Patents by Inventor Connor Smith

Connor Smith 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: 20230273706
    Abstract: Some examples of the disclosure are directed to methods for spatial placement of avatars in a communication session. In some examples, while a first electronic device is presenting a three-dimensional environment, the first electronic device may receive an input corresponding to a request to enter a communication session with a second electronic device. In some examples, in response to receiving the input, the first electronic device may scan an environment surrounding the first electronic device. In some examples, the first electronic device may identify a placement location in the three-dimensional environment at which to display a virtual object representing a user of the second electronic device. In some examples, the first electronic device displays the virtual object representing the user of the second electronic device at the placement location in the three-dimensional environment. Some examples of the disclosure are directed to methods for spatial refinement in the communication session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Connor A. SMITH, Benjamin H. BOESEL, David H. HUANG, Jeffrey S. NORRIS, Jonathan PERRON, Jordan A. CAZAMIAS, Miao REN, Shih-Sang CHIU
  • Patent number: 11501773
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword, and determines whether one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied. Based on (a) detecting the first command keyword and (b) determining that the one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied, the playback device playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Publication number: 20220277742
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword of in voice input of sound detected by one or more microphones of the playback device. The playback device determines an intent based on at least one keyword in the voice input via a local natural language unit (NLU). After detecting the first command keyword event and determining the intent, the playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword and according to the determined intent. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Publication number: 20220230635
    Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to toggling a cloud-based VAS between enabled and disabled modes. An example implementation involves a NMD detecting that the housing is in a first orientation and enabling a first mode. Enabling the first mode includes disabling voice input processing via a cloud-based VAS and enabling local voice input processing. In the first mode, the NMD captures sound data associated with a first voice input and detects, via a local natural language unit, that the first voice input comprises sound data matching one or more keywords. The NMD determines an intent of the first voice input and performs a first command according to the determined intent. The NMD may detect that the housing is in a second orientation and enables the second mode. Enabling the second mode includes enabling voice input processing via the cloud-based VAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Fiede Schillmoeller, Connor Smith
  • Publication number: 20220208186
    Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to offline voice control. A local voice input engine may process voice inputs locally when processing voice inputs via a cloud-based voice assistant service is not possible. Some techniques involve local (on-device) voice-assisted set-up of a cloud-based voice assistant service. Further example techniques involve local voice-assisted troubleshooting the cloud-based voice assistant service. Other techniques relate to interactions between local and cloud-based processing of voice inputs on a device that supports both local and cloud-based processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventor: Connor Smith
  • Patent number: 11361756
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes at least one microphone configured to detect sound. The playback detects sound via the one or more microphones and determines whether (i) the detected sound includes a voice input, (ii) the detected sound excludes background speech, and (iii) the voice input includes a command keyword. In response to the determining, the playback device performs a playback function corresponding to the command keyword.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Patent number: 11200900
    Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to offline voice control. A local voice input engine may process voice inputs locally when processing voice inputs via a cloud-based voice assistant service is not possible. Some techniques involve local (on-device) voice-assisted set-up of a cloud-based voice assistant service. Further example techniques involve local voice-assisted troubleshooting the cloud-based voice assistant service. Other techniques relate to interactions between local and cloud-based processing of voice inputs on a device that supports both local and cloud-based processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Connor Smith
  • Patent number: 11200894
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword of in voice input of sound detected by one or more microphones of the playback device. The playback device determines an intent based on at least one keyword in the voice input via a local natural language unit (NLU). After detecting the first command keyword event and determining the intent, the playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword and according to the determined intent. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Patent number: 11189286
    Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to toggling a cloud-based VAS between enabled and disabled modes. An example implementation involves a NMD detecting that the housing is in a first orientation and enabling a first mode. Enabling the first mode includes disabling voice input processing via a cloud-based VAS and enabling local voice input processing. In the first mode, the NMD captures sound data associated with a first voice input and detects, via a local natural language unit, that the first voice input comprises sound data matching one or more keywords. The NMD determines an intent of the first voice input and performs a first command according to the determined intent. The NMD may detect that the housing is in a second orientation and enables the second mode. Enabling the second mode includes enabling voice input processing via the cloud-based VAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Fiede Schillmoeller, Connor Smith
  • Publication number: 20210325974
    Abstract: Techniques for displaying a virtual object in an enhanced reality setting in accordance with a physical muting mode being active are described. In some examples, a system obtains context data for one or more physical elements in a physical setting, wherein the context data includes first context data and second context data that is different from the first context data. In some examples, in response to obtaining the context data for the one or more physical elements in the physical setting, a system causes display of a virtual object that represents the one or more physical elements using the first context data without using the second context data, in accordance with a determination that a physical muting mode is active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Clément Pierre Nicolas BOISSIÈRE, Shaun BUDHRAM, Tucker Bull MORGAN, Bruno M. SOMMER, Connor A. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210193137
    Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to offline voice control. A local voice input engine may process voice inputs locally when processing voice inputs via a cloud-based voice assistant service is not possible. Some techniques involve local (on-device) voice-assisted set-up of a cloud-based voice assistant service. Further example techniques involve local voice-assisted troubleshooting the cloud-based voice assistant service. Other techniques relate to interactions between local and cloud-based processing of voice inputs on a device that supports both local and cloud-based processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventor: Connor Smith
  • Publication number: 20210118439
    Abstract: As noted above, example techniques relate to toggling a cloud-based VAS between enabled and disabled modes. An example implementation involves a NMD detecting that the housing is in a first orientation and enabling a first mode. Enabling the first mode includes disabling voice input processing via a cloud-based VAS and enabling local voice input processing. In the first mode, the NMD captures sound data associated with a first voice input and detects, via a local natural language unit, that the first voice input comprises sound data matching one or more keywords. The NMD determines an intent of the first voice input and performs a first command according to the determined intent. The NMD may detect that the housing is in a second orientation and enables the second mode. Enabling the second mode includes enabling voice input processing via the cloud-based VAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Fiede Schillmoeller, Connor Smith
  • Publication number: 20200395013
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword, and determines whether one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied. Based on (a) detecting the first command keyword and (b) determining that the one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied, the playback device playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Publication number: 20200395010
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword of in voice input of sound detected by one or more microphones of the playback device. The playback device determines an intent based on at least one keyword in the voice input via a local natural language unit (NLU). After detecting the first command keyword event and determining the intent, the playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword and according to the determined intent. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Publication number: 20200395006
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes at least one microphone configured to detect sound. The playback detects sound via the one or more microphones and determines whether (i) the detected sound includes a voice input, (ii) the detected sound excludes background speech, and (iii) the voice input includes a command keyword. In response to the determining, the playback device performs a playback function corresponding to the command keyword.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Patent number: 10586540
    Abstract: In one aspect, a playback device includes a voice assistant service (VAS) wake-word engine and a command keyword engine. The playback device detects, via the command keyword engine, a first command keyword, and determines whether one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied. Based on (a) detecting the first command keyword and (b) determining that the one or more playback conditions corresponding to the first command keyword are satisfied, the playback device playback device performs a first playback command corresponding to the first command keyword. When the playback device detects, via the wake-word engine, a wake-word in voice input, the playback device streams sound data corresponding to at least a portion of the voice input to one or more remote servers associated with the VAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Connor Smith, John Tolomei, Kurt Soto
  • Patent number: 9192188
    Abstract: A dietary supplement and method of supplementation comprises a vegetable component consisting essentially of juices extracted from two parts by weight fresh, unpeeled carrots; one part by weight fresh, unpeeled beet root; one part by weight of fresh, unpeeled cucumber; and a selected quantity of aloe vera juice. A cleansing component includes at least one of the following: about 2 fluid ounces (59.1 ml) of lemon juice; about 1.5-2 fluid ounces (44.3 to 59.1 ml) of lime juice; about 1 fluid ounce (29.6 ml) of aloe vera juice; and about 4-6 fluid ounces (118.3 to 177.4 ml) of cranberry juice. The vegetable component is ingested orally twice daily and the cleansing component is ingested orally once daily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Inventor: Delphine Agatha O'Connor-Smith
  • Publication number: 20140271947
    Abstract: A dietary supplement and method of supplementation comprises a vegetable component consisting essentially of juices extracted from two parts by weight fresh, unpeeled carrots; one part by weight fresh, unpeeled beet root; one part by weight of fresh, unpeeled cucumber; and a selected quantity of aloe vera juice. A cleansing component includes at least one of the following: about 2 fluid ounces (59.1 ml) of lemon juice; about 1.5-2 fluid ounces (44.3 to 59.1 ml) of lime juice; about 1 fluid ounce (29.6 ml) of aloe vera juice; and about 4-6 fluid ounces (118.3 to 177.4 ml) of cranberry juice. The vegetable component is ingested orally twice daily and the cleansing component is ingested orally once daily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Delphine Agatha O'Connor-Smith
  • Publication number: 20110032666
    Abstract: A media player is provided with a lateral groove across the back of the housing of the media player that receives a user's forefinger and provides an ergonomic grip for the media player. A control button, including thumb operated button zones and a thumb operated slider zone is located on a front face of the housing. When the user grips the media player with their forefinger located in the lateral groove, the user's thumb is naturally adjacent the button zones and slider zone. A docking station for the media player that fits within a cup holder of a motor vehicle is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Hendrik Gideonse, Connor Smith
  • Patent number: 5905443
    Abstract: A satellite-based, world-wide cellular messaging system (5) transmits paging messages to pagers (2) via multiple beams. A pager (2) monitors multiple beams, recording the schedules for each beam, and by combining the schedules for multiple beams, ultimately determines which frames in the message groups to monitor for messages. Pager (2), which conserves battery resources by entering into a sleep mode, synchronizes quickly to its message block when it awakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Andrew Olds, Patrick O'Connor Smith, Ralph Charles Gregg