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: Examples described herein relate to transitioning a playback session between portable playback devices such as “smart” headphones, earbuds, and handheld speakers with playback devices of a zone-based media playback system. Exemplary techniques facilitate continuity of playback when transitioning between locations (e.g., from at home to on-the-go or vice versa) or between listening paradigms (e.g., personal or out-loud playback of audio content). An example implementation includes detecting a swap trigger, determining the source playback device(s) and target playback device(s), and performing a playback session swap between the source playback device(s) and target playback device(s).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example techniques for voice detection by multiple NMDs. An example implementation may involve one or more servers receiving, via a network interface, data representing multiple audio recordings of a voice input spoken by a given user, each audio recording recorded by a respective NMD of the multiple NMDs, wherein the voice input comprises a detected wake-word. Based on respective sound pressure levels of the multiple audio recordings of the voice input, the servers (i) select a particular NMD of the multiple NMDs and (ii) forego selection of other NMDs of the multiple NMDs. The servers send, via the network interface to the particular NMD, data representing a playback command that corresponds to a voice command in the voice input represented in the multiple audio recordings, wherein the data representing the playback command causes the particular NMD to play back audio content according to the playback command.

Abstract: A device, such as Network Microphone Device or a playback device, detecting an event associated with the device or a system comprising the device. In response, an input detection window is opened for a given time period. During the given time period the device is arranged to receive an input sound data stream representing sound detected by a microphone. The input sound data stream is analyzed for a plurality of keywords and/or a wake-word for a Voice Assistant Service (VAS) and, based on the analysis, it is determined that the input sound data stream includes voice input data comprising a keyword or a wake-word for a VAS. In response, the device takes appropriate action such as causing the media playback system to perform a command corresponding to the keyword or sending at least part of the input sound data stream to the VAS.

Abstract: A computing device may maintain a database of representative spectral characteristics. The computing device may also receive particular spectral data associated with a particular playback environment corresponding to the particular playback device. Based on the particular spectral data, the computing device may identify one of the representative spectral characteristics from the database that substantially matches the particular spectral data, and then identify, in the database, an audio processing algorithm based on a) the identified representative spectral characteristic and b) at least one characteristic of the particular playback device. The computing device may then transmit, to the particular playback device, data indicating the identified audio processing algorithm.

Abstract: Examples described herein relate to management of concurrent audio streams from different sources. Portable playback devices, such as wearable wireless headphones and earbuds, as well as portable battery-powered speakers, may include multiple network interfaces for connection to different types of networks, such as an 802.11-compatible network interface for connection to wireless local area networks (e.g., Wi-Fi® networks) and an 802.15-compatible network interface for connection to a mobile device via a personal area network (Bluetooth®). Via such connections, the playback devices may receive two or more concurrent streams. By managing these streams according to playback policies, the portable playback devices may play the user's intended audio without necessarily requiring user input to explicitly select among the concurrent streams.

Abstract: An example computing device is configured to determine (i) a future start time of an upcoming live media event and (ii) a uniform resource indicator (URI) at which a live media stream of the live media event will be accessible at the future start time. The computing device displays, via the graphical user interface, a notification identifying the upcoming live media event, and the computing device receives, via the graphical user interface, (i) a first selection of the displayed notification and (ii) a second selection of a plurality of playback devices of a media playback system. Based on the first and second selections, the computing device causes, at the start time of the live media event, at least one of the plurality of playback devices to access the live media stream at the URI for synchronous playback by the plurality of playback devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved acoustic echo cancellation and convergence state detection are disclosed. An adaptive filter of a network microphone device (NMD) can be used to generate a filter output to be applied to microphone input signals for echo cancellation. The filter output can be generated using a reference signal corresponding to source audio content played back via transducers of the NMD. The adaptive filter can be updated dynamically over time based at least in part on an adaptation parameter that determines the rate of adaptation. In response to determining that a reset event has occurred, the adaptation parameter can be reset to a default value. Additionally or alternatively, in response to detecting a convergence error, the adaptation parameter can be reset to a default value.

Abstract: Example techniques may involve multiple calibrations for a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device plays back audio content according to a first calibration via the one or more audio amplifiers. The playback device detects that an arrangement of one or more listeners relative to the first playback device has changed from a first arrangement to a second arrangement. Based on detection that the arrangement of one or more listeners relative to the first playback device has changed from the first arrangement to the second arrangement, the playback device applies a second calibration to playback by the first playback device.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include, while a microphone of a first networked microphone device is enabled, determining whether a first reference device is in a specific state, and in response to determining that the first reference device is in the specific state, disabling the microphone of the first networked microphone device. Some embodiments further include, while the microphone of the first networked microphone device is enabled, receiving a command to disable the microphone of the first networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or a network interface of the networked microphone device, and in response to receiving the command to disable the microphone of the networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or the network interface of the networked microphone device, disabling the microphone of the networked microphone device.

