Patents by Inventor Hilmar Lehnert
Hilmar Lehnert 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: 12375849Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2023Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
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Publication number: 20250240596Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting bass levels of a multi-channel audio signal include, among other features, (i) receiving the multi-channel signal via a playback device; (ii) separating, from the multi-channel signal, low-frequency signals comprising frequencies less than a threshold frequency; (iii) determining electrical energies of the low-frequency signals; (iv) determining a first energy by summing the electrical energies of the low-frequency signals; (v) consolidating the low-frequency signals into a consolidated low-frequency signal; (vi) determining a second energy by determining an electrical energy of the consolidated low-frequency signal; (vii) generating a gain-adjusted low-frequency signal by adjusting a gain of the consolidated low-frequency signal based on both (a) the first energy and (b) the second energy; (viii) generating a gain-adjusted multi-channel signal by mixing the gain-adjusted low-frequency signal back into the multi-channel signal; and (ix) using the gain-adjusted multi-channel sType: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2024Publication date: July 24, 2025Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos, Bob Dizon
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Publication number: 20250234145Abstract: To avoid damage from overheating, playback device operation can be modulated based on input from temperature sensors. An example method includes obtaining, via one or more temperature sensors carried by the playback device, temperature data. Based on the temperature data, a first temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the first temperature parameter, a gain of audio playback is decreased by a first amount. After decreasing the gain of audio playback by the first amount, a second temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the second temperature parameter, the gain of audio playback is decreased by a second amount different than the first amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: July 17, 2025Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos
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Publication number: 20250234132Abstract: Systems and methods for providing augmented arrays for audio playback are disclosed. An example playback device includes a first transducer configured to output audio along a first acoustic axis and a second transducer configured to output audio along a second acoustic axis. The playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content including at least a first input channel and a second input channel. The device plays back first audio output via the first transducer based on the first input channel and directed along the first acoustic axis, and plays back second audio output via the second transducer based on the second input channel and directed along the second acoustic axis, wherein the second audio output at least partially cancels the first audio output along a first spatial region offset from the first acoustic axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2025Publication date: July 17, 2025Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Chris Davies, Paul MacLean
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Publication number: 20250193571Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a headphone device which operates in various modes applying different gesture profiles based on various operational, playback, or environmental conditions. An example headphone device includes a first earbud and a second earbud communicatively coupled to each other. One or both of the earbuds include a touch-sensitive interface and a processor. The earbuds are configured to interpret a first set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface as respective commands while operating in a first mode. Upon detecting a change in an operational condition, one or both earbuds transition to a second mode where the earbuds are configured to interpret a second set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface as respective commands, different from the respective commands correlating to the first set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2024Publication date: June 12, 2025Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
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Patent number: 12256200Abstract: To avoid damage from overheating, playback device operation can be modulated based on input from temperature sensors. An example method includes obtaining, via one or more temperature sensors carried by the playback device, temperature data. Based on the temperature data, a first temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the first temperature parameter, a gain of audio playback is decreased by a first amount. After decreasing the gain of audio playback by the first amount, a second temperature parameter is detected. In response to detecting the second temperature parameter, the gain of audio playback is decreased by a second amount different than the first amount.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2023Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos
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Patent number: 12250528Abstract: Systems and methods for providing augmented arrays for audio playback are disclosed. An example playback device includes a first transducer configured to output audio along a first acoustic axis and a second transducer configured to output audio along a second acoustic axis. The playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content including at least a first input channel and a second input channel. The device plays back first audio output via the first transducer based on the first input channel and directed along the first acoustic axis, and plays back second audio output via the second transducer based on the second input channel and directed along the second acoustic axis, wherein the second audio output at least partially cancels the first audio output along a first spatial region offset from the first acoustic axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2024Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Chris Davies, Paul MacLean
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Publication number: 20250063300Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2024Publication date: February 20, 2025Inventors: Nicholas D'Amato, Benjamin Rappoport, Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen, Andrea Testa, Nash Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
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Publication number: 20250024217Abstract: In some embodiments, a method comprises receiving audio content comprising left input channel signals and right input channel signals, and generating first and second input signals from the left and right input channel signals. The first input signal is based on a sum of the left and right input channel signals, and the second input signal is based on a difference of the left and right input channel signals. An array transfer function is applied to the first and second input signals to produced audio output signals, which can be provided to a plurality of audio transducers on one or more playback devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2024Publication date: January 16, 2025Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Paul MacLean
