Patents by Inventor Robert Reimann

Robert Reimann 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: 20230089644
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for extending media playback. In an example implementation, during playback of one or more first media items populated in a queue, a control system extends playback time of the queue. Extending playback time of the queue may involve determining when the one or more first media items will be finished playing; and before the first media items are finished playing, determining one or more second media items that correspond in substantial likeness to the one or more first media items and sending an instruction that causes the first playback device to insert the determined one or more second media items into the queue such that play time of the queue is extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Reimann
  • Publication number: 20230038180
    Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Patent number: 11540050
    Abstract: Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. An example method includes receiving an audio signal containing a range of audio frequencies; amplifying, according to a gain parameter, the audio signal to be reproduced by at least one speaker. The example method includes automatically increasing the gain parameter to a higher gain parameter responsive to a determination that no more than a subset of the range of audio frequencies is to be reproduced by the at least one speaker. The example method includes amplifying, according to the higher gain parameter, the audio signal containing no more than the subset of the range of audio frequencies to be reproduced by the at least one speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 11531517
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 11520464
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods include displaying a graphical user interface comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section includes a first media icon corresponding to a first media item, and wherein the second section includes a first zone icon corresponding to a first zone comprising a first set of one or more playback devices; and in response to detecting a drag of the first media icon to the first zone icon, instructing at least one playback device in the first set of one or more playback devices to play the first media item corresponding to the first media icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, Joni Hoadley
  • Patent number: 11494157
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for extending media playback. In an example implementation, during playback of one or more first media items populated in a queue, a control system extends playback time of the queue. Extending playback time of the queue may involve determining when the one or more first media items will be finished playing; and before the first media items are finished playing, determining one or more second media items that correspond in substantial likeness to the one or more first media items and sending an instruction that causes the first playback device to insert the determined one or more second media items into the queue such that play time of the queue is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Reimann
  • Patent number: 11474778
    Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Patent number: 11474777
    Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20220326905
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to transferring playback between playback devices within a network media system. In an example, while a first playback device is playing a first audio track of a playlist, a device displays a representation of metadata for the first audio track, transport controls to control playback, a volume control to control playback volume, and a selectable control that, when selected, causes display of a zone selection interface. The device receives input data representing a selection of the selectable control and modifies the control interface to display the zone selection interface, which includes indications of second playback devices and respective second selectable controls. The device receives input data representing selections of one or more second selectable controls, which correspond to one or more particular second playback devices and then transfers playback to the one or more particular second playback devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Triplett, Robert Reimann
  • Publication number: 20220300123
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods include displaying a graphical user interface comprising a first section and a second section, wherein the first section includes a first media icon corresponding to a first media item, and wherein the second section includes a first zone icon corresponding to a first zone comprising a first set of one or more playback devices; and in response to detecting a drag of the first media icon to the first zone icon, instructing at least one playback device in the first set of one or more playback devices to play the first media item corresponding to the first media icon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, Joni Hoadley
  • Publication number: 20220235499
    Abstract: In order to produce a plurality of fabric strips (22) from a fabric (20) during the manufacturing process thereof, a method is proposed which comprises the steps of: inserting weft threads (24) into the open warp thread shed, laying of a plurality of cover threads (30, 34) in a zigzag shape by means of a plurality of feed needles (32, 36), cutting the fabric (20) in the drawing-off direction into a plurality of woven strips (22), and pulling off the warp threads (60) that are located between the cutting-side laying points of said cover threads and the cutting device. This method can be implemented in a particularly advantageous manner if, in addition to the cover thread (30, 34) introduced in zigzag manner, a further cover thread (70) is introduced at each fabric edge (26) by means of a further feed needle in such manner that it is connected to the zigzag thread whereby the zigzag thread is prevented from fraying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Textilma AG
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, Bernhard Engesser
  • Patent number: 11321046
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to transferring playback between playback devices within a network media system. In an example, while a first playback device is playing a first audio track of a playlist, a device displays a representation of metadata for the first audio track, transport controls to control playback, a volume control to control playback volume, and a selectable control that, when selected, causes display of a zone selection interface. The device receives input data representing a selection of the selectable control and modifies the control interface to display the zone selection interface, which includes indications of second playback devices and respective second selectable controls. The device receives input data representing selections of one or more second selectable controls, which correspond to one or more particular second playback devices and then transfers playback to the one or more particular second playback devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Triplett, Robert Reimann
  • Publication number: 20220129240
    Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20220103943
    Abstract: The present application discloses playback devices and networks, software for operating playback devices and playback device networks, and methods of operating playback devices and networks, where an individual network device is configured to switch between operating various operating modes comprising a non-paired mode and a paired mode, where the playback device is configured to output various channels of audio content within various audio frequency ranges while operating in the various operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 11265652
    Abstract: The present application discloses playback devices and networks, software for operating playback devices and playback device networks, and methods of operating playback devices and networks, where an individual network device is configured to switch between operating various operating modes comprising a non-paired mode and a paired mode, where the playback device is configured to output various channels of audio content within various audio frequency ranges while operating in the various operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 11223901
    Abstract: The present application discloses playback devices and networks, software for operating playback devices and playback device networks, and methods of operating playback devices and networks, where an individual network device is configured to switch between operating various operating modes comprising a non-paired mode and a paired mode, where the playback device is configured to output various channels of audio content within various audio frequency ranges while operating in the various operating modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Publication number: 20210314702
    Abstract: Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. An example method includes receiving an audio signal containing a range of audio frequencies; amplifying, according to a gain parameter, the audio signal to be reproduced by at least one speaker. The example method includes automatically increasing the gain parameter to a higher gain parameter responsive to a determination that no more than a subset of the range of audio frequencies is to be reproduced by the at least one speaker. The example method includes amplifying, according to the higher gain parameter, the audio signal containing no more than the subset of the range of audio frequencies to be reproduced by the at least one speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Publication number: 20210303262
    Abstract: An example system is configured to: (i) receive data indicating a command to play back, via a playback device of a media playback system, media content; (ii) based on the data indicating the command, detect a first playback condition comprising a first user identity; (iii) identify, from one or more user accounts associated with the playback device, a first user account corresponding to the first user identity; (iv) based at least on (1) the command and (2) one or more properties of the first user account, determine first media content for playback by the playback device; and (v) cause the playback device to play back the first media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20210271444
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for extending media playback. In an example implementation, during playback of one or more first media items populated in a queue, a control system extends playback time of the queue. Extending playback time of the queue may involve determining when the one or more first media items will be finished playing; and before the first media items are finished playing, determining one or more second media items that correspond in substantial likeness to the one or more first media items and sending an instruction that causes the first playback device to insert the determined one or more second media items into the queue such that play time of the queue is extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Reimann
  • Publication number: 20210271351
    Abstract: Example techniques involve control of a media playback system involving multiple zones. A control application may include different control interfaces for respective zones of the multiple zones. A control interface for a given zone may include transport controls to control playback in the zone, volume controls to control zone volume level, and an indication of media playing back in the zone. A user may utilize swipe inputs to switch between the control interfaces in order to control different zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, Abhishek Kumar, Paul Bates