Patents by Inventor Christopher Butts
Christopher Butts 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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Publication number: 20240078085Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20240029731Abstract: Disclosed herein are example techniques for voice detection by multiple NMDs. An example implementation may involve one or more servers receiving, via a network interface, data representing multiple audio recordings of a voice input spoken by a given user, each audio recording recorded by a respective NMD of the multiple NMDs, wherein the voice input comprises a detected wake-word. Based on respective sound pressure levels of the multiple audio recordings of the voice input, the servers (i) select a particular NMD of the multiple NMDs and (ii) forego selection of other NMDs of the multiple NMDs. The servers send, via the network interface to the particular NMD, data representing a playback command that corresponds to a voice command in the voice input represented in the multiple audio recordings, wherein the data representing the playback command causes the particular NMD to play back audio content according to the playback command.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Gregory Burlingame, Christopher Butts, Romi Kadri, Jonathan P. Lang
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Patent number: 11832068Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a music service based on a user command. A content type is identified from a received user command and a music service is selected that supports the content type. A selected music service can then transmit audio content associated with the content type for playback.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20230297329Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for receiving a voice command and determining an appropriate action for the media playback system to execute based on user identification. The systems and methods receive a voice command for a media playback system, and determines whether the voice command was received from a registered user of the media playback system. In response to determining that the voice command was received from a registered user, the systems and methods configure an instruction for the media playback system based on content from the voice command and information in a user profile for the registered user.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 11736860Abstract: Multiple aspects of systems and methods for voice control and related features and functionality for various embodiments of media playback devices, networked microphone devices, microphone-equipped media playback devices, and speaker-equipped networked microphone devices are disclosed and described herein, including but not limited to designating and managing default networked devices, audio response playback, room-corrected voice detection, content mixing, music service selection, metadata exchange between networked playback systems and networked microphone systems, handling loss of pairing between networked devices, actions based on user identification, and other voice control of networked devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Yean-Nian Willy Chen, Paul Andrew Bates, Luis Vega-Zayas, Christopher Butts, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Keith Corbin
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Patent number: 11726742Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 11664023Abstract: Disclosed herein are example techniques for voice detection by multiple NMDs. An example implementation may involve one or more servers receiving, via a network interface, data representing multiple audio recordings of a voice input spoken by a given user, each audio recording recorded by a respective NMD of the multiple NMDs, wherein the voice input comprises a detected wake-word. Based on respective sound pressure levels of the multiple audio recordings of the voice input, the servers (i) select a particular NMD of the multiple NMDs and (ii) forego selection of other NMDs of the multiple NMDs. The servers send, via the network interface to the particular NMD, data representing a playback command that corresponds to a voice command in the voice input represented in the multiple audio recordings, wherein the data representing the playback command causes the particular NMD to play back audio content according to the playback command.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Gregory Burlingame, Christopher Butts, Romi Kadri, Jonathan P. Lang
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Publication number: 20230126124Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a media playback system comprising one or more playback devices are disclosed, where a playback device has a corresponding first set of device attributes used by a first controller application. The methods include: (i) identifying a second set of device attributes used by a second controller application to control the playback device, (ii) selecting a second device attribute for the playback device from the second set of device attributes based at least in part on a first device attribute; (iii) storing the selected second device attribute in the first set of device attributes; and (iv) controlling at least one function of the playback device using the selected second device attribute.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20230054164Abstract: Multiple aspects of systems and methods for voice control and related features and functionality for various embodiments of media playback devices, networked microphone devices, microphone-equipped media playback devices, and speaker-equipped networked microphone devices are disclosed and described herein, including but not limited to designating and managing default networked devices, audio response playback, room-corrected voice detection, content mixing, music service selection, metadata exchange between networked playback systems and networked microphone systems, handling loss of pairing between networked devices, actions based on user identification, and other voice control of networked devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2021Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Yean-Nian Willy Chen, Paul Andrew Bates, Luis Vega-Zayas, Christopher Butts, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Keith Corbin
