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.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve remote storage and provisioning of a local-media index. An example method may involve storing, by a computing system, 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, and sending a message over a wide area network that indicates at least a portion of the local-media index to the media playback system. Another example method may involve, determining that a first local-media index is inaccessible over a wide area network to the media playback system, and then providing an identification of at least one multimedia item based on a second local-media index.

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 a request from a first media playback system for access to a queue of media items, and a request from a second media playback system for access to the queue of media items. The computing system may grant a first type of access to the first media playback system and a second type of access to the second media playback system. The first type of access and the second type of access may authorize a first set of operations and a second set of operations on the queue of media items, respectively. The computing system may provide an indication that the first media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the first type of access, and an indication that the second media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the second type of access.

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: An example implementation may involve a playback device of a media playback system sending a request for an indication of at least one media item from a remote queue of media items and an indication of a particular media item that is being played by the playback device. The implementation may also involve the playback device receiving an indication of one or more media items from the remote queue of media items. The one or more media items may include the particular media item is being played by the playback device. The implementation may further involve the playback device incorporating an indication of the one or more media items into a local queue of media items.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a first playback device rendering audio content. The example implementation may also involve the first playback device detecting that a second playback device has been connected to a playback system. After detecting that the second playback device has been connected to the playback system, the first playback device may determine a playback responsibility associated with the second playback device. The determined playback responsibility may include a grouping with the first playback device. After determining the playback responsibility associated with the second playback device, the first playback device may direct the second playback device to render the audio content.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that allow for applying a share restriction on a plurality of media items that is part of a playback queue. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves a first computing device (a) receiving input data indicating an instruction to share a playback queue, where the playback queue includes at least a plurality of media items, (b) determining one or more characteristics of the plurality of media items, where at least one of the one or more characteristics indicates a source of the plurality of media items, (c) based on the determined one or more characteristics of the plurality of media items, assigning to the plurality of media items a share restriction that limits access to the plurality of media items, and (d) transmitting to a second computing device an indication of the share restriction assigned to the plurality of media items.

Abstract: Certain examples accommodate multicast and unicast frame forwarding via wired and/or wireless port connections. An example method includes identifying a message including a frame of data to be directed to a group of playback devices via a network protocol. The example method includes overriding the network protocol for the group of playback devices to transmit a unicast message via direct routing to each member of the group of playback devices that is a “neighbor” of the first playback device.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein involve a first playback device, associated with a first household, where the first playback device is configured to mirror a playback queue that is associated with a second playback device, where the second playback device is associated with a second household. For instance, a device associated with the first household, such as a controller, may send a command to the first playback device to mirror the playback queue associated with the second playback device. Based on the received command, the first playback device may mirror the playback queue that is associated with the second playback device such that contents of a playback queue that is associated with the first playback device are the same as contents of the playback queue that is associated with the second playback device.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve remote storage and provisioning of a local-media index. An example method may involve storing, by a computing system, 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, and sending a message over a wide area network that indicates at least a portion of the local-media index to the media playback system. Another example method may involve, determining that a first local-media index is inaccessible over a wide area network to the media playback system, and then providing an identification of at least one multimedia item based on a second local-media index.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that allow for maintaining a media-item database. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves a computing system (a) receiving a first message from a first playback device, where the first message identifies at least a first service used by the first playback device to obtain a first media item for playback, a first service media-item identifier, and a first metadata, (b) receiving a second message from a second playback device, wherein the second message identifies at least a second service used by the second playback device to obtain a second media item for playback, a second service media-item identifier, and a second metadata, (c) determining that the first media item and the second media item are the same, and (d) responsively, storing association data that associates the first service media-item identifier and the second service media-item identifier.

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: 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: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide for low-latency delivery and playback of audio are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example audio system includes multiple playback devices including a primary device and one or more secondary devices, whereby, the primary device establishes and controls a peer-to-peer network that connects, wirelessly or wired, to each of the satellite devices. An example audio device contains a channel selector, a control interface, and an audio interface. In some embodiments the control interface is used to transmit control information to another device on a first frequency channel, and the audio interface is used to transmit audio information to another device on a second frequency channel.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a speaker driver, a processor, and a computer readable medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to implement a method. The example method includes receiving, from a first audio information source, first audio information. The example method includes playing back the first audio information. The example method includes receiving, from a second audio information source, (i) a first message, and (ii) second audio information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example audio playback device includes an audio output device to generate audio signals based on a signal source, a device interface to receive a first message from a first audio information source, and a source selector to change the signal source from a second audio information source to the first audio information source based on the first message.

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: 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 multicast and unicast frame forwarding via wired and/or wireless port connections. An example method includes identifying a message including a frame of data to be directed to a group of playback devices via a network protocol. The example method includes overriding the network protocol for the group of playback devices to transmit a unicast message via direct routing to each member of the group of playback devices that is a “neighbor” of the first playback device.