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: Systems and methods for adjusting bass levels of a multi-channel audio signal include, among other features, (i) receiving the multi-channel signal via a playback device; (ii) separating, from the multi-channel signal, low-frequency signals comprising frequencies less than a threshold frequency; (iii) determining electrical energies of the low-frequency signals; (iv) determining a first energy by summing the electrical energies of the low-frequency signals; (v) consolidating the low-frequency signals into a consolidated low-frequency signal; (vi) determining a second energy by determining an electrical energy of the consolidated low-frequency signal; (vii) generating a gain-adjusted low-frequency signal by adjusting a gain of the consolidated low-frequency signal based on both (a) the first energy and (b) the second energy; (viii) generating a gain-adjusted multi-channel signal by mixing the gain-adjusted low-frequency signal back into the multi-channel signal; and (ix) using the gain-adjusted multi-channel s

Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vocal guidance for playback devices are disclosed. A playback device can include a first wireless transceiver for communication via a first data network and a second wireless transceiver for communication via a second data network. The device includes one or more processors and is configured to maintain a library that includes one or more source device names and corresponding audio content, the audio content configured to be played back via an amplifier to indicate association of a particular source device with the playback device via the first data network. The device receives, via the second data network, information from one or more remote computing devices, and based on the information, updates the library by: (i) adding at least one new source device name and corresponding audio content; (ii) changing at least one source device name or its corresponding audio content; or both (i) and (ii).

Abstract: An example playback device is configured to receive a first stream of audio comprising source audio content to be played back by the playback device and record, via one or more microphones of the playback device, an audio signal output by the playback device based on the playback device playing the source audio content. The playback device is also configured to determine a transfer function between a frequency-domain representation of the first stream of audio and a frequency-domain representation of the recorded audio signal, and then determine an estimated frequency response of the playback device based on a difference between (i) the transfer function and (ii) a self-response of the playback device, where the self-response of the playback device is stored in a memory of the playback device. Based on the estimated frequency response, the playback device is configured to determine an acoustic calibration adjustment and implement the acoustic calibration adjustment.

Abstract: Earphone positioning and retention mechanisms are disclosed. One earphone described includes a speaker driver, a flexible eartip comprising a first oval shaped contact surface at an opening forming a hole through the eartip, the first oval shaped contact surface configured to contact an outer surface of a user's ear canal when worn, a body portion comprising a second contact surface configured to position behind an anti-tragus portion of the user's ear, and, a retaining member formed of a compliant material, comprising a third contact surface configured to conform to a cymba conch portion of the user's ear, where the body portion and the retaining member are shaped in a way that the second contact surface contacts the anti-tragus portion and the third contact surface contacts the cymba conch portion at the same time, when the first contact surface is already in contact with the outer surface of the ear canal.

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: Playback devices can support audio encoded using various encoding schemes. Playing back such content includes receiving, at a playback device, audio data from an audio source; and receiving an indication from the audio source that the audio data is encoded in the compressed audio format. The device determines, independently of receiving the indication from the audio source that the audio data is encoded in the compressed audio format, whether the audio data is encoded in a compressed audio format. If the audio data is determined to be encoded in the compressed audio format: the device selects a decoder from among a plurality of decoders; decodes the audio data using the selected decoder; and plays back the decoded audio data via the playback device. If the audio data is determined not to be encoded in the compressed audio format, the device inhibits playback of the audio data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for localizing portable devices are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for locating a portable device in a network that includes several reference devices. The method measures characteristics of signals transmitted via signal paths between reference devices and a portable device, normalizes the measurements to estimate characteristics of the signal paths, and estimates the likelihood that the portable device is in a particular location. Systems and methods for training prediction models include a method that includes steps for receiving context data for a portable device in a system, wherein the context data includes localization data that describes a location of the portable device, identifying a predicted stationary device based on the context data using a prediction model, identifying a target stationary device from the several stationary devices, training the prediction model based on based on the predicted stationary device and the received input.

Abstract: Example systems and techniques disclosed herein facilitate interoperability between different media playback systems referred to herein as a virtual line-in (VLI) media playback system and a native playback system. When a VLI session is created by a VLI sender, a first native playback device can join a VLI group as a VLI receiver. As a VLI receiver, the first native playback device receives audio content and playback commands from the VLI sender to facilitate synchronous playback with other VLI receivers. At the same time, this native playback device can concurrently operate as a native domain group coordinator of a native domain synchrony group. As the native domain group coordinator, the native playback device translates VLI domain audio, control, and timing signals into the native domain and distributes such signals to native domain group members. In this way, the native domain group members can synchronize their playback with the VLI group.

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: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.

Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve audio settings based on an environment. An example implementation may involve a playback device playing back first audio content and during playback of at least a portion of the first audio content, detecting, via the at least one microphone, an audio signal. At least a portion of the detected audio signal may include a reflection of the first audio content played back by the playback device. The playback device may determine an equalization setting based on at least the determined one or more reflection characteristics and apply the determined equalization setting during playback of second audio content.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to device spaces and default designations in a media playback system. A device space may create an association between a networked microphone device and one or more playback devices such that certain voice commands (e.g., playback commands) received by the networked microphone device are used to control the one or more playback devices (unless otherwise designated in the voice command). Furthermore, in bonded pairs and bonded groups of playback devices that include at least one NMD, certain playback devices within the bonded pair or group may be designated as default so as to avoid multiple responses to a voice input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for suppressing noise and detecting voice input in a multi-channel audio signal captured by two or more network microphone devices include receiving an instruction to process one or more audio signals captured by a first network microphone device and after receiving the instruction (i) disabling at least a first microphone of a plurality of microphones of a second network microphone device, (ii) capturing a first audio signal via a second microphone of the plurality of microphones, (iii) receiving over a network interface of the second network microphone device a second audio signal captured via at least a third microphone of the first network microphone device, (iv) using estimated noise content to suppress first and second noise content in the first and second audio signals, (v) combining the suppressed first and second audio signals into a third audio signal, and (vi) determining that the third audio signal includes a voice input comprising a wake word.

Abstract: A network device is configured to (i) play back a media item indicated by a remote playback queue provided by a cloud-based computing system, (ii) receive an indication that a playback device is available for playback, (iii) display a now playing screen including (a) information identifying the media item, and (b) an icon that indicates that the network device is not in a connected state with any other network device, (iv) receive a first input selecting the icon, (v) in response to the first input, display a list of one or more available network devices including the playback device, (vi) receive a second input selecting the playback device from the list (vii) after receiving the second input, update the list to indicate that the playback device is selected for playback of the remote playback queue, and (viii) transfer playback of the remote playback queue from the network device to the playback device.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for smart configuration of audio settings for a playback device. According to an embodiment, while a playback device is a part of a first zone group that includes the playback device and at least one first playback device, the playback device applies a first audio setting. The embodiment also includes the playback device joining a second zone group that includes the playback device and at least one second playback device. The embodiment further includes the playback device applying a second audio setting based on an audio content profile corresponding to the second zone group.

Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.