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.

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.

A machine maintenance action can be detected at a location using acoustic analysis of the machine to detect a probable maintenance action. Acoustic data is received at a computer from a plurality of microphones at a location. The acoustic data is analyzed with respect to a database of specifications for the machine, and the analysis of the acoustic data includes correlating the acoustic data to the specifications of the machine stored in the database. A first measured parameter for the machine is determined as outside a first specification of the machine, and indicates a first measurement variation from the first specification of the machine. The first measurement variation is assessed to determine a reason for the first measurement variation in relation to an identified part. An alert is sent to a device with a recommendation or action regarding the identified part, based on the reason for the first measurement variation.

A machine maintenance action can be detected at a location using acoustic analysis of the machine to detect a probable maintenance action. Acoustic data is received at a computer from a plurality of microphones at a location. The acoustic data is analyzed with respect to a database of specifications for the machine, and the analysis of the acoustic data includes correlating the acoustic data to the specifications of the machine stored in the database. A first measured parameter for the machine is determined as outside a first specification of the machine, and indicates a first measurement variation from the first specification of the machine. The first measurement variation is assessed to determine a reason for the first measurement variation in relation to an identified part. An alert is sent to a device with a recommendation or action regarding the identified part, based on the reason for the first measurement variation.

This disclosure concerns the providing of media, and more particularly to the streaming of media. In one example embodiment of a method for streaming an audio content item to an electronic device, the method comprises: receiving a first data message comprising instructions from an electronic device to return a preview segment associated with a selected audio content item, the preview segment being a portion of the selected audio content item; retrieving said selected audio content item from a first storage; analyzing audio content of the retrieved audio content item to locate a portion of the selected audio content item to be used as the preview segment; extracting the located portion of the selected audio content item from the retrieved audio content item; and transmitting the extracted portion of the selected audio content item unencrypted to the electronic device.

This disclosure concerns the providing of media, and more particularly to the streaming of media. In one example embodiment of a method for streaming an audio content item to an electronic device, the method comprises: receiving a first data message comprising instructions from an electronic device to return a preview segment associated with a selected audio content item, the preview segment being a portion of the selected audio content item; retrieving said selected audio content item from a first storage; analyzing audio content of the retrieved audio content item to locate a portion of the selected audio content item to be used as the preview segment; extracting the located portion of the selected audio content item from the retrieved audio content item; and transmitting the extracted portion of the selected audio content item unencrypted to the electronic device.

The various implementations disclosed herein pertain to methods and systems for detecting a state of monitored objects in a premises. In one aspect, a method is performed at a computer system that is communicably coupled to sensor devices. The computer system receives and processes information of acoustic signals against a database of stored acoustic signatures characterizing predefined acoustic signals generated by electrically non-powered passive tags in response to physical motion of respective monitored objects associated with the passive tags. It receives a first acoustic signal characterized by a first acoustic signature and generated by a first passive tag. In response to the receiving, based on the first acoustic signature and information in the database, it identifies the first monitored object associated with the first acoustic signature, determines a first state of the first monitored object, and provides a notification of the first state to an occupant of the premises.

Systems and methods for gathering research data using multiple monitoring devices are provided. An example apparatus comprises interface circuitry to obtain, from a first computing device, a first indication of media output by the first computing device, the first indication including first metadata associated with the media; instructions; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to: apply criteria to at least a portion of the first metadata; and cause storage of the first metadata associated with the media in a database.

Systems and methods for gathering research data using multiple monitoring devices are provided. An example apparatus comprises interface circuitry to obtain, from a first computing device, a first indication of media output by the first computing device, the first indication including first metadata associated with the media; instructions; and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to: apply criteria to at least a portion of the first metadata; and cause storage of the first metadata associated with the media in a database.

Certain embodiments provide methods and systems for managing a sound profile. An example playback device includes a network interface and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions executable by the processor. When executed by the processor, the instructions are to configure the playback device to receive, via the network interface over a local area network (LAN) from a controller device, an instruction. The example playback device is to obtain, based on the instruction, via the network interface from a location outside of the LAN, data comprising a sound profile. The example playback device is to update one or more parameters at the playback device based on the sound profile. The example playback device is to play back an audio signal according to the sound profile.