Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Peters

Jeffrey M. Peters 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).

  • Patent number: 11057725
    Abstract: Examples are provided for establishing a bonded zone comprising a first playback device comprising a respective first wireless radio and a second playback device comprising a second respective wireless radio. The first and second playback devices may establish a bonded zone comprising at least the first and second playback device. While in the established bonded zone, the first playback device may determine that the first playback device is in the established bonded zone and that the first playback device is not currently playing audio in synchrony with the second playback device. Responsive to determining that the first playback device is not playing audio in synchrony, the first playback device may disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the first playback device and send a message to the second playback device to disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Gary Fox
  • Publication number: 20210168059
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed and described to facilitate resolution of Internet Protocol address conflicts. An example method includes periodically broadcasting, by the playback device over the network, a probe message, detecting, by the playback device, a change in status associated with the connection, based on the detection, obtaining, by the playback device, a new Internet Protocol (IP) address; and based on the detection, including, by the playback device in at least one probe message broadcast subsequent to the detection, an indication for other playback devices on the network to obtain a new IP address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jose Graziani, Jeffrey M. Peters, Michael Agerbak
  • Patent number: 11005940
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Jose Graziani, Ted Lin
  • Patent number: 10892988
    Abstract: A network interface of a first computing device is configured to operate according to a bridge table. The bridge table defines a spanning tree protocol for a mesh network and identifies one or more reachable nodes. A communication characteristic between the first computing device and a second computing device of the one or more reachable nodes is determined to exceed a quality threshold. Based on the determination that the communication characteristic exceeds the quality threshold, the spanning tree protocol is overridden and the data is transmitted directly to the second computing device via a direct communication route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A. J. Millington
  • Publication number: 20200336849
    Abstract: Examples are provided for establishing a bonded zone comprising a first playback device comprising a respective first wireless radio and a second playback device comprising a second respective wireless radio. The first and second playback devices may establish a bonded zone comprising at least the first and second playback device. While in the established bonded zone, the first playback device may determine that the first playback device is in the established bonded zone and that the first playback device is not currently playing audio in synchrony with the second playback device. Responsive to determining that the first playback device is not playing audio in synchrony, the first playback device may disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the first playback device and send a message to the second playback device to disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Gary Fox
  • Patent number: 10771368
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed and described to facilitate resolution of Internet Protocol address conflicts. An example method includes periodically broadcasting, by the playback device over the network, a probe message, detecting, by the playback device, a change in status associated with the connection, based on the detection, obtaining, by the playback device, a new Internet Protocol (IP) address; and based on the detection, including, by the playback device in at least one probe message broadcast subsequent to the detection, an indication for other playback devices on the network to obtain a new IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jose Graziani, Jeffrey M. Peters, Michael Agerbak
  • Patent number: 10645504
    Abstract: Examples are provided for establishing a bonded zone comprising a first playback device comprising a respective first wireless radio and a second playback device comprising a second respective wireless radio. The first and second playback devices may establish a bonded zone comprising at least the first and second playback device. While in the established bonded zone, the first playback device may determine that the first playback device is in the established bonded zone and that the first playback device is not currently playing audio in synchrony with the second playback device. Responsive to determining that the first playback device is not playing audio in synchrony, the first playback device may disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the first playback device and send a message to the second playback device to disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Gary Fox
  • Publication number: 20200014624
    Abstract: A network interface of a first computing device is configured to operate according to a bridge table. The bridge table defines a spanning tree protocol for a mesh network and identifies one or more reachable nodes. A communication characteristic between the first computing device and a second computing device of the one or more reachable nodes is determined to exceed a quality threshold. Based on the determination that the communication characteristic exceeds the quality threshold, the spanning tree protocol is overridden and the data is transmitted directly to the second computing device via a direct communication route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A.J. Millington
  • Patent number: 10516711
    Abstract: Certain examples accommodate data routing optimizations. An example method comprises receiving, by a first playback device, data to be directed to at least a second playback device, the data comprising: i) audio data and ii) non-audio data. The method comprises transmitting, by the first playback device, the non-audio data to the second playback device via a third playback device according to a network protocol for communication between the first playback device and at least the second playback device via a wireless communication link. The method further comprises determining, by the first playback device, that a signal strength of the wireless communication link is above a threshold, and in response to the determination, transmitting the audio data to the second playback device via the wireless communication link, wherein transmitting the audio data comprises transmitting the audio data over the wireless communication link not according to the network protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Jeffrey M. Peters
  • Publication number: 20190373383
    Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jeffrey M. Peters, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Steven Beckhardt
  • Publication number: 20190335282
