Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Alsina

Thomas M. Alsina 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: 20240126804
    Abstract: A method at a client device includes displaying media library information corresponding to a set of media items. The media items include one or more local media items, the one or more local media items including media items stored at the client device, and one or more remote media items, the one or more remote media items including media items stored at a remote system and not at the client device. The method also includes displaying, concurrently with displaying the media library information, affordances identifying the remote media items; detecting user interaction with an affordance identifying a respective remote media item; and in response to detecting the user interaction, initiating a process for downloading a copy of the respective remote media item to the client device for storage at the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher John SANDERS, Thomas M. ALSINA, Imran CHAUDHRI, Patrice O. GAUTIER, Sean Boland KELLY, Timothy B. MARTIN, Lucas C. NEWMAN, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, Andrew M. WADYCKI
  • Patent number: 11949725
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, David C. Graham, Andrew M. Wadycki, Edward T. Schmidt, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Richard M. Powell, Gregory R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 11934444
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synchronized sharing of playlists from a source client device to a listening client device. To facilitate synchronized sharing, a current playlist of one or more tracks of digital content is obtained from the source client device. A current playback location within the currently playing playlist is also obtained from the source client device. A shared queue accessible by the listener client device is generated. Further, a shared queue context for the listener client device is identified based in part upon the current playback location. This enables the listener client device to start playback synchronized with the source client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arvind S. Shenoy, Thomas M. Alsina, Paul C. Irvine
  • Patent number: 11893052
    Abstract: A method at a client device includes displaying media library information corresponding to a set of media items. The media items include one or more local media items, the one or more local media items including media items stored at the client device, and one or more remote media items, the one or more remote media items including media items stored at a remote system and not at the client device. The method also includes displaying, concurrently with displaying the media library information, affordances identifying the remote media items; detecting user interaction with an affordance identifying a respective remote media item; and in response to detecting the user interaction, initiating a process for downloading a copy of the respective remote media item to the client device for storage at the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Sanders, Timothy B. Martin, Imran Chaudhri, Lucas C. Newman, Sean Boland Kelly, Thomas M. Alsina, Jeffrey L Robbin, Andrew M. Wadycki, Patrice O. Gautier
  • Publication number: 20230370401
    Abstract: A first messaging app, in one embodiment receives text and detects that the text includes a URL that refers to audio or audiovisual media content in a catalog of media content, and the messaging app obtains metadata about the media content and transmits the metadata to a second messaging app. Both the first and the second messaging app can operate, through interprocess communication, with its own music extension app that displays a user interface within a view hosted by the respective messaging app.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, Samuel M. Weinig, Chance Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Nathan de Vries, Timothy P. Horton
  • Patent number: 11601385
    Abstract: A first messaging app, in one embodiment receives text and detects that the text includes a URL that refers to audio or audiovisual media content in a catalog of media content, and the messaging app obtains metadata about the media content and transmits the metadata to a second messaging app. Both the first and the second messaging app can operate, through interprocess communication, with its own music extension app that displays a user interface within a view hosted by the respective messaging app.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, Samuel M. Weinig, Chance Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Nathan de Vries, Timothy P. Horton
  • Publication number: 20220368961
    Abstract: A method may include receiving radio station data associated with multiple radio stations from one or more radio station providers and filtering the radio stations based at least in part on playback availability. Playback availability may include a broadcast right associated with the one or more radio station providers. The method may also include removing duplicate radio stations and supplying a searchable radio station directory to a platform or a client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Alan Lee, Thomas M. Alsina, Nathaniel P. Marrin
  • Publication number: 20220277037
    Abstract: A method at a client device includes displaying media library information corresponding to a set of media items. The media items include one or more local media items, the one or more local media items including media items stored at the client device, and one or more remote media items, the one or more remote media items including media items stored at a remote system and not at the client device. The method also includes displaying, concurrently with displaying the media library information, affordances identifying the remote media items; detecting user interaction with an affordance identifying a respective remote media item; and in response to detecting the user interaction, initiating a process for downloading a copy of the respective remote media item to the client device for storage at the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher John SANDERS, Timothy B. MARTIN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Lucas C. NEWMAN, Sean Boland KELLY, Thomas M. ALSINA, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, Andrew M. WADYCKI, Patrice O. GAUTIER
  • Publication number: 20220239715
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas M. ALSINA, David C. GRAHAM, Andrew M. WADYCKI, Edward T. SCHMIDT, Joel M. LOPES DA SILVA, Richard M. POWELL, Gregory R. CHAPMAN
  • Patent number: 11388457
    Abstract: A method may include receiving radio station data associated with multiple radio stations from one or more radio station providers and filtering the radio stations based at least in part on playback availability. Playback availability may include a broadcast right associated with the one or more radio station providers. The method may also include removing duplicate radio stations and supplying a searchable radio station directory to a platform or a client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Lee, Thomas M. Alsina, Nathaniel P. Marrin
  • Publication number: 20220215048
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synchronized sharing of playlists from a source client device to a listening client device. To facilitate synchronized sharing, a current playlist of one or more tracks of digital content is obtained from the source client device. A current playback location within the currently playing playlist is also obtained from the source client device. A shared queue accessible by the listener client device is generated. Further, a shared queue context for the listener client device is identified based in part upon the current playback location. This enables the listener client device to start playback synchronized with the source client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Arvind S. Shenoy, Thomas M. Alsina, Paul C. Irvine
