Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to offline voice control. A local voice input engine may process voice inputs locally when processing voice inputs via a cloud-based voice assistant service is not possible. Some techniques involve local (on-device) voice-assisted set-up of a cloud-based voice assistant service. Further example techniques involve local voice-assisted troubleshooting the cloud-based voice assistant service. Other techniques relate to interactions between local and cloud-based processing of voice inputs on a device that supports both local and cloud-based processing.

Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to toggling a cloud-based VAS between enabled and disabled modes. An example implementation involves a NMD detecting that the housing is in a first orientation and enabling a first mode. Enabling the first mode includes disabling voice input processing via a cloud-based VAS and enabling local voice input processing. In the first mode, the NMD captures sound data associated with a first voice input and detects, via a local natural language unit, that the first voice input comprises sound data matching one or more keywords. The NMD determines an intent of the first voice input and performs a first command according to the determined intent. The NMD may detect that the housing is in a second orientation and enables the second mode. Enabling the second mode includes enabling voice input processing via the cloud-based VAS.

Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes at least one microphone configured to detect sound. The playback detects sound via the one or more microphones and determines whether (i) the detected sound includes a voice input, (ii) the detected sound excludes background speech, and (iii) the voice input includes a command keyword. In response to the determining, the playback device performs a playback function corresponding to the command keyword.

Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword, and determines whether one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied. Based on (a) detecting the first command keyword and (b) determining that the one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied, the playback device playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.

Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword of in voice input of sound detected by one or more microphones of the playback device. The playback device determines an intent based on at least one keyword in the voice input via a local natural language unit (NLU). After detecting the first command keyword event and determining the intent, the playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword and according to the determined intent. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.

Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword, and determines whether one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied. Based on (a) detecting the first command keyword and (b) determining that the one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied, the playback device playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.

Abstract: A media player is provided with a lateral groove across the back of the housing of the media player that receives a user's forefinger and provides an ergonomic grip for the media player. A control button, including thumb operated button zones and a thumb operated slider zone is located on a front face of the housing. When the user grips the media player with their forefinger located in the lateral groove, the user's thumb is naturally adjacent the button zones and slider zone. A docking station for the media player that fits within a cup holder of a motor vehicle is also described.