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: 20210255821Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
-
Patent number: 11082770Abstract: 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: January 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
-
Patent number: 11036467Abstract: A playback device detects a first playback condition and a second playback condition related to an identified first user of a first media playback system. The playback device identifies an audio track associated with each of the first playback condition and the second playback condition. The playback device detects a third playback condition related to a geographical location, and based on the detected third playback condition, plays back audio content beginning with the identified audio track.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
-
Patent number: 11016727Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
-
Publication number: 20210117149Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
-
Patent number: 10966025Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
-
Patent number: 10904685Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. As example implementation involves receiving from a microphone of the controller device, an audio signal played by a playback device, the audio signal indicating network information corresponding to the playback device. The example implementation further involves identifying the playback device based on the network information and responsively, modifying a user interface on the controller device based on the identification of the playback device.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Robert Reimann
-
Publication number: 20210006916Abstract: A first computing device is configured to establish a communication path with a second computing device and receive, from the second computing device over the communication path, an indication to begin transmitting an audio tone comprising identifying information for the first computing device, where the audio tone, when detected by the second computing device, causes the second computing device to update a user interface of the second computing device. Based on the received indication, the first computing device begins transmitting the audio tone. The second computing device is configured to detect, via at least one microphone, the audio tone and then, based on the detected audio tone, update the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventor: Robert Reimann
-
Patent number: 10866782Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Robert Reimann
-
Patent number: 10853023Abstract: 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: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
-
Publication number: 20200301655Abstract: A playback device detects a first playback condition and a second playback condition related to an identified first user of a first media playback system. The playback device identifies an audio track associated with each of the first playback condition and the second playback condition. The playback device detects a third playback condition related to a geographical location, and based on the detected third playback condition, plays back audio content beginning with the identified audio track.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
-
Patent number: 10771274Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert Reimann, Abhishek Kumar, Paul Bates
-
Patent number: 10771909Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. As example implementation involves receiving from a microphone of the controller device, an audio signal played by a playback device, the audio signal indicating network information corresponding to the playback device. The example implementation further involves identifying the playback device based on the network information and responsively, modifying a user interface on the controller device based on the identification of the playback device.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Robert Reimann
-
Patent number: 10678500Abstract: A computing device detects a first playback condition indicating a presence of a user in a zone in a media playback system. The computing device determines a second playback condition that corresponds to the detected presence of the user in the zone. Characteristics of at least one audio track are compared to (i) the indication of the presence of the user in the zone and (ii) the second playback condition. Audio content is identified based on the comparison and the identified audio content is played in the zone.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
-
Publication number: 20200162820Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
-
Publication number: 20200084545Abstract: 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 he 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: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
-
Publication number: 20200065060Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Mark Triplett, Robert Reimann
-
Publication number: 20200052923Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Robert Reimann, Abhishek Kumar, Paul Bates
-
Publication number: 20200045366Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to provide content to a playback network are disclosed. An example method includes displaying an indicator of multimedia content to a user via a graphical user interface. The example method includes enabling a multiselect state to allow the user to select multiple items from a browseable list of indicators associated with multimedia content. The example method includes providing a context-sensitive menu including a plurality of options associated with playback of selected items based on enablement of the multiselect state. The example method includes applying an option to each of the selected items based on user selection. The example method includes passing information regarding the multimedia content to a playback system including one or more multimedia playback devices in response to user selection of the option.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Robert Reimann, Abhishek Kumar, Paul Bates
-
Patent number: 10555082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett