Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback based on acoustic signals in a system including a first playback device and a second playback device. A first playback device may detect a first acoustic signal. The first playback device sends, to a network device, data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal. The network device may generate one or more instructions based on the sent data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal and send data representing such instructions to the first playback device. Based on the instructions, the first playback device plays back audio content. Further, the second playback device may stop playing back audio content based on further instructions.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a playback device comprising a wireless communications interface including a radio frequency (RF) antenna, a capacitive proximity sensor comprising a grounding plane that is coupled to the RF antenna, one or more processors, and a data storage having stored therein instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the playback device to perform operations. The operations include operating the playback device in a first power state, detecting that an object is in proximity to the capacitive proximity sensor, and in response to detecting the object, adjusting operation of the playback device from the first power state to a second power state.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus including receiving an identification of content played by a playback system and an identification of location of the playback system. A playlist of content is associated with the location. A request is received to retrieve the playlist of content and the requested playlist of content is sent to a playback system.

Abstract: A method for dynamically generating a plurality of machine learning models for processing a user data set includes receiving, by a machine learning engine, a user-specified data set and a user-specified task. The machine learning engine analyzes at least one characteristic of the user-specified data set and task. The machine learning engine selects a plurality of encoders based upon the analysis and directs each to encode the user-specified data set. The machine learning engine generates a first machine learning model for processing the user-specified data set, based upon the at least one characteristic of the user data set and of the task. The machine learning engine directs the first machine learning model to generate a first output. The machine learning engine generates, trains, and executes a second machine learning model based upon the at least one characteristic of the user-specified data set and of the user-specified task.

Abstract: Aspects of a multi-orientation playback device including at least one microphone array are discussed. A method may include determining an orientation of the playback device which includes at least one microphone array and determining at least one microphone training response for the playback device from a plurality of microphone training responses based on the orientation of the playback device. The at least one microphone array can detect a sound input, and the location information of a source of the sound input can be determined based on the at least one microphone training response and the detected sound input. Based on the location information of the source, the directional focus of the at least one microphone array can be adjusted, and the sound input can be captured based on the adjusted directional focus.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback based on acoustic signals in a system including a first playback device and a second playback device. A first playback device may detect a first acoustic signal. The first playback device sends, to a network device, data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal. The network device may generate one or more instructions based on the sent data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal and send data representing such instructions to the first playback device. Based on the instructions, the first playback device plays back audio content. Further, the second playback device may stop playing back audio content based on further instructions.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to grouping based on acoustic signals in a system including a first network device and a second network device. A first network device may detect a first acoustic signal, perhaps while playing back first audio content in a single-device playback configuration. The first network device sends, to the second network device, data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal. The second network device may generate one or more instructions based on the sent data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal and send data representing such instructions to the first network device. Based on the instructions, the first network device transitions from operating in the single-device playback configuration to operating in a grouped playback configuration. In the grouped configuration, the first network device outputs second audio content in synchrony with the third network device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for frequency routing based on orientation are disclosed. An example method includes receiving, by a playback device, an audio data stream. The example method includes determining, by the playback device, an orientation of the playback device. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a first set of frequencies in the audio data stream to at least one of a plurality of speaker drivers based on the first orientation. The example method includes routing, by the playback device, a second set of frequencies in the audio data stream to the at least one of the plurality of speaker drivers based on the second orientation, wherein the first set of frequencies is different than the second set of frequencies.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback based on acoustic signals in a system including a first playback device and a second playback device. A first playback device may detect a first acoustic signal. The first playback device sends, to a network device, data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal. The network device may generate one or more instructions based on the sent data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal and send data representing such instructions to the first playback device. Based on the instructions, the first playback device plays back audio content. Further, the second playback device may stop playing back audio content based on further instructions.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to adjusting playback settings based on listener location. An example implementation involves a playback device receiving instructions to play back audio content in the first zone and first location data indicating first locations of one or more users relative to the first zone. The playback device determines that one or more location-based listener preferences are set in the media playback system and generates a sound field in the listening environment according to the location-based listener preferences and the first locations of the one or more users relative to the first zone. The playback device receives second location data indicating second locations of one or more users relative to the first zone and modifies the sound field in the listening environment according to the location-based listener preferences and the second locations of the one or more users relative to the first zone.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for providing play/pause content. An example method includes receiving a command to play audio from a zone, the zone including one or more playback devices, wherein the zone is configured to play items from a playback queue responsive to the command to play audio. The example method also includes determining that the playback queue includes no playable items. The example method also includes automatically placing information identifying at least one playable item in the playback queue. The example method also includes, responsive to the command to play audio, causing to play the at least one playable item by the zone.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to grouping based on acoustic signals in a system including a first network device and a second network device. A first network device may detect a first acoustic signal, perhaps while playing back first audio content in a single-device playback configuration. The first network device sends, to the second network device, data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal. The second network device may generate one or more instructions based on the sent data corresponding to the detected first acoustic signal and send data representing such instructions to the first network device. Based on the instructions, the first network device transitions from operating in the single-device playback configuration to operating in a grouped playback configuration. In the grouped configuration, the first network device outputs second audio content in synchrony with the third network device.

