Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Schulert
Andrew J. Schulert 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).
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Patent number: 10333920Abstract: Example implementations involve cloud queue synchronization. An example implementation may involve a cloud server system receiving a request for a window of media items from a cloud queue of media items that is maintained by the cloud server system and sending, to a playback device, the requested window of media items from the cloud queue of media items. The playback device receives the requested window of media items from the cloud queue of media items and populates a local queue with the media items from the window. The playback device also receives, from a mobile device, a request to modify the local queue, and in response to the request to modify the local queue, modifies the local queue according to the request to modify the local queue.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
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Patent number: 10275135Abstract: Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Paul Wren, Andrew J. Schulert, Robert A. Lambourne, Jonathan P. Lang
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Patent number: 10268352Abstract: Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Paul Wren, Andrew J. Schulert, Robert A. Lambourne, Jonathan P. Lang
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Publication number: 20190068569Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, a request to initiate playback of a cloud queue. The cloud queue may currently have a first access status that authorizes a first set of queue operations, which may include playback of the cloud queue. After receiving the request to initiate playback, the computing system may cause audio tracks of the cloud queue to be queued in a local queue of the media playback system such that the media playback system may playback audio tracks of the cloud queue via the local queue. The computing system may modify the access status of the cloud queue to a second access status. This second access status may authorize a second set of queue operations on the cloud queue. The computing system may cause access to the local queue to be restricted to the second set of queue operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Publication number: 20190028451Abstract: Example implementations involve cloud queue synchronization. An example implementation may involve while playing back a particular media item from a local queue of media items, a playback device sending, to a remote server over the network interface, (i) a request for a window of media items from a cloud queue of media items that is accessible to the playback device via a wide area network, and (ii) an indication of the particular media item that is being played by the playback device. The playback device receives, over the network interface in response to the request for the window of media items, an indication of two or more media items from the cloud queue of media items and incorporates an indication of at least one of the two or more media items into the local queue of media items.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
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Publication number: 20190028452Abstract: Example implementations involve cloud queue synchronization. An example implementation may involve a playback device sending a request for a window of media items from a cloud queue of media items that is accessible to the playback device via a wide area network, the request including (i) an indication of a reference media item, (ii) a first parameter indicating a number of media items preceding the reference media item to include in the window and (iii) a second parameter indicating a number of media items subsequent to the reference media item to include in the window. The playback device receives, in response to the request for the window of media items, an indication of a particular window of media items from the cloud queue of media items and incorporates the media items of the particular window into a local queue of media items.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
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Publication number: 20190028453Abstract: Example implementations involve cloud queue synchronization. An example implementation may involve a cloud server system receiving a request for a window of media items from a cloud queue of media items that is maintained by the cloud server system and sending, to a playback device, the requested window of media items from the cloud queue of media items. The playback device receives the requested window of media items from the cloud queue of media items and populates a local queue with the media items from the window. The playback device also receives, from a mobile device, a request to modify the local queue, and in response to the request to modify the local queue, modifies the local queue according to the request to modify the local queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
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Patent number: 10158619Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, a request to initiate playback of a cloud queue. The cloud queue may currently have a first access status that authorizes a first set of queue operations, which may include playback of the cloud queue. After receiving the request to initiate playback, the computing system may cause audio tracks of the cloud queue to be queued in a local queue of the media playback system such that the media playback system may playback audio tracks of the cloud queue via the local queue. The computing system may modify the access status of the cloud queue to a second access status. This second access status may authorize a second set of queue operations on the cloud queue. The computing system may cause access to the local queue to be restricted to the second set of queue operations.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Patent number: 9967246Abstract: Techniques relate to a cloud queue facilitating access to a cloud queue via an authorization token. In an example implementation, a computing system receives, over a network interface from a media playback system, an authorization token corresponding to a cloud queue of media items at the computing system and a request by the media playback system for access to the cloud queue of media items. The computing system determines that the authorization token is valid and in response to the determination, provides, to the media playback system, the requested access to the cloud queue of media items, the providing comprising transmitting information associated with at least one of the media items of the cloud queue. Thereafter, the computing system determines that the media playback system is eligible for a renewed authorization token and, in response, transmits, to the media playback system, the renewed authorization token.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Patent number: 9942215Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system over the network interface, a request to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at a first media item. The computing system assigns a playhead pointer to a position within the particular cloud queue that corresponds to the first media item and transmits, to the media playback system over the network interface, an instruction that causes one or more playback devices of the media playback system to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at the first media item. While the one or more playback devices play back the particular cloud queue, the computing system updates the assigned position of the playhead pointer to indicate the currently playing media item of the particular cloud queue.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
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Patent number: 9880708Abstract: An example implementation involves a control device displaying on a graphical user interface, an indicator positioned with respect to a particular multimedia item in a displayed list of a plurality of multimedia items. After displaying the indicator on the graphical user interface for a first predefined time, the control device displays on the graphical user interface, an information panel obstructing a portion of the displayed list, the information panel providing information associated with the particular multimedia item that is not shown in the displayed list. After displaying the information panel for a second predefined time, the control device terminates display of the information panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Lambourne, Andrew J. Schulert, Steve Holmgren
