Abstract: Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to pass the throughput test.

Abstract: A system may be configured for cooperation between language model agents. An agent may be, for example, a computer system, or a software component executing on a computer system, that can accept text and/or natural language inputs, draw upon an LM to process the inputs and perform a function, and respond via text and/or natural language outputs. An agent may act as a mediator to interact with a user, identify a task requested by the user, and delegate one or more subtasks to another agent or other resource. An agent may act as a delegate to handle tasks or subtasks delegated by a mediator. Agents may communicate with each other using a combination of structured and unstructured language; for example, one or more parameters and a natural language message.

Abstract: A system may be configured for cooperation between language model agents. An agent may be, for example, a computer system, or a software component executing on a computer system, that can accept text and/or natural language inputs, draw upon an LM to process the inputs and perform a function, and respond via text and/or natural language outputs. An agent may act as a mediator to interact with a user, identify a task requested by the user, and delegate one or more subtasks to another agent or other resource. An agent may act as a delegate to handle tasks or subtasks delegated by a mediator. Agents may communicate with each other using a combination of structured and unstructured language; for example, one or more parameters and a natural language message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pairing-less device connectivity are disclosed. For example, a group of primary devices are authorized to establish a non-bonded connection with a given secondary device. When the secondary device is in proximity of at least one of the group of primary devices, that primary device may receive a wireless beacon from the secondary device. The system may identify the primary device as an authorized device, perform user presence confirmation processes, and send a command to the primary device to establish the non-bonded connection. Encryption using a network layer or a presentation layer and an application layer of a computer network, instead of a link layer, is utilized for secure data transmission over the non-bonded connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for device-to-account anomaly detection are disclosed. For example, device information associated with user account data is queried from a user registry and from an external system. The device information from both sources is hashed or otherwise formatted and compared to determine whether a dissimilarity is present. A difference value may be generated and utilized to determine whether an anomaly is present for device-to-account associations as between the user registry and the external system. Utilizing the difference value and/or historical difference values associated with the external system, one or more actions for correcting the anomaly may be selected and performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integration of speech processing functionality with organization systems are disclosed. For example, a voice interface application may be created to enable a voice interface functionality for devices associated with an organization. Space identifiers of spaces of the organization may be created and associated with the voice interface application. Devices associated with the space identifiers may be enabled for utilizing the voice interface application and may be set up utilizing wireless network identifiers associated with the spaces and/or the organization.

Abstract: Techniques for creating groups of devices for controlling these groups with voice commands are described herein. For instance, an environment may include an array of secondary devices (or “smart appliances”, or simply “devices”) that are configured to perform an array of operations. Users may request to create different groups of these devices, such that the users may control entire groups at a single time with individual voice commands.

Abstract: Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to passes the throughput test.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integration of speech processing functionality with organization systems are disclosed. For example, a voice interface application may be created to enable a voice interface functionality for devices associated with an organization. Space identifiers of spaces of the organization may be created and associated with the voice interface application. Devices associated with the space identifiers may be enabled for utilizing the voice interface application and may be set up utilizing wireless network identifiers associated with the spaces and/or the organization.

Abstract: Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to passes the throughput test.

Abstract: A speech-based system includes a local device in a user premises and a network-based control service that directs the local device to perform actions for a user. The control service may specify a first action that is to be performed upon detection by the local device of a stimulus. In some cases, performing the first action may rely on the availability of network communications with the control service or with another service. In these cases, the control service also specifies a second, fallback action that does not rely upon network communications. Upon detecting the stimulus, the local device performs the first action if network communications are available. If network communications are not available, the local device performs the second, fallback action.

Abstract: A speech-based system includes a local device in a user premises and a network-based control service that directs the local device to perform actions for a user. The control service may specify a first action that is to be performed upon detection by the local device of a stimulus. In some cases, performing the first action may rely on the availability of network communications with the control service or with another service. In these cases, the control service also specifies a second, fallback action that does not rely upon network communications. Upon detecting the stimulus, the local device performs the first action if network communications are available. If network communications are not available, the local device performs the second, fallback action.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integration of speech processing functionality with organization systems are disclosed. For example, a voice interface application may be created to enable a voice interface functionality for devices associated with an organization. Space identifiers of spaces of the organization may be created and associated with the voice interface application. Devices associated with the space identifiers may be enabled for utilizing the voice interface application and may be set up utilizing wireless network identifiers associated with the spaces and/or the organization.

Abstract: Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to passes the throughput test.

Abstract: Techniques for remotely executing a secondary-device driver for generating commands for a secondary device are described herein. For instance, a secondary device (or “appliance”) may reside within an environment, along with a device to which the secondary device communicatively couples. The device may be configured to send control signals to the secondary device for causing the secondary device to perform certain operations. For instance, a user in the environment may provide, to the device, a request that the secondary device perform a certain operation. The device, which may lack some or all of a device driver associated with the secondary device, may then work with a remote service that executes the device driver for the purpose of receiving a command from the device driver and sending the command along to the secondary device. Upon receiving the command, the secondary device may perform the operation.

Abstract: Techniques for causing different devices to perform different operations using a single voice command are described herein. In some instances, a user may define a “scene”, in which a user sets different devices to different states and then associates an utterance with those states or with the operations performed by the devices to reach those states. For instance, a user may dim a light, turn on his television, and turn on his set-top box before sending a request to a local device or to a remote service to associate those settings with a predefined utterance, such as “my movie scene”. Thereafter, the user may cause the light to dim, the television to turn on, and the set-top box to turn on simply by issuing the voice command “execute my movie scene”.

Abstract: Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to passes the throughput test.

Abstract: Techniques for creating groups of devices for controlling these groups with voice commands are described herein. For instance, an environment may include an array of secondary devices (or “smart appliances”, or simply “devices”) that are configured to perform an array of operations. Users may request to create different groups of these devices, such that the users may control entire groups at a single time with individual voice commands.

Abstract: Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to passes the throughput test.

Abstract: Techniques for creating groups of devices for controlling these groups with voice commands are described herein. For instance, an environment may include an array of secondary devices (or “smart appliances”, or simply “devices”) that are configured to perform an array of operations. Users may request to create different groups of these devices, such that the users may control entire groups at a single time with individual voice commands.