Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for accessing content. The method comprises processing at least one image with a classifier, and, in response to the at least one image being processed by the classifier, outputting from the classifier a value indicative of the likelihood that the at least one image belongs to at least one classification. The method also comprises determining whether the at least one image belongs to the at least one classification, based on the value, and accessing predetermined content when it is determined that the at least one image belongs to the at least one classification. Images may be classified by, e.g., genre, musical album, concept, or the like, and, in cases where an image belongs to any such classes, predetermined content (e.g., metadata and/or an audio track) relating thereto is identified and presented to the user.

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: A source device being associated with an account uses playback of a media content item to cause a target device to become associated with the account. The target device enters an association mode and records a portion of the playing content. The target device provides the recording to a server that identifies the song (e.g., using a music fingerprint service) and uses the identification of the song to find the account that caused playback of the identified song. With the account identified, the server provides credentials of the account to target system. The target device accesses content or services using the account. As confirmation of receiving the credentials, the server causes playback of the content to transition to from the source device to the target device.

Abstract: A system for refinement of a voice query interpretation interprets a voice query received at a voice-enabled device to identify commands responsive to the voice query for execution at the voice-enabled device, and enables refinement of the interpretation of the voice query through a graphical user interface generated and displayed at a GUI-capable device. The graphical user interface includes a set of selectable options relating to the voice query and identifying a refinement of the interpretation of the voice query to enable control and/or adjustment of commands to be executed by the voice-enabled device. For example, if one of the selectable options is selected, then a command associated with the selected option is identified and executed by the voice-enabled device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for saving media content to a context for later playback are provided. An example media-playback device for identifying and playing media content for a user traveling in a vehicle includes a context detecting device, a context-driven playback engine, and a media playback engine. Contexts are established by parameters that can be detected by a media-playback device. Contexts are situations that are defined by one or more locations, times, events, activities, people, and devices. Media content is saved to the contexts for later playback. The contexts are detected by the context detecting device, the associated media content is identified by the context-driven playback engine, and the media content is automatically played through the media playback engine, without additional input required by the user.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for orchestration of operations associated with a media content environment, including use of a prepare-proceed workflow process (workflow) that supports definition and use of different payment/billing systems or processes. A payment/billing server, for use with the media content environment dynamically generates workflows for use in processing payments associated with products. Upon receipt of a request to purchase a product, the payment/billing server generates a workflow to process a payment, including querying a product subsystem to determine pre-authorization steps required for purchase of the product and executing the pre-authorization steps; querying a transaction subsystem to determine a transaction information required for authorization; and querying a payment processor for authorization of the transaction.

Abstract: A server obtains user data corresponding to a first content domain. The server identifies, from the user data, a plurality of labels. A respective label of the plurality of labels corresponds to a distinct characteristic of content items of the first content domain. The server utilizes a neural network to generate a plurality of user embeddings. A respective user embedding of the plurality of user embeddings includes a plurality of labels that correspond to a respective user. The server determines, using the plurality of user embeddings, a first content item of a plurality of content items of a second type that meets matching criteria for a first user. The server further provides, to a device of the first user, information that corresponds to the first content item of the second content domain.

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: 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: Computer systems and methods are provided for processing audio queries. An electronic device receives an audio clip and performs a matching process on the audio clip. The matching process includes comparing at least a portion of the audio clip to a plurality of reference audio tracks and identifying, based on the comparing, a first portion of a particular reference track that corresponds to the audio sample. Upon identifying the matching portion, the electronic device provides a backing track for playback which corresponds to the particular reference track, and an initial playback position of the backing track.

Abstract: An example system for playing media content with a media playback device in a vehicle can be programmed to obtain a sound measurement indicative of a sound level associated with playback of the media content by the media playback device in the vehicle. The example system also can determine a deviation in an expected sound level based upon the sound measurement. Finally, the system can modify playback of the media content by the media playback device (110) based upon the deviation.