Abstract: An example control device is configured to (i) operate in a classic mode of a media playback system (MPS) application in which the control device provides options for controlling the MPS, (ii) while in the classic mode, receive a request to operate in a compact mode of the MPS application, (iii) determine a context in which the control device received the request, (iv) based on the request, transition from operating in the classic mode to the compact mode, in which the control device (a) provides a subset of the options, and (b) based on the context, presents a visualization of the compact mode with a selectable option to play back media content, (v) while presenting the visualization of the compact mode, receive input indicating a selection of the selectable option, and (vi) based on the input, cause a device to play back media content based on the selection.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a method may involve sending a message that arranges a media playback system into a pre-defined state, wherein a first playback device is in a first zone having a first zone name, a second playback device is in a second zone having a second zone name, and a queue has a particular set of media items. The method may also involve detecting a trigger indicating a request to reset the media playback system. The method may further involve causing the media playback system to revert to the pre-defined state, wherein reverting may include assigning the first zone name to the first zone and joining the first playback device to the first zone, assigning the second zone name to the second zone and joining the second playback device to the second zone, and configuring the queue with the particular set of media items.

Abstract: In one aspect, a network microphone device includes a plurality of microphones and is configured to detect sound via the one or more microphones. The network microphone device may capture sound data based on the detected sound in a first buffer, and capture metadata associated with the detected sound in a second buffer. The network microphone device may classify one or more noises in the detected sound and cause the network microphone device to perform an action based on the classification of the respective one or more noises.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a playback device configured to: (i) maintain a cache comprising a plurality of tracks, wherein an individual track comprises a series of frames, and an individual frame comprises a portion of audio; (ii) after receiving a request to play a particular track, determining whether the particular track is in the cache at the playback device; (iii) when the particular track is in the cache at the playback device, (a) identify playback timing for each frame of the series of frames stored in the cache based at least in part on a current clock time of a clock at the playback device, and (b) play individual frames in the series of frames according to the playback timing for the individual frames; and (iv) when the particular track is not in the cache, obtain the particular track from an audio information source.

Abstract: Example techniques may provide volume enhancements to a media playback system. An example implementation involves a first playback device in a first playback configuration playing audio at a first volume level and storing the first volume level in association with the first playback configuration. The first playback device receives instructions to change to a second playback configuration. Based on receiving the instructions, the first playback device joins a synchrony group with a second zone and adjusts the first playback device to play audio at a second volume level which is based on a volume level of a second playback device in the second zone. While in the second playback configuration, the first playback device receives instructions to change to the first playback configuration and, based on the instructions, leaves the synchrony group and adjusts the first playback device to play audio content at the stored first volume level.

Abstract: Techniques for allocating audio data between a first playback device and a second playback device are disclosed. The audio data comprises a plurality of audio portions and the method comprises: detecting a trigger associated with the first playback device; responsive to detecting the trigger: retrieving configuration information related to the first playback device and the second playback device; and automatically updating an allocation of the audio portions for reproduction by at least one of the first playback device and the second playback device based on the configuration information.

Abstract: A playback device including a housing having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion therebetween. The playback device can further include an audio transducer at least partially disposed in the intermediate portion and a grille assembly surrounding the intermediate portion between the first and second end portions. The grille assembly can include a substrate and an outer shell surrounding the substrate. The outer shell can include an elastomeric material bonded onto a thermoplastic material, wherein the outer shell includes a perforated portion extending between the first and second end portions of the housing and overlaying the audio transducer, and wherein the perforated face defines a plurality of apertures extending through the elastomeric and thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: Example techniques involve systems with multiple acoustic echo cancellers. An example implementation captures first audio within an acoustic environment and detecting, within the captured first audio content, a wake-word. In response to the wake-word and before playing an acknowledgement tone, the implementation activates (a) a first sound canceller when one or more speakers are playing back audio content or (b) a second sound canceller when the one or more speakers are idle. In response to the wake-word and after activating either (a) the first sound canceller or (b) the second sound canceller, the implementation outputs the acknowledgement tone via the one or more speakers. The implementation captures second audio within the acoustic environment and cancelling the acoustic echo of the acknowledgement tone from the captured second audio using the activated sound canceller.