Patents by Inventor Yean-Nian W. Chen

Yean-Nian W. Chen 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: 11968270
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the user media preferences. An example implementation includes a one or more servers receiving data representing a guest list for an upcoming event corresponding to a first user account, the guest list indicating multiple guests corresponding to respective second user accounts of a second cloud service and querying one or more streaming media services for music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. The one or more servers receive, from the one or more streaming media services, data representing respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests and generate a playlist of audio tracks based on the received respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. During the event, the server(s) cause the playlist to be queued in a playback queue for playback by one or more playback devices of a particular media playback system registered with the first user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20230362262
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the user media preferences. An example implementation includes a one or more servers receiving data representing a guest list for an upcoming event corresponding to a first user account, the guest list indicating multiple guests corresponding to respective second user accounts of a second cloud service and querying one or more streaming media services for music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. The one or more servers receive, from the one or more streaming media services, data representing respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests and generate a playlist of audio tracks based on the received respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. During the event, the server(s) cause the playlist to be queued in a playback queue for playback by one or more playback devices of a particular media playback system registered with the first user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20230206952
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, via the network interface from a control device of the media playback system, an instruction to queue a container of audio tracks into a queue for playback by the playback device, wherein the container of audio tracks and consists of: (a) an album, (b) a playlist, or (c) an internet radio station. While the playback device is playing back the queue and before each audio track of the playlist is played back, the playback device determines whether the respective audio track is associated with a negative preference. If the respective audio track is associated with the negative preference, the playback device advances playback over the respective audio track to the next audio track within the queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen, IV
  • Patent number: 11538498
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, via the network interface from a control device of the media playback system, an instruction to queue a container of audio tracks into a queue for playback by the playback device, wherein the container of audio tracks and consists of: (a) an album, (b) a playlist, or (c) an internet radio station. While the playback device is playing back the queue and before each audio track of the playlist is played back, the playback device determines whether the respective audio track is associated with a negative preference. If the respective audio track is associated with the negative preference, the playback device advances playback over the respective audio track to the next audio track within the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 11503126
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the user media preferences. An example implementation includes a one or more servers receiving data representing a guest list for an upcoming event corresponding to a first user account, the guest list indicating multiple guests corresponding to respective second user accounts of a second cloud service and querying one or more streaming media services for music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. The one or more servers receive, from the one or more streaming media services, data representing respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests and generate a playlist of audio tracks based on the received respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. During the event, the server(s) cause the playlist to be queued in a playback queue for playback by one or more playback devices of a particular media playback system registered with the first user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20210352161
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the user media preferences. An example implementation includes a one or more servers receiving data representing a guest list for an upcoming event corresponding to a first user account, the guest list indicating multiple guests corresponding to respective second user accounts of a second cloud service and querying one or more streaming media services for music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. The one or more servers receive, from the one or more streaming media services, data representing respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests and generate a playlist of audio tracks based on the received respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. During the event, the server(s) cause the playlist to be queued in a playback queue for playback by one or more playback devices of a particular media playback system registered with the first user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20210327467
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, via the network interface from a control device of the media playback system, an instruction to queue a container of audio tracks into a queue for playback by the playback device, wherein the container of audio tracks and consists of: (a) an album, (b) a playlist, or (c) an internet radio station. While the playback device is playing back the queue and before each audio track of the playlist is played back, the playback device determines whether the respective audio track is associated with a negative preference. If the respective audio track is associated with the negative preference, the playback device advances playback over the respective audio track to the next audio track within the queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 10992775
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the user media preferences. An example implementation includes a one or more servers receiving data representing a guest list for an upcoming event corresponding to a first user account, the guest list indicating multiple guests corresponding to respective second user accounts of a second cloud service and querying one or more streaming media services for music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. The one or more servers receive, from the one or more streaming media services, data representing respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests and generate a playlist of audio tracks based on the received respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. During the event, the server(s) cause the playlist to be queued in a playback queue for playback by one or more playback devices of a particular media playback system registered with the first user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 10971185
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, via the network interface from a control device of the media playback system, an instruction to queue a container of audio tracks into a queue for playback by the playback device, wherein the container of audio tracks and consists of: (a) an album, (b) a playlist, or (c) an internet radio station. While the playback device is playing back the queue and before each audio track of the playlist is played back, the playback device determines whether the respective audio track is associated with a negative preference. If the respective audio track is associated with the negative preference, the playback device advances playback over the respective audio track to the next audio track within the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20200312367
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, via the network interface from a control device of the media playback system, an instruction to queue a container of audio tracks into a queue for playback by the playback device, wherein the container of audio tracks and consists of: (a) an album, (b) a playlist, or (c) an internet radio station. While the playback device is playing back the queue and before each audio track of the playlist is played back, the playback device determines whether the respective audio track is associated with a negative preference. If the respective audio track is associated with the negative preference, the playback device advances playback over the respective audio track to the next audio track within the queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20200177700
