Abstract: A system and method is described for determining whether a loudspeaker device has relocated, tilted, rotated, or changed environment such that one or more parameters for driving the loudspeaker may be modified and/or a complete reconfiguration of the loudspeaker system may be performed. In one embodiment, the system may include a set of sensors. The sensors provide readings that are analyzed to determine 1) whether the loudspeaker has moved since a previous analysis and/or 2) a distance of movement and/or a degree change in orientation of the loudspeaker since the previous analysis. Upon determining the level of movement is below a threshold value, the system adjusts previous parameters used to drive one or more of the loudspeakers. By adjusting previous parameters instead of performing a complete recalibration, the system provides a more efficient technique for ensuring that the loudspeakers continue to produce accurate sound for the listener.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for transmitting an announcement to one or more devices. In one example, a first device receives a first message that includes an announcement, the announcement associated with a voice that spoke the announcement. The first device may determine the announcement from the first message, and then identify one or more devices for receiving the announcement. The one or more devices may have a particular device type of a plurality of different device types comprising at least a mobile device. The first device may determine a network path through which a second message is transmitted based at least in part on the location of a second device. In accordance with a determination that the second device is located within a local area network associated with a home environment, the first device transmits the second message over the local area network.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for transmitting an announcement to one or more devices. In one example, a first device receives a first message that includes an announcement, the announcement associated with a voice that spoke the announcement. The first device may determine the announcement from the first message, and then identify one or more devices for receiving the announcement. The one or more devices may have a particular device type of a plurality of different device types comprising at least a mobile device. The first device may then transmit a second message to the one or more devices for presentation of the announcement by the one or more devices.

Abstract: In one aspect a device-side audio handling input/output unit (DIO) of a hardware device writes audio data generated by the hardware device within a ring buffer. An input provided by a user for activation of a software program is received, and a notification that the software program is ready to accept the audio data is generated. A system-side audio handling input/output unit (SIO) additionally provides past audio data from the ring buffer to the software program. Other aspects also are described.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a data processing system comprising a memory device to store instructions and one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device. The instructions cause the one or more processors to provide a virtual assistant to receive voice input at a media playback device associated with the data processing system. The virtual assistant, via the one or more processors, is configured to receive a voice command at the media playback device, where the voice command is to schedule an event, then determine a user account associated with the voice command, a type of command based on context information associated with the voice command, and a target device to which media playback associated with the event is to be scheduled.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for enabling a computing device to securely configure a peripheral computing device. According to some embodiments, the method can include the steps of (1) approving a request received from the peripheral computing device to engage in a setup procedure for the peripheral computing device, (2) receiving, from the peripheral computing device: (i) an audio signal that encodes a password and timing information, and (ii) a light signal. Additionally, the method can involve, in response to identifying that the timing information correlates with the light signal: (3) extracting the password from the audio signal, and (4) establishing a communication link with the peripheral computing device based on the password. In turn, the method can involve (5) providing configuration information to the peripheral computing device over the communication link.

Abstract: A system and method is described for determining whether a loudspeaker device has relocated, tilted, rotated, or changed environment such that one or more parameters for driving the loudspeaker may be modified and/or a complete reconfiguration of the loudspeaker system may be performed. In one embodiment, the system may include a set of sensors. The sensors provide readings that are analyzed to determine 1) whether the loudspeaker has moved since a previous analysis and/or 2) a distance of movement and/or a degree change in orientation of the loudspeaker since the previous analysis. Upon determining the level of movement is below a threshold value, the system adjusts previous parameters used to drive one or more of the loudspeakers. By adjusting previous parameters instead of performing a complete recalibration, the system provides a more efficient technique for ensuring that the loudspeakers continue to produce accurate sound for the listener.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for transmitting an announcement to one or more devices. In one example, a first device receives a first message that includes an announcement, the announcement associated with a voice that spoke the announcement. The first device may determine the announcement from the first message, and then identify one or more devices for receiving the announcement. The one or more devices may have a particular device type of a plurality of different device types comprising at least a mobile device. The first device may then transmit a second message to the one or more devices for presentation of the announcement by the one or more devices.