Abstract: Aspects of a multi-orientation playback device including at least one microphone array are discussed. A method may include determining an orientation of the playback device which includes at least one microphone array and determining at least one microphone training response for the playback device from a plurality of microphone training responses based on the orientation of the playback device. The at least one microphone array can detect a sound input, and the location information of a source of the sound input can be determined based on the at least one microphone training response and the detected sound input. Based on the location information of the source, the directional focus of the at least one microphone array can be adjusted, and the sound input can be captured based on the adjusted directional focus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are example techniques for voice detection by multiple NMDs. An example implementation may involve one or more servers receiving, via a network interface, data representing multiple audio recordings of a voice input spoken by a given user, each audio recording recorded by a respective NMD of the multiple NMDs, wherein the voice input comprises a detected wake-word. Based on respective sound pressure levels of the multiple audio recordings of the voice input, the servers (i) select a particular NMD of the multiple NMDs and (ii) forego selection of other NMDs of the multiple NMDs. The servers send, via the network interface to the particular NMD, data representing a playback command that corresponds to a voice command in the voice input represented in the multiple audio recordings, wherein the data representing the playback command causes the particular NMD to play back audio content according to the playback command.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for replacing media items in a queue of a playback device. An example implementation involves receiving, at the playback device, first data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue. The playback device determines that the first media item is no longer accessible to the playback device at a later second time. The playback device initiates a query for a media item similar to the first media item and receives second data indicating that a second media item has replaced the first media item in the queue, the second media item being similar to the first media item. In response, the playback device initiates playback of the second media item on the playback device.

Abstract: Example techniques involve pre-caching media content. An example implementation involves a first playback device detecting, via at least one proximity sensor, motion in proximity to the proximity sensor. In response, the first playback device sends, to a second playback device, one or more first messages indicating that the first playback device detected motion. Afterwards, the first playback device receives, via the network interface from the second playback device in response to the one or more first messages, one or more second messages that instruct the first playback device to pre-cache, from a network source, a portion of audio content indicated in a playback queue associated with a playback device group including the first playback device and the second playback device. The first playback device receives a command to play back the playback queue and plays back the audio content indicated in the playback queue jointly with the second playback device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for intelligently activating an amplifier in a playback device based on proximity detection. The playback device may be in a quasi-idle state when the playback device is not rendering media content. The quasi-idle state of the playback device may involve an amplifier in the playback device being inactive, while some other components or modules of the playback devices remain active. The playback device may include a proximity sensor configured to detect movement relative to the playback device. If movement is detected indicating that a user input to cause the playback device to render media content is anticipated, the amplifier may be pre-emptively activated such that the playback device enters an active state from the quasi-idle state. In some cases, the playback device may send a message to one or more other playback devices to cause the other playback devices to enter an active state.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for replacing media items in a queue of a playback device. An example implementation involves receiving, at the playback device, first data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue. The playback device determines that the first media item is no longer accessible to the playback device at a later second time. The playback device initiates a query for a media item similar to the first media item and receives second data indicating that a second media item has replaced the first media item in the queue, the second media item being similar to the first media item. In response, the playback device initiates playback of the second media item on the playback device.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for detecting presence of an object in proximity to a playback device and responsively performing one or more operations. In an example implementation, a playback device detects, via a proximity detector of the playback device, presence of an object in proximity to the playback device. In response to detecting the presence of the object, the playback device performs one or more operations.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for intelligently activating an amplifier in a playback device based on proximity detection. The playback device may be in a quasi-idle state when the playback device is not rendering media content. The quasi-idle state of the playback device may involve an amplifier in the playback device being inactive, while some other components or modules of the playback devices remain active. The playback device may include a proximity sensor configured to detect movement relative to the playback device. If movement is detected indicating that a user input to cause the playback device to render media content is anticipated, the amplifier may be pre-emptively activated such that the playback device enters an active state from the quasi-idle state. In some cases, the playback device may send a message to one or more other playback devices to cause the other playback devices to enter an active state.