Abstract: Stateless playback is performed by receiving a playback control instruction request from a first media playback device, the playback control instruction request requesting a playback position associated with a collaborative media consumption session to move. Upon receiving the playback control instruction request, updating a playback context. Upon receiving a request for playback instructions, an updated playback position for the collaborative media consumption session is computed. The updated playback position is then communicated to the media playback device.

Abstract: An electronic system stores metadata for a plurality of media items, including, for each media item of the plurality of media items, at least one categorical identifier from a set of categorical identifiers. For a user of the media-providing service, the electronic system (i) determines a distribution of interests of the user with respect to the set of categorical identifiers; (ii) generates a network graph configured to represent a calibrated media item selection task, wherein the network graph represents respective relevance scores for each respective media item of the plurality of media items and the distribution of interests of the user with respect to the categorical identifiers; (iii) selects a set of media items from the plurality of media items to recommend to the user by solving for a maximum flow of the network graph; and (iv) provides the set of media items as recommendations to the user.

Abstract: A second wake word detector, at a media-playback device, that plays audio (or other) content to a device, such as a voice-enabled device, detects false wake words in the audio content. The second wake word detector analyzes the audio stream to determine if the audio stream contains any audio that sounds like the wake word. If so, the second wake word detector can generate one of a plurality of instructions that describes the time period, within the audio content, in which the false wake word was encountered. The instruction can cause a first wake word detector to assume one of a plurality of configurations. The media-playback device can then instruct or inform the voice-enabled device of the presence of the false wake word. In this way, the wake word detector, at the voice-enabled device, is not activated to receive the false wake word or ignores the wake word.

Abstract: A method performed by a first electronic device includes transmitting, to a server system, a first request message that includes an instruction requesting the server system to return a first audio content item selected via the first electronic device. The method includes receiving, from the server system: the first audio content item that is stored in first storage, and a located non-static media content item that is located, by the server system, in a second storage, separate and remote from the first storage. The non-static media content item associated with the first audio content item. The method includes playing back the first audio content item concurrently with presenting the non-static media content item.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for predicting user and media-playback device states are provided. Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for media content item caching on a media-playback device are also provided. Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for predicting a destination are also provided.

Abstract: A computer system provides, from a playback queue of a plurality of audio items, a played audio item of the plurality of audio items for playback and displays representation of a video content item associated with a first audio item. In response to the first user input selecting the representation of the video content item, the computer system displays or otherwise provides a user interface for browsing a plurality of video content items. The computer system detects a second user input selecting a representation of a second audio item that is associated with a second video content item displayed in the user interface and in response to the second user input, displays or otherwise provides, a user interface for the second audio item and ceasing display of the second video content item.

Abstract: An electronic device generates training data to train a classifier to classify a respective search query as complete or incomplete, including: obtaining a first search query input by a first user; determining a media content item selected by the first user from the first search query; comparing metadata associated with the media content item with the first search query input by the first user; and labeling the first search query as complete or incomplete based on the comparison. The electronic device trains the classifier, using the generated training data, to classify a respective search query as complete or incomplete and uses the trained classifier to determine whether a second search query is complete or incomplete. The electronic device provides, for display, for a second user, one or more complete search queries as recommendations for a received search query, including the second search query if second search query is complete.

Abstract: An audio cancellation system includes a voice enabled computing system that is connected to an audio output device using a wired or wireless communication network. The voice enabled computing device can provide media content to a user and receive a voice command from the user. The connection between the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device introduces a time delay between the media content being generated at the voice enabled computing device and the media content being reproduced at the audio output device. The system operates to determine a calibration value adapted for the voice enabled computing system and the audio output device. The system uses the calibration value to filter the user's voice command from a recording of ambient sound including the media content, without requiring significant use of memory and computing resources.

Abstract: An electronic device receives an audio file and divides the audio file into a plurality of segments. The electronic device, automatically, without user input, determines, for each segment, a descriptor from a plurality of descriptors and a value of the descriptor for the segment. The electronic device selects one or more segments of the plurality of segments, based on a comparison of the respective values of respective descriptors for respective segments and genre-specific criteria selected based on a genre of the audio file. The electronic device generates a trailer for the audio file using the selected one or more segments.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are provided for performing random walks on knowledge graphs. Knowledge graphs are received and for each knowledge graph there is constructed a multilayer network having unipartite layers and bipartite layers and interlayer couplings that (i) connect nodes of the unipartite layers and the bipartite layers representing the same entity (ii) are directed and (iii) weighted with a weight that depends on an activity of a target node in the unipartite layer or bipartite layer in which the target node resides. A walk on a random walk model of the multilayer network that takes into account saliencies of the different interlayer and intralayer connections of the nodes is then processed and one or more actions based on the random walk model are performed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products provide dynamic segment resolution and transfer dynamic-segment metadata across media playback devices by detecting a transfer signal indicating a playback session is to be transferred from a first media playback device to a second media playback device, where the playback session contains first dynamic-segment metadata corresponding to a first dynamic-segment having a first data format. Second dynamic-segment metadata corresponding to a second dynamic-segment having a second data format is retrieved and the second media playback device is controlled to play the second dynamic-segment using the second dynamic-segment metadata, where the first data format and the second data format are different.

Abstract: A server receives a request to play a selected playlist from a first electronic device associated with a host listener. The playlist includes audio items having a common attribute. The server also receives an identity of a guest listener having a second electronic device and retrieves an indication of taste of the guest listener based on the received identity. The server selects an additional audio item based at least in part on the indication of taste of the guest listener and the common attribute of the audio items of the selected playlist, and incorporates the additional audio item into the selected playlist.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to speech processing. Humans change their speech patterns in noisy environments. The systems and devices described herein can compensate for noisy environments to be more human-like. Thus, the configurations and implementations herein can determine a sound profile for the sound environment where the user is listening. Based on the sound profile, the devices can determine a transform to apply to output speech from the device. This transform is applied to the wake word, speech recognition, and to the output speech to compensate for the noise level of the environment by mimicking the Lombard effect.

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: Methods for predicting a yield of fruit growing in an agricultural plot are provided. At a first time, a first plurality of images of a canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from an aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the first plurality of images, a first number of detectable fruit is estimated. At a second time, a second plurality of images of the canopy of the agricultural plot is obtained from the aerial view of the canopy of the agricultural plot. From the second plurality of images, a second number of detectable fruit is estimated. Using at least the first number of detectable fruit and the second number of detectable fruit and agricultural plot information, predict the yield of fruit from the agricultural plot.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for media a simple user interface that can facilitate discovery of contextually relevant media content with minimal navigation are provided. For example, the disclosed user interface may present contextually relevant categories, sub-categories and media content items while concurrently playing a media content item predicted to likely be selected by the user.

Abstract: Stateless playback is performed by receiving a playback control instruction request from a first media playback device, the playback control instruction request requesting a playback position associated with a collaborative media consumption session to move. Upon receiving the playback control instruction request, updating a playback context. Upon receiving a request for playback instructions, an updated playback position for the collaborative media consumption session is computed. The updated playback position is then communicated to the media playback device.