Patents Assigned to Sonos, Inc.
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Patent number: 11804903Abstract: An example playback device includes a housing having a front side, a back side, a first end, and a second end. The playback device also includes an IR receiver positioned on the front side of the housing, a first IR emitter positioned on the back side of the housing and oriented such that a first IR signal emitted from the first IR emitter is directed toward the second end of the housing, and a second IR emitter positioned on the back side of the housing and oriented such that a second IR signal emitted from the second IR emitter a) is directed toward the first end of the housing and b) crosses the first IR signal emitted from the first IR emitter. The first and second IR emitters are communicatively coupled to the IR receiver within the housing and configured to retransmit an IR control signal received by the IR receiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Alex DiDonato
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Patent number: 11805174Abstract: A computing device may broadcast a first message via a wireless interface while operating according to a first network topology. After broadcasting the first message, the computing device may receive the first message via a wired interface. Based on receiving the first message via the wired interface, the computing device may broadcast a second message indicating a second network topology via the wireless interface. Based on receiving the first message via the wired interface, the computing device may operate according to the second network topology.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Jose Graziani, Ted Lin
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Patent number: 11797262Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that provide a dedicated command device that is bonded to a zone player or zone to perform adjustments to the zone player or zone. In an example implementation, a command device receives an instruction to pair with a first playback device that is associated with a group of playback devices that includes the first playback device and at least one additional playback device. The group of playback devices is associated with at least one group variable controlling playback by the playback devices of the group. The command device receives an input to adjust a first group variable of the at least one group variable and transmits, via a wireless communications interface, a command that causes an adjustment of the first group variable for the group of playback devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Reichert, David John McCaffree Amaranto
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Patent number: 11800306Abstract: Example techniques may involve calibration with multiple recording devices. An implementation may include a mobile device receiving data indicating that a calibration sequence for multiple playback devices has been initiated in a venue. The mobile device displays a prompt to include the first mobile device in the calibration sequence for the multiple playback devices and a particular selectable control that, when selected, includes the first mobile device in the calibration sequence. During the calibration sequence, the mobile device records calibration audio as played back by the multiple playback devices and transmits data representing the recorded calibration audio to a computing device.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Klaus Hartung
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Patent number: 11797263Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include (i) capturing a voice input comprising a request for media content, (ii) receiving information derived at least from the request for media content, (iii) requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, wherein (a) the information identifies first media content available via the first media content service for playback and identifies second media content available via the second media content service for playback, and (b) the first and second media content are related to the requested media content, and (iv) after receiving at least one of the first information and the second information, (a) selecting the first media content instead of the second media content, and (b) playing back the first media content.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
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Patent number: 11800318Abstract: Systems and methods for managing playback devices in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for modifying a system that includes several devices. The method includes steps for measuring a first signal pattern for wireless signals between the several devices, measuring a second signal pattern for the wireless signals after measuring the first signal pattern between the several devices, determining an updated state of the system based on a difference between the second signal pattern and the first signal pattern, and modifying state variables of one or more devices of the playback system based on the determined updated state.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Kurt Thomas Soto
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Patent number: 11799433Abstract: In one example, a zone player may include a network interface, at least one processor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be executable by the at least one processor such that the zone player is configured to receive an instruction to change a volume setting of the zone player to a requested volume level; in response to receiving the instruction to change the volume setting of the zone player to the requested volume level, adjust the volume setting of the zone player to an adapted volume level that is lower than the requested volume level; and after adjusting the volume setting of the zone player to the adapted volume level, send an indication that the volume setting of the zone player has been adjusted to the requested volume level rather than the adapted volume level.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
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Patent number: 11798553Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining voice assistant persistence across multiple network microphone devices are described. In one example, first and second NMDs each identify a wake word based on detected sound, and are each transitioned from an inactive state to an active state in which the NMD captures and transmits sound data over a network interface. The first NMD is selected over the second NMD to output a first response, and both NMDs remain in the active state to further capture and transmit sound data. After further capturing and transmitting of sound data, the second NMD is selected over the first NMD to output a second response. After a predetermined time, one or both of the NMDs are transitioned back to the inactive state. The selection of one NMD over another for outputting a response can be based at least in part on user location information.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Paul Bates
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Patent number: 11800305Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to playback device calibration. A calibration state variable may represent a calibration state of a playback device. A control device may display an indications of the calibration state. For instance, in a first instance, the control device may display an indication that a first playback device is in an uncalibrated state. Further, in a second instance, the control device may display an indication that the first playback device is in an calibrated state, perhaps after instructing the first playback device to initiate calibration.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen
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Patent number: 11797266Abstract: A first playback device may include at least one battery, a network interface, at least one processor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The program instructions may be executable by the at least one processor such that the first playback device is configured to (i) receive an instruction to operate as a group coordinator of a synchrony group, (ii) determine a value of a battery state variable of the at least one battery, (iii) based on the value of the battery state variable of the at least one battery, select a second playback device from one or more other members of the synchrony group to operate as the group coordinator of the synchrony group, and (iv) cause the second playback device to operate as the group coordinator of the synchrony group.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Gary Fox, Jeff Derderian, Jeffrey Peters
