Patents by Inventor Arthur L. Coburn, IV
Arthur L. Coburn, IV 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: 11966438Abstract: Embodiments described herein may involve queue versioning. An example implementation may involve a playback device initiating playback of a queue including one or more first audio streams. A queue identification token stored in data storage represents a current version of the queue. The playback device receives, from a computing system, data representing instructions to add one or more second audio streams to the queue, the instructions including an indication of the one or more second audio streams and a first token representing an expected queue version. The playback device determines whether the expected queue version represented by the first token matches the current version of the queue represented by the queue identification token. If not, the playback device foregoes adding the one or more second audio streams to the queue.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Patent number: 11962815Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a first media stream and a first media stream identifier. The first networked device may receive the first media stream via a wireless network connection. Operations may further include receiving, from a second networked device, a second media stream identifier that corresponds to a second media stream the second networked device is receiving from the media source device. Operations may further include determining a common stream characteristic between the first media stream and the second media stream and, in response to determining the common stream characteristic, grouping the second networked device with the first networked device. Operations may further include transmitting, to a controller device, an indication that the first networked device and second networked device are grouped.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Patent number: 11956480Abstract: While a first playback device is a member of a synchronous media playback group with a second playback device using a first media playback protocol, and after a particular playback setting is enabled using the first media playback protocol, the first playback device receives, from a media source device, a first media stream using a second media playback protocol. The first and second media playback protocols are incompatible. The first playback device determines that the particular playback setting is enabled and that the synchronous media playback group includes the first playback device and the second playback device. Subsequently, the first playback device (i) generates a second media stream based on the received first media stream, the second media stream including information for synchronous playback with the first playback device, and (ii) transmits, to the second playback device, the second media stream using the second media playback protocol.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Publication number: 20240103702Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that involve a media playback system playing back a playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode. In one aspect, a playback device is provided that includes a network interface, one or more media processing components, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium with program instructions stored thereon. The program instructions are executable by at least one processor to cause the media playback device to: add one or more items to a playback queue of the media playback device, where the one or more items include a continuous-playback item including at least one media item, play back the playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode, where playing back the playback queue according to the continuous-playback mode involves: detecting a continuous-playback trigger, and based on the detected continuous-playback trigger, adding at least one additional media item to the continuous-playback item.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Keith Corbin, Steven Beckhardt, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Publication number: 20240098314Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a media stream. The first networked device may be configured to use a first media playback protocol and the media source device may be configured to use a second media playback protocol. The first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol may be incompatible. Operations may further include transmitting, to a second networked device, the media stream. The first networked device and second networked device are configured to operate in a bonded zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Publication number: 20240061639Abstract: Example systems and techniques disclosed herein facilitate interoperability between different media playback systems referred to herein as a virtual line-in (VLI) media playback system and a native playback system. When a VLI session is created by a VLI sender, a first native playback device can join a VLI group as a VLI receiver. As a VLI receiver, the first native playback device receives audio content and playback commands from the VLI sender to facilitate synchronous playback with other VLI receivers. At the same time, this native playback device can concurrently operate as a native domain group coordinator of a native domain synchrony group. As the native domain group coordinator, the native playback device translates VLI domain audio, control, and timing signals into the native domain and distributes such signals to native domain group members. In this way, the native domain group members can synchronize their playback with the VLI group.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Chris Kotowski
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Patent number: 11899712Abstract: Embodiments are provided for updating a playlist that has been added to a playback queue in response to changes to the playback queue. The playback queue may be associated with a zone of a network media system such that items in the playback queue are to be rendered by the zone. The playlist may include one or more items playable by the zone, and may be stored separately from where the playback queue is maintained. Embodiments are also provided for updating a playback queue in response to modifications to a playlist included in the playback queue.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Abhishek Kumar, Andrew J. Schulert
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Publication number: 20240049349Abstract: In one aspect, a computing device is configured to, while operating as a control device of a networked media playback system that includes a first set of network devices and a second set of network devices, (i) transmit a first message to each network device in the first set of network devices, wherein the first message comprises a command to, at a first time, temporarily disconnect from the computing device via a particular communication protocol, (ii) transmit a second message to each network device in the second set of network devices, wherein the second message comprises a command for the network device in the second set of network devices to, at a second time, test connectivity with the computing device; and (iii) after the second time, determine whether each network device in the second set of network devices was connected to the computing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Hrishikesh Gossain
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Publication number: 20240037265Abstract: 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: August 14, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Andrew J. Schulert
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Patent number: 11889160Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for providing a management interface for controlling multiple households. The management interface may be provided as an application on a mobile device or as an Internet webpage. An example implementation involves a device displaying representations of: a plurality of households; an indication of a selected household; one or more zones within the selected household; and a representation of media being played by a selected zone of the one or more zones. While displaying the representations, the device receives, from a server, data indicating updated information associated with the plurality of households; and, in response, updates the graphical display to display at least an updated representation of media being played by the selected zone.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Ron Kuper, Arthur L. Coburn, IV, John Meyer, Mike Delaney
