Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining knowledge of a network address (e.g., a MAC address) for a playback device while changing power states are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for maintaining knowledge of the network identity of a playback device while changing power states includes determining that a playback device is entering a sleep state, sending state information from the playback device to a central data repository over a network responsive to the determination that the playback device is entering sleep state, where state information includes a MAC address, receiving the state information about the playback device at a waking device from the central data repository, waking the playback device periodically at predetermined time intervals while in sleep state to listen for messages addressed to the MAC address, and receiving a wake-up message at the playback device from the waking device and responding by changing from sleep to active state.

Abstract: A computing device configured to (i) while a first playback device is playing back a playback session including a playback queue of media items, receive, from the first playback device: (a) an indication of media items in the playback queue, (b) audio content recorded at a time during playback of the playback queue, and (c) an indication of a playback position in a media item that corresponds to the time, (ii) cause storage of the recorded audio content and the indication of the playback position, (iii) after the playback session, receive a request from a second playback device for the media item, and (iv) transmit (a) the recorded audio content and (b) the indication of the playback position to the second playback device, thereby causing the second playback device to, while playing back the media item, play back the recorded audio content during the playback position in the media item.

Abstract: A control device such as a mobile device can be used as a secondary display to provide a controller user interface (UI) element corresponding to a contextual display user interface element displayed via a television or other device. An example method includes receiving a media data stream from a media content provider and transmitting the media data stream to a display device for playback. After determining that the media data stream comprises a contextual display user interface element, the method involves causing the controller device to present a controller user interface element corresponding to the contextual display user interface element. An indication of a user input via the controller user interface element is received, after which a signal is transmitted to the media provider that corresponds to the received indication of user input.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving a first signal indicative of a current emotional state of one or more users, receiving a second signal corresponding to a desired emotional state, and causing a playback device to play back generative audio. The method can further comprise, after receiving the first signal and the second signal, adjusting one or more audio characteristics of the generative audio to provide at least (i) a first portion of media content having a first parameter corresponding to the current emotional state, (ii) a second portion of media content having a second parameter different than the first parameter, and (iii) an nth portion of media content having an nth parameter corresponding to the desired emotional state.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide content to a playback network are disclosed. An example method includes displaying an indicator of multimedia content to a user via a graphical user interface. The example method includes enabling a multiselect state to allow the user to select multiple items from a browseable list of indicators associated with multimedia content. The example method includes providing a context-sensitive menu including a plurality of options associated with playback of selected items based on enablement of the multiselect state. The example method includes applying an option to each of the selected items based on user selection. The example method includes passing information regarding the multimedia content to a playback system including one or more multimedia playback devices in response to user selection of the option.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback based on acoustic signals in a system including a first network device and a second network device. A first network device may detect a presence of a user using a camera and/or infrared sensors. The first network device sends, in response to detecting the presence of the user, a particular signal via the first network interface. The second network device receives data corresponding to the particular signal and plays back an audio output corresponding to the particular signal.

Abstract: A guest control device communicates, to a first playback device, a self-signed authorization assertion. The guest control device then receives a signed local-access token. The signed local-access token is signed by the first playback device and allows the guest control device to access services provided by playback devices on the local area network. The guest control device communicates to a cloud network a cloud authorization grant assertion. The cloud authorization grant assertion comprises at least a portion of the signed local-access token. The at least the portion of the signed local-access token comprises an identifier for the first playback device. The guest control device then receives a cloud guest token. The cloud guest token is signed by the cloud network and allows the guest control device to access services on the local area network that are provided by the cloud network.

