Abstract: Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. An example method includes receiving an audio signal containing a range of audio frequencies; amplifying, according to a gain parameter, the audio signal to be reproduced by at least one speaker. The example method includes automatically increasing the gain parameter to a higher gain parameter responsive to a determination that no more than a subset of the range of audio frequencies is to be reproduced by the at least one speaker. The example method includes amplifying, according to the higher gain parameter, the audio signal containing no more than the subset of the range of audio frequencies to be reproduced by the at least one speaker.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns the playback of audio, e.g. in the form of music. More particularly, the disclosure concerns the playback of streamed audio. In one example embodiment, there is a method of operating an electronic device for playback of an audio stream. While an audio stream is being played, for example at a user interface of the electronic device, a first request to adjust an energy level (e.g., a tempo) of the played audio stream is received. In response to receiving the first request, the energy level (e.g., the tempo) of the played audio stream is adjusted.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that involve a computing device initiating playback of a particular media item on a media playback system that is registered to a particular account of a social media service. The computing device may query the social media service for one or more accounts of the social media service that are registered to respective media playback systems that have played the particular media item on at least a threshold number of occasions and have not yet been connected to the particular account of the social media service within the social network. The computing device may receive the queried one or more accounts of the social media service and cause a graphical interface to display one or more respective selectable indications of the received one or more accounts of the social media service.

Abstract: A system and method for differentially locating and modifying audio sources that includes receiving multiple audio inputs from a set of distinct locations; determining a multi-dimensional audio map from the audio inputs; acquiring a set of positional audio control inputs applied to the audio map, each audio control input comprising a location and audio processing property; and generating an audio output according to the audio control inputs and the audio inputs. The audio control inputs capable of configuration through manual, automatic, computer vision analysis, and other configuration modes.

Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.

Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for searching time series information in a distributed data processing system. A method of processing a semantic search query comprises receiving a structured search query, processing the structured search query to deconstruct into query elements, identifying a set of connected elements based on the query elements, processing a time series data structure of the identified set of connected elements to determine a command data element, utilizing the command data element to process the time series data structure of the identified set of connected elements, annotating the time series data structure of each of the identified set of connected elements to form a queried data set, and providing the queried data set.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to a loss of control of a playback queue. An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a native controller, an instruction to add audio tracks to a queue, where, in a first mode associated with the native controller, the playback device is configured to play back from the queue. While the audio tracks are in the queue, the playback device receives, from a media player application associated with a particular wireless protocol, an instruction to play back a media item. In response, the playback device is configured to play back in a second mode associated with the particular wireless protocol, where, in the second mode, the queue is not in use. While playing back the media item, the playback device detects a loss of control by the media player application and configures the playback device to play back in the first mode.

Abstract: An audio configuration method establishes an audio connection between an audio source and multiple audio sinks and determines an audio context of an audio application generating audio content. The audio connection includes multiple components of latency and at least one latency component is configured based on the audio context. The transport may include a group of synchronized isochronous streams and may be associated with a transport latency indicative of time required to deliver packets to the audio sinks and a presentation latency indicative of time required for the audio sinks to render packets. The transport latency may reflect a flush timeout parameter used to extend the lifetime of a packet in exchange for longer transport delay. The flush timeout parameter may be configured in accordance with an audio context of the audio application. Applications with low latency tolerance might perform better with a lower flush timeout and vice versa.

