Abstract: Systems and methods for providing format agnostic media playback may include a media delivery system that can determine media content responses for media playback devices to use to determine how to operate when playing media content. To initiate the format agnostic media playback, a request for media content may be received from a media playback device. In response to the request a media content format of the media content may be determined, and a media content response may be determined based on the media content format. The media content response may be sent to the media playback device for the media playback device to playback media content and/or to determine media content descriptions, player features, user interface formats, actions, and/or a timeline of media content items to play.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for generating and playing a selectable content depth media program are provided. Media content items are edited to produce selectable depth media segments which are assembled into selectable depth media programs. A media-playback device is configured to navigate and play the selectable depth media program through interaction by a listening user. The user selects the desired content depth for each media segment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for generating a playlist of media content items for a group of users. Media content items listened to by the selected users are compared to an average user taste profile to select media content items for playback to the group of users.

Abstract: A call to action processor receives an entity datapoint containing data related to an entity, a campaign objective datapoint containing data associated with a campaign objective, at least one definite script element based on the campaign objective, and entity metadata containing data associated with the entity. The call to action further performs generating at least one variable script element based on the entity metadata, presenting to a device the at least one definite script element the at least one variable script element.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided personalizing recommendations of items with associated explanations. The example embodiments described herein use contextual bandits to personalize explainable recommendations (“recsplanations”) as treatments (“Bart”). Bart learns and predicts satisfaction (e.g., click-through rate, consumption probability) for any combination of item, explanation, and context and, through logging and contextual bandit retraining, can learn from its mistakes in an online setting.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for performing personalization. A segments reader receives a request for episode metadata corresponding to an episode. A determination is made whether the episode metadata should be personalized to an account associated with the request. In turn, personalized-episode metadata associated with the account and the request is retrieved and the personalized-episode metadata is provided to a client device associated with the request.

Abstract: Simulator augmented content selection is provided by initializing a content selection object according to session initialization parameter values associated with a simulated media content playback session. The content selection object corresponds to a candidate content selection machine learning model trained to predict selectable content media items for at least one simulated user. A simulated session including a sequence of predicted simulated user next actions and one or more predicted sets of selectable content items are generated by applying a simulated user model to content items identified by the initialized content selection object, where the simulated user model is trained to predict a next action of the simulated user in response to a simulated playback input received from the simulated user and each set of the selectable content items are correlated to each next action in the sequence of predicted simulated user next actions.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertising message from a user interface (UI) device. The method includes, responsive to a receipt of the BLE advertising message from the UI device: waking up an application module of the first wireless device and authorizing the UI device to remotely control media presentation as presented by the application module. The method includes determining a first determination of whether the first wireless device is paired or is in a current cabled connection with an electronic device that is distinct from the UI device; and in accordance with the first determination being a determination that the first wireless device is not paired with the electronic device and is not in a current cabled connection with the electronic device, automatically terminating the authorization of the UI device to remotely control media presentation as presented by the application module.

Abstract: Contrastive learning is used to learn an alternative embedding. A subtree replacement strategy generates structurally similar pairs of samples from an input space for use in contrastive learning. The resulting embedding captures more of the structural proximity relationships of the input space and improves Bayesian optimization performance when applied to tasks such as fitting and optimization.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an enhanced audio file generator. One aspect is a method of enhancing input speech in an input audio file, the method comprising receiving the input audio file representing the input speech, wherein the input audio file is recorded at an audio recording device, and generating an enhanced audio file by applying an audio transformation model to the input audio file, wherein applying the audio transformation model to generate the enhanced audio file comprises extracting parameters defining audio features from the input audio file, the parameters including a noise parameter defining noise in the input audio file and one or more other preset parameters respectively defining other audio features, synthesizing clean speech based on the extracted parameters including the noise parameter, wherein synthesizing the clean speech comprises transforming the noise parameter to defined value(s); and generating the enhanced audio file with the synthesized clean speech.

Abstract: A target device is associated with a source device. A system includes a target device that enters an association mode, obtains an identification code, and broadcasts the identification code. A source device receives the broadcast, obtains authorization to associate with the target device, and provides a message to an association server. The association server receives the message and associates the target device and the source device in response thereto.

Abstract: A system and method for voice control of a media playback device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an instruction of a voice command, converting the voice command to text, transmitting the text command to the playback device, and having the playback device execute the command. An instruction may include a command to play a set of audio tracks, and the media playback device plays the set of audio tracks upon receiving the instruction.

Abstract: A system and method for voice control of a media playback device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an instruction of a voice command, converting the voice command to text, transmitting the text command to the playback device, and having the playback device execute the command. An instruction may include a command to play a set of audio tracks, and the media playback device plays the set of audio tracks upon receiving the instruction.

Abstract: A method, which may be performed at an electronic device, such as a media server associated with a media-providing service, causes a set of media items to be provided to a user based on identifying performance listings relevant to the user. The method includes determining a list of one or more performance listings of artists relevant to a user based on a media consumption history of the user, the media consumption history describing media content items previously delivered to the user by a media content server, and a listening profile of a second user, distinct from the first user, the listening profile identifying media content and artists played by the second user via the media content server. The method includes providing one or more media items to the user, the one or more media items selected based on the list of one or more performance listings.

Abstract: A request to play a media content item is received. It is determined whether the play request is ambiguous. Responsive to determining that the play request is ambiguous, then it is determined whether to play a suspended media content item or an alternate media content item. The determination can be made based on a length of time that the suspended media content item has been suspended, a media content item type, or a state, among other factors. Responsive to the determination, playback of the suspended or alternate media content item is initiated.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure is directed to generating and discovering a group media playback session that is conducted in a media playback device. One aspect is a method of controlling a media output device, the method comprising establishing a media playback session at a host device through the media output device, wirelessly broadcasting a participant ID from a participant device to the host device, associating, at the host device, the participant ID with a session ID for the media playback session and sending the association to a server, and transmitting session information from the server to the participant device to permit the participant device to join the media playback session to adjust playback at the media output device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling playback of media content items on a media playback device. A graphical user interface displays media playback controls including an automatic playback switch. The switch is configured to enable or disable automatic playback of an autoplay queue of media content items. An initial queue of media content is selected for playback on the media playback device. When automatic playback is enabled, the system automatically generates a queue of media that is related to the initial queue and initiates playback on the media playback device after the initial queue concludes. Automatic playback options can also include repeating the initial queue or a single track within the initial queue.

Abstract: A server determines, at a first predetermined time, a default decision as to whether to provide a first media content clip after the end of a first media content item. At a second predetermined time, after the first predetermined time, the server initiates a determination of a first decision as to whether to provide the first media content clip after the end of the first media content item. In accordance with the first decision being reached within a predetermined latency period, the server provides the first media content clip to the first electronic device in accordance with the first decision. In accordance with a determination that the predetermined latency period has elapsed without the first decision being reached, provides the first media content clip to the first electronic device in accordance with the default decision.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring automatic playback settings on a media playback device. A graphical user interface displays automatic playback settings and receives selections of customized settings for automatic playback. The settings can include context granularity for automatic playback, limiting autoplay to when the media playback device is connected to a wireless network, and activating an audible notification when automatic playback of media content is beginning. An initial queue of media content is selected for playback on the media playback device. The system ascertains whether autoplay is enabled for a particular situation. If autoplay is enabled, the system automatically generates a queue of media that is related to the initial queue and initiates playback on the media playback device after the initial queue concludes.

Abstract: A method is performed at a server system having one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors. The server system provides a content service. The method includes providing a first media item for playback based on a request from an application executing on an electronic device. The method includes receiving data associated with a behavior of a first user of the content service. The data associated with the behavior of the first user includes an indication of at least a first user input for controlling the playback of the first media item. The method includes using the received data to provide a media recommendation to the electronic device.