Networked microphone devices, systems, and methods of localized arbitration

At least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium is provisioned with program instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause a system to:

• detect sound via a first microphone of a first playback device;
• identify a wake word based on the sound as detected by the first playback device;
• determine that a second playback device has also (i) detected the sound via a second microphone of the second playback device and (ii) identified the wake word based on the sound as detected by the second playback device;
• perform an evaluation to determine which one of the first or second playback devices is to be designated as a responsive playback device for responding to the detected sound;
• based on the evaluation, determine that the first playback device is to be designated as the responsive playback device;
• receive, from a network-based system that is configured to evaluate sound data for voice input and determine a corresponding VAS (Voice Assistant Service) response, VAS response data that is indicative of a VAS response corresponding to a voice input identified in sound data extracted from the sound;
• and
• based on the VAS response data, cause the first playback device to output the VAS response via an audio output interface of the first playback device.

A method carried out by a system, the method comprising:

• detecting sound via a first microphone of a first playback device;
• identifying a wake word based on the sound as detected by the first playback device;
• determining that a second playback device has also (i) detected the sound via a second microphone of the second playback device and (ii) identified the wake word based on the sound as detected by the second playback device;
• performing an evaluation to determine which one of the first or second playback devices is to be designated as a responsive playback device for responding to the detected sound;
• based on the evaluation, determining that the first playback device is to be designated as the responsive playback device;
• receiving, from a network-based system that is configured to evaluate sound data for voice input and determine a corresponding VAS (Voice Assistant Service) response, VAS response data that is indicative of a VAS response corresponding to a voice input identified in sound data extracted from the sound;
• and
• based on the VAS response data, causing the first playback device to output the VAS response via an audio output interface of the first playback device.