Abstract: A display system includes: a plurality of secondary display units that respectively display a plurality of videos; a primary display unit that displays at least one of the plurality of videos; a detection unit that detects a number of viewers of each of the plurality of secondary display units; and a control unit that causes the primary display unit to display a same video as the video being displayed by the secondary display unit having a highest number of viewers among the plurality of secondary display units, based on the numbers of viewers detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include, determining that a requirement exists to output a system response. In response to determining that a requirement exists to output a system response, (i) setting a system response volume for a first speaker associated with the first networked device and (ii) outputting a system response at the set system response volume via the first speaker associated with the first networked device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for determining whether to adjust volumes of individual audio components in a media asset based on a type of segment of the media asset that is playing back. A media guidance application may determine that a user is playing back a segment of a media asset. The media guidance application may determine a type corresponding to the segment. The media guidance application may parse a plurality of audio components of the media asset that are playing back during the segment. The media guidance application may determine, for each audio component, whether to adjust the volume playing back during the segment based on the type. For each audio component of the plurality of audio components, in response to determining to adjust the volume, the media guidance application may adjust the volume of the audio component playing back during the segment.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for enabling a user to control multiple media playback systems with a single mobile device. The mobile device may connect with a first or second media playback system based on receiving a first or second household identifier (HHID), respectively. If the mobile device receives both the first and second HHIDs, the mobile device may connect with either the first or second media playback system based on a priority of the two systems. If neither the first nor second HHIDs are received by the mobile device, a user may be prompted to add a third media playback system if the mobile device receives a third HHID. The user interface of the mobile device may receive an input to connect the mobile device to the third media playback system, and a connection may be established between the mobile device and the third media playback system.

Abstract: A machine may be configured to generate one or more audio fingerprints of one or more segments of audio data. The machine may access audio data to be fingerprinted and divide the audio data into segments. For any given segment, the machine may generate a spectral representation from the segment; generate a vector from the spectral representation; generate an ordered set of permutations of the vector; generate an ordered set of numbers from the permutations of the vector; and generate a fingerprint of the segment of the audio data, which may be considered a sub-fingerprint of the audio data. In addition, the machine or a separate device may be configured to determine a likelihood that candidate audio data matches reference audio data.

Abstract: An example computing system that maintains a playlist of media items for playback by one or more playback devices receives, from a first playback device, a request to play back the playlist and first operational data and also receives, from a second playback device, a request to play back the playlist and second operational data. The computing system provides the media items in the playlist to the first and second playback devices for substantially synchronous playback and, based on the first and second operational data, determines respective first and second advertisements. The computing system provides the first advertisement to the first playback device for playback during a given time slot designated for advertisements, and also provides the second advertisement to the second playback device for playback during the given time slot, such that the second playback device plays the second advertisement while the first playback device plays the first advertisement.

Abstract: An audio generation system is provided to enable coordinated control of multiple IoT devices for audio collection and distribution of one or more audio sources according to location and user preference. The audio generation system enables a location sensitive acoustic control of sound, both as a shaped envelope for a particular source, and as an individualized experience. The audio generation system also facilitates an interactive visual system for visualization and manipulation of the audio environment including via the use of augmented reality and/or virtual reality to depict soundscapes. The audio generation system can also facilitate a system for improving and achieving an audio environment (sound influence zone) and an intuitive way to understand where sounds will be heard.

Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.

Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.

Abstract: An example method involves receiving, by a playback device in a media playback system, limited-access media, where the limited-access media corresponds to a limited-access playback device characteristic. The method may further involve determining, by the playback device, that a particular playback device having the limited-access playback device characteristic is active in the media playback system. Based on determining that the particular playback device having the limited-access playback device characteristic is active in the media playback system, the method may further involve causing the media playback system to play back the limited-access media.

Abstract: Example techniques may involve guest access to a media playback system. A guest may use a guest control device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to control aspects of a host's media playback system. In addition, the guest may temporarily register their user account of a streaming audio service with the host's media playback system, which enables playback of audio content from that service by one or more playback devices of the media playback system. When the guest control device de-registers from the host's media playback system, retrieval of audio content from the streaming audio service is disabled.

Abstract: An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure includes an antenna module including a first antenna and a second antenna, a Wi-Fi module for communicating with an external electronic device using the antenna module, and a processor for controlling the Wi-Fi module.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for controlling a speaker, which is electrically powered with a low-power source and connected to a short-term energy storage. Audio is received for playback on the speaker. A time-resolved power analysis of the audio is acquired and a time-resolved speaker power requirement required by a speaker playing back the audio is calculated. The time-resolved speaker power requirement is compared with a combined capacity of the low-power source and the short-term energy storage. One or more of: a dynamic range, a frequency range, and an output gain of a digital signal processor are adjusted such that the speaker power requirement meets the combined capacity of the low-power source and the short-term energy storage for the duration of a playback of the received audio on the speaker.

