Abstract: A method for retrieving an audio file includes: collecting an audio segment in real time; and for every two chronologically adjacent audio frames in a plurality of audio frames of the audio segment, acquiring a difference value between spectral centroids of a sub-band corresponding to the two audio frames, to obtain a plurality of difference values; and obtaining an audio fingerprint corresponding to the two audio frames based on the plurality of difference values. A quantity of the plurality of difference values equaling a quantity of sub-bands of one of the two audio frames. Each bit of the audio fingerprint being determined based on a comparison between a difference value corresponding to the bit and a preset difference value threshold. The method also includes retrieving, in an audio file library based on audio fingerprints of the plurality of audio frames, a target audio file matching the audio segment.

Abstract: Approaches presented herein enable customization of content being consumed at a location. More specifically, a plurality of participants is identified as being located within an area. A data source corresponding to each of at least two participants is analyzed for preferences of the participants. Based on this analysis, a set of preferences for the participants is mapped, and this mapping includes linking related preferences of different participants. A sentiment of the plurality of participants is identified based on a real-time data feed that captures actions of the plurality of participants located within the area. A scored set of content is selected based on the mapped set of preferences and the identified sentiment of the plurality of participants.

Abstract: In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network.

Abstract: An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices.

Abstract: A delay estimation method includes determining a cross-correlation coefficient of a multi-channel signal of a current frame, determining a delay track estimation value of the current frame based on buffered inter-channel time difference information of at least one past frame, determining an adaptive window function of the current frame, performing weighting on the cross-correlation coefficient based on the delay track estimation value of the current frame and the adaptive window function of the current frame, to obtain a weighted cross-correlation coefficient, and determining an inter-channel time difference of the current frame based on the weighted cross-correlation coefficient.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for requesting audio only data for video content. One of the methods includes receiving, from a host server on a network, a plurality of content items, wherein a content item of the plurality of content items references video content. If device conditions, network conditions, or both, indicate that video data of the video content referenced by the content item should not be played on the user device, the user device requests only the audio data of the video content referenced by the content item and plays only the audio data on the user device.

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: A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter is configured to minimize delay and maximize passband power by adjusting the filter coefficients applied to the sampled values. The FIR filter obtains an input signal and samples the input signal to generate a set of sampled input values. The FIR filter generates a set of filter coefficients, with each filter coefficient based on a corresponding sampled input value in the set of sample input values. The FIR filter selects a subset of sampled input values that have been most recently sampled from the input signal, and selects a subset of filter coefficients corresponding to sampled input values that are not the most recently sampled. The subset of sampled input values is combined with the subset of filter coefficients to generate an output value for the FIR filter.

Abstract: Systems and methods control presentation of audio-only content that is broadcast to a media device. An exemplary embodiment receives media content that is currently received in a channel of a broadcasted media content stream; determines whether the currently received channel is a type of channel that provides audio/visual content or a type of channel that provides audio-only content; controls presentation of the received media content using at least one audio/visual content control function in response to determining that the currently received channel is the type of channel that provides audio/visual content; controls presentation of the received media content using at least one audio-only content control function in response to determining that the currently received channel is the type of channel that provides audio-only content, wherein the at least one audio/visual content control function is different from the at least one audio-only content control function.

Abstract: This technology is to enable high quality audio reproduction on the reception side without supplying a transmission clock using a clock signal line from the reception side to the transmission side. The transmission apparatus receives encoded data capable of clock recovery from a reception apparatus (external device), generates an audio clock on the basis of a carrier clock recovered from the encoded data, and transmits audio data to the reception apparatus in synchronization with the audio clock. The reception apparatus transmits the encoded data capable of clock recovery to the external device in synchronization with the carrier clock generated on the basis of an self-generating audio clock, receives the audio data from the transmission apparatus (external device), and processes the audio data on the basis of the self-generating audio clock.

