Patents by Inventor Chris Bierbower

Chris Bierbower has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240143273
    Abstract: An example first playback device includes programming to perform functions including: (1) storing an active volume state variable in memory, wherein the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume; (2) storing a volume limit state variable in memory, wherein the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the first playback device; (3) detecting a command to begin playback of media at a proposed playback volume different from the current playback volume; (4) based on comparing (i) the playback volume limit and (ii) the proposed playback volume, selecting a startup playback volume; (5) playing back media at the startup playback volume; and (6) causing at least a second playback
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Nicholas Maniskas
  • Publication number: 20240086140
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Philippe Vossel
  • Patent number: 11822853
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Philippe Vossel
  • Patent number: 11809776
    Abstract: An example first playback device includes programming to perform functions including: (1) storing an active volume state variable in memory, wherein the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume; (2) storing a volume limit state variable in memory, wherein the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the first playback device; (3) detecting a command to begin playback of media at a proposed playback volume different from the current playback volume; (4) based on comparing (i) the playback volume limit and (ii) the proposed playback volume, selecting a startup playback volume; (5) playing back media at the startup playback volume; and (6) causing at least a second playback device of the media playback system to play back media at the startup playback volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Nicholas Maniskas
  • Patent number: 11698769
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Philippe Vossel
  • Publication number: 20230195407
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Philippe Vossel
  • Patent number: 11681281
    Abstract: 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 the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Chris Bierbower, Matt Nelson, Paul Kafadar
  • Publication number: 20230126124
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a media playback system comprising one or more playback devices are disclosed, where a playback device has a corresponding first set of device attributes used by a first controller application. The methods include: (i) identifying a second set of device attributes used by a second controller application to control the playback device, (ii) selecting a second device attribute for the playback device from the second set of device attributes based at least in part on a first device attribute; (iii) storing the selected second device attribute in the first set of device attributes; and (iv) controlling at least one function of the playback device using the selected second device attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11481182
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a media playback system comprising one or more playback devices are disclosed, where a playback device has a corresponding first set of device attributes used by a first controller application. The methods include: (i) identifying a second set of device attributes used by a second controller application to control the playback device, (ii) selecting a second device attribute for the playback device from the second set of device attributes based at least in part on a first device attribute; (iii) storing the selected second device attribute in the first set of device attributes; and (iv) controlling at least one function of the playback device using the selected second device attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, Jake Szymanski, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
  • Publication number: 20210181729
    Abstract: 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 the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Chris Bierbower, Matt Nelson, Paul Kafadar
  • Publication number: 20210132893
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Philippe Vossel
  • Publication number: 20210103424
    Abstract: An example first playback device includes programming to perform functions including: (1) storing an active volume state variable in memory, wherein the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume; (2) storing a volume limit state variable in memory, wherein the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the first playback device; (3) detecting a command to begin playback of media at a proposed playback volume different from the current playback volume; (4) based on comparing (i) the playback volume limit and (ii) the proposed playback volume, selecting a startup playback volume; (5) playing back media at the startup playback volume; and (6) causing at least a second playback device of the media playback system to play back media at the startup playback volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Nicholas Maniskas
  • Publication number: 20200409652
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a media playback system comprising one or more playback devices are disclosed, where a playback device has a corresponding first set of device attributes used by a first controller application. The methods include: (i) identifying a second set of device attributes used by a second controller application to control the playback device, (ii) selecting a second device attribute for the playback device from the second set of device attributes based at least in part on a first device attribute; (iii) storing the selected second device attribute in the first set of device attributes; and (iv) controlling at least one function of the playback device using the selected second device attribute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, Jake Szymanski, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 10877469
    Abstract: 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 the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Chris Bierbower, Matt Nelson, Paul Kafadar
  • Patent number: 10817254
    Abstract: An example playback device includes programming to perform functions including storing an active volume state variable in memory, where the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume. The functions also include storing a volume limit state variable in memory, where the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the playback device. The functions also include receiving, from a control device, a command to begin playback of media, and determining whether the control device is located in a second zone of the media playback system different from the first zone. Based on whether the control device is located in the second zone of the media playback system different from the first zone, the functions include selecting a startup playback volume to be one of the current playback volume or the playback volume limit, and then playing back media at the startup playback volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Nicholas Maniskas
  • Patent number: 10795636
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Philippe Vossel
  • Patent number: 10712997
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a media playback system comprising one or more playback devices are disclosed, where a playback device has a corresponding first set of device attributes used by a first controller application. The methods include: (i) identifying a second set of device attributes used by a second controller application to control the playback device, (ii) selecting a second device attribute for the playback device from the second set of device attributes based at least in part on a first device attribute; (iii) storing the selected second device attribute in the first set of device attributes; and (iv) controlling at least one function of the playback device using the selected second device attribute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, Jake Szymanski, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
  • Publication number: 20190332099
    Abstract: 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 the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Chris Bierbower, Matt Nelson, Paul Kafadar
  • Publication number: 20190294406
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to playback queue subscriptions. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving, from a first computing device associated with a first user account, an instruction to enable subscription to a first playback queue associated with a first media playback system. In response to the instruction, the computing system enables second user accounts to subscribe to the first playback queue. The second user accounts are registered with respective second media playback systems in respective second household. The computing system receives, from a particular second media playback system, a request to subscribe to the first playback queue; and in response, sends one or more messages that update a control interface of the first control device to display a subscriber indication and (ii) sends one or more messages that populate a second playback queue of the particular second media playback system with audio tracks of the first playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Philippe Vossel
  • Publication number: 20190278558
    Abstract: An example playback device includes programming to perform functions including storing an active volume state variable in memory, where the active volume state variable corresponds to a current playback volume. The functions also include storing a volume limit state variable in memory, where the volume limit state variable corresponds to a playback volume limit of the playback device. The functions also include receiving, from a control device, a command to begin playback of media, and determining whether the control device is located in a second zone of the media playback system different from the first zone. Based on whether the control device is located in the second zone of the media playback system different from the first zone, the functions include selecting a startup playback volume to be one of the current playback volume or the playback volume limit, and then playing back media at the startup playback volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Chris Bierbower, Nicholas Maniskas