can act as a "slave" in a synchronized group, playing media in sync with a "master." The core of the claim is that this device is capable of receiving a message from the current master, via its network interface, that tells it to become the new master. After receiving this message, the device's software transitions it to the master role, and it then sends a message to a third device to declare its new status as the master of the group.
Generated 5/13/2026, 6:03:44 AM