Patents Examined by Paul McCord
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Patent number: 9766853Abstract: An example method includes, based on an adjustment to a first displayed volume control, instructing the first playback device to adjust playback volume level; based on an adjustment to a second displayed volume control, instructing the second playback device to adjust playback volume level; after sending the commands, instructing the first and/or second playback device to process an audio stream into a first and/or second channel and to reproduce a respective one of the first and second channel, wherein the grouped first and second playback devices provide multi-channel sound; and based on an adjustment to a third displayed volume control, instructing the first and/or second playback device to adjust a group volume level for both the first and second playback devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Patent number: 9756424Abstract: Systems and methods for output of audio content are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a processor. The example processor is configured to at least process audio content to determine a portion of the audio content to be output by the first playback device based on a type of pairing of the first playback device and the audio content. The example processor is configured to at least determine, when the type of pairing pairs the first playback device with a second playback device to output the audio content, a time delay to facilitate sound synchronization with the second playback device. The example processor is configured to at least configure, based on the type of pairing and the time delay, the first playback device to output the portion of the audio content via an amplifier and a plurality of speaker drivers.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
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Patent number: 9749760Abstract: An example method includes receiving, from a first playback device of a playback system, a message indicating a first zone configuration, the first zone configuration including at least a first zone associated with at least the first playback device and a second zone associated with at least a second playback device of the playback system; displaying, based on the first zone configuration, at least a first representation corresponding to the first zone and a second representation corresponding to the second zone; receiving an input to form a zone group including each playback device of the playback system; based on the input, transmitting to a third playback device of the playback system, a message indicating a second zone configuration, the second zone configuration comprising a zone group associated with each playback device of the system; and displaying, based on the second zone configuration, a third representation corresponding to the zone group.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Lambourne
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Patent number: 9734243Abstract: Certain embodiments provide methods and systems for managing a sound profile. An example playback device includes a network interface and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored therein instructions executable by the processor. When executed by the processor, the instructions are to configure the playback device to receive, via the network interface over a local area network (LAN) from a controller device, an instruction. The example playback device is to obtain, based on the instruction, via the network interface from a location outside of the LAN, data comprising a sound profile. The example playback device is to update one or more parameters at the playback device based on the sound profile. The example playback device is to play back an audio signal according to the sound profile.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson
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Patent number: 9728205Abstract: An audio identification system accounts for an audio signal's complexity when generating a test audio fingerprint for identification of the audio signal. In particular, the audio identification system determines a complexity of an audio signal to be fingerprinted. For example, the audio signal's complexity may be determined by performance of an autocorrelation on the audio signal. Based on the determined complexity, the audio identification system determines a length of a sample of the audio signal used to generate a test audio fingerprint. A sample having the length is then obtained and used to generate a test audio fingerprint for the audio signal. The test audio fingerprint may be compared to a set of reference audio fingerprints to identify the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Facebook, Inc.Inventor: Sergiy Bilobrov
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Patent number: 9729985Abstract: Method and devices for testing a headphone with increased sensation are provided. The headphone can filter and amplify low frequency audio signals, which are then sent to a haptic device in the headphone. The haptic device can cause bass sensations at the top of the skull and at both ear cups. The testing system can evaluate the haptic and acoustic sensations produced by the headphone to evaluate if they have been properly assembled and calibrate the headphones if necessary.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Alpine Electronics of Silicon Valley, Inc.Inventors: Rocky Chau-Hsiung Lin, Thomas Yamasaki
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Patent number: 9720641Abstract: A music distribution server according to an embodiment provides a service in which users can easily enjoy digital contents. The server may include an information storage unit storing various tables and data bases, a playback transmission unit transmitting, in response to playback requests, music data to a terminal device in a streaming method, and a purchase transmission unit transmitting, in response to a purchase request, the music data to the terminal device in a downloading method, a ticket possession status update unit updating a possession status of virtual tickets used for playback of the music data possessed by users, a ticket providing unit providing the virtual tickets to users, a comment management unit managing users' comments on music pieces, a recommendation management unit managing recommendation of music pieces by one user to other users, and a ticket offer management unit offering the virtual tickets from one user to other users.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Inventors: Takayasu Satake, Wataru Kawasaki, Mamoru Yamashiki
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Patent number: 9723038Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that involve a computing device initiating playback of a particular media item on a media playback system that is registered to a particular account of a social media service. The computing device may query the social media service for one or more accounts of the social media service that are registered to respective media playback systems that have played the particular media item on at least a threshold number of occasions and have not yet been connected to the particular account of the social media service within the social network. The computing device may receive the queried one or more accounts of the social media service and cause a graphical interface to display one or more respective selectable indications of the received one or more accounts of the social media service.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Keith Corbin, Abhishek Kumar, Ron Kuper, Gregory Paul Ramsperger, Andrej Sarkic
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Patent number: 9705950Abstract: An example method includes receiving an indication that a user was at a location at a particular time; identifying at least one portion of media content playing at the location at the particular time; and transmitting data that indicates the identified at least one portion of media content to a computing device associated with the user. A second example method includes transmitting an indication that a user was at a location at a particular time; receiving data identifying at least one portion of media content played by a second playback device at the location at the particular time when the user was at the location; and causing, by the control device, a graphical display to display the data identifying the at least one portion of media content played at the location at the particular time when the user was at the location.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Mark Trammell