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Patent number: 12200453Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2024Date of Patent: January 14, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
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Patent number: 12170885Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting bass levels of a multi-channel audio signal include, among other features, (i) receiving the multi-channel signal via a playback device; (ii) separating, from the multi-channel signal, low-frequency signals comprising frequencies less than a threshold frequency; (iii) determining electrical energies of the low-frequency signals; (iv) determining a first energy by summing the electrical energies of the low-frequency signals; (v) consolidating the low-frequency signals into a consolidated low-frequency signal; (vi) determining a second energy by determining an electrical energy of the consolidated low-frequency signal; (vii) generating a gain-adjusted low-frequency signal by adjusting a gain of the consolidated low-frequency signal based on both (a) the first energy and (b) the second energy; (viii) generating a gain-adjusted multi-channel signal by mixing the gain-adjusted low-frequency signal back into the multi-channel signal; and (ix) using the gain-adjusted multi-channel sType: GrantFiled: June 9, 2023Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos, Bob Dizon
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Publication number: 20240348962Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a charging system for wireless earbuds involving charging adapters that are attachable to the wireless earbuds. In some implementations, the charging adapter is attachable to an external surface of an earbud using a magnetic or mechanical interface that align electrodes of the charging adapter with electrodes on the wireless headset, allowing an internal battery of the earbud to draw current and charge from the charging adapter while the earbud is in-ear. Then, when the internal battery is and recharged using a charging case or wall charger, the charging adapter can be detached from the earbud.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
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Patent number: 12101591Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a headphone device which operates in various modes applying different gesture profiles based on various operational, playback, or environmental conditions. An example headphone device includes a first earbud and a second earbud communicatively coupled to each other. One or both of the earbuds include a touch-sensitive interface and a processor. The earbuds are configured to interpret a first set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface as respective commands while operating in a first mode. Upon detecting a change in an operational condition, one or both earbuds transition to a second mode where the earbuds are configured to interpret a second set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface as respective commands, different from the respective commands correlating to the first set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2023Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
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Publication number: 20240314496Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
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Patent number: 12081953Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas D'Amato, Benjamin Rappoport, Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen, Andrea Testa, Nash Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
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Publication number: 20240242724Abstract: Multichannel audio playback devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some examples, a first playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content comprising left, right and center input channels. In a first mode, the first playback device is configured to play back audio via a plurality of transducers based on the left, right, and center input channels. In a second mode, in which the first playback device is bonded to second and third playback devices, the first playback device is configured to (i) play back audio via the plurality of transducers based on at least the center input channel, (ii) cause audio to be played via the second playback device based on at least the right input channel, and (iii) cause audio to be played via the third playback device based on at least the left input channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2024Publication date: July 18, 2024Inventors: Richard Jackson, Hilmar Lehnert, Chris Davies, Paul MacLean, Roberto Maria Dizon
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Publication number: 20240236569Abstract: Systems and methods for providing augmented arrays for audio playback are disclosed. An example playback device includes a first transducer configured to output audio along a first acoustic axis and a second transducer configured to output audio along a second acoustic axis. The playback device is configured to receive a source stream of audio content including at least a first input channel and a second input channel. The device plays back first audio output via the first transducer based on the first input channel and directed along the first acoustic axis, and plays back second audio output via the second transducer based on the second input channel and directed along the second acoustic axis, wherein the second audio output at least partially cancels the first audio output along a first spatial region offset from the first acoustic axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2024Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Chris Davies, Paul MacLean
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Publication number: 20240187777Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a headphone device which operates in various modes applying different gesture profiles based on various operational, playback, or environmental conditions. An example headphone device includes a first earbud and a second earbud communicatively coupled to each other. One or both of the earbuds include a touch-sensitive interface and a processor. The earbuds are configured to interpret a first set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface as respective commands while operating in a first mode. Upon detecting a change in an operational condition, one or both earbuds transition to a second mode where the earbuds are configured to interpret a second set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface as respective commands, different from the respective commands correlating to the first set of gestures to the touch-sensitive interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2023Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
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Patent number: D1043613Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: SONOS, INC.Inventors: Roland Bird, Roger Swales, Niels van Hoof, Lukasz Natkaniec, Mieko Kusano, Stefan Reichert, Dana Krieger, Tadeo T. Toulis, Mike Chamness, Hilmar Lehnert, Wilfred Wei, Wei Hean Liew
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Patent number: D1063891Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2021Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: SONOS, INC.Inventors: Stefan Reichert, Mieko Kusano, Roland Bird, Roger Swales, Niels van Hoof, Lukasz Natkaniec, Dana Krieger, Tadeo T. Toulis, Mike Chamness, Hilmar Lehnert, Wilfred Wei, Wei Hean Liew