Patents by Inventor Jonathan Lang

Jonathan Lang 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: 11979622
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20240089536
    Abstract: A first playback is configured to (i) while connected to a local data network via a network interface using a first wireless networking protocol, receive a command to begin communicating with a second playback device in a group of playback devices for synchronous playback, (ii) based on the received command, begin communicating with the second playback device, (iii) determine that the second playback device is connected to the local data network using a second wireless networking protocol, (iv) based the determining, cause the second playback device to operate as a group coordinator of the group of playback devices, wherein the group coordinator (a) receives audio content from an audio source, and (b) transmits the audio content to the first playback device during rendering of the audio content by the group of playback devices, and (v) thereafter, receive the audio content from the second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11928389
    Abstract: An example computing device is configured to transmit playback preference tracking information to a media service registered with a media playback system and, after transmitting the playback preference information, (a) determine a first time boundary corresponding to a beginning of a zone scene that causes a first playback device in a first zone of the media playback system to be configured for synchronous playback of media with a second playback device in a second zone of the media playback system, (b) determine a second time boundary corresponding to an end of the zone scene, and (c) transmit, to the media service registered with the media playback system, a request to remove playback preference tracking information received between the first time boundary and the second time boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20240080347
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include, while a microphone of a first networked microphone device is enabled, determining whether a first reference device is in a specific state, and in response to determining that the first reference device is in the specific state, disabling the microphone of the first networked microphone device. Some embodiments further include, while the microphone of the first networked microphone device is enabled, receiving a command to disable the microphone of the first networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or a network interface of the networked microphone device, and in response to receiving the command to disable the microphone of the networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or the network interface of the networked microphone device, disabling the microphone of the networked microphone device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Mieko Kusano, Dayn Wilberding, Jonathan Wenocur, Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20240045650
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Kirk Bulis, Jeremy Wessely, Jonathan Lang, Romi Kadri
  • Patent number: 11893306
    Abstract: An example playback device is configured to play back a first media item and, while playing back the first media item, receive a voice command to enter a preview mode in which the playback device plays back one or more second media items for a predetermined duration that is shorter than a total duration of the one or more second media items. Responsive to receiving the voice command, the playback device enters the preview mode, thereby (i) suspending playback of the first media item and (ii) initiating playback of the one or more second media items for the predetermined duration. The playback device subsequently terminates the preview mode, thereby (i) terminating playback of the one or more second media items, and (ii) resuming playback of the first media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20240007514
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve an auxiliary zone contributing audio to a primary zone. In an example implementation, a network media system determines that a first zone in the network media system is playing back a first type of audio content and that a second zone in the network media system is not playing back audio content. While the first zone is playing back the first type of audio content and the second zone is not playing back audio content, the network media system forms a temporarily playback configuration. In the temporary playback configuration, the first zone plays back primary audio content including full frequency range audio content and the second playback device of the second zone plays back auxiliary audio content including low frequency range audio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventor: Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11863593
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include, while a microphone of a first networked microphone device is enabled, determining whether a first reference device is in a specific state, and in response to determining that the first reference device is in the specific state, disabling the microphone of the first networked microphone device. Some embodiments further include, while the microphone of the first networked microphone device is enabled, receiving a command to disable the microphone of the first networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or a network interface of the networked microphone device, and in response to receiving the command to disable the microphone of the networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or the network interface of the networked microphone device, disabling the microphone of the networked microphone device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mieko Kusano, Dayn Wilberding, Jonathan Wenocur, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11863944
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for intelligently activating an amplifier in a playback device based on proximity detection. The playback device may be in a quasi-idle state when the playback device is not rendering media content. The quasi-idle state of the playback device may involve an amplifier in the playback device being inactive, while some other components or modules of the playback devices remain active. The playback device may include a proximity sensor configured to detect movement relative to the playback device. If movement is detected indicating that a user input to cause the playback device to render media content is anticipated, the amplifier may be pre-emptively activated such that the playback device enters an active state from the quasi-idle state. In some cases, the playback device may send a message to one or more other playback devices to cause the other playback devices to enter an active state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11818225
