Patents by Inventor Benjamin Rappoport

Benjamin Rappoport 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: 20240080522
    Abstract: An example computing system may be configured to cause one or more playback devices located in a location of a commercial environment to play back an advertisement. The example computing system may also be configured to receive an indication that a user device is detected proximate to the location, during playback of the advertisement. The example computing system may also be configured to, after receiving the indication that the user device has been detected, receive an indication of a purchase of the subject of the advertisement, the purchase associated with the user profile. The example computing system may also be configured to, based on (i) the indication that the user device has been detected during play back of the advertisement and (ii) the indication of the purchase of the subject of the advertisement, cause a content service account associated with the computing system to be updated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Taylor, Andrew Kwatinetz, Benjamin Rappoport, Russell Dougherty, Dayn Wilberding, Nicholas D'Amato
  • Patent number: 11818427
    Abstract: An example computing system may be configured to receive an indication that a user device has been detected in a commercial environment and to determine a first set of musical preferences associated with the commercial environment. The example computing system may also be configured to determine a user profile associated with the user device and to determine a second set of musical preferences associated with the user profile. The example computing system may also be configured to, based on at least (i) the first set of musical preferences associated with the commercial environment, and (ii) the second set of musical preferences associated with the user profile, determine one or more media items for playback and then cause one or more playback devices in the commercial environment to play back the one or more media items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Taylor, Andrew Kwatinetz, Benjamin Rappoport, Russell Dougherty, Dayn Wilberding, Nicholas D'Amato
  • Publication number: 20230292068
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve a playback device modifying its playback configuration when the playback device is placed onto a device base. In an example implementation, the playback device may receive, via an 802.15-compatible radio of one or more network interfaces, one or more packets comprising data representing an identifier of the first device base. After receipt of the one or more packets, the playback device queries a database for state information corresponding to the identifier of the first device base and modifies a playback configuration of the playback device from a first configuration to a second configuration based on the queried state information corresponding to the identifier of the first device base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Patent number: 11528570
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve a playback device modifying its playback configuration when the playback device is placed onto a device base. In an example implementation, the playback device may receive, via an 802.15-compatible radio of one or more network interfaces, one or more packets comprising data representing an identifier of the first device base. After receipt of the one or more packets, the playback device queries a database for state information corresponding to the identifier of the first device base and modifies a playback configuration of the playback device from a first configuration to a second configuration based on the queried state information corresponding to the identifier of the first device base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Patent number: 11480998
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Uttermann, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20220312072
    Abstract: An example computing system may be configured to receive an indication that a user device has been detected in a commercial environment and to determine a first set of musical preferences associated with the commercial environment. The example computing system may also be configured to determine a user profile associated with the user device and to determine a second set of musical preferences associated with the user profile. The example computing system may also be configured to, based on at least (i) the first set of musical preferences associated with the commercial environment, and (ii) the second set of musical preferences associated with the user profile, determine one or more media items for playback and then cause one or more playback devices in the commercial environment to play back the one or more media items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Taylor, Andrew Kwatinetz, Benjamin Rappoport, Russell Dougherty, Dayn Wilberding, Nicholas D'Amato
  • Publication number: 20220132246
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a passive speaker include (i) activating, by a playback device configured to drive the passive speaker, a passive speaker identification circuit of the passive speaker by providing an identification signal to an input terminal of the passive speaker, wherein the passive speaker is a particular type of passive speaker having particular acoustic characteristics; (ii) while the passive speaker identification circuit is active, measuring, by the playback device, an electrical current of the identification signal; (iii) determining, based on the measured electrical current of the identification signal, an impedance modulation of the passive speaker; (iv) determining, by the playback device, the particular type of the passive speaker based on the impedance modulation of the passive speaker; and (v) applying, by the playback device, a calibration to the playback device based on the determined particular type of the passive speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Nick D'Amato, IV, Benjamin Rappoport, Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen, Andrea Testa, Nash Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Publication number: 20220129238
    Abstract: Examples described herein involve networking in a media playback system. In one aspect, an access point may prevent two or more grouped playback devices from being steered to different networks. In another aspect, an access point may operate as a sleep proxy for a playback device. In a third aspect, an example system may include a fixture configured to receive a bulb. Example bulbs include sound bulbs with one or more audio transducers and access point bulbs, among other examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Lawrence Stefani, Benjamin Rappoport
  • Patent number: 11206484
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a passive speaker include (i) activating, by a playback device configured to drive the passive speaker, a passive speaker identification circuit of the passive speaker by providing an identification signal to an input terminal of the passive speaker, wherein the passive speaker is a particular type of passive speaker having particular characteristics; (ii) while the passive speaker identification circuit is active, measuring, by the playback device, an electrical current of the identification signal; (iii) determining, based on the measured electrical current of the identification signal, an impedance modulation of the passive speaker; (iv) determining, by the playback device, the particular type of the passive speaker based on the impedance modulation of the passive speaker; and (v) applying, by the playback device, a calibration to the playback device based on the determined particular type of the passive speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick D'Amato, Benjamin Rappoport, Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen, Andrea Testa, Nash Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Publication number: 20200367002
