Patents by Inventor Andrew Schulert

Andrew 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).

  • Publication number: 20220150679
    Abstract: An example implementation involves a media playback system that includes one or more playback devices that are controllable by the mobile device while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. The mobile device may join the media playback system over one or more communication paths via a cellular network from the mobile device to the media playback system. The example implementation may involve detecting that the mobile device is outside of a threshold proximity to the media playback system while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. Based on detecting that the mobile device is outside of the threshold proximity to the media playback system, the mobile device may disconnect from the media playback system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: Andrew Schulert
  • Patent number: 11194857
    Abstract: A network device is configured to (i) play back a media item indicated by a remote playback queue provided by a cloud-based computing system, (ii) receive an indication that a playback device is available for playback, (iii) display a now playing screen including (a) information identifying the media item, and (b) an icon that indicates that the network device is not in a connected state with any other network device, (iv) receive a first input selecting the icon, (v) in response to the first input, display a list of one or more available network devices including the playback device, (vi) receive a second input selecting the playback device from the list (vii) after receiving the second input, update the list to indicate that the playback device is selected for playback of the remote playback queue, and (viii) transfer playback of the remote playback queue from the network device to the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 11178441
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 11172030
    Abstract: Examples described herein may include a playback device receiving, from a control device, a validation-key that includes an application identifier corresponding to a controller application. The playback device may create a session identifier and transmit the session identifier to the control device. The playback device may receive, from the control device, a playback request comprising the session identifier and a playback command. The playback device may determine that the session identifier is valid and then execute the playback command. A computing system may receive identification information related to a controller application and generate the validation-key based on the controller application meeting at least one quality-control metric. The controller application may receive the validation-key from the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Schulert
  • Patent number: 11157552
    Abstract: A first connection state may be entered on a computing device. While the computing device is in the first connection state, actions taken on a playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and not applied to a playback queue associated with a zone. An input may be received via the computing device, indicating a selection of the zone. In response to receiving the input, a second connection state may be entered. Entering the second connection state may comprise establishing a connected state between the computing device and the one or more playback devices. While the connected state is established, one or more actions taken on the playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and transmitted, in a message to the zone over a network. The one or more actions may be one or more corresponding actions applied to the playback queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 11129005
    Abstract: An example implementation involves a media playback system that includes one or more playback devices that are controllable by the mobile device while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. The mobile device may join the media playback system over one or more communication paths via a cellular network from the mobile device to the media playback system. The example implementation may involve detecting that the mobile device is outside of a threshold proximity to the media playback system while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. Based on detecting that the mobile device is outside of the threshold proximity to the media playback system, the mobile device may disconnect from the media playback system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Schulert
  • Patent number: 11120076
    Abstract: A first connection state may be entered on a computing device. While the computing device is in the first connection state, actions taken on a playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and not applied to a playback queue associated with a zone. An input may be received via the computing device, indicating a selection of the zone. In response to receiving the input, a second connection state may be entered. Entering the second connection state may comprise establishing a connected state between the computing device and the one or more playback devices. While the connected state is established, one or more actions taken on the playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and transmitted, in a message to the zone over a network. The one or more actions may be one or more corresponding actions applied to the playback queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 11113331
    Abstract: A network device is configured to (i) play back a media item indicated by a remote playback queue provided by a cloud-based computing system, (ii) receive an indication that a playback device is available for playback, (iii) display a now playing screen including (a) information identifying the media item, and (b) an icon that indicates that the network device is not in a connected state with any other network device, (iv) receive a first input selecting the icon, (v) in response to the first input, display a list of one or more available network devices including the playback device, (vi) receive a second input selecting the playback device from the list (vii) after receiving the second input, update the list to indicate that the playback device is selected for playback of the remote playback queue, and (viii) transfer playback of the remote playback queue from the network device to the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20210216587
    Abstract: A network device is configured to (i) play back a media item indicated by a remote playback queue provided by a cloud-based computing system, (ii) receive an indication that a playback device is available for playback, (iii) display a now playing screen including (a) information identifying the media item, and (b) an icon that indicates that the network device is not in a connected state with any other network device, (iv) receive a first input selecting the icon, (v) in response to the first input, display a list of one or more available network devices including the playback device, (vi) receive a second input selecting the playback device from the list (vii) after receiving the second input, update the list to indicate that the playback device is selected for playback of the remote playback queue, and (viii) transfer playback of the remote playback queue from the network device to the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20210105519
