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).

  • Patent number: 10241742
    Abstract: Method and systems are provided for identification of device groups in a network. In an example implementation, a first playback device, while in a first zone group comprising the playback device, the first zone group having a group identification identifying the first zone group, receives an instruction to form a zone group with one or more second playback devices. In response, the first playback device forms a second zone group with the one or more second playback devices. Forming the second zone group involves determining a group identification identifying the second zone group and determining a display name representing the second zone group. In response, the first playback device causes a controller device to update a control interface for the media playback system to display an indication of the second zone group, the indication of the second zone group comprising the determined display name.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20190075335
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20190075331
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Publication number: 20190052935
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include systems and methods for providing a social interface for sharing media experience information between households in a community. Users of different households may form the community. The social interface may be provided as an application on a mobile device or an Internet webpage as a portal to the community. 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Arthur L. Coburn, IV, John Meyer, Mike Delaney
  • Patent number: 10191980
    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: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 10191981
    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: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20190028453
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
  • Publication number: 20190028458
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20190028452
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
  • Publication number: 20190028451
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
  • Publication number: 20190005132
    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: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20190005131
    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: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20180357313
    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: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 10154122
    Abstract: A network media system forms a group comprising a first networked device and a second networked device using a first media playback protocol. The network media system includes the first networked device and the second networked device. The network media system determines a group coordinator for the group using the first media playback protocol. The network media system transmits, to a media source device, a group network identity using a second media playback protocol. The media source device and one of the first networked device and the second networked device are configured to use the first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol. The first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol are incompatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
  • Patent number: 10152537
    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: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Andrew Schulert, Robert Andrew Lambourne, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20180349390
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein may involve inconsistent queues. An example implementation may involve a computing device receiving a message indicating a playback queue corresponding to a playback zone of a media playback system. The playback queue may include first media items queued in a first order for playback by the playback zone. The computing device determines that a playlist at the computing device is to be queued for playback in the playback queue corresponding to the playback zone, the playlist including second media items in a second order. The computing device determines that the first media items in the first order is different from the second media items in the second order, and based on the determination, causes the first media items in the playback queue to be replaced with the second media items in the playlist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20180352291
    Abstract: Method and systems are provided for detecting and handling, by a controller device, a loss of control of a playback queue of a zone group of a media playback system. Detection of loss of control of the playback queue of the zone group may involve one or more of determining (i) that the zone group no longer exists, (ii) that a queue identifier is no longer assigned to a playback queue of the zone group, and (iii) that the controller device is no longer in communication with the media playback system, among others. Handling of the loss of control may involve one or more of (i) unsubscribing from messages relating to the zone group, (ii) ceasing to send commands to the zone group, and (iii) updating a user interface to indicate that the controller device no longer has control of the playback queue of the zone group, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Sherwin Liu
  • Patent number: 10116652
    Abstract: Examples provided herein are directed to a computing device and media playback system sharing access to a media service corresponding to a media application installed on the computing device. In one example, a media playback system may be configured to (i) receive from the computing device an authorization code that corresponds to a media application installed on the computing device that is authorized to access media from a media service, (ii) transmit to the media service an authorization request with the authorization code, (iii) receive from the media service an authorization token that facilitates obtaining media from the media service, and (iv) transmit to the media service a request for media for playback by the media playback system, where the request for media includes the authorization token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Kuper, Sherwin Liu, Emilio Arce, Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Patent number: 10116641
    Abstract: An example implementation involves a device of a media playback system transmitting, to a computing system, a request to access a first cloud queue. After transmitting the request, the device receives an indication of first media items in the first cloud queue and an indication of first playback policies that authorize first playback operations on the first cloud queue. While the first cloud queue is accessed, the device displays a control interface with playback controls corresponding to the first playback operations. The device transmits a request to access a second cloud queue. After transmitting the request, the device receives an indication of second media items in the second cloud queue and an indication of second playback policies that authorize second playback operations on the second cloud queue. While the second cloud queue is accessed, the control device displays the control interface with playback controls corresponding to the second playback operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV
  • Publication number: 20180300405
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to a playback device that facilitates queue identification. In an example implementation, a playback device stores an association between a playback queue and a first application identifier. After storing the association between the playback queue and the first application identifier, the playback device receives, from a first computing device, a first message comprising a second application identifier. The playback device determines that the second application identifier corresponds to the first application identifier, and responsive to determining that the second application identifier corresponds to the first application identifier, transmits, to the first computing device, a queue identifier associated with the playback queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventor: Arthur L. Coburn, IV