Contextualizing Voice Inputs in Multi-Zone Playback Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems lack efficient methods for synchronizing audio playback across multiple networked devices in a household setting, particularly when using voice commands to control playback zones and devices.
Innovation Solution
The system employs networked microphone devices (NMDs) that can receive and process voice commands, with contextual information from other NMDs used to determine the location and zone of the voice command, allowing for precise control of playback devices and settings across the household.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple networked playback devices are used to enable audio playback in multiple rooms, then the listening experience is enhanced and versatility is improved, but synchronization of audio playback across devices becomes complex and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple playback devices into a synchronized networked system where audio content is coordinated across all devices. The system merges individual device operations into a unified playback experience, allowing users to play audio simultaneously in multiple rooms without manually configuring each device, thus resolving the synchronization complexity while maintaining multi-room versatility.
2Ease of operation
If voice commands are used to control playback devices, then ease of operation is improved, but accurate interpretation of voice commands and determination of user location becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that receives voice commands from users and uses contextual information from multiple networked devices to accurately interpret the commands. The intermediary processes the voice input in conjunction with location data and device status information from the network, enabling precise determination of user intent and location without requiring complex voice processing at each individual device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where networked devices continuously exchange contextual information about user presence, device state, and environmental conditions. This feedback loop allows the system to refine its interpretation of voice commands in real-time, improving accuracy by correlating voice input with current system state and user location data from multiple sources.
3Measurement precision
If contextual information from multiple NMDs is used to determine voice command location, then measurement precision of user location is improved, but device complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the contextual information processing task across multiple networked devices, where each device contributes specific data (such as voice volume, arrival time, or signal strength) to the overall location determination. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision by aggregating data from multiple sources while distributing the processing load, preventing any single device from becoming overly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are example techniques to provide contextual information corresponding to a voice command. An example implementation may involve receiving voice data indicating a voice command, receiving contextual information indicating a characteristic of the voice command, and determining a device operation corresponding to the voice command. Determining the device operation corresponding to the voice command may include identifying, among multiple zones of a media playback system, a zone that corresponds to the characteristic of the voice command, and determining that the voice command corresponds to one or more particular devices that are associated with the identified zone. The example implementation may further involve causing the one or more particular devices to perform the device operation.