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve a playback device modifying its playback configuration when the playback device is placed onto a device base. In an example implementation, the playback device may receive, via an 802.15-compatible radio of one or more network interfaces, one or more packets comprising data representing an identifier of the first device base. After receipt of the one or more packets, the playback device queries a database for state information corresponding to the identifier of the first device base and modifies a playback configuration of the playback device from a first configuration to a second configuration based on the queried state information corresponding to the identifier of the first device base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Patent number: 10735878
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve a first playback device forming a stereo pair with a second playback device while the first playback device is placed onto a device base, and conversely, playing in mono while the first playback device is removed from the device base. In an example implementation, while a first playback device is placed onto a device base, the first playback device plays back audio content as a stereo pair with a second playback device. The first playback device detects, via a sensor, removal of the first playback device from the device base. When the first playback device is removed from the device base, the first playback device is configured to play back audio content in mono. Configuring the first playback device to play back audio content in mono removes the first playback device from the stereo pair with the second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20200117235
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Uttermann, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20200077188
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a passive speaker include (i) activating, by a playback device configured to drive the passive speaker, a passive speaker identification circuit of the passive speaker by providing an identification signal to an input terminal of the passive speaker, wherein the passive speaker is a particular type of passive speaker having particular characteristics; (ii) while the passive speaker identification circuit is active, measuring, by the playback device, an electrical current of the identification signal; (iii) determining, based on the measured electrical current of the identification signal, an impedance modulation of the passive speaker; (iv) determining, by the playback device, the particular type of the passive speaker based on the impedance modulation of the passive speaker; and (v) applying, by the playback device, a calibration to the playback device based on the determined particular type of the passive speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Nick D'Amato, Benjamin Rappoport, Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen, Andrea Testa, Nash Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 10474193
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Uttermann, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson
  • Publication number: 20190222948
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve a first playback device forming a stereo pair with a second playback device while the first playback device is placed onto a device base, and conversely, playing in mono while the first playback device is removed from the device base. In an example implementation, while a first playback device is placed onto a device base, the first playback device plays back audio content as a stereo pair with a second playback device. The first playback device detects, via a sensor, removal of the first playback device from the device base. When the first playback device is removed from the device base, the first playback device is configured to play back audio content in mono. Configuring the first playback device to play back audio content in mono removes the first playback device from the stereo pair with the second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Patent number: 10264376
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve assigning different properties to state variables that control operation of a playback device based on whether or not the playback device is placed upon a device base. An example implementation includes a playback device detecting, via a sensor, whether the playback device is placed onto a device base. If the playback device detects that the playback device is placed onto the device base, the playback device assigns one or more docked properties to the one or more state variables that control operation of the playback device. Otherwise, the playback device assigns one or more portable properties to the one or more state variables that control operation of the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20190075411
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve assigning different properties to state variables that control operation of a playback device based on whether or not the playback device is placed upon a device base. An example implementation includes a playback device detecting, via a sensor, whether the playback device is placed onto a device base. If the playback device detects that the playback device is placed onto the device base, the playback device assigns one or more docked properties to the one or more state variables that control operation of the playback device. Otherwise, the playback device assigns one or more portable properties to the one or more state variables that control operation of the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Patent number: 10129673
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a control device identifying a playback device base in a media playback system. The playback device base includes an interface to communicate with a playback device placed on the playback device base. The example implementation may further involve a control device receiving an input comprising a zone property to assign to the playback device base, and causing the identified playback device base to be assigned the zone property, wherein the zone property is associated with a particular zone of a media playback system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20170359663
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a control device identifying a playback device base in a media playback system. The playback device base includes an interface to communicate with a playback device placed on the playback device base. The example implementation may further involve a control device receiving an input comprising a zone property to assign to the playback device base, and causing the identified playback device base to be assigned the zone property, wherein the zone property is associated with a particular zone of a media playback system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventor: Benjamin Rappoport
  • Publication number: 20170308123
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed. The portable computing device can take many forms such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, and so on. The portable computing device can include at least a single piece housing. The single piece housing can be machined from a single billet of material, such as a billet of aluminum. The single piece housing can include ledges with a surface receiving a trim bead and a cover. Corner brackets can be attached to the single piece housing to improve the damage resistance of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen R. McClure, Sean S. Corbin, John P. Ternus, Kevin D. Gibbs, Jeremy C. Franklin, Elvis M. Kibiti, John Raff, Jules B. Henry, Benjamin Rappoport, Derek W. Wright, Erik A. Utterman, Ming Yu, Carl R. Peterson