Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Dharini Sundaram

Vikram Kumar Gundeti

Michael Alan Pogue

Fred Torok

Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices can comprise sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. Scores can be assigned to respective audio playback devices, the scores being indicative of a performance level of the respective audio playback devices acting as a master device. The device with the highest score is designated as a candidate master device and one or more remaining devices are designated as a candidate slave(s). A throughput test is conducted with the highest scoring device acting as the candidate master device. The results of the throughput test are used to determine a master device for a group of devices. Latency of the throughput test can be reduced by using a prescribed time period for completion of the throughput test, and/or by selecting a first group configuration to passes the throughput test.

Selection of master device for synchronized audio

A user can utter a voice command in an environment where multiple audio playback devices are located to have audio output on a single device, or a predefined group of devices in a synchronized manner. In instances when the voice command uttered by the user does not specify a target for audio output, an implicit target selection algorithm can evaluate one or more criteria to determine an appropriate target for output of the audio corresponding to the voice command. An example criterion is met if a predetermined time period has lapsed since a last utterance was detected by a device in the environment. However, other criteria can be evaluated for determining a target output device(s).

Implicit target selection for multiple audio playback devices in an environment

Synchronized output of audio on a group of devices comprises sending audio data from an audio distribution master device to one or more slave devices in the group. In group mode, a slave can be configured to receive audio data directly from a master device acting as a soft wireless access point (WAP) in an environment that includes a traditional WAP. In response to a user request to output audio via the slave in individual mode, the slave may be configured to dynamically switch to receiving audio data via the WAP in the environment without routing the audio data through the master device acting as the soft WAP. This dynamic switching to receiving audio data via the WAP in individual mode can reduce bandwidth consumption on the master device.

Audio playback device that dynamically switches between receiving audio data from a soft access point and receiving audio data from a local access point

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Bothell, WA, United States of America

Dharini Sundaram