Abstract: A system and method is described for determining whether a loudspeaker device has relocated, tilted, rotated, or changed environment such that one or more parameters for driving the loudspeaker may be modified and/or a complete reconfiguration of the loudspeaker system may be performed. In one embodiment, the system may include a set of sensors. The sensors provide readings that are analyzed to determine 1) whether the loudspeaker has moved since a previous analysis and/or 2) a distance of movement and/or a degree change in orientation of the loudspeaker since the previous analysis. Upon determining the level of movement is below a threshold value, the system adjusts previous parameters used to drive one or more of the loudspeakers. By adjusting previous parameters instead of performing a complete recalibration, the system provides a more efficient technique for ensuring that the loudspeakers continue to produce accurate sound for the listener.

Abstract: Techniques to use an embedded passcode within an audio ringtone to establish a secure connection for arbitrary phone relay are described. The use of an embedded passcode enables encrypted ad-hoc connections for the relay of audio of an incoming telephone call to a secondary device, such as a virtual assistant enabled smart speaker device.

Abstract: In one aspect a device-side audio handling input/output unit (DIO) of a hardware device writes audio data generated by the hardware device within a ring buffer. An input provided by a user for activation of a software program is received, and a notification that the software program is ready to accept the audio data is generated. A system-side audio handling input/output unit (SIO) additionally provides past audio data from the ring buffer to the software program. Other aspects also are described.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth a technique for enabling a computing device to securely configure a peripheral computing device. According to some embodiments, the method can include the steps of (1) approving a request received from the peripheral computing device to engage in a setup procedure for the peripheral computing device, (2) receiving, from the peripheral computing device: (i) an audio signal that encodes a password and timing information, and (ii) a light signal. Additionally, the method can involve, in response to identifying that the timing information correlates with the light signal: (3) extracting the password from the audio signal, and (4) establishing a communication link with the peripheral computing device based on the password. In turn, the method can involve (5) providing configuration information to the peripheral computing device over the communication link.

Abstract: In one aspect a device-side audio handling input/output unit (DIO) of a hardware device writes audio data generated by the hardware device within a ring buffer. An input provided by a user for activation of a software program is received, and a notification that the software program is ready to accept the audio data is generated. A system-side audio handling input/output unit (SIO) additionally provides past audio data from the ring buffer to the software program. Other aspects also are described.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a data processing system comprising a memory device to store instructions and one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device. The instructions cause the one or more processors to provide a virtual assistant to receive voice input at a media playback device associated with the data processing system. The virtual assistant, via the one or more processors, is configured to receive a voice command at the media playback device, where the voice command is to schedule an event, then determine a user account associated with the voice command, a type of command based on context information associated with the voice command, and a target device to which media playback associated with the event is to be scheduled.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide control of media synchronization using time stamp pairs. In an embodiment, a first device may request a time stamp from a second device. The first device may determine any de-synchronization between the first and second devices based on the requested time stamp and characteristics of the request. The first device may define a rate scalar based on the determined de-synchronization. A sample rate conversion may be performed for the first device based on the rate scalar such that the outputs of the first device and the second device are synchronized.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.

Abstract: Techniques to use an embedded passcode within an audio ringtone to establish a secure connection for arbitrary phone relay are described. The use of an embedded passcode enables encrypted ad-hoc connections for the relay of audio of an incoming telephone call to a secondary device, such as a virtual assistant enabled smart speaker device.

Abstract: A system and method is described for determining whether a loudspeaker device has relocated, tilted, rotated, or changed environment such that one or more parameters for driving the loudspeaker may be modified and/or a complete reconfiguration of the loudspeaker system may be performed. In one embodiment, the system may include a set of sensors. The sensors provide readings that are analyzed to determine 1) whether the loudspeaker has moved since a previous analysis and/or 2) a distance of movement and/or a degree change in orientation of the loudspeaker since the previous analysis. Upon determining the level of movement is below a threshold value, the system adjusts previous parameters used to drive one or more of the loudspeakers. By adjusting previous parameters instead of performing a complete recalibration, the system provides a more efficient technique for ensuring that the loudspeakers continue to produce accurate sound for the listener.