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Patent number: 9690540Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to social-media playback queues. In one example, a computing system may be configured to (i) receive an identifier of a media playback system, (ii) link the identifier with a social-media account, (iii) based at least on linking the identifier with the social-media account, generate a social-media playback queue that is fillable with one or more media items playable by the media playback system, (iv) establish access permissions to the social-media playback queue, where the access permissions indicate at least one additional social media account that (a) is within a social-media network of the social-media account, and (b) has access to the social-media playback queue, (v) receive, from a computing device affiliated with the at least one additional social-media account, an indication of a media item to be added to the social-media playback queue, and (vi) add the media item to the social-media playback queue.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Keith Corbin, Paul Kafadar, Abhishek Kumar, Ron Kuper, Gregory Paul Ramsperger, Andrej Sarkic
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Patent number: 9686606Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. J Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
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Patent number: 9684715Abstract: This disclosure relates to audio identification using ordinal transformations. A media matching component receives a sample audio file. The sample audio file can include, for example, a cover song. The media matching component includes a vector component that computes a set of vectors using auditory feature values included in the sample audio file. A hashing component employs a hash function to generate a fingerprint, including a set of sub-fingerprints, for the sample audio file using the set of vectors. The fingerprint is invariant to variations including but not limited to variations in key, instrumentation, encoding formats, performers, performance conditions, arrangement, and/or recording and processing variations. An identification component determines if any reference audio files are similar to the sample audio file using the fingerprint and/or sub-fingerprints, and identifies any similar reference audio files.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: David Ross, Jay Yagnik
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Patent number: 9681223Abstract: Technology for smart line-in processing in an audio environment is disclosed. An example playback device includes a line-in connector for receiving a first audio signal, a network interface, and a processor. A computer readable storage medium has stored instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, and, in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, (i) cease playback of a second audio signal being played by the playback device, wherein the second audio signal is not present at the line-in connector, (ii) cause the playback device to play at least a first portion of the first audio signal, and (iii) cause the playback device to transmit, via the network interface, at least a second portion of the first audio signal to another playback device.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. J Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
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Patent number: 9679053Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to detect media watermarks in magnetic field data are disclosed herein. Example methods disclosed herein to detect media watermarks can include accessing multidimensional magnetic field data representative of values of a magnetic field measured within a first distance of audio circuitry that is to output an audio signal corresponding to media presented by a media device. Such example methods can also include processing the multidimensional magnetic field data to detect a watermark included in the audio signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: The Nielsen Company (US), LLCInventors: Alexander Topchy, Venugopal Srinivasan
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Patent number: 9671997Abstract: An example method involves causing a control device to display a graphical user interface that comprises an indication of a first zone of a media playback system, wherein the media playback system comprises the first zone and a second zone, and wherein the graphical user interface does not comprise an indication of the second zone. The example method further involves detecting, by the control device, an input that indicates a command to cause the first zone to form a zone group with the second zone and play back a target media in synchrony with the second zone. The method further comprises, based on the detected input, causing the first zone to form a zone group with the second zone and play back the target media in synchrony with the second zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Mark W. Triplett
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Patent number: 9671780Abstract: Examples described herein involve a playback device performing one or more playback device actions based on locations of one or more physical contacts on an external surface of the playback device. A processor of the playback device may receive from an array of proximity sensors underlying an external surface of the playback device, location data indicating a physical contact at a location on the external surface. Based on at least the location, the processor may identify a playback device action from a plurality of playback device actions, and cause at least the playback device to perform the identified playback device action. The playback device may further include at least one orientation sensor from which the processor may also receive orientation data indicating an orientation of the playback device. The processor may identify identify the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Chris Bierbower, Matt Nelson, Paul Kafadar
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Patent number: 9661145Abstract: A method and an audio conference device for carrying out an audio conference are disclosed, whereby classification information associated with a respective audio date flow is recorded for supplied audio data flows. According to a result of an evaluation of the classification information, the audio data flows are associated with at least three groups which are homogeneous with regard to the results. The individual audio data flows are processed uniformly in each group in terms of the signals thereof, and said audio data flows processed in this way are superimposed in order to form audio conference data flows to be transmitted to the communication terminals.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Virginie Gilg, Tobias Kleemann, Jorg Krumbock, Walter Schmid
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Patent number: 9661107Abstract: A data transmitting apparatus includes a packet generator which generates a plurality of packets regarding multi-channel audio sample data and transmitter which transmits the plurality of generated packets to a data receiving apparatus. Each of the plurality of packets includes an identifier field to distinguish a position or an order of the packets.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jong-hwa Kim, Soo-young Kim, Il-ju Na, Suk-jin Yun, Jae-min Lee, Kyeong-jae Lee
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Patent number: 9659568Abstract: A method of decoding an audio signal, and which includes extracting spectral data and a loss signal compensation parameter from an audio signal bitstream; detecting a loss signal based on the spectral data; generating first compensation data corresponding to the loss signal using a random signal based on the loss signal compensation parameter; generating a scale factor by adding a scale factor difference value to a scale factor reference value if the scale factor corresponds to a band quantized to zero, and the scale factor reference value is included in the loss signal compensation parameter; and generating second compensation data by applying the scale factor to the first compensation data.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jae Hyun Lim, Dong Soo Kim, Hyun Kook Lee, Sung Yong Yoon, Hee Suk Pang
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Patent number: 9654537Abstract: In one aspect, audio streams are added to a mix until the mix is either complete (i.e., all audio streams have been added) or the mix is closed early (i.e., before the mix is complete). In another aspect, audio and video streams are synchronized by playing back the audio stream and then synchronizing display of the video frames to the playback of the audio stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Optical Fusion, Inc.Inventor: Mukund N. Thapa