Described herein is a system for recalibrating an audio configuration for mobile or moving devices. The system may configure a multi-device output group to generate synchronous output audio using multiple devices. For example, the output group may include a first device generating a first portion of output audio corresponding to a first channel and a second device generating a second portion of the output audio corresponding to a second channel. If the second device detects motion and/or movement indicating a change in its location, the system may recalibrate the output group to continue generating the output audio without the second device. For example, the first device or a new device can generate the second portion of the output audio instead of the second device. When the second device returns, the system can recalibrate the output group to include the second device again.

In a method for transmitting and reproducing acoustic information, acoustic data is provided which comprises a first data component and a second data component, wherein the first data component does not contain speech information, and the second data component contains speech information. Each piece of data is reproduced by first and second audio reproduction means (30, 40) such that all users (101, 102) can hear the acoustic signals emitted by the first audio reproduction means (30) together, and the acoustic signals emitted by the second audio reproduction means (40) can be heard substantially only by the corresponding user (101, 102).

Systems and methods are provided for providing media content based on playback zone awareness. In one aspect, a computing system receives, via a network interface, zone data from the media playback system, wherein the zone data includes an indication of a particular zone of the media playback system, and wherein the particular zone comprises at least one playback device. The computing system identifies audio content based on (i) the indication of the particular zone and (ii) contextual data associated with the particular zone, and provides, via the network interface, an indication of the identified audio content to the media playback system.

A management server includes a memory, and at least one processor configured to control an audio client system, by execution of instructions stored in the memory. The at least one processor is configured to acquire a first transfer function measured for a portion of or for all of the first signal path in the audio client system. The at least one processor is also configured to generate a virtual second signal path for a portion of or for all of the first signal path in the audio client system, and calculate a second transfer function for a portion of or for all of the generated virtual second signal path. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a condition of the audio client system, based on a result of a comparison between the first transfer function and the second transfer function.

Example systems, apparatus, and methods receive audio information including a plurality of frames from a source device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more audio samples and a time stamp indicating when to play the one or more audio samples of the respective frame. In an example, the time stamp is updated for each of the plurality of frames using a time differential value determined between clock information received from the source device and clock information associated with the device. The updated time stamp is stored for each of the plurality of frames, and the audio information is output based on the plurality of frames and associated updated time stamps. A number of samples per frame to be output is adjusted based on a comparison between the updated time stamp for the frame and a predicted time value for play back of the frame.

An audio encoding device and an audio decoding device are described herein. The audio encoding device may examine a set of audio channels/channel groups representing a piece of sound program content and produce a set of ducking values to associate with one of the channels/channel groups. During playback of the piece of sound program content, the ducking values may be applied to all other channels/channel groups. Application of these ducking values may cause (1) the reduction in dynamic range of ducked channels/channel groups and/or (2) movement of channels/channel groups in the sound field. This ducking may improve intelligibility of audio in the non-ducked channel/channel group. For instance, a narration channel/channel group may be more clearly heard by listeners through the use of selective ducking of other channels/channel groups during playback.

An audio system includes a base station, an interface that enables transmission of audio content from a handheld media device to the base station via a cable, and one or more remote speakers configured to receive the audio content from the base station. The base station includes a housing, a speaker integrated within the housing to produce an audible signal from the audio content provided by the handheld media device, and a transceiver integrated within the housing for wirelessly transmitting the audio content to the one or more remote speakers. The one or more remote speakers are configured to wirelessly relay the audio content, thereby to supply the audio content beyond the transmission range of the transceiver.

A bidirectional channel control system, method, device, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium based on Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications is provided. The system comprises a transmitter, at least one receiver, an audio channel, and a text message control channel. The transmitter is configured to send an audio data stream to the at least one receiver through the audio channel. The transmitter is configured to send a control command to the one receiver through the text message control channel in a one-to-one single-point text message mode, and to receive a feedback result from the one receiver in response to the control command. Alternatively, the transmitter is configured to send a control command to each of the at least one receiver based on DECT protocol through the text message control channel in at least one of a one-to-many broadcast messaging mode and a one-to-one single-point messaging mode, and to receive a feedback result from each of the at least one receiver in response to the control command in the one-to-one single-point messaging mode.

An example method of operation may include identifying, in a particular room environment, a number of speakers and one or more microphones on a network controlled by a controller and amplifier, providing test signals to play sequentially from each amplifier channel of the amplifier and the speakers, monitoring the test signals from the one or more microphones simultaneously to detect operational speakers and amplifier channels, providing additional test signals to the speakers to determine tuning parameters, detecting the additional test signals at the one or more microphones controlled by the controller, and automatically establishing a background noise level and noise spectrum of the room environment based on the detected additional test signals.

Various implementations include portable speakers with dynamic display characteristics. In some particular aspects, a portable speaker includes an enclosure housing: at least one electro-acoustic transducer for providing an audio output; a processor coupled with the at least one transducer; an audio input module coupled with the processor for receiving audio input signals; and a battery configured to power the at least one transducer, the processor, and the audio input module; an input channel for receiving a hard-wired audio input connection; at least one wireless input channel for receiving an audio input from a source device via a wireless connection; and a display on the enclosure coupled with the processor, wherein the processor adjusts an orientation of the display between a first orientation and a second orientation in response to detecting a change in orientation of the portable speaker.