Abstract: A method performed by a processor of an audio source device. The method drives an audio output device of the audio source device to output a sound with an audio output signal. The method obtains a microphone signal from a microphone of the audio source device, the microphone signal capturing the outputted sound. The method determines whether the audio output device is a headset or a loudspeaker based on the microphone signal and configures an acoustic dosimetry process based on the determination.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that involve receiving, by a social-media computing system from a media playback system, playback data indicating media that is being played back by the media playback system, where the playback data comprises an indication of at least one zone of the media playback system in which the media is being played back; and based on the received playback data, updating social-media data in a social-media account, where the updated social-media data comprises an indication of the at least one zone in which the media is currently being played back.

Abstract: A control system configurable by a configuration application and comprising one or more control processors, one or more gateways, a communication network, a portable electronic device executing the configuration application and one or more controllable devices wherein the controllable device is represented by one or more virtual devices.

Abstract: Provided is a method including providing a first audio content object that includes a plurality of audio content segments to a set of user computing devices. Each audio content segment of the plurality of audio content segments is associated with a first version. The method also includes obtaining a second version of a first audio content segment and updating the first version of the first audio content segment to the second version to generate a second audio content object that includes the second version of the first audio content segment and at least a first version of a second audio content segment. The method also includes providing the second audio content object to at least a first portion of the set of user computing devices and indicating a version history of the first audio content segment to at least the first portion of the set of user computing devices.

Abstract: A method for processing an audio signal in accordance with a room impulse response is described. The audio signal is processed with an early part of the room impulse response separate from a late reverberation of the room impulse response, wherein the processing of the late reverberation has generating a scaled reverberated signal, the scaling being dependent on the audio signal. The processed early part of the audio signal and the scaled reverberated signal are combined.

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: A content data delivery system includes a server and a client. The server includes at least one processor configured to implement stored instructions and execute a plurality of tasks. The plurality of tasks include a server side communication task that transmits and receives test data including time information to and from the client, a calculating task that obtains a reference time difference with the client based on the time information of the test data that has been transmitted and received by the server side communication task, and a delivering task that delivers content data including information that indicates reproduction timing to the client. The server or the client includes a correcting task that corrects the reproduction timing of the content data by use of the reference time difference.

Abstract: A parallel audio transcoding method includes splitting audio into segments of a certain length; performing parallel transcoding by allocating the split segments to a plurality of encoders; and concatenating the segments encoded through the parallel transcoding and merging the same into a single encoded file. Performing parallel transcoding includes inserting additional regions, which overlap and neighbor each of the split segments, and sending the same to the encoders, and merging includes cutting out the additional regions from the encoded stream to create a stream corresponding to the split segments.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, disclosed is an electronic device that includes a first connector electrically connectable to an external electronic device, a second connector electrically connectable to an external audio plug, a wireless communication circuit, and at least one processor. When the electronic device is connected to the external electronic device through the first connector, the at least one processor may receive a first digital audio signal from the external electronic device through the first connector, convert the received first digital audio signal into a first analog audio signal, and output the converted first analog audio signal through the second connector.

Abstract: An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices.

Abstract: An instrumentation amplifier with an electronically adjustable gain is disclosed. The gain is adjusted by electronically controlling a resistance coupled to a feedback portion of the instrumentation amplifier. The resistance is adjusted by switches controlled by resistor-control signals references to a common mode voltage appearing at the input of the instrumentation amplifier. Accordingly, the instrumentation amplifier is capable of accommodating a high voltage range of common mode voltages while still providing controllable gain.