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to discovery and control of a remote controllable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lang, Deborah DuBois
  • Patent number: 11818430
    Abstract: A first playback is configured to (i) determine that it is connected to a local data network using a first networking protocol, (ii) receive a command to join a second playback device in a group of playback devices that are configured for synchronous playback of audio content from an audio source, (iii) determine that the second playback device is connected to the local data network using a second networking protocol different from the first networking protocol, (iv) based on determining that the second playback device is connected to the local data network using a second networking protocol different from the first networking protocol, configure the first playback device as a group coordinator of the group of playback devices, and (v) while rendering the audio content, (a) receive the audio content from the audio source and (b) forward at least a portion of the received audio content to the second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11789690
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Bulis, Jeremy Wessely, Jonathan Lang, Romi Kadri
  • Publication number: 20230308698
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a preexisting configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11770427
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve an auxiliary zone contributing audio to a primary zone. In an example implementation, a network media system determines that a first zone in the network media system is playing back a first type of audio content and that a second zone in the network media system is not playing back audio content. While the first zone is playing back the first type of audio content and the second zone is not playing back audio content, the network media system forms a temporarily playback configuration. In the temporary playback configuration, the first zone plays back primary audio content including full frequency range audio content and the second playback device of the second zone plays back auxiliary audio content including low frequency range audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20230134723
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include, while a microphone of a first networked microphone device is enabled, determining whether a first reference device is in a specific state, and in response to determining that the first reference device is in the specific state, disabling the microphone of the first networked microphone device. Some embodiments further include, while the microphone of the first networked microphone device is enabled, receiving a command to disable the microphone of the first networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or a network interface of the networked microphone device, and in response to receiving the command to disable the microphone of the networked microphone device via one of the microphone of the networked microphone device or the network interface of the networked microphone device, disabling the microphone of the networked microphone device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Mieko Kusano, Dayn Wilberding, Jonathan Wenocur, Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20230135262
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to discovery and media control at a point-of-sale display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan Lang, Deborah DuBois
  • Publication number: 20230024144
    Abstract: A muffler for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine. The muffler has a muffler housing having at least two interconnected housing shells delimiting a muffler interior. Each housing shell has a connecting edge extending away from the muffler interior. The housing shells are mutually connected by material bonding in the region of their mutually adjacent housing shell connecting edges. An insulating arrangement covers at least regions of the inner side of one of the housing shells. The insulating arrangement has an insulating shell with an insulating shell connecting edge extending away from the muffler interior and the insulating shell is arranged with the insulating shell connecting edge between the mutually adjacent connecting edges of the housing shells and is connected by material bonding to the connecting edges of the housing shells in the region of the insulating shell connecting edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Strähle, Michaela Weber, Jonathan Lang, Lukas Te-Kaat, Marco Jess, Frank Sühnel, Markus Schmitt, Matthias Scheer, Harald Gerlich
  • Patent number: 11539995
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20220386058
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve an auxiliary zone contributing audio to a primary zone. In an example implementation, a network media system determines that a first zone in the network media system is playing back a first type of audio content and that a second zone in the network media system is not playing back audio content. While the first zone is playing back the first type of audio content and the second zone is not playing back audio content, the network media system forms a temporarily playback configuration. In the temporary playback configuration, the first zone plays back primary audio content including full frequency range audio content and the second playback device of the second zone plays back auxiliary audio content including low frequency range audio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventor: Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11513761
    Abstract: In an example implementation, a computing device is configured to (i) transmit playback preference tracking information to a media service registered with a media playback system; and (ii) after transmitting the playback preference information: (a) determine a first time boundary corresponding to a beginning of a zone scene that causes a first playback device in a first zone of the media playback system to be configured for synchronous playback of media with a second playback device in a second zone of the media playback system, (b) determine a second time boundary corresponding to an end of the zone scene, and (c) transmit, to the media service registered with the media playback system, a request to remove playback preference tracking information received between the first time boundary and the second time boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Lang