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Patent number: 11556306Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for receiving a voice command and determining an appropriate action for the media playback system to execute based on user identification. The systems and methods receive a voice command for a media playback system, and determines whether the voice command was received from a registered user of the media playback system. In response to determining that the voice command was received from a registered user, the systems and methods configure an instruction for the media playback system based on content from the voice command and information in a user profile for the registered user.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 11481182Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a media playback system comprising one or more playback devices are disclosed, where a playback device has a corresponding first set of device attributes used by a first controller application. The methods include: (i) identifying a second set of device attributes used by a second controller application to control the playback device, (ii) selecting a second device attribute for the playback device from the second set of device attributes based at least in part on a first device attribute; (iii) storing the selected second device attribute in the first set of device attributes; and (iv) controlling at least one function of the playback device using the selected second device attribute.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, Jake Szymanski, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20220256676Abstract: Disclosed herein are example techniques to provide contextual information corresponding to a voice command. An example implementation may involve receiving voice data indicating a voice command, receiving contextual information indicating a characteristic of the voice command, and determining a device operation corresponding to the voice command. Determining the device operation corresponding to the voice command may include identifying, among multiple zones of a media playback system, a zone that corresponds to the characteristic of the voice command, and determining that the voice command corresponds to one or more particular devices that are associated with the identified zone. The example implementation may further involve causing the one or more particular devices to perform the device operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2021Publication date: August 11, 2022Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20220171597Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for establishing a metadata exchange channel between a media playback system and a networked microphone system, wherein the networked microphone system comprises a networked microphone device and a networked microphone server. After establishing the metadata exchange channel, the media playback system experiences a metadata exchange triggering event. In response to experiencing the metadata exchange triggering event, the media playback system provides metadata to the networked microphone system via the metadata exchange channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20220159375Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a music service based on a user command. A content type is identified from a received user command and a music service is selected that supports the content type. A selected music service can then transmit audio content associated with the content type for playback.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20220121414Abstract: An example method may include recording, via a microphone of a first playback device, audio played by a second playback device in accordance with a calibration setting. The method may further include, based on the recorded audio, determining that the calibration setting is invalid. The method may further include, in response to determining that the calibration setting is invalid, sending an indication that the calibration setting is invalid. This disclosure also includes example non-transitory computer readable media and playback devices that are related to the example method.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts, Timothy Sheen, Simon Jarvis
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Publication number: 20210389928Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via at least one microphone of a networked microphone device, wherein the networked microphone device is configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, and wherein the media playback system comprises the networked microphone device and a first playback device configured to play back content, (ii) determining that the networked microphone device is not configured to play back the content, (iii) in response to determining that the networked microphone is not configured to play back the content, determining that the first playback device is available to play back the content, (iv) causing the first playback device to play back the content, (v) determining that the first playback device is no longer available to play back the content, and (vi) selecting a second playback device to play back the content.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2021Publication date: December 16, 2021Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 11184704Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying a music service based on a user command. A content type is identified from a received user command and a music service is selected that supports the content type. A selected music service can then transmit audio content associated with the content type for playback.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 11184969Abstract: Disclosed herein are example techniques to provide contextual information corresponding to a voice command. An example implementation may involve receiving voice data indicating a voice command, receiving contextual information indicating a characteristic of the voice command, and determining a device operation corresponding to the voice command. Determining the device operation corresponding to the voice command may include identifying, among multiple zones of a media playback system, a zone that corresponds to the characteristic of the voice command, and determining that the voice command corresponds to one or more particular devices that are associated with the identified zone. The example implementation may further involve causing the one or more particular devices to perform the device operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 11137979Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for establishing a metadata exchange channel between a media playback system and a networked microphone system, wherein the networked microphone system comprises a networked microphone device and a networked microphone server. After establishing the metadata exchange channel, the media playback system experiences a metadata exchange triggering event. In response to experiencing the metadata exchange triggering event, the media playback system provides metadata to the networked microphone system via the metadata exchange channel.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 11106423Abstract: An example method may include recording, via a microphone of a first playback device, audio played by a second playback device in accordance with a calibration setting. The method may further include, based on the recorded audio, determining that the calibration setting is invalid. The method may further include, in response to determining that the calibration setting is invalid, sending an indication that the calibration setting is invalid. This disclosure also includes example non-transitory computer readable media and playback devices that are related to the example method.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts, Timothy Sheen, Simon Jarvis