Abstract: A token generating organization may include distributed tokenization systems for generating tokens corresponding to sensitive information. Sensitive information may include sensitive numbers such as social security numbers, credit card numbers or other private numbers. A tokenization system may include multiple physically distinct hardware platforms each having a tokenization server and a database. A tokenization server may run portions of a sensitive number through a predetermined number of rounds of a Feistel network. Each round of the Feistel network may include tokenizing portions of the sensitive number using a fractional token table stored an associated database and modifying the tokenized portions by reversibly adding portions of the sensitive number to the tokenized portions. The fractional token table may include partial sensitive numbers and corresponding partial tokens.

Abstract: This is directed to controlling the output of audio based on the mode of an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to an electronic device having a sound mode, silent mode, and mute mode controlling the output of audio along different audio output routes. In the sound mode, all audio can be output, while only registered or authorized audio can be output in the silent mode. In the mute mode, no audio can be output. The sound and silent modes can be enabled using an interface of the device (e.g., a switch having two possible states), while the mute mode can be enabled using an accessory coupled to the device. To disengage the mute mode, a user can provide a corresponding instruction using the accessory, or providing an instruction on the device related to volume control. For example, a user can change the device volume using an on-device interface, or toggle a sound/silent switch to a sound mode.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a detection unit; a first acquisition unit; a second acquisition unit; and a generation unit. The detection unit detects a reproduction apparatus. The first acquisition unit acquires a reproduction mode of the detected reproduction apparatus. The second acquisition unit acquires history information, the history information including a reproduction apparatus selected in a past and a reproduction mode of the reproduction apparatus when the reproduction apparatus has been selected in the past. The generation unit generates an operation image, the operation image including detection information and the acquired history information, the detection information including the detected reproduction apparatus and a reproduction mode of the reproduction apparatus when the reproduction apparatus has been detected.

Abstract: A dynamic speech recognition method includes performing a first stage: detecting sound data by using a digital microphone and storing the sound data in a first memory, generating a human voice detection signal in response to detecting a human voice from the sound data, and determining to selectively perform a second stage or a third stage according to a total effective data volume, a transmission bit rate of the digital microphone and a recognition interval time. In the second stage, the first processing circuit outputs a first command to a second processing circuit, and the second processing circuit instructs a memory access circuit to operate. In the third stage, the first processing circuit outputs a second command to the second processing circuit, and the second processing circuit instructs the memory access circuit to operate, and the second processing circuit determines whether the speech data matches a predetermined speech command.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a home entertainment system, which includes four major parts: entertainment play equipment, a Bluetooth transmitter, a set of rear audio play devices, and a set of front audio play devices with a subwoofer. The rear audio play devices are composed of a main speaker, a sub-speaker, wire, and a Bluetooth receiver; the front Bluetooth speakers are composed of a main speaker, a sub-speaker, a subwoofer, wire, and a Bluetooth receiver, and each Bluetooth receiver is integrated in each main speaker. This home entertainment system uses a Bluetooth transmitter module to connect the entertainment play equipment with the rear speakers and the front speakers through wireless radio waves, and can simultaneously emit 4-channel audio of left front, left rear, right front, and right rear to achieve stereo surround sound effects. When the existing home entertainment audio is installed, it is necessary to drill, wire, and construct on the wall.

Abstract: The examples provided herein involve multiple groups in a playback system. An example method involves, based on receiving one or more inputs defining a zone scene of a media playback system that comprises a plurality of zone players, defining configuration data corresponding to the zone scene, wherein the configuration data comprises an identification of at least a first zone player and a second zone player. The method further involves causing a remote computing device to store the configuration data and presenting a user-interface element that, when selected via the user interface, causes the zone scene to be invoked. The method additionally involves, in response to receiving an input indicative of a selection of the user-interface element, causing the remote computing device to invoke the zone scene at the media playback system such that the first zone player and the second zone player playback audio content in synchrony.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing uninterrupted media content by reordering playlists during vehicle navigation. The disclosed techniques herein determine directions from route data and navigation announcements for each of the directions. For each direction, a corresponding media asset from media assets in a playlist having a media asset duration that matches a direction duration is determined. The direction duration is the time difference between the navigation announcement and a subsequent navigation announcement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are playback devices, groups of playback devices, and methods of operating playback devices and groupings thereof configured for hybrid sniffing and rebroadcast for networks, including Bluetooth networks.