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Patent number: 11800277Abstract: Example techniques may involve controlling a passive radiator. An implementation may include a device receiving, via a network interface, audio content and generating an audio signal representing the audio content. Generating the audio signal involves modifying portions of the audio content to limit excursion of the speaker driver to less than an excursion limit when a forward prediction model indicates that the portions of the audio content are predicted to cause the speaker driver to move beyond the excursion limit. While playing back the generated audio signal via the audio stage, the device detects, via a sensor, clipping of the speaker driver and generates a feedback signal based on the detected clipping of the speaker driver. The device adjusts the forward prediction model based on the generated feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Tony Doy
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Patent number: 11789690Abstract: In an example implementation, a method may involve, while a first zone and a second zone of a media playback system are playing back respective media, receiving data indicating the occurrence of a first trigger condition. The method may also involve, based on the received data, modifying respective volume limits of the first zone and the second zone, wherein modifying the volume limit causes first volume levels that exceed the second limit to be reduced to respective second volume levels that are at or below the second limit. The method may also involve receiving data indicating the occurrence of a second trigger condition. The method may further involve, based on the received data, modifying the respective volume limits of the first zone and the second zone from the second limit to the first limit.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Kirk Bulis, Jeremy Wessely, Jonathan Lang, Romi Kadri
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Patent number: 11792590Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and adapting to changes in microphone performance of playback devices are disclosed herein. In one example, an audio input is received at an array of individual microphones of a network microphone device. Output microphone signals are generated from each of the individual microphones based on the audio input. The output microphone signals are analyzed to detect a trigger event. After detecting the trigger event, the output microphone signals are compared to detect aberrant behavior of one or more of the microphones. Optionally, corrective actions can be taken or suggested based on the detection of aberrant behavior of one or more microphones.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Kurt Thomas Soto, Connor Kristopher Smith, Roberto Maria Dizon, Patrick Kevin McPherson, Charles Conor Sleith
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Patent number: 11792589Abstract: To avoid damage from overheating, playback device operation can be modulated based on input from temperature sensors. An example method includes obtaining, via one or more temperature sensors carried by the playback device, temperature data. Based on the temperature data, a first temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the first temperature parameter, a gain of audio playback is decreased by a first amount. After decreasing the gain of audio playback by the first amount, a second temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the second temperature parameter, the gain of audio playback is decreased by a second amount different than the first amount.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos
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Patent number: 11790920Abstract: Playback devices comprising a network interface, an optional speaker(s), and one or more processors are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the playback device is configured to communicate with a computing system that stores configuration data corresponding to each of a plurality of users. The playback device detects one or more users near the playback device and retrieves user configuration data corresponding to each of the one or more detected users, and thereafter, uses the user configuration data of the one or more detected users to process voice commands, play media content, and/or perform other voice and/or media related functions.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Paul Andrew Bates
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Patent number: 11790937Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing voice detection via a network microphone device are disclosed herein. In one example, individual microphones of a network microphone device detect sound. The sound data is captured in a first buffer and analyzed to detect a trigger event. Metadata associated with the sound data is captured in a second buffer and provided to at least one network device to determine at least one characteristic of the detected sound based on the metadata. The network device provides a response that includes an instruction, based on the determined characteristic, to modify at least one performance parameter of the NMD. The NMD then modifies the at least one performance parameter based on the instruction.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Kurt Thomas Soto, Charles Conor Sleith
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Patent number: 11790911Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include capturing sound data via a network microphone device and identifying a candidate wake word in the sound data. Based on identification of the candidate wake word in the sound data, the system selects a first wake-word engine from a plurality of wake-word engines. Via the first wake-word engine, the system analyzes the sound data to detect a confirmed wake word, and, in response to detecting the confirmed wake word, transmits a voice utterance of the sound data to one or more remote computing devices associated with a voice assistant service.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Joachim Fainberg, Daniele Giacobello, Klaus Hartung
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Patent number: 11789692Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for detecting presence of an object in proximity to a playback device and responsively performing one or more operations. In an example implementation, a playback device detects, via a proximity detector of the playback device, presence of an object in proximity to the playback device. In response to detecting the presence of the object, the playback device performs one or more operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
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Patent number: 11782977Abstract: Examples described herein involve facilitating playback of media content via a webpage. An example implementation involves a computing device: identifying one or more playback zones including at least one respective playback device; transmitting, via a web browser, a webpage request; receiving a webpage that includes a link to a media item; modifying the received webpage to include a representation associated with the link; causing, via the web browser, display of the modified webpage; responsive to a selection of the representation, causing display of the option; and responsive to a selection of the option, causing display of a list of the one or more playback zones, wherein at least one playback zone of the one or more playback zones is selectable to cause the media item to be added to the playback queue associated with the at least one playback zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Ted M. Lin, Eric M. Bass
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Patent number: 11782675Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2022Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri