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).

  • Patent number: 11974106
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Chris Davies, Paul MacLean
  • Patent number: 11962994
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Paul MacLean
  • Patent number: 11922955
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Jackson, Hilmar Lehnert, Chris Davies, Paul MacLean, Roberto Maria Dizon
  • Patent number: 11910147
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
  • Publication number: 20240031750
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos
  • Patent number: 11825262
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 11818558
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 11792589
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos
  • Publication number: 20230328475
    Abstract: 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 s
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos, Bob Dizon
  • Publication number: 20230224622
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 11700501
    Abstract: 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 s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos, Bob Dizon
  • Publication number: 20230098584
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Publication number: 20230085977
    Abstract: A multi-channel and multi-zone audio environment is provided. Various inventions are disclosed that allow playback devices on one or more networks to provide an effective multi-channel and a multi-zone audio environment using timing information. According to one example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a low-latency network to provide audio along with a video display. In another example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a mesh network to provide audio in one or more zones or zone groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Luis Vega
  • Publication number: 20230078308
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Paul MacLean
  • Publication number: 20230044848
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos
  • Publication number: 20230025612
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 11528574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Paul MacLean
  • Patent number: 11523206
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 11516611
    Abstract: A multi-channel and multi-zone audio environment is provided. Various inventions are disclosed that allow playback devices on one or more networks to provide an effective multi-channel and a multi-zone audio environment using timing information. According to one example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a low-latency network to provide audio along with a video display. In another example, timing information is used to coordinate playback devices connected over a mesh network to provide audio in one or more zones or zone groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Jarvis, Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Luis Vega
  • Patent number: 11496848
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hilmar Lehnert, Aurelio Ramos