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Patent number: 11886496Abstract: Example techniques relate to a playback device that facilitates queue identification. In an example implementation, a playback device receives, from a first controller, instructions representing a command to populate a playback queue with one or more first media items; the instructions are associated with a first application identifier corresponding to the first controller. Based on the received instructions, the playback device populates the playback queue with the one or more first media items and forms an association between the playback queue and the first application identifier. The playback device receives, from a second controller, instructions representing one or more first commands to access the playback queue; the instructions are associated with a second application identifier corresponding to the second controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Patent number: 11880553Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that involve a media playback system playing back a playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode. In one aspect, a playback device is provided that includes a network interface, one or more media processing components, a non-transitory computer-readable medium with program instructions stored thereon. The program instructions are executable by at least one processor to cause the media playback device to: add one or more items to a playback queue of the media playback device, where the one or more items include a continuous-playback item including at least one media item, play back the playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode, where playing back the playback queue according to the continuous-playback mode involves: detecting a continuous-playback trigger, and based on the detected continuous-playback trigger, adding at least one additional media item to the continuous-playback item.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Keith Corbin, Steven Beckhardt, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Patent number: 11757866Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 18, 2023Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Patent number: 11758199Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a media stream. The first networked device may be configured to use a first media playback protocol and the media source device may be configured to use a second media playback protocol. The first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol may be incompatible. Operations may further include transmitting, to a second networked device, the media stream. The first networked device and second networked device are configured to operate in a bonded zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Patent number: 11737164Abstract: In one aspect, a computing device is configured to, while operating as a control device of a networked media playback system that includes a first set of network devices and a second set of network devices, (i) transmit a first message to each network device in the first set of network devices, wherein the first message comprises a command to, at a first time, temporarily disconnect from the computing device via a particular communication protocol, (ii) transmit a second message to each network device in the second set of network devices, wherein the second message comprises a command for the network device in the second set of network devices to, at a second time, test connectivity with the computing device; and (iii) after the second time, determine whether each network device in the second set of network devices was connected to the computing device.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Hrishikesh Gossain
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Publication number: 20230262403Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling multi-site media playback systems include, among other features, a computing system (i) receiving, from a first media playback device connected to a first network, a first registration message, (ii) in response to receiving the first registration message, assigning a system identifier and a first subsystem identifier to the first media playback device, (iii) receiving, from a second media playback device connected to the first network, a second registration message, (iv) in response to receiving the second registration message, assigning the system identifier and the first subsystem identifier to the second media playback device, (v) determining that the second media playback device is disconnected from the first network and connected to a second network, and (vi) in response to determining that the second media playback device is connected to the second network, assigning a second subsystem identifier to the second media playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Seth David Goldstein, Greg Ramsperger, Michael Agerbak, Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Andy Mellors, Nikit Waghela, Steven Beckhardt
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Patent number: 11727134Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Andrew J. Schulert
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Publication number: 20230229696Abstract: Embodiments described herein may involve queue versioning. An example implementation may involve a playback device initiating playback of a queue including one or more first audio streams. A queue identification token stored in data storage represents a current version of the queue. The playback device receives, from a computing system, data representing instructions to add one or more second audio streams to the queue, the instructions including an indication of the one or more second audio streams and a first token representing an expected queue version. The playback device determines whether the expected queue version represented by the first token matches the current version of the queue represented by the queue identification token. If not, the playback device foregoes adding the one or more second audio streams to the queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Publication number: 20230231901Abstract: Example techniques relate to cloud queue tombstones. An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving instructions to remove a particular media item from a playback queue. Based on the instructions, the computing system removes the particular media item from the playback queue and adds, to the playback queue, a tombstone indicator indicating that the particular media item has been removed from the playback queue. The computing system receives, from the media playback system, a request for a window of one or more media items from the playback queue. Based on the request, the computing system sends, to the media playback system, data representing a particular window of media items from the playback queue, wherein the particular window includes the tombstone indicator. The computing system detects a given tombstone removal trigger from among multiple tombstone removal triggers and based on the detecting, removes the tombstone indicator from the playback queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
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Patent number: 11693619Abstract: Example systems and techniques disclosed herein facilitate interoperability between different media playback systems referred to herein as a virtual line-in (VLI) media playback system and a native playback system. When a VLI session is created by a VLI sender, a first native playback device can join a VLI group as a VLI receiver. As a VLI receiver, the first native playback device receives audio content and playback commands from the VLI sender to facilitate synchronous playback with other VLI receivers. At the same time, this native playback device can concurrently operate as a native domain group coordinator of a native domain synchrony group. As the native domain group coordinator, the native playback device translates VLI domain audio, control, and timing signals into the native domain and distributes such signals to native domain group members. In this way, the native domain group members can synchronize their playback with the VLI group.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Chris Kotowski