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Patent number: 9729599Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving a request from a first media playback system for access to a queue of media items, and a request from a second media playback system for access to the queue of media items. The computing system may grant a first type of access to the first media playback system and a second type of access to the second media playback system. The first type of access and the second type of access may authorize a first set of operations and a second set of operations on the queue of media items, respectively. The computing system may provide an indication that the first media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the first type of access, and an indication that the second media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the second type of access.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Publication number: 20170208056Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, a request to initiate playback of a cloud queue. The cloud queue may currently have a first access status that authorizes a first set of queue operations, which may include playback of the cloud queue. After receiving the request to initiate playback, the computing system may cause audio tracks of the cloud queue to be queued in a local queue of the media playback system such that the media playback system may playback audio tracks of the cloud queue via the local queue. The computing system may modify the access status of the cloud queue to a second access status. This second access status may authorize a second set of queue operations on the cloud queue. The computing system may cause access to the local queue to be restricted to the second set of queue operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Patent number: 9690466Abstract: Techniques for managing a playlist in a multimedia system are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, the playlist is structured to be able to include as many items as desired. To facilitate the manageability of such playlist, the playlist is built with a plurality of items. Each of the items is associated with metadata that includes information related to, for example, artist, album, genre, composer, and track number. The metadata for each item may be parsed, updated or logically operated upon to facilitate the management of the playlist. In another embodiment, each of the items is either a single item or a group item. A single item contains metadata of a corresponding source. A group item contains metadata of accessing other constituent items, which again may be single items or group items. As a result, the playlist can accommodate as many items as desired in a limited memory space without compromising the manageability of the playlist.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Paul Wren, Andrew J. Schulert, Robert A. Lambourne, Jonathan P. Lang
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Patent number: 9654459Abstract: An example implementation may involve a playback device of a media playback system sending a request for an indication of at least one media item from a remote queue of media items and an indication of a particular media item that is being played by the playback device. The implementation may also involve the playback device receiving an indication of one or more media items from the remote queue of media items. The one or more media items may include the particular media item is being played by the playback device. The implementation may further involve the playback device incorporating an indication of the one or more media items into a local queue of media items.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
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Patent number: 9648070Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, a request to initiate playback of a cloud queue. The cloud queue may currently have a first access status that authorizes a first set of queue operations, which may include playback of the cloud queue. After receiving the request to initiate playback, the computing system may cause audio tracks of the cloud queue to be queued in a local queue of the media playback system such that the media playback system may playback audio tracks of the cloud queue via the local queue. The computing system may modify the access status of the cloud queue to a second access status. This second access status may authorize a second set of queue operations on the cloud queue. The computing system may cause access to the local queue to be restricted to the second set of queue operations.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Publication number: 20170041368Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system over the network interface, a request to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at a first media item. The computing system assigns a playhead pointer to a position within the particular cloud queue that corresponds to the first media item and transmits, to the media playback system over the network interface, an instruction that causes one or more playback devices of the media playback system to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at the first media item. While the one or more playback devices play back the particular cloud queue, the computing system updates the assigned position of the playhead pointer to indicate the currently playing media item of the particular cloud queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
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Publication number: 20170026430Abstract: Techniques relate to a cloud queue facilitating access to a cloud queue via an authorization token. In an example implementation, a computing system receives, over a network interface from a media playback system, an authorization token corresponding to a cloud queue of media items at the computing system and a request by the media playback system for access to the cloud queue of media items. The computing system determines that the authorization token is valid and in response to the determination, provides, to the media playback system, the requested access to the cloud queue of media items, the providing comprising transmitting information associated with at least one of the media items of the cloud queue. Thereafter, the computing system determines that the media playback system is eligible for a renewed authorization token and, in response, transmits, to the media playback system, the renewed authorization token.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Patent number: 9537852Abstract: An example implementation may involve a media playback system obtaining an authorization token corresponding to a particular queue of media items at a remote server. The media playback system may send to the remote server, (i) the obtained authorization token, and (ii) a request for access to one or more media items of the particular queue. The media playback system may receive, from the remote server, an indication that the media playback system may access the one or more media items.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
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Publication number: 20160379008Abstract: Based on a credential, an access level of a playback queue for a first control interface and a first subset and second subset of media items in the playback queue may be determined. Media items in the playback queue that were added via a second control interface may be included in the first subset. Media items that were added via a control interface different from the second control interface may be included in a second subset. Information may be provided which identifies the first subset of the media items in the playback queue and the second subset of the media items in the playback queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Andrew J. Schulert