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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Patent number: 11042355Abstract: 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: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20210026595Abstract: 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: August 10, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20200409652Abstract: 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: July 13, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, Jake Szymanski, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20200395015Abstract: 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: June 29, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Gregory Burlingame, Christopher Butts, Romi Kadri, Jonathan P. Lang
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Publication number: 20200357410Abstract: 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: March 16, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 10764679Abstract: 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 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: 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: 10740065Abstract: 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: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 10712997Abstract: 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: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: 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: 20200213725Abstract: 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 2, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: 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: 10699711Abstract: 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: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Gregory Burlingame, Christopher Butts, Romi Kadri, Jonathan P. Lang
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Publication number: 20200177989Abstract: 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: February 3, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20200117423Abstract: 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: December 16, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 10593331Abstract: 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: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 10555077Abstract: 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: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Mark Plagge, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 10509626Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein include (i) receiving a voice command via a networked microphone device configured to receive voice commands for a media playback system, wherein the media playback system comprises a primary media playback device configured to perform a function and/or provide a first feedback in response to voice commands received via the networked microphone device, (ii) determining that the primary media playback device is not available to perform a function and/or provide the first feedback in response to the voice command, and (iii) in response to determining that the primary media playback device is not available to perform a function and/or provide the first feedback in response to the voice command, instructing a fallback device to perform a function and/or provide a second feedback in response to the voice command.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Publication number: 20190377545Abstract: 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: July 29, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 10499146Abstract: 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: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: 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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Publication number: 20190341045Abstract: 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 20, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Gregory Burlingame, Christopher Butts, Romi Kadri, Jonathan P. Lang
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Patent number: 10365889Abstract: 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: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Mark Plagge, Simon Jarvis, Christopher Butts
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Patent number: 10297256Abstract: 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: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Gregory Burlingame, Christopher Butts, Romi Kadri, Jonathan P. Lang