Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system over the network interface, a request to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at a first media item. The computing system assigns a playhead pointer to a position within the particular cloud queue that corresponds to the first media item and transmits, to the media playback system over the network interface, an instruction that causes one or more playback devices of the media playback system to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at the first media item. While the one or more playback devices play back the particular cloud queue, the computing system updates the assigned position of the playhead pointer to indicate the currently playing media item of the particular cloud queue.

Abstract: Techniques relate to a cloud queue facilitating access to a cloud queue via an authorization token. In an example implementation, a computing system receives, over a network interface from a media playback system, an authorization token corresponding to a cloud queue of media items at the computing system and a request by the media playback system for access to the cloud queue of media items. The computing system determines that the authorization token is valid and in response to the determination, provides, to the media playback system, the requested access to the cloud queue of media items, the providing comprising transmitting information associated with at least one of the media items of the cloud queue. Thereafter, the computing system determines that the media playback system is eligible for a renewed authorization token and, in response, transmits, to the media playback system, the renewed authorization token.

Abstract: A network interface of a first computing device is configured to operate according to a bridge table. The bridge table defines a spanning tree protocol for a mesh network and identifies one or more reachable nodes. A communication characteristic between the first computing device and a second computing device of the one or more reachable nodes is determined to exceed a quality threshold. Based on the determination that the communication characteristic exceeds the quality threshold, the spanning tree protocol is overridden and the data is transmitted directly to the second computing device via a direct communication route.

Abstract: An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a control device, data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue that is playable by the playback device. This first media item is available to the first playback device at a first network location. The example implementation also involves determining that the first media item is unavailable to the playback device by determining that the control device has disconnected from the media playback system. Based on determining that the first media item is unavailable to the playback device, the playback device identifies a second media item that is equivalent to the first media item. This second media item is available to the playback device at a second network location that is different from the first network location and the playback device. The playback device replaces the first media item in the queue with the second media item.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a media playback system obtaining an authorization token corresponding to a particular queue of media items at a remote server. The media playback system may send to the remote server, (i) the obtained authorization token, and (ii) a request for access to one or more media items of the particular queue. The media playback system may receive, from the remote server, an indication that the media playback system may access the one or more media items.

Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for direction routing between nodes of networks are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a destination node of first data received at a first node; calculating a logical distance from the first node to the destination node; and, when the logical distance meets a threshold condition and when a direct route from the first node to the destination node is blocked according to a protocol setting, overriding the protocol setting to enable transmission of the first data from the first node to the destination node via the direct route.

Abstract: Examples of dynamic bonding of playback devices are disclosed. A disclosed example first playback device includes a shared device identifier to determine that a second playback device is sharable between a first bonded zone and a second bonded zone, the first bonded zone comprising the first playback device, the second bonded zone comprising a second playback device; a device manager to cause the shared playback device to join the first bonded zone; and an adjuster to change a first audio parameter of the first playback device in accordance with the joining of the shared playback device in the first bonded zone, wherein at least one of the shared device identifier, the device manager, or the adjuster is implemented via a processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to cause a plurality of playback devices to render audio content in a synchronized manner, detect a failure of a first playback device of the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the first playback device, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a second playback device of the plurality of playback devices. The systems and methods may further be configured to detect an addition of a new playback device to the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the new playback device for rendering the audio content, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a one playback device from the plurality of playback devices.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a media playback system obtaining an authorization token corresponding to a particular queue of media items at a remote server. The media playback system may send to the remote server, (i) the obtained authorization token, and (ii) a request for access to one or more media items of the particular queue. The media playback system may receive, from the remote server, an indication that the media playback system may access the one or more media items.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, a request to initiate playback of a cloud queue. The cloud queue may currently have a first access status that authorizes a first set of queue operations, which may include playback of the cloud queue. After receiving the request to initiate playback, the computing system may cause audio tracks of the cloud queue to be queued in a local queue of the media playback system such that the media playback system may playback audio tracks of the cloud queue via the local queue. The computing system may modify the access status of the cloud queue to a second access status. This second access status may authorize a second set of queue operations on the cloud queue. The computing system may cause access to the local queue to be restricted to the second set of queue operations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to render an audio content according to a first playback responsibility that involves rendering both (a) a left channel of an audio content and (b) a right channel of the audio content, detect an instruction to form a stereo pair with another network device; render the audio content according to a second playback responsibility that involves rendering one of (a) the left channel of the audio content or (b) the right channel of the audio content; while rendering the audio content according to the second playback responsibility, detect a failure of the another network device; and render the audio content according to the first playback responsibility.

Abstract: An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a control device, data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue that is playable by the playback device. This first media item is available to the first playback device at a first network location. The example implementation also involves determining that the first media item is unavailable to the playback device by determining that the control device has disconnected from the media playback system. Based on determining that the first media item is unavailable to the playback device, the playback device identifies a second media item that is equivalent to the first media item. This second media item is available to the playback device at a second network location that is different from the first network location and the playback device. The playback device replaces the first media item in the queue with the second media item.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving a request to establish a queue of media items. The computing system may assign a first access status to the queue. The first access status may indicate that at least one media playback system is authorized to perform a first set of queue operations. After assigning the first access status to the queue, the computing system may detect a trigger that indicates a change in access status of the queue. Based on the detected trigger, the computing system may modify the access status of the queue from the first access status to a second access status. The second access status may indicate that the at least one media playback system is authorized to perform a second set of queue operations. The computing system may send an indication of the second access status to a media playback system.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for accessing media content on a mobile device. In one embodiment, a user may add media from a mobile device carried by the user to a queue of media that may be rendered by a media system in communication with the mobile device. In one example, the user may select a subset of media from the mobile device to add to the queue, such that only the subset of media is accessible to the media system while the non-selected media on the mobile device remains private. In one case, the mobile device may become disconnected from the media system such that the added subset of media is no longer accessible by the media system. In this case, the media system may search for media equivalent to the subset of media, and replace the subset of media in the queue with the equivalent media.

Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device joining a playback network. An example implementation involves a computing device, such as smartphone or tablet, receiving, from a playback device, a message indicating that the playback device is available to join a playback network. The computing device determines, based on a configuration table, an audio setting corresponding to the playback device and transmits, to the playback device, a message indicating (i) security parameters to be used by the playback device to join the playback network, (ii) the identified audio setting to be applied by the playback device upon joining the playback network.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve remote storage and provisioning of a local-media index. An example implementation may involve a computing system storing a local-media index that identifies a plurality of multimedia items that are stored within a local area network and accessible within the local area network by a playback device of a media playback system within the local area network. The example implementation may also involve the computing system sending a message over a wide area network that indicates at least a portion of the local-media index to the media playback system, perhaps based on a request to provide the local-media index (or a portion thereof) to the media playback system.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for causing a playback device to be automatically added to a secure network for rendering media in synchrony with other devices in the secure network. The playback device may, without any input from a user, transmit a first message indicating that the playback device is available to join the network. Upon receiving the first message, a device already in the secure network may transmit to the playback device a second message indicating security parameters for joining the network. The playback device may then join the secure network accordingly. Embodiments are also provided for causing a playback device to be automatically configured, without any input from a user. Another device in the secure network may receive a configuration table indicating setup information for the playback device, and may subsequently transmit the setup information to the playback device and cause the playback device to be configured accordingly.

Abstract: Certain examples accommodate data routing optimizations. An example method includes receiving, by a first playback device, data to be directed to at least a second playback device. The method further includes transmitting non-audio data to the second playback device via a third playback device and transmitting audio data to the second playback device directly.