Patents by Inventor Brent Lehman

Brent Lehman 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: 20230297325
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 11531517
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Publication number: 20210255821
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 10853023
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Publication number: 20190121604
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 10108393
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Publication number: 20170235545
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 9686606
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 9681223
    Abstract: Technology for smart line-in processing in an audio environment is disclosed. An example playback device includes a line-in connector for receiving a first audio signal, a network interface, and a processor. A computer readable storage medium has stored instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, and, in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, (i) cease playback of a second audio signal being played by the playback device, wherein the second audio signal is not present at the line-in connector, (ii) cause the playback device to play at least a first portion of the first audio signal, and (iii) cause the playback device to transmit, via the network interface, at least a second portion of the first audio signal to another playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Publication number: 20150172809
    Abstract: An example playback device includes a first interface for receiving a first audio signal from a first audio source; a second interface for receiving a second audio signal from a second audio source; and a processor configured to: cause the playback device to playback the second audio signal; determine that the first audio signal is present at the first interface; in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the first interface, (i) cease playback of the second audio signal being played by the playback device and (ii) cause the playback device to playback the first audio signal; receive an instruction to stop the playback device from playing the first audio signal while the first audio signal is still present at the first interface; and arm the playback device such that a subsequent presence of the first audio signal at the first interface causes the playback device to play the first audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Publication number: 20150086045
    Abstract: Technology for smart line-in processing in an audio environment is disclosed. An example playback device includes a line-in connector for receiving a first audio signal, a network interface, and a processor. A computer readable storage medium has stored instructions executable by the processor to determine that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, and, in response to determining that the first audio signal is present at the line-in connector, (i) cease playback of a second audio signal being played by the playback device, wherein the second audio signal is not present at the line-in connector, (ii) cause the playback device to play at least a first portion of the first audio signal, and (iii) cause the playback device to transmit, via the network interface, at least a second portion of the first audio signal to another playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Patent number: 8938312
    Abstract: Technology for smart line-in processing in an audio environment is disclosed. Particularly, the embodiments described herein provide automated source switching in an audio environment where a number of audio sources may exist and volume control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman
  • Publication number: 20120263318
    Abstract: Technology for smart line-in processing in an audio environment is disclosed. Particularly, the embodiments described herein provide automated source switching in an audio environment where a number of audio sources may exist and volume control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Millington, Tom Cullen, Robert Reimann, Brent Lehman