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).

  • Patent number: 10136218
    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: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 10108393
    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: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 10095469
    Abstract: At least one first user and at least one second user is identified. At least one audio track is selected based on (a) the identification of the at least one first user, (b) the identification of the at least one second user, and (c) a time of day. A playback device begins playback of the selected at least one audio track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Patent number: 10051397
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. In some embodiments, a playback device includes an audio processing component configured to receive an audio input signal, receive an acoustic signature signal, generate an audio output signal based on the audio input signal and the acoustic signature signal, and output the generated audio output signal. In some embodiments, the acoustic signature identifies at least one of the playback device or a group of playback devices. Some embodiments additionally include the playback device amplifying the generated audio output signal with one or more amplifiers, and playing the generated audio output signal via one or more speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Reimann
  • Patent number: 10028056
    Abstract: Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. Particularly, the embodiments described herein enable two or more playback devices to be paired, such that multi-channel audio is achieved. Such embodiments may be used to produce stereo and multi-channel audio environments for television and movies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 9756424
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Publication number: 20170250664
    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: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Publication number: 20170235545
    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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Publication number: 20170223458
    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: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 9686606
    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: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 9681223
    Abstract: Technology for smart line-in processing in an audio environment is disclosed. An example playback device includes a line-in connector for receiving a first audio signal, a network interface, and a processor. A computer readable storage medium has stored instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, and, in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, (i) cease playback of a second audio signal being played by the playback device, wherein the second audio signal is not present at the line-in connector, (ii) cause the playback device to play at least a first portion of the first audio signal, and (iii) cause the playback device to transmit, via the network interface, at least a second portion of the first audio signal to another playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 9665339
    Abstract: Embodiments including methods and apparatus to select an audio track are disclosed. An example method includes detecting first and second playback conditions. The example method also includes comparing an audio track property of an audio track to the first and second playback conditions to determine if the first audio track property matches the first and/or second playback condition. In addition, the example method includes comparing a second audio track property of the audio track to the first and second playback conditions to determine if the second audio track property matches the first and/or second playback condition. Also, the example method includes selecting the audio track for presentation to a user when the first playback condition matches the first and/or second audio track property and the second playback condition matches the first and/or second audio track property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, Abhishek Kumar, David Taylor
  • Publication number: 20170134855
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 9519454
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for acoustic signatures in a playback system. An 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Reimann
  • Publication number: 20160357512
    Abstract: At least one first user and at least one second user is identified. At least one audio track is selected based on (a) the identification of the at least one first user, (b) the identification of the at least one second user, and (c) a time of day. A playback device begins playback of the selected at least one audio track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20160357511
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, David Taylor, Abhishek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20160085502
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for using a user interface to transfer a playback queue from one playback zone to another within a network media system. An example implementation involves a mobile device displaying, in a playback zones interface, a first zone representation and a second zone representation. The first zone representation represents a first playback zone of first playback devices that is associated with one or more first media items and the second zone representation represents a second playback zone of one or more second playback devices. The mobile device may display a first playback identifier in a particular position relative to the first zone representation. The mobile device may receive an input indicating a movement of at least a portion of the first playback identifier to the second zone representation. Such an input may cause the second playback zone to be associated with the one or more first media item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Triplett, Robert Reimann
  • Patent number: 9247363
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for using a user interface to transfer a playback queue from one playback zone to another within a network media system. The interface may provide a first zone representation of a playback zone, and a first queue representation of a first group of playable items in a particular relative position. The particular relative position of the first queue representation may indicate that the playback queue associated with the first playback zone includes the first group of playable items. The interface may receive an input indicating a movement of a second queue representation to the particular relative position. In response, the first queue representation may be removed from the particular relative position and the second queue representation may be provided in the particular relative position, indicating that the playback queue now comprises a second group of playable items represented by the second queue representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Triplett, Robert Reimann
  • Patent number: 9223490
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage zones of a multi-zone media playback system are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a user interface; a controller to configure one or more zone groups each associated with one or more media playback devices; a detector to monitor the user interface for a drag of an icon representative of a first one of the zone groups on the user interface from a first position to a second position; and a configuration implementer to change a configuration of the one or more zone groups in response to a detected drag of the icon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Reimann, Joni Hoadley
  • Patent number: 9219959
    Abstract: Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. Particularly, the embodiments described herein enable two or more playback devices to be paired, such that multi-channel audio is achieved. Such embodiments may be used to produce stereo and multi-channel audio environments for television and movies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Kallai, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, Robert A. Lambourne, Robert Reimann, Mark Triplett