Abstract: Example techniques involve invoking voice assistance for a media playback system. In some embodiments, a NMD stores in memory a set of command information comprising a listing of playback commands and associated command criteria. The NMD captures a voice input and detects inclusion, within the voice input, of one or more particular playback commands from among the playback commands in the listing. In response, the NMD selects a local voice assistant that supports (a) one or more additional playback commands relative to a cloud-based VAS and (b) fewer non-playback commands relative to the cloud-based VAS, determines, via the local voice assistant, an intent in the captured voice input, and performs a response to the determined intent. The NMD foregoes selection of the cloud-based VAS when the local voice assistant is selected.

Abstract: A first playback device is configured to perform functions comprising: detecting sound, identifying a wake word based on the sound as detected by the first device, receiving an indication that a second playback device has also detected the sound and identified the wake word based on the sound as detected by the second device, after receiving the indication, evaluating which of the first and second devices is to extract sound data representing the sound and thereby determining that the extraction of the sound data is to be performed by the second device over the first device, in response to the determining, foregoing extraction of the sound data, receiving VAS response data that is indicative of a given VAS response corresponding to a given voice input identified in the sound data extracted by the second device, and based on the VAS response data, output the given VAS response.

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: Example techniques involve invoking voice assistance for a media playback system. In some embodiments, a NMD stores in memory a set of command information comprising a listing of playback commands and associated command criteria. The NMD captures a voice input and detects inclusion, within the voice input, of one or more particular playback commands from among the playback commands in the listing. In response, the NMD selects a local voice assistant that supports (a) one or more additional playback commands relative to a cloud-based VAS and (b) fewer non-playback commands relative to the cloud-based VAS, determines, via the local voice assistant, an intent in the captured voice input, and performs a response to the determined intent. The NMD foregoes selection of the cloud-based VAS when the local voice assistant is selected.

Abstract: A first playback device is configured to perform functions comprising: detecting sound, identifying a wake word based on the sound as detected by the first device, receiving an indication that a second playback device has also detected the sound and identified the wake word based on the sound as detected by the second device, after receiving the indication, evaluating which of the first and second devices is to extract sound data representing the sound and thereby determining that the extraction of the sound data is to be performed by the second device over the first device, in response to the determining, foregoing extraction of the sound data, receiving VAS response data that is indicative of a given VAS response corresponding to a given voice input identified in the sound data extracted by the second device, and based on the VAS response data, output the given VAS response.

Abstract: Examples described herein relate to portable playback devices, such as smart headphones and earbuds, and ultra-portable devices having built-in voice assistants. Some example techniques relate to user interaction with voice assistants. Further example techniques relate to voice guidance played back by the headphones to guide the user under certain conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed voice processing are disclosed herein. In one example, the method includes detecting sound via a microphone array of a first playback device and analyzing, via a first wake-word engine of the first playback device, the detected sound. The first playback device may transmit data associated with the detected sound to a second playback device over a local area network. A second wake-word engine of the second playback device may analyze the transmitted data associated with the detected sound. The method may further include identifying that the detected sound contains either a first wake word or a second wake word based on the analysis via the first and second wake-word engines, respectively. Based on the identification, sound data corresponding to the detected sound may be transmitted over a wide area network to a remote computing device associated with a particular voice assistant service.

Abstract: Example techniques involve invoking voice assistance for a media playback system. In some embodiments, a NMD stores in memory a set of command information comprising a listing of playback commands and associated command criteria. The NMD captures a voice input and detects inclusion, within the voice input, of one or more particular playback commands from among the playback commands in the listing. In response, the NMD selects a local voice assistant that supports (a) one or more additional playback commands relative to a cloud-based VAS and (b) fewer non-playback commands relative to the cloud-based VAS, determines, via the local voice assistant, an intent in the captured voice input, and performs a response to the determined intent. The NMD foregoes selection of the cloud-based VAS when the local voice assistant is selected.

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: 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: Systems and methods for distributed voice processing are disclosed herein. In one example, the method includes detecting sound via a microphone array of a first playback device and analyzing, via a first wake-word engine of the first playback device, the detected sound. The first playback device may transmit data associated with the detected sound to a second playback device over a local area network. A second wake-word engine of the second playback device may analyze the transmitted data associated with the detected sound. The method may further include identifying that the detected sound contains either a first wake word or a second wake word based on the analysis via the first and second wake-word engines, respectively. Based on the identification, sound data corresponding to the detected sound may be transmitted over a wide area network to a remote computing device associated with a particular voice assistant service.

Abstract: Example techniques involve invoking voice assistance for a media playback system. In some embodiments, a NMD stores in memory a set of command information comprising a listing of playback commands and associated command criteria. The NMD captures a voice input and detects inclusion, within the voice input, of one or more particular playback commands from among the playback commands in the listing. In response, the NMD selects a local voice assistant that supports (a) one or more additional playback commands relative to a cloud-based VAS and (b) fewer non-playback commands relative to the cloud-based VAS, determines, via the local voice assistant, an intent in the captured voice input, and performs a response to the determined intent. The NMD foregoes selection of the cloud-based VAS when the local voice assistant is selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed voice processing are disclosed herein. In one example, the method includes detecting sound via a microphone array of a first playback device and analyzing, via a first wake-word engine of the first playback device, the detected sound. The first playback device may transmit data associated with the detected sound to a second playback device over a local area network. A second wake-word engine of the second playback device may analyze the transmitted data associated with the detected sound. The method may further include identifying that the detected sound contains either a first wake word or a second wake word based on the analysis via the first and second wake-word engines, respectively. Based on the identification, sound data corresponding to the detected sound may be transmitted over a wide area network to a remote computing device associated with a particular voice assistant service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed voice processing are disclosed herein. In one example, the method includes detecting sound via a microphone array of a first playback device and analyzing, via a first wake-word engine of the first playback device, the detected sound. The first playback device may transmit data associated with the detected sound to a second playback device over a local area network. A second wake-word engine of the second playback device may analyze the transmitted data associated with the detected sound. The method may further include identifying that the detected sound contains either a first wake word or a second wake word based on the analysis via the first and second wake-word engines, respectively. Based on the identification, sound data corresponding to the detected sound may be transmitted over a wide area network to a remote computing device associated with a particular voice assistant service.

Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device is provided that is configured to identify a trigger event indicating a request to associate the playback device with another playback device. Based on identifying the trigger event, the playback device is configured to create a first sound code based on a first sound specimen detected by the playback device. After identifying the trigger event, the playback device is configured to receive from the other playback device a sound object and based on receiving the sound object, identify a second sound code. The playback device is also configured to, based on the first sound code and the second sound code, determine that it and the other playback device have a spatial relationship. Based on that determination, the playback device is configured to cause it and the other playback device to be associated in accordance with the indicated request.

Abstract: A first playback device is configured to perform functions comprising: detecting sound, identifying a wake word based on the sound as detected by the first device, receiving an indication that a second playback device has also detected the sound and identified the wake word based on the sound as detected by the second device, after receiving the indication, evaluating which of the first and second devices is to extract sound data representing the sound and thereby determining that the extraction of the sound data is to be performed by the second device over the first device, in response to the determining, foregoing extraction of the sound data, receiving VAS response data that is indicative of a given VAS response corresponding to a given voice input identified in the sound data extracted by the second device, and based on the VAS response data, output the given VAS response.

Abstract: Example techniques involve invoking voice assistance for a media playback system. In some embodiments, a NMD stores in memory a set of command information comprising a listing of playback commands and associated command criteria. The NMD captures a voice input and detects inclusion, within the voice input, of one or more particular playback commands from among the playback commands in the listing. In response, the NMD selects a local voice assistant that supports (a) one or more additional playback commands relative to a cloud-based VAS and (b) fewer non-playback commands relative to the cloud-based VAS, determines, via the local voice assistant, an intent in the captured voice input, and performs a response to the determined intent. The NMD foregoes selection of the cloud-based VAS when the local voice assistant is selected.

Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device is provided that is configured to identify a trigger event indicating a request to associate the playback device with another playback device. Based on identifying the trigger event, the playback device is configured to create a first sound code based on a first sound specimen detected by the playback device. After identifying the trigger event, the playback device is configured to receive from the other playback device a sound object and based on receiving the sound object, identify a second sound code. The playback device is also configured to, based on the first sound code and the second sound code, determine that it and the other playback device have a spatial relationship. Based on that determination, the playback device is configured to cause it and the other playback device to be associated in accordance with the indicated request.

Abstract: Example techniques involve invoking voice assistance for a media playback system. In some embodiments, a NMD stores in memory a set of command information comprising a listing of playback commands and associated command criteria. The NMD captures a voice input and detects inclusion, within the voice input, of one or more particular playback commands from among the playback commands in the listing. In response, the NMD selects a local voice assistant that supports (a) one or more additional playback commands relative to a cloud-based VAS and (b) fewer non-playback commands relative to the cloud-based VAS, determines, via the local voice assistant, an intent in the captured voice input, and performs a response to the determined intent. The NMD foregoes selection of the cloud-based VAS when the local voice assistant is selected.