Apple Inc.

Andrew J Sinesio

Benjamin S Phipps

Karl Ferdinand Schramm

Bryan Hansen

Jaireh Tecarro

Bob Bradley

Ryan M Orr

Vincent M Lane

Daniel J Mandel

Connor Jennings Barnett

Patrick L Coffman

Thomas M Alsina

Edward T Schmidt

Nicholas James Paulson

Szu-Wen Huang

Jason P Ketterman

Charles Magahern

Elena Leyfman

Cody D Jorgensen

Cesar De Camargo Barscevicius

Robert MacRAE

Harry Simmonds

Keith G Henrickson

Owen Imholte

Vince Lane

Ankur Goyal

Kranti K Parisa

Sara E Kufeldt

Frank-Robert Kline, Iii

Embodiments described herein provide a network system to enable content playback on multiple devices. An electronic device can receive information associated with media playback request and resolve a media item and intended playback device for the media request based on a set of available media items and player devices. The device can then transmit, via the data interface, a request to play the media item at the player device via a secure device to device communication system.

Network system for content playback on multiple devices

An exemplary method for identifying media may include receiving user input associated with a request for media, where that user input includes unstructured natural language speech including one or more words; identifying at least one context associated with the user input; causing a search for the media based on the at least one context and the user input; determining, based on the at least one context and the user input, at least one media item that satisfies the request; and in accordance with a determination that the at least one media item satisfies the request, obtaining the at least one media item.

Virtual assistant for media playback

Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In one example, a user request for a media item is received. Based on the user request, at least one media item and a description of the at least one media item are identified. A confidence level is obtained that an identified media item of the at least one media item corresponds to the requested media item. In accordance with a determination that the confidence level exceeds a first confidence threshold, a length of the identified description is reduced to obtain a modified description and the modified description of the identified media item is provided in a first spoken response.

Reducing description length based on confidence

Systems and processes for operating an intelligent automated assistant are provided. In one example process, information associated with media playback is received from one or more user devices. A speech request for a media item is received from a user. At least the speech request and the information associated with media playback is transmitted to a second electronic device. Based on at least the speech request and the information associated with media playback, an instruction for media playback on a secondary user device is received. At least one task is performed based on the instruction for media playback.

Content playback on multiple devices

Techniques are disclosed for managing media playback among an ad hoc group of playback devices. Such techniques may involve building a session among the playback devices in which playback devices communicate information regarding their playback capabilities. Based on the playback capabilities of the devices, playback mode may be derived for the session. Playback operations may be synchronized among the devices that are members of the session, in which devices receive identification of asset(s) to be rendered pursuant to the playback operation and timing information of playback of the asset. The devices may stream the playback assets directly from media sources when they are capable of doing so. In this manner, communication resources are conserved.

Encapsulating and synchronizing state interactions between devices

Growing community of inventors

Saratoga, CA, United States of America

Andrew J Sinesio