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the user media preferences. An example implementation includes a one or more servers receiving data representing a guest list for an upcoming event corresponding to a first user account, the guest list indicating multiple guests corresponding to respective second user accounts of a second cloud service and querying one or more streaming media services for music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. The one or more servers receive, from the one or more streaming media services, data representing respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests and generate a playlist of audio tracks based on the received respective music preferences corresponding to the multiple guests. During the event, the server(s) cause the playlist to be queued in a playback queue for playback by one or more playback devices of a particular media playback system registered with the first user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 10586567
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, via the network interface from a control device of the media playback system, an instruction to queue a container of audio tracks into a queue for playback by the playback device, wherein the container of audio tracks and consists of: (a) an album, (b) a playlist, or (c) an internet radio station. While the playback device is playing back the queue and before each audio track of the playlist is played back, the playback device determines whether the respective audio track is associated with a negative preference. If the respective audio track is associated with the negative preference, the playback device advances playback over the respective audio track to the next audio track within the queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 10554781
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the preferences of additional users. An example implementation includes a computing device transmitting, to a service provider, a first request for media items based on media preferences associated with first user profiles for a media playback system. After transmitting the first request, the computing device determines that media preferences associated with second user profiles are to be used for requesting media items. Thereafter, the computing device transmits, to the service provider, a second request for one or more media items based on media preferences associated with (i) the first user profiles and (ii) the second user profiles. After transmitting the second request, the computing device may receive data indicating at least one media item from the service provider and cause one or more playback devices in the media playback system to play the at least one media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20190058777
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the preferences of additional users. An example implementation includes a computing device transmitting, to a service provider, a first request for media items based on media preferences associated with first user profiles for a media playback system. After transmitting the first request, the computing device determines that media preferences associated with second user profiles are to be used for requesting media items. Thereafter, the computing device transmits, to the service provider, a second request for one or more media items based on media preferences associated with (i) the first user profiles and (ii) the second user profiles. After transmitting the second request, the computing device may receive data indicating at least one media item from the service provider and cause one or more playback devices in the media playback system to play the at least one media item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 10122819
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the preferences of additional users. An example implementation includes a computing device transmitting, to a service provider, a first request for media items based on media preferences associated with first user profiles for a media playback system. After transmitting the first request, the computing device determines that media preferences associated with second user profiles are to be used for requesting media items. Thereafter, the computing device transmits, to the service provider, a second request for one or more media items based on media preferences associated with (i) the first user profiles and (ii) the second user profiles. After transmitting the second request, the computing device may receive data indicating at least one media item from the service provider and cause one or more playback devices in the media playback system to play the at least one media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20180301166
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, via the network interface from a control device of the media playback system, an instruction to queue a container of audio tracks into a queue for playback by the playback device, wherein the container of audio tracks and consists of: (a) an album, (b) a playlist, or (c) an internet radio station. While the playback device is playing back the queue and before each audio track of the playlist is played back, the playback device determines whether the respective audio track is associated with a negative preference. If the respective audio track is associated with the negative preference, the playback device advances playback over the respective audio track to the next audio track within the queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 10026439
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, from a media service provider, a first media item for playback. The playback device identifies one or more user accounts currently interfacing with the playback device. The playback device transmits, to a media system server, a first message indicating (i) the first media item and (ii) the identified one or more user accounts. After transmitting the first message, the playback device receives, from the media system server, a second message indicating that the first media item is not to be played by the playback device. Responsive to the second message, the playback device transmits, to the media service provider, a request for a second media item. The playback device plays the second media item via one or more speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Patent number: 9680960
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the preferences of multiple users. In one example, a computing device may identify a plurality of user accounts associated with one or more service providers. The computing device may access a guest list for a social event to identify the plurality of user accounts. The computing device may then send to the one or more service providers, requests for media content based on media preferences associated with the identified plurality of user accounts. In response to the request, the computing device may then receive one or more media items from the one or more service providers. Some or all of the media items may then be added to a playback queue or playlist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20160379679
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve managing playback of media content by a playback device. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, from a media service provider, a first media item for playback. The playback device identifies one or more user accounts currently interfacing with the playback device. The playback device transmits, to a media system server, a first message indicating (i) the first media item and (ii) the identified one or more user accounts. After transmitting the first message, the playback device receives, from the media system server, a second message indicating that the first media item is not to be played by the playback device. Responsive to the second message, the playback device transmits, to the media service provider, a request for a second media item. The playback device plays the second media item via one or more speakers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen
  • Publication number: 20160323412
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for receiving media content based on the preferences of additional users. An example implementation includes a computing device transmitting, to a service provider, a first request for media items based on media preferences associated with first user profiles for a media playback system. After transmitting the first request, the computing device determines that media preferences associated with second user profiles are to be used for requesting media items. Thereafter, the computing device transmits, to the service provider, a second request for one or more media items based on media preferences associated with (i) the first user profiles and (ii) the second user profiles. After transmitting the second request, the computing device may receive data indicating at least one media item from the service provider and cause one or more playback devices in the media playback system to play the at least one media item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventor: Yean-Nian W. Chen