    Abstract: Examples are provided for establishing a bonded zone comprising a first playback device comprising a respective first wireless radio and a second playback device comprising a second respective wireless radio. The first and second playback devices may establish a bonded zone comprising at least the first and second playback device. While in the established bonded zone, the first playback device may determine that the first playback device is in the established bonded zone and that the first playback device is not currently playing audio in synchrony with the second playback device. Responsive to determining that the first playback device is not playing audio in synchrony, the first playback device may disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the first playback device and send a message to the second playback device to disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Gary Fox
  • Patent number: 10425329
    Abstract: A network interface of a first computing device is configured to operate according to a bridge table. The bridge table defines a spanning tree protocol for a mesh network and identifies one or more reachable nodes. A communication characteristic between the first computing device and a second computing device of the one or more reachable nodes is determined to exceed a quality threshold. Based on the determination that the communication characteristic exceeds the quality threshold, the spanning tree protocol is overridden and the data is transmitted directly to the second computing device via a direct communication route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A. J. Millington
  • Patent number: 10425753
    Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jeffrey M. Peters, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Steven Beckhardt
  • Patent number: 10284981
    Abstract: Examples are provided for establishing a bonded zone comprising a first playback device comprising a respective first wireless radio and a second playback device comprising a second respective wireless radio. The first and second playback devices may establish a bonded zone comprising at least the first and second playback device. While in the established bonded zone, the first playback device may determine that the first playback device is in the established bonded zone and that the first playback device is not currently playing audio in synchrony with the second playback device. Responsive to determining that the first playback device is not playing audio in synchrony, the first playback device may disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the first playback device and send a message to the second playback device to disable communicating via the first wireless radio of the second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Peters, Gary Fox
  • Publication number: 20190075147
    Abstract: Certain examples accommodate data routing optimizations. An example method comprises receiving, by a first playback device, data to be directed to at least a second playback device, the data comprising: i) audio data and ii) non-audio data. The method comprises transmitting, by the first playback device, the non-audio data to the second playback device via a third playback device according to a network protocol for communication between the first playback device and at least the second playback device via a wireless communication link. The method further comprises determining, by the first playback device, that a signal strength of the wireless communication link is above a threshold, and in response to the determination, transmitting the audio data to the second playback device via the wireless communication link, wherein transmitting the audio data comprises transmitting the audio data over the wireless communication link not according to the network protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Jeffrey M. Peters
  • Publication number: 20180359169
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed and described to facilitate resolution of Internet Protocol address conflicts. An example method includes periodically broadcasting, by the playback device over the network, a probe message, detecting, by the playback device, a change in status associated with the connection, based on the detection, obtaining, by the playback device, a new Internet Protocol (IP) address; and based on the detection, including, by the playback device in at least one probe message broadcast subsequent to the detection, an indication for other playback devices on the network to obtain a new IP address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jose Graziani, Jeffrey M. Peters, Michael Agerbak
  • Publication number: 20180352353
    Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jeffrey M. Peters, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Steven Beckhardt
  • Patent number: 10051023
    Abstract: Certain examples accommodate data routing optimizations. An example method comprises receiving, by a first playback device, data to be directed to at least a second playback device, the data comprising: i) audio data and ii) non-audio data. The method comprises transmitting, by the first playback device, the non-audio data to the second playback device via a third playback device according to a network protocol for communication between the first playback device and at least the second playback device via a wireless communication link. The method further comprises determining, by the first playback device, that a signal strength of the wireless communication link is above a threshold, and in response to the determination, transmitting the audio data to the second playback device via the wireless communication link, wherein transmitting the audio data comprises transmitting the audio data over the wireless communication link not according to the network protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Jeffrey M. Peters
  • Patent number: 9948551
    Abstract: Transmitting, by a current root network device, a first unicast message to a network router and determining, by the current root network device, whether the first unicast message is received by one or more other network devices. If the current root network device determines that the first unicast message is not received by one or more other network devices, then a second unicast message is sent to the network router. If the current root network device determines that the first unicast message is received by one or more other network devices, then the current root network device identifies a particular network device of the one or more other network devices that received the first unicast message to serve as a new root network device. The current root network device sends a message to designate the identified particular network device as the new root network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Jeffrey M. Peters
  • Patent number: 9935863
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed and described to facilitate resolution of Internet Protocol address conflicts. An example method includes periodically broadcasting, by the playback device over the network, a probe message, detecting, by the playback device, a change in status associated with the connection, based on the detection, obtaining, by the playback device, a new Internet Protocol (IP) address; and based on the detection, including, by the playback device in at least one probe message broadcast subsequent to the detection, an indication for other playback devices on the network to obtain a new IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jose Graziani, Jeffrey M. Peters, Michael Agerbak