Patents by Inventor Sherwin Liu

Sherwin Liu 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: 20240078082
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include (i) capturing a voice input comprising a request for media content, (ii) receiving information derived at least from the request for media content, (iii) requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, wherein (a) the information identifies first media content available via the first media content service for playback and identifies second media content available via the second media content service for playback, and (b) the first and second media content are related to the requested media content, and (iv) after receiving at least one of the first information and the second information, (a) selecting the first media content instead of the second media content, and (b) playing back the first media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11797263
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include (i) capturing a voice input comprising a request for media content, (ii) receiving information derived at least from the request for media content, (iii) requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, wherein (a) the information identifies first media content available via the first media content service for playback and identifies second media content available via the second media content service for playback, and (b) the first and second media content are related to the requested media content, and (iv) after receiving at least one of the first information and the second information, (a) selecting the first media content instead of the second media content, and (b) playing back the first media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11757866
    Abstract: An example system is configured to (i) receive, from a user device over a WAN, a request for an authorization code corresponding to a media application on the user device, (ii) based on the request transmit, to the user device over the WAN, the authorization code, (iii) receive, from a media playback system over the WAN, an authorization request that includes the authorization code, (iv) determine that the authorization code in the authorization request is valid, (v) based on determining that the authorization code is valid, generate an authorization token, (vi) transmit, to the media playback system over the WAN, the authorization token, (vii) receive, from the media playback system over the WAN, a media request including the authorization token, and (viii) responsive to the media request and a determination that the authorization token is valid, transmit, over the WAN, media content to the media playback system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 11683304
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20230179827
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to a loss of control of a playback queue. An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a native controller, an instruction to add audio tracks to a queue, where, in a first mode associated with the native controller, the playback device is configured to play back from the queue. While the audio tracks are in the queue, the playback device receives, from a media player application associated with a particular wireless protocol, an instruction to play back a media item. In response, the playback device is configured to play back in a second mode associated with the particular wireless protocol, where, in the second mode, the queue is not in use. While playing back the media item, the playback device detects a loss of control by the media player application and configures the playback device to play back in the first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Sherwin Liu
  • Publication number: 20230156001
    Abstract: An example system is configured to (i) receive, from a user device over a WAN, a request for an authorization code corresponding to a media application on the user device, (ii) based on the request, transmit, to the user device over the WAN, the authorization code, (iii) receive, from a media playback system over the WAN, an authorization request that includes the authorization code, (iv) determine that the authorization code in the authorization request is valid, (v) based on determining that the authorization code is valid, generate an authorization token, (vi) transmit, to the media playback system over the WAN, the authorization token, (vii) receive, from the media playback system over the WAN, a media request including the authorization token, and (viii) responsive to the media request and a determination that the authorization token is valid, transmit, over the WAN, media content to the media playback system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20230104774
    Abstract: An example computing system receives a media content search query from a controller configured to control media playback by one or more playback devices in a media playback system associated with a plurality of media content services. Based on the search query, the system generates a first set of search queries for the first media content service and a second set of search queries for the second media content service. The computing system receives search results from the first and second media content services and aggregates the search results such that the search results are organized based on (i) categories of media content items corresponding to the search results and (ii) the media content services from which the search results are received. The computing system sends the aggregated search results to the controller for display in their aggregated order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: King Shy Goh, Lesley Slade, Matt Towers, Hilario Coimbra, Brandon Wright, Sherwin Liu
  • Patent number: 11539688
    Abstract: An example system is configured to (i) generate an authorization code that has an expiration time, (ii) transmit at least one first message including the authorization code over a WAN, (iii) receive at least one second message including the authorization code from a playback device over the WAN, (iv) determine that the received authorization code is valid based at least on the expiration time, (v) after determining that the authorization code is valid, generate a first authorization token, (vi) transmit at least one third message including the first authorization token to the playback device over the WAN, (vii) receive at least one fourth message including a second authorization token and a request from the playback device over the WAN, (viii) determine that the second authorization token is valid, and (ix) after determining that the second authorization token is valid, provide the playback device with audio content based on the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 11528522
