Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Torgerson
Jeffrey Torgerson 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: 11962815Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a first media stream and a first media stream identifier. The first networked device may receive the first media stream via a wireless network connection. Operations may further include receiving, from a second networked device, a second media stream identifier that corresponds to a second media stream the second networked device is receiving from the media source device. Operations may further include determining a common stream characteristic between the first media stream and the second media stream and, in response to determining the common stream characteristic, grouping the second networked device with the first networked device. Operations may further include transmitting, to a controller device, an indication that the first networked device and second networked device are grouped.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Patent number: 11956480Abstract: While a first playback device is a member of a synchronous media playback group with a second playback device using a first media playback protocol, and after a particular playback setting is enabled using the first media playback protocol, the first playback device receives, from a media source device, a first media stream using a second media playback protocol. The first and second media playback protocols are incompatible. The first playback device determines that the particular playback setting is enabled and that the synchronous media playback group includes the first playback device and the second playback device. Subsequently, the first playback device (i) generates a second media stream based on the received first media stream, the second media stream including information for synchronous playback with the first playback device, and (ii) transmits, to the second playback device, the second media stream using the second media playback protocol.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Publication number: 20240036810Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include one or more playback devices, server systems, and/or computing devices, individually or in combination determining that an item is present within an area comprising a playback device, wherein the item has corresponding media content associated therewith, and in response to determining that the item is present within the area comprising the playback device, causing the playback device to play the media content corresponding to the item, wherein the media content comprises one or both of audio content or video content.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Jeffrey Torgerson, Paul Bates, Matt Welch, Sanford Spivey, Ryan Taylor
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Publication number: 20230326458Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Patent number: 11740854Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include one or more playback devices, server systems, and/or computing devices, individually or in combination determining that an item is present within an area comprising a playback device, wherein the item has corresponding media content associated therewith, and in response to determining that the item is present within the area comprising the playback device, causing the playback device to play the media content corresponding to the item, wherein the media content comprises one or both of audio content or video content.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Torgerson, Paul Bates, Matt Welch, Sanford Spivey, Ryan Taylor
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Publication number: 20230209100Abstract: While a first playback device is a member of a synchronous media playback group with a second playback device using a first media playback protocol, and after a particular playback setting is enabled using the first media playback protocol, the first playback device receives, from a media source device, a first media stream using a second media playback protocol. The first and second media playback protocols are incompatible. The first playback device determines that the particular playback setting is enabled and that the synchronous media playback group includes the first playback device and the second playback device. Subsequently, the first playback device (i) generates a second media stream based on the received first media stream, the second media stream including information for synchronous playback with the first playback device, and (ii) transmits, to the second playback device, the second media stream using the second media playback protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2022Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Patent number: 11676590Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Patent number: 11539984Abstract: While a first playback device is a member of a synchronous media playback group with a second playback device using a first media playback protocol, and after a particular playback setting is enabled using the first media playback protocol, the first playback device receives, from a media source device, a first media stream using a second media playback protocol. The first and second media playback protocols are incompatible. The first playback device determines that the particular playback setting is enabled and that the synchronous media playback group includes the first playback device and the second playback device. Subsequently, the first playback device (i) generates a second media stream based on the received first media stream, the second media stream including information for synchronous playback with the first playback device, and (ii) transmits, to the second playback device, the second media stream using the second media playback protocol.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Publication number: 20210329309Abstract: While a first playback device is a member of a synchronous media playback group with a second playback device using a first media playback protocol, and after a particular playback setting is enabled using the first media playback protocol, the first playback device receives, from a media source device, a first media stream using a second media playback protocol. The first and second media playback protocols are incompatible. The first playback device determines that the particular playback setting is enabled and that the synchronous media playback group includes the first playback device and the second playback device. Subsequently, the first playback device (i) generates a second media stream based on the received first media stream, the second media stream including information for synchronous playback with the first playback device, and (ii) transmits, to the second playback device, the second media stream using the second media playback protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Publication number: 20210314633Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a first media stream and a first media stream identifier. The first networked device may receive the first media stream via a wireless network connection. Operations may further include receiving, from a second networked device, a second media stream identifier that corresponds to a second media stream the second networked device is receiving from the media source device. Operations may further include determining a common stream characteristic between the first media stream and the second media stream and, in response to determining the common stream characteristic, grouping the second networked device with the first networked device. Operations may further include transmitting, to a controller device, an indication that the first networked device and second networked device are grouped.