Abstract: A skip behavior analyzer is part of a media delivery system that allows for unbiased A/B testing of a plurality of versions of a song. The media delivery system stores a plurality of versions of a song and randomly selects, for each requesting device, a version of the song to associate with that device. Each time the device requests the song, thereafter, the media delivery system will provide the same version of the song for consistency. The media delivery system then gathers song play and skip information, calculates the differences in distribution of the skip behavior, and provides the skip information to allow a music composer to better determine which version of a song is more popular and why that is so.

Abstract: A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a user interface displays a plurality of media options from which particular options can be selected. A click determination logic is configured so that a first event associated with a particular option, such as a click event, is passed singly to a media application without trapping for the possibility of a double-click. The media application interprets the first event as a likely selection by a user of the particular option, and uses information associated with the likely selection to begin buffering a corresponding media content. If a second event associated with the particular option is received within a subsequent time interval, then the second event is treated, like a double-click, as confirmation of the user's selection, and the corresponding media content is streamed from its media content buffer.

Abstract: An electronic device receives a first audio content item that includes a plurality of sound sources. The electronic device generates a representation of the first audio content item. The electronic device determines, from the representation of the first audio content item, a representation of an isolated sound source and frequency data associated with the isolated sound source. The determining includes using a neural network to jointly determine the representation of the isolated sound source and the frequency data associated with the isolated sound source.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for semantic analysis and use of song lyrics in a media content environment. Semantic analysis is used to identify persons, events, themes, stories, or other meaningful information within a plurality of songs. Example use cases include the selection and delivery of media content in response to input searches for songs of a particular nature; the recommendation or suggestion of media content in social messaging or other environments; or the delivery of an advertisement content based on a matching of song lyrics with advertisement topic words.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns the providing of media, and more particularly to the streaming of media. In one example embodiment of a method for streaming an audio content item to an electronic device, the method comprises: receiving a first data message comprising instructions from an electronic device to return a preview segment associated with a selected audio content item, the preview segment being a portion of the selected audio content item; retrieving said selected audio content item from a first storage; analyzing audio content of the retrieved audio content item to locate a portion of the selected audio content item to be used as the preview segment; extracting the located portion of the selected audio content item from the retrieved audio content item; and transmitting the extracted portion of the selected audio content item unencrypted to the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems, devices, apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for media content playback during travel are provided. An example method of generating a user interface for a media playback device. The method includes the step of displaying a first user interface screen in a first display format. The first display format including graphical representations of a plurality of selectable controls. The method also includes the step of determining that the media playback device is travelling and after determining that the media playback device is travelling, converting the first user interface screen to a second display format. The second display format includes fewer graphical representations of the plurality of selectable controls than the first display format.

Abstract: An electronic device includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs. The one or more programs include instructions for presenting, on a first playback component coupled with the electronic device, a first media content item and receiving an input to preview a second media content item. The one or more programs include instructions for, in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is in a first mode of operation, while the first media content item is presented on the first playback component, presenting a preview of the second media content item on a second playback component. The one or more programs include instructions for, in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is not in the first mode of operation: ceasing presentation of the first media content item and presenting the preview of the second media content item.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for use of crowdsourced microphone or other information with a digital media content environment. A user may bring their media device with media application to a venue/performance, for example a theater, or a music concert, or other event which the user desires to attend. A microphone and/or other hardware components of the media device can be used to indicate a presence of the media device. The system can also, or alternatively, utilize an interaction information by the media device or the user thereof with other systems or environments. The media application can be configured so that, upon determining that the media device is present within a particular venue or attending a particular performance, the media server can enable one or more venue-aware media application features, to provide various types of functionalities that improve the user experience.

Abstract: A computing device comprising a display screen, the computing device being configured to decompose a media recording into a plurality of media recording salient events, apply each of the media recording salient events to a reinforcement model, display on the display screen (i) a mapping of the plurality of media recording salient events and (ii) for at least one of the plurality of media recording salient events, at least one selectable next best action, the computing device further configured to replace at least one of the plurality of media recording salient events with at least one selectable next best action to create a derivative media recording including at least one replacement media recording action.