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 10891333
    Abstract: A first connection state may be entered on a computing device. While the computing device is in the first connection state, actions taken on a playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and not applied to a playback queue associated with a zone. An input may be received via the computing device, indicating a selection of the zone. In response to receiving the input, a second connection state may be entered. Entering the second connection state may comprise establishing a connected state between the computing device and the one or more playback devices. While the connected state is established, one or more actions taken on the playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and transmitted, in a message to the zone over a network. The one or more actions may be one or more corresponding actions applied to the playback queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 10779024
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang
  • Patent number: 10715973
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein involve connected states between a mobile device and one or more zones in a network media system and different interactions between the mobile device and the network media system involving the connected states. The connected states may be established between the mobile device and the one or more zones such that further actions taken on media items identified in the playlist on the mobile device may also be taken on corresponding media items in a playback queue associated with the one or more zones. The interface on the mobile device may display various graphical representations to indicate the different interactions involving the connected states, including when a connected state is established, when a connected state is lost, and when a reconnected state is reestablished. The interface may further provide selectable icons to allow a user to navigate among the different media playback options involving the connected states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20200106838
    Abstract: Examples described herein may include a playback device receiving, from a control device, a validation-key that includes an application identifier corresponding to a controller application. The playback device may create a session identifier and transmit the session identifier to the control device. The playback device may receive, from the control device, a playback request comprising the session identifier and a playback command. The playback device may determine that the session identifier is valid and then execute the playback command. A computing system may receive identification information related to a controller application and generate the validation-key based on the controller application meeting at least one quality-control metric. The controller application may receive the validation-key from the computing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Andrew Schulert
  • Publication number: 20200015052
    Abstract: An example implementation involves a media playback system that includes one or more playback devices that are controllable by the mobile device while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. The mobile device may join the media playback system over one or more communication paths via a cellular network from the mobile device to the media playback system. The example implementation may involve detecting that the mobile device is outside of a threshold proximity to the media playback system while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. Based on detecting that the mobile device is outside of the threshold proximity to the media playback system, the mobile device may disconnect from the media playback system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventor: Andrew Schulert
  • Patent number: 10498833
    Abstract: Examples described herein may include a playback device receiving, from a control device, a validation-key that includes an application identifier corresponding to a controller application. The playback device may create a session identifier and transmit the session identifier to the control device. The playback device may receive, from the control device, a playback request comprising the session identifier and a playback command. The playback device may determine that the session identifier is valid and then execute the playback command. A computing system may receive identification information related to a controller application and generate the validation-key based on the controller application meeting at least one quality-control metric. The controller application may receive the validation-key from the computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Schulert
  • Patent number: 10425789
    Abstract: An example implementation involves a media playback system that includes one or more playback devices that are controllable by the mobile device while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. The mobile device may join the media playback system over one or more communication paths via a cellular network from the mobile device to the media playback system. The example implementation may involve detecting that the mobile device is outside of a threshold proximity to the media playback system while the mobile device is joined to the media playback system. Based on detecting that the mobile device is outside of the threshold proximity to the media playback system, the mobile device may disconnect from the media playback system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Schulert
  • Publication number: 20190238913
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang
  • Publication number: 20190228034
    Abstract: A first connection state may be entered on a computing device. While the computing device is in the first connection state, actions taken on a playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and not applied to a playback queue associated with a zone. An input may be received via the computing device, indicating a selection of the zone. In response to receiving the input, a second connection state may be entered. Entering the second connection state may comprise establishing a connected state between the computing device and the one or more playback devices. While the connected state is established, one or more actions taken on the playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and transmitted, in a message to the zone over a network. The one or more actions may be one or more corresponding actions applied to the playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 10271078
    Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device joining a playback network. An example implementation involves a computing device, such as smartphone or tablet, receiving, from a playback device, a message indicating that the playback device is available to join a playback network. The computing device determines, based on a configuration table, an audio setting corresponding to the playback device and transmits, to the playback device, a message indicating (i) security parameters to be used by the playback device to join the playback network, (ii) the identified audio setting to be applied by the playback device upon joining the playback network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew Schulert, Ron Kuper, Jonathan Lang