Abstract: An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices.

Abstract: An example computing device is configured to perform functions including receiving a plurality of spectral data associated with a respective plurality of playback environments corresponding to a respective plurality of playback devices. The functions also include, based on the plurality of spectral data, determining a plurality of representative spectral characteristics. The functions also include receiving particular spectral data associated with a particular playback environment corresponding to a particular playback device and identifying a given one of the representative spectral characteristics that is representative of the particular spectral data. The functions also include, based on the given one of the representative spectral characteristics, identifying calibration data for use by the particular playback device when playing back audio and transmitting, to the particular playback device, the calibration data.

Abstract: The present application belongs to the technical field of audio and video, and relates to a method and device for obtaining a video clip, a server, and a storage medium. The method includes in response to obtaining a clip in live stream video data of a performance live stream room, using audio data from the live stream video data and audio data of an original performer to determine a target timepoint parameter of the live stream video data. The method includes obtaining a target video clip according to a start timepoint and an end timepoint in the target timepoint parameter. The present application is used to capture a more complete video clip.

Abstract: A method for controlling a playback tempo of an audio track to be presented at an audio output, the audio track comprising a plurality of audio components, a first audio component of the plurality of audio components being associated with a plurality of sets of audio data, wherein each set of audio data in the plurality of sets of audio data is associated with a respective playback tempo range, the method comprising receiving a playback tempo for presenting the audio track at the audio output, selecting, from the plurality of sets of audio data, a set of audio data that has an associated playback tempo range comprising the received playback tempo, and allocating the selected set of audio data to the first audio component for presenting the audio track at the audio output.

Abstract: A computing system receives an instruction to initiate audio presentation of electronic communications for a recipient, and outputs an audio presentation responsive to the instruction. The audio presentation includes an initial portion that includes a presentation road map, and a subsequent portion that includes audible output of text content of a plurality of unreviewed electronic communications for the recipient. The presentation road map identifies an estimated time to present the subsequent portion of the audio presentation.

Abstract: A microphone device includes a substrate having a first surface, a wall disposed on the first surface, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer, and an integrated circuit. Both the MEMS transducer and the integrated circuit are mounted on the first surface of the wall. The wall separates the MEMS transducer from the integrated circuit and acoustically isolates the MEMS transducer from the integrated circuit. The microphone device additionally includes a first set of wires extending through the wall and electrically connecting the MEMS transducer to the integrated circuit. The microphone device further includes a second set of wires electrically connecting the integrated circuit to a conductor on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a description of a combined audio scene, includes: an input interface for receiving a first description of a first scene in a first format and a second description of a second scene in a second format, wherein the second format is different from the first format; a format converter for converting the first description into a common format and for converting the second description into the common format, when the second format is different from the common format; and a format combiner for combining the first description in the common format and the second description in the common format to obtain the combined audio scene.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems and, more particularly, certain exemplary embodiments relate to jukebox systems that incorporate digital downloading jukebox features along with karaoke jukebox and/or photo booth features. A combined karaoke/photo booth/jukebox may enable more integrated performance-like experiences in an in-home or out-of-home location or venue. By leveraging vast audio media libraries, trusted rights-respecting network infrastructure, and on-site image/video capturing from integrated recorders and/or remote portable devices, a more sociable experience may be created for karaoke jukebox patrons, e.g., where custom content can be generated and shared in a safe and legally appropriate manner.

Abstract: A system for determining prioritisation values for two or more sounds within an audio clip includes: a feature extraction unit operable to extract characteristic features from the two or more sounds, a feature combination unit operable to generate a combined mix comprising extracted features from the two or more sounds, an audio assessment unit operable to identify the contribution of one or more of the features to the combined mix, a feature classification unit operable to assign a saliency score to each of the features in the combined mix, and an audio prioritisation unit operable to determine relative priority values for the two or more sounds in dependence upon the assigned saliency scores for each of one or more features of the sounds.