  • Patent number: 11303686
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a data processing system comprising a memory device to store instructions and one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device. The instructions cause the one or more processors to provide a virtual assistant to receive voice input at a media playback device associated with the data processing system. The virtual assistant, via the one or more processors, is configured to receive a voice command at the media playback device, where the voice command is to schedule an event, then determine a user account associated with the voice command, a type of command based on context information associated with the voice command, and a target device to which media playback associated with the event is to be scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, David C. Graham, Andrew M. Wadycki, Edward T. Schmidt, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Richard M. Powell, Gregory R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 11288304
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to synchronized sharing of playlists from a source client device to a listening client device. To facilitate synchronized sharing, a current playlist of one or more tracks of digital content is obtained from the source client device. A current playback location within the currently playing playlist is also obtained from the source client device. A shared queue accessible by the listener client device is generated. Further, a shared queue context for the listener client device is identified based in part upon the current playback location. This enables the listener client device to start playback synchronized with the source client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arvind S. Shenoy, Thomas M. Alsina, Paul C. Irvine
  • Patent number: 11281711
    Abstract: A method at a client device includes displaying media library information corresponding to a set of media items. The media items include one or more local media items, the one or more local media items including media items stored at the client device, and one or more remote media items, the one or more remote media items including media items stored at a remote system and not at the client device. The method also includes displaying, concurrently with displaying the media library information, affordances identifying the remote media items; detecting user interaction with an affordance identifying a respective remote media item; and in response to detecting the user interaction, initiating a process for downloading a copy of the respective remote media item to the client device for storage at the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher John Sanders, Timothy B. Martin, Imran Chaudhri, Lucas C. Newman, Sean Boland Kelly, Thomas M. Alsina, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Andrew M. Wadycki, Patrice O. Gautier
  • Publication number: 20220006763
    Abstract: A first messaging app, in one embodiment receives text and detects that the text includes a URL that refers to audio or audiovisual media content in a catalog of media content, and the messaging app obtains metadata about the media content and transmits the metadata to a second messaging app. Both the first and the second messaging app can operate, through interprocess communication, with its own music extension app that displays a user interface within a view hosted by the respective messaging app.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, Samuel M. Weinig, Chance Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Nathan de Vries, Timothy P. Horton
  • Patent number: 11088973
    Abstract: A first messaging app, in one embodiment receives text and detects that the text includes a URL that refers to audio or audiovisual media content in a catalog of media content, and the messaging app obtains metadata about the media content and transmits the metadata to a second messaging app. Both the first and the second messaging app can operate, through interprocess communication, with its own music extension app that displays a user interface within a view hosted by the respective messaging app.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, Samuel M. Weinig, Chance Graham, Taylor G. Carrigan, Nathan de Vries, Timothy P. Horton
  • Publication number: 20210026880
    Abstract: A method at a client device includes displaying media library information corresponding to a set of media items. The media items include one or more local media items, the one or more local media items including media items stored at the client device, and one or more remote media items, the one or more remote media items including media items stored at a remote system and not at the client device. The method also includes displaying, concurrently with displaying the media library information, affordances identifying the remote media items; detecting user interaction with an affordance identifying a respective remote media item; and in response to detecting the user interaction, initiating a process for downloading a copy of the respective remote media item to the client device for storage at the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher John SANDERS, Timothy B. MARTIN, Imran CHAUDHRI, Lucas C. NEWMAN, Sean Boland KELLY, Thomas M. ALSINA, Jeffrey L. ROBBIN, Andrew M. WADYCKI, Patrice O. GAUTIER
  • Publication number: 20210029184
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a data processing system comprising a memory device to store instructions and one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device. The instructions cause the one or more processors to provide a virtual assistant to receive voice input at a media playback device associated with the data processing system. The virtual assistant, via the one or more processors, is configured to receive a voice command at the media playback device, where the voice command is to schedule an event, then determine a user account associated with the voice command, a type of command based on context information associated with the voice command, and a target device to which media playback associated with the event is to be scheduled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, David C. Graham, Andrew M. Wadycki, Edward T. Schmidt, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Richard M. Powell, Gregory R. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20200382818
    Abstract: A method may include receiving radio station data associated with multiple radio stations from one or more radio station providers and filtering the radio stations based at least in part on playback availability. Playback availability may include a broadcast right associated with the one or more radio station providers. The method may also include removing duplicate radio stations and supplying a searchable radio station directory to a platform or a client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Alan Lee, Thomas M. Alsina, Nathaniel P. Marrin
  • Patent number: 10805370
    Abstract: One embodiment provides for a media playback device comprising a memory device to store instructions; one or more processors to execute the instructions stored on the memory device, the instructions to cause the one or more processors to provide a playback queue manager to manage one or more media playback queues including a set of media items associated with a scheduled event and a playback routing manager to determine an output destination for the set of media items based on context associated with the scheduled event, the playback routing manager to route output of playback of the set of media items to one or more of multiple different connected media playback devices based on the context associated with the scheduled event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Alsina, David C. Graham, Andrew M. Wadycki, Edward T. Schmidt, Joel M. Lopes Da Silva, Richard M. Powell, Gregory R. Chapman