In one aspect, a first playback device is configured to (i) receive a set of voice signals, (ii) process the set of voice signals using a first set of audio processing algorithms, (iii) identify, from the set of voice signals, at least two voice signals that are to be further processed, (iv) determine that the first playback device does not have a threshold amount of computational power available, (v) receive an indication of an available amount of computational power of a second playback device, (vi) send the at least two voice signals to the second playback device, (vii) cause the second playback device to process the at least two voice signals using a second set of audio processing algorithms, (viii) receive, from the second playback device, the processed at least two voice signals, and (ix) combine the processed at least two voice signals into a combined voice signal.

Systems and methods for optimizing network microphone devices using noise classification are disclosed herein. In one example, individual microphones of a network microphone device (NMD) detect sound. The sound data is analyzed to detect a trigger event such as a wake word. Metadata associated with the sound data is captured in a lookback buffer of the NMD. After detecting the trigger event, the metadata is analyzed to classify noise in the sound data. Based on the classified noise, at least one performance parameter of the NMD is modified.

A first playback device is configured to perform functions comprising: detecting sound, identifying a wake word based on the sound as detected by the first device, receiving an indication that a second playback device has also detected the sound and identified the wake word based on the sound as detected by the second device, after receiving the indication, evaluating which of the first and second devices is to extract sound data representing the sound and thereby determining that the extraction of the sound data is to be performed by the second device over the first device, in response to the determining, foregoing extraction of the sound data, receiving VAS response data that is indicative of a given VAS response corresponding to a given voice input identified in the sound data extracted by the second device, and based on the VAS response data, output the given VAS response.

In general, user interfaces for controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a user interface is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network. The user interface is further configured to illustrate graphically a size of a group, the larger the group appears relatively, the more plays there are in the group.

A speaker system uses destructive wave interference to generate “dead spots” with respect to an audio presentation. The signal for the dead spot generating device can be an inverted signal generated using the audio signal. In one embodiment, the inverted signal is generated using the audio signal, an indication of loudness at one or more active speakers, and a determination of the characteristics of the sound path from the one or more active speakers (including delay and attenuation).

Methods, systems, and media for identifying a plurality of sets of coordinates for a plurality of devices are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: identifying each device in a plurality of devices associated with a user account; instructing the plurality of devices to perform an audio sequence; receiving a plurality of transit times from the plurality of devices; determining a plurality of distances based on the plurality of transit times; determining a plurality of sets of coordinates based on the plurality of distances; associating to each of the plurality of devices a corresponding unique one of the plurality of sets of coordinates; and causing at least one of the plurality of devices to play spatial audio determined from the plurality of sets of coordinates.

Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.

Systems and methods for localizing portable devices are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for locating a portable device in a network that includes several reference devices. The method measures characteristics of signals transmitted via signal paths between reference devices and a portable device, normalizes the measurements to estimate characteristics of the signal paths, and estimates the likelihood that the portable device is in a particular location. Systems and methods for training prediction models include a method that includes steps for receiving context data for a portable device in a system, wherein the context data includes localization data that describes a location of the portable device, identifying a predicted stationary device based on the context data using a prediction model, identifying a target stationary device from the several stationary devices, training the prediction model based on based on the predicted stationary device and the received input.

A method of determining whether a first playback device is to rejoin a group is disclosed. The method comprises playing back, by the first playback device, media content in synchrony with at least a second playback device, wherein the first and second playback devices are playing back the media content as members of a group. While playing back the media content, and after a loss of power at the first playback device, the method comprises stopping, by the first playback device, playback of the media content. After the loss of power, and after a resumption of power to the first playback device the method comprises automatically determining to rejoin the group and joining the first playback device to the group.

A method for a control device is disclosed. The method comprises configuring the control device to control a first networked device and while controlling the first networked device and while operating in a first mode, receiving, via the control device, first input data, the first input data indicative of a command to control an illumination device of the first networked device. After receiving the first input data, the method comprises controlling the illumination device of the first networked device. While controlling the first networked device and while operating in a second mode, the method comprises receiving, via the control device, second input data, the second input data indicative of a command to control a playback device of the first networked device. After receiving the second input data, the method comprises controlling the playback device of the first networked device.