Abstract: Generative media content (e.g., generative audio) can be played back across multiple playback devices concurrently. A coordinator device can receive a multi-channel stream of media content, with at least some channels comprising generative media content. The coordinator device transmits each of the channels to a plurality of playback devices. A first playback device plays back a first subset of the channels according to first playback responsibilities and a second playback device plays back a second subset of the channels according to second playback responsibilities. The first and/or second playback responsibilities can be dynamically modified over time, for example in response to one or more input parameters.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for querying a media server for media content based on user-selected metadata associated with first media while the first media is being experienced by a user. In one embodiment, at least one metadata associated with the first media may be displayed for the user to review while the first media is being experienced by the user. The user may then select a displayed metadata to initiate a search for media content based on the selected metadata. The search for media content may be performed by querying a media server associated with a selection of media content services. The user may then review the results of the media query, select media content from the results, and initiate further action, such as adding the media content to a digital repository, or purchasing the media content.

Abstract: Generative media content (e.g., generative audio) can be played back across multiple playback devices concurrently. A generative content group coordinator device can receive input parameters, which can include sensor data, media content, or other such input. The coordinator device can generate first and second generative media content streams, each of which can be transmitted to first and second playback devices, respectively. The first and second playback devices can play back the first and second streams of generative media content concurrently.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing concurrent voice assistants are disclosed. A network microphone device is associated with a first voice assistant service (VAS). The device receives a request to associate with a second VAS different than the first. The device accesses a concurrency rules engine to determine concurrency restrictions. If the rules engine indicates concurrency is prohibited, concurrency can be restricted by (i) disassociating the network microphone device and the first VAS, and associating the network microphone device with the second VAS; or (ii) precluding associating the network microphone device with the second VAS and maintaining association with the first VAS.

Abstract: A first network microphone device (NMD) is configured to receive, from a second NMD, a first arbitration message including (i) a first measure of confidence associated with a voice input detected by the second NMD and (ii) the voice input detected by the second NMD, and receive, from a third NMD, a second arbitration message including (i) a second measure of confidence associated with the voice input as detected by the third NMD and (ii) the voice input as detected by the third NMD. The first NMD is configured to determine that the second measure of confidence is greater than the first measure of confidence and based on the determination, perform voice recognition based on the voice input as detected by the third NMD, where the voice input includes a command to control audio playback by the first, second, and/or third NMD, and after performing voice recognition, executing the command.

Abstract: An example playback device is configured to receive a first volume command to adjust a volume level of audio playback by the playback device in a first direction. Based on the first volume command, the playback device causes the volume level of the audio playback to be adjusted in the first direction by a first increment. The playback device is further configured to receive a second volume command to adjust the volume level in a second direction and determine that the second volume command was received within a threshold period of time after receiving the first volume command. Based on (i) determining that the second volume command was received within the threshold period of time and (ii) the second volume command, the playback device causes the volume level of the audio playback to be adjusted in the second direction by a second increment that is different from the first increment.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback based on acoustic signals in a system including a first network device and a second network device. A first network device may detect a presence of a user using a camera and/or infrared sensors. The first network device sends, in response to detecting the presence of the user, a particular signal via the first network interface. The second network device receives data corresponding to the particular signal and plays back an audio output corresponding to the particular signal.

Abstract: The present application discloses playback devices and networks, software for operating playback devices and playback device networks, and methods of operating playback devices and networks, where an individual network device is configured to switch between operating various operating modes comprising a non-paired mode and a paired mode, where the playback device is configured to output various channels of audio content within various audio frequency ranges while operating in the various operating modes.

Abstract: Configuration information and selectable grouping options associated with the plurality of zones is displayed, for example, on a wearable device. Selection of a first selectable grouping option is received and in response a configuration change is transmitted. The configuration change may comprise information indicating a first zone is to join a zone group with a second zone of the plurality of zones. Updated configuration information is received indicating that a media playback system includes the zone group comprising the first zone and the second zone. The updated configuration information is displayed on the wearable device.

Abstract: Configuration information and selectable grouping options associated with the plurality of zones is displayed, for example, on a wearable device. Selection of a first selectable grouping option is received and in response a configuration change is transmitted. The configuration change may comprise information indicating a first zone is to join a zone group with a second zone of the plurality of zones. Updated configuration information is received indicating that a media playback system includes the zone group comprising the first zone and the second zone. The updated configuration information is displayed on the wearable device.