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Patent number: 11051048Abstract: A network media system forms a group comprising a first networked device and a second networked device using a first media playback protocol. The network media system includes the first networked device and the second networked device. The network media system determines a group coordinator for the group using the first media playback protocol. The network media system transmits, to a media source device, a group network identity using a second media playback protocol. The media source device and one of the first networked device and the second networked device are configured to use the first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol. The first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol are incompatible.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Patent number: 10986376Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a first media stream and a first media stream identifier. The first networked device may receive the first media stream via a wireless network connection. Operations may further include receiving, from a second networked device, a second media stream identifier that corresponds to a second media stream the second networked device is receiving from the media source device. Operations may further include determining a common stream characteristic between the first media stream and the second media stream and, in response to determining the common stream characteristic, grouping the second networked device with the first networked device. Operations may further include transmitting, to a controller device, an indication that the first networked device and second networked device are grouped.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Publication number: 20210110826Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Patent number: 10818290Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Publication number: 20200252660Abstract: A network media system forms a group comprising a first networked device and a second networked device using a first media playback protocol. The network media system includes the first networked device and the second networked device. The network media system determines a group coordinator for the group using the first media playback protocol. The network media system transmits, to a media source device, a group network identity using a second media playback protocol. The media source device and one of the first networked device and the second networked device are configured to use the first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol. The first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol are incompatible.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Publication number: 20200233635Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include one or more playback devices, server systems, and/or computing devices, individually or in combination determining that an item is present within an area comprising a playback device, wherein the item has corresponding media content associated therewith, and in response to determining that the item is present within the area comprising the playback device, causing the playback device to play the media content corresponding to the item, wherein the media content comprises one or both of audio content or video content.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Jeffrey Torgerson, Paul Bates, Matt Welch, Sanford Spivey, Ryan Taylor
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Patent number: 10631017Abstract: A network media system forms a group comprising a first networked device and a second networked device using a first media playback protocol. The network media system includes the first networked device and the second networked device. The network media system determines a group coordinator for the group using the first media playback protocol. The network media system transmits, to a media source device, a group network identity using a second media playback protocol. The media source device and one of the first networked device and the second networked device are configured to use the first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol. The first media playback protocol and the second media playback protocol are incompatible.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson, Robert A. Lambourne
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Publication number: 20200014960Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a first media stream and a first media stream identifier. The first networked device may receive the first media stream via a wireless network connection. Operations may further include receiving, from a second networked device, a second media stream identifier that corresponds to a second media stream the second networked device is receiving from the media source device. Operations may further include determining a common stream characteristic between the first media stream and the second media stream and, in response to determining the common stream characteristic, grouping the second networked device with the first networked device. Operations may further include transmitting, to a controller device, an indication that the first networked device and second networked device are grouped.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Publication number: 20190287522Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
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Patent number: 10362339Abstract: A first networked device may perform operations including receiving, from a media source device, a first media stream and a first media stream identifier. The first networked device may receive the first media stream via a wireless network connection. Operations may further include receiving, from a second networked device, a second media stream identifier that corresponds to a second media stream the second networked device is receiving from the media source device. Operations may further include determining a common stream characteristic between the first media stream and the second media stream and, in response to determining the common stream characteristic, grouping the second networked device with the first networked device. Operations may further include transmitting, to a controller device, an indication that the first networked device and second networked device are grouped.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Jeffrey Torgerson