Patents by Inventor John G. Tolomei

John G. Tolomei 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: 20240114179
    Abstract: A media playback system for streaming content and/or playing stored media content is disclosed. The media playback system can configure the first playback device to stream content items received via a network connection without storing the streamed content in a first content store. After receiving an indication to store content, the media playback system identifies one or more content items to download for storage in the first content store. After the one or more content items are selected, the content items can be retrieved and stored on the playback device. Furthermore, the media playback system can configure a playback device to play content items from the first content store of the first playback device. In this manner, the first playback device need not be connected to the Internet or to a controller device to play content. Moreover, the playback device can switch between playing stored content and streaming content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Ryan Richard Myers, Konstantin Vovk, Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Publication number: 20230353942
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Patent number: 11696074
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Publication number: 20220007111
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Patent number: 11197096
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Publication number: 20200389732
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Patent number: 10681460
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Publication number: 20200007987
    Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include detecting a first wake word via a first network microphone device of a first playback device, detecting a second wake word via a second network microphone device of a second playback device, and forming a bonded zone that includes the first playback device and the second playback device. In response to detecting the first wake word, a first voice first voice utterance following the first wake word is transmitted a first voice assistant service. In response to detecting the second wake word, a second voice utterance following the second wake word is transmitted to a second voice assistant service. Requested media content received from the first and/or second voice assistant service is played back via the first playback device and the second playback device in synchrony with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Sein Woo, John G. Tolomei
  • Patent number: 4788844
    Abstract: An apparatus for straightens long slender shafts by moving a force couple over the length of the shaft as the shaft is rotated. The force couple is applied by two or more contact points with at least two contact points being located on opposite sides of the shaft. The contact points are mounted on a movable base. A pair of parallel guide rods receive the base and restrain the base against movement in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. A lever, pivotally mounted to the base, holds one of the contact points. Movement of the lever controls the magnitude of the force couple and movement of the base relative to the shafts. The lever can be manually operated to lend simplicity to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Inventive Enterprises Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Summers, David J. Summers, John G. Tolomei