Abstract: An audio device that includes a music classifier that determines when music is present in an audio signal is disclosed. The audio device is configured to receive audio, process the received audio, and to output the processed audio to a user. The processing may be adjusted based on the output of the music classifier. The music classifier utilizes a plurality of decision making units, each operating on the received audio independently. The decision making units are simplified to reduce the processing, and therefore the power, necessary for operation. Accordingly each decision making unit may be insufficient to determine music alone but in combination may accurately detect music while consuming power at a rate that is suitable for a mobile device, such as a hearing aid.

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: Embodiments are described herein that involve a computing device initiating playback of a particular media item on a media playback system that is registered to a particular account of a social media service. The computing device may query the social media service for one or more accounts of the social media service that are registered to respective media playback systems that have played the particular media item on at least a threshold number of occasions and have not yet been connected to the particular account of the social media service within the social network. The computing device may receive the queried one or more accounts of the social media service and cause a graphical interface to display one or more respective selectable indications of the received one or more accounts of the social media service.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a MEMS microphone, comprising an output interface for providing an output signal of the MEMS microphone, and comprising a memory, wherein the output interface is configured to provide, in a normal mode of operation, a microphone signal as the output signal of the MEMS microphone, and wherein the output interface is configured to provide, in an initialization mode of operation, a data signal as the output signal of the MEMS microphone, wherein the data signal carries an information stored in the memory.

Abstract: An example computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a processing device, a signal from a sensor of a user device associated with a user who is physically indicating at a geographic area, the signal including direction information and inclination information associated with the indicating. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, a direction the user is indicating based on the direction information. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, a distance that the user is indicating based on the inclination information. The method further includes determining, by the processing device, a specified geographic area based on the direction the user is indicating and the distance the user is indicating. The method further includes identifying, by the processing device, a listening device located in proximity to the specified geographic area. The method further includes enabling, by the processing device, the listening device to capture audio.

Abstract: A sonic signal encodes a symbol sequence representing a binary message, for delivery as audio content. The binary message into a sequence of symbols that are each associated with frequency characteristics transmitted over a time period. Two carriers are transmitted at two selected frequencies during each time period, delivering the binary data at a high rate. The symbol sequence is preceded by a prefix which takes the form of a sweeping frequency tone which sweeps over the frequency ranges of the carriers. Further, the amplitudes of the carriers are adjusted so that higher frequency transmissions are transmitted at higher sound pressure levels. Methods for synchronizing to the symbol sequence and decoding the symbol sequence are also described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus improves the quality of responses from an automatic dialogue system by dynamically adjusting response thresholds. More particularly, the automatic dialogue system may dynamically determine response threshold values in response to user feedback. The response threshold values may be used to evaluate a confidence value. The confidence value may be assigned to or otherwise associated with an input class, or user intent. The system may automatically adjust the response threshold values to provide a better user experience as the amount of user-interaction with the system increases.

Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to social-media playback queues. In one example, a computing system may be configured to (i) receive an identifier of a media playback system, (ii) link the identifier with a social-media account, (iii) based at least on linking the identifier with the social-media account, generate a social-media playback queue that is Tillable with one or more media items playable by the media playback system, (iv) establish access permissions to the social-media playback queue, where the access permissions indicate at least one additional social media account that (a) is within a social-media network of the social-media account, and (b) has access to the social-media playback queue, (v) receive, from a computing device affiliated with the at least one additional social-media account, an indication of a media item to be added to the social-media playback queue, and (vi) add the media item to the social-media playback queue.

Abstract: In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.

Abstract: A process includes receiving, from a user identity, instructions for output characteristics including one or more of audio characteristics for rendering or capturing audio data or visual characteristics for rendering or capturing visual data. The process also includes determining, in response to the received instructions, output controls which effect the one or more of audio characteristics or visual characteristics, and associating the output controls with an online identity or resource. The process further includes storing the associated output controls and detecting an interaction with the online identity or resource. Moreover, the process includes accessing, in response to the detection of the interaction, the stored output controls, and enabling an effect, based on the output controls, of one or more of the audio characteristics or the visual characteristics with respect to interaction with the online identity or resource.