    Abstract: Example techniques related to polices for media playback systems. An example implementation involves a computing system receiving data representing a request to play back first audio tracks on one or more first playback devices of a first media playback system. The first media playback system is associated with a first subscriber to a streaming media service and the first media playback system is physically located in a first commercial establishment. The computing system determines that the first subscriber is associated with one or more first subscriber policies of the streaming media service and sends instructions to play back the first audio tracks on the one or more first playback devices according to the one or more first subscriber policies of the streaming media service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Coburn, IV, Ron Kuper, Ted M. Lin, Sherwin Liu, Luis Vega
  • Patent number: 11528527
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to a loss of control of a playback queue. An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a native controller, an instruction to add audio tracks to a queue, where, in a first mode associated with the native controller, the playback device is configured to play back from the queue. While the audio tracks are in the queue, the playback device receives, from a media player application associated with a particular wireless protocol, an instruction to play back a media item. In response, the playback device is configured to play back in a second mode associated with the particular wireless protocol, where, in the second mode, the queue is not in use. While playing back the media item, the playback device detects a loss of control by the media player application and configures the playback device to play back in the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Sherwin Liu
  • Publication number: 20220150235
    Abstract: An example system is configured to (i) generate an authorization code that has an expiration time, (ii) transmit at least one first message including the authorization code over a WAN, (iii) receive at least one second message including the authorization code from a playback device over the WAN, (iv) determine that the received authorization code is valid based at least on the expiration time, (v) after determining that the authorization code is valid, generate a first authorization token, (vi) transmit at least one third message including the first authorization token to the playback device over the WAN, (vii) receive at least one fourth message including a second authorization token and a request from the playback device over the WAN, (viii) determine that the second authorization token is valid, and (ix) after determining that the second authorization token is valid, provide the playback device with audio content based on the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20220124082
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20220121418
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include (i) capturing a voice input comprising a request for media content, (ii) receiving information derived at least from the request for media content, (iii) requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, wherein (a) the information identifies first media content available via the first media content service for playback and identifies second media content available via the second media content service for playback, and (b) the first and second media content are related to the requested media content, and (iv) after receiving at least one of the first information and the second information, (a) selecting the first media content instead of the second media content, and (b) playing back the first media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
  • Publication number: 20220060780
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to a loss of control of a playback queue. An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a native controller, an instruction to add audio tracks to a queue, where, in a first mode associated with the native controller, the playback device is configured to play back from the queue. While the audio tracks are in the queue, the playback device receives, from a media player application associated with a particular wireless protocol, an instruction to play back a media item. In response, the playback device is configured to play back in a second mode associated with the particular wireless protocol, where, in the second mode, the queue is not in use. While playing back the media item, the playback device detects a loss of control by the media player application and configures the playback device to play back in the first mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Sherwin Liu
  • Patent number: 11175880
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include (i) capturing a voice input comprising a request for media content, (ii) receiving information derived at least from the request for media content, (iii) requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, wherein (a) the information identifies first media content available via the first media content service for playback and identifies second media content available via the second media content service for playback, and (b) the first and second media content are related to the requested media content, and (iv) after receiving at least one of the first information and the second information, (a) selecting the first media content instead of the second media content, and (b) playing back the first media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11134076
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 11115405
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20210136054
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 10972784
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to a loss of control of a playback queue. An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a native controller, an instruction to add audio tracks to a queue, where, in a first mode associated with the native controller, the playback device is configured to play back from the queue. While the audio tracks are in the queue, the playback device receives, from a media player application associated with a particular wireless protocol, an instruction to play back a media item. In response, the playback device is configured to play back in a second mode associated with the particular wireless protocol, where, in the second mode, the queue is not in use. While playing back the media item, the playback device detects a loss of control by the media player application and configures the playback device to play back in the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Sherwin Liu
  • Publication number: 20200236100
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV