Patents by Inventor Neil Griffiths
Neil Griffiths 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: 12615484Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include network devices and systems of network devices. Some network device embodiments include (i) first and second network interfaces, (ii) a processor(s), (iii) tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and (iv) program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor. Execution of the program instructions in some embodiments causes the network device to perform operations comprising (i) operating as part of a group with at least a second network device, (ii) receiving, via the first network interface, a message from a third network device, (iii) obtaining media content based on the message, (iv) transmit, via the second network interface, audio associated with the obtained media content to the second network device, and (v) causing video associated with the obtained media content to be output while the second network device outputs audio associated with the obtained media content.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2024Date of Patent: April 28, 2026Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
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Publication number: 20260023524Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for providing play/pause content. An example method includes receiving a command to play audio from a zone, the zone including one or more playback devices, wherein the zone is configured to play items from a playback queue responsive to the command to play audio. The example method also includes determining that the playback queue includes no playable items. The example method also includes automatically placing information identifying at least one playable item in the playback queue. The example method also includes, responsive to the command to play audio, causing to play the at least one playable item by the zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2025Publication date: January 22, 2026Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
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Publication number: 20260003565Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for detecting presence of an object in proximity to a playback device and responsively performing one or more operations. In an example implementation, a playback device detects, via a proximity detector of the playback device, presence of an object in proximity to the playback device. In response to detecting the presence of the object, the playback device performs one or more operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2025Publication date: January 1, 2026Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
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Publication number: 20250383835Abstract: Playback devices and methods performed by same. In one example, a playback device includes a plurality of audio transducers and a communication interface. The playback device can be configured to play back first audio content via the plurality of audio transducers, while playing back the first audio content, detect, via the first communication interface, a first indication of incoming second audio content associated with a telecommunications session hosted on an external computing device, based on the first indication, transition from playing back the first audio content to causing playback of the second audio content, detect, after detecting the first indication, a second indication associated with termination of the telecommunications session, and revert, based on the second indication, to playback of the first audio content via the plurality of audio transducers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2025Publication date: December 18, 2025Inventors: Shilpa Sarode, Zach Buchman, Jennifer Iudice, Neil Griffiths, Katie Inglis, Kristen Leclerc
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Publication number: 20250365195Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate configuration and naming of a multimedia playback device on a local playback network are disclosed. An example method includes identifying and analyzing local network topology to identify playback device(s) connected to the network at location(s). The example method includes analyzing a playback device to be added and comparing the playback device to be added to the playback device(s) already connected to the network. The example method includes displaying available option(s) to name the playback device to be added based on the analysis of the network, the already connected playback device(s) and the playback device to be added to the network. The example method includes naming the playback device to be added based on a selected available option.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2025Publication date: November 27, 2025Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
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Publication number: 20250342812Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying playback based on audio content in another zone are described. An example method includes playing back first audio content via a first zone of a media playback system according to a first parameter, and detecting playback of second audio content via a second zone of the media playback system according to a second parameter. Based on the second audio content and/or the second parameter, the first parameter can be adjusted. The first audio content is then played back via the first zone according to the first adjusted parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2025Publication date: November 6, 2025Inventors: Shilpa Sarode, Zach Buchman, Jennifer Morse, Katie Inglis, Ashley Conway, Neil Griffiths, Peter Dodds
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Publication number: 20250330136Abstract: Embodiments are provided for satellite volume control. An example method includes receiving an input at a playback device to adjust a volume for a plurality of playback devices that are grouped for synchronous playback of audio content, wherein the plurality of playback devices includes the playback device. The method also includes sending a first message over a network from the playback device to a device associated with the plurality of playback devices, the first message including information based on the input, wherein the information is used to adjust the volume of the plurality of playback devices. The method also includes receiving a second message at the playback device over the network, the second message including information for the volume of the playback device, wherein the volume is based on the adjusted volume of the plurality of playback devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2025Publication date: October 23, 2025Inventors: Bob Dizon, Neil Griffiths, Luis R. Vega Zayas
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Publication number: 20250324212Abstract: A first subwoofer may be configured to output multimedia content in synchrony with at least one other playback device and a second subwoofer. The first subwoofer may, based on a received indication of an acoustic characteristic of the at least one other playback device, determine a crossover frequency of (i) the first subwoofer and the second subwoofer and (ii) the at least one other playback device. After determining the crossover frequency, the first subwoofer may output a first tone set and a second tone set in synchrony with the second subwoofer and the at least one other playback device, and after outputting the first tone set and the second tone set, receive, from a controller device, an indication of a selected one of the first tone set or the second tone set. Based on the selected tone set, the first subwoofer may adjust a phase setting of the first subwoofer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2025Publication date: October 16, 2025Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness
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Publication number: 20250254086Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate configuration and naming of a multimedia playback device on a local playback network are disclosed. An example method includes identifying and analyzing local network topology to identify playback device(s) connected to the network at location(s). The example method includes analyzing a playback device to be added and comparing the playback device to be added to the playback device(s) already connected to the network. The example method includes displaying available option(s) to name the playback device to be added based on the analysis of the network, the already connected playback device(s) and the playback device to be added to the network. The example method includes naming the playback device to be added based on a selected available option.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2024Publication date: August 7, 2025Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
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Publication number: 20250254482Abstract: Example techniques involve a calibration state variable. An example implementation receives, via a network interface, an indication that the first playback device is calibrated. Based on receiving the indication that the first playback device is calibrated, the example implementation updates a calibration state variable to indicate that the first playback device is calibrated, wherein the calibration state variable is stored in the data storage. The example implementation sends, via the network interface, an indication of the updated calibration state variable to a second device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: August 7, 2025Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
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Patent number: 12373162Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for providing play/pause content. An example method includes receiving a command to play audio from a zone, the zone including one or more playback devices, wherein the zone is configured to play items from a playback queue responsive to the command to play audio. The example method also includes determining that the playback queue includes no playable items. The example method also includes automatically placing information identifying at least one playable item in the playback queue. The example method also includes, responsive to the command to play audio, causing to play the at least one playable item by the zone.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2023Date of Patent: July 29, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
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Patent number: 12342152Abstract: A first subwoofer may be configured to output multimedia content in synchrony with at least one other playback device and a second subwoofer. The first subwoofer may, based on a received indication of an acoustic characteristic of the at least one other playback device, determine a crossover frequency of (i) the first subwoofer and the second subwoofer and (ii) the at least one other playback device. After determining the crossover frequency, the first subwoofer may output a first tone set and a second tone set in synchrony with the second subwoofer and the at least one other playback device, and after outputting the first tone set and the second tone set, receive, from a controller device, an indication of a selected one of the first tone set or the second tone set. Based on the selected tone set, the first subwoofer may adjust a phase setting of the first subwoofer.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2023Date of Patent: June 24, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness
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Patent number: 12333209Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for detecting presence of an object in proximity to a playback device and responsively performing one or more operations. In an example implementation, a playback device detects, via a proximity detector of the playback device, presence of an object in proximity to the playback device. In response to detecting the presence of the object, the playback device performs one or more operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2022Date of Patent: June 17, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
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Patent number: 12273084Abstract: Embodiments are provided for satellite volume control. An example method includes receiving an input at a playback device to adjust a volume for a plurality of playback devices that are grouped for synchronous playback of audio content, wherein the plurality of playback devices includes the playback device. The method also includes sending a first message over a network from the playback device to a device associated with the plurality of playback devices, the first message including information based on the input, wherein the information is used to adjust the volume of the plurality of playback devices. The method also includes receiving a second message at the playback device over the network, the second message including information for the volume of the playback device, wherein the volume is based on the adjusted volume of the plurality of playback devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Bob Dizon, Neil Griffiths, Luis R. Vega Zayas
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Patent number: 12212937Abstract: Example techniques involve a calibration state variable. An example implementation receives, via a network interface, an indication that the first playback device is calibrated. Based on receiving the indication that the first playback device is calibrated, the example implementation updates a calibration state variable to indicate that the first playback device is calibrated, wherein the calibration state variable is stored in the data storage. The example implementation sends, via the network interface, an indication of the updated calibration state variable to a second device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2024Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
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Patent number: 12155527Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate configuration and naming of a multimedia playback device on a local playback network are disclosed. An example method includes identifying and analyzing local network topology to identify playback device(s) connected to the network at location(s). The example method includes analyzing a playback device to be added and comparing the playback device to be added to the playback device(s) already connected to the network. The example method includes displaying available option(s) to name the playback device to be added based on the analysis of the network, the already connected playback device(s) and the playback device to be added to the network. The example method includes naming the playback device to be added based on a selected available option.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
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Patent number: 12096187Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a speaker driver, a processor, and a computer readable medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to implement a method. The example method includes receiving, from a first audio information source, first audio information. The example method includes playing back the first audio information. The example method includes receiving, from a second audio information source, (i) a first message, and (ii) second audio information.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
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Publication number: 20240289087Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for providing play/pause content. An example method includes receiving a command to play audio from a zone, the zone including one or more playback devices, wherein the zone is configured to play items from a playback queue responsive to the command to play audio. The example method also includes determining that the playback queue includes no playable items. The example method also includes automatically placing information identifying at least one playable item in the playback queue. The example method also includes, responsive to the command to play audio, causing to play the at least one playable item by the zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2023Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
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Patent number: 12069444Abstract: Example techniques involve a calibration state variable. An example implementation receives, via a network interface, an indication that the first playback device is calibrated. Based on receiving the indication that the first playback device is calibrated, the example implementation updates a calibration state variable to indicate that the first playback device is calibrated, wherein the calibration state variable is stored in the data storage. The example implementation sends, via the network interface, an indication of the updated calibration state variable to a second device.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2023Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
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Publication number: 20240187808Abstract: A first subwoofer may be configured to output multimedia content in synchrony with at least one other playback device and a second subwoofer. The first subwoofer may, based on a received indication of an acoustic characteristic of the at least one other playback device, determine a crossover frequency of (i) the first subwoofer and the second subwoofer and (ii) the at least one other playback device. After determining the crossover frequency, the first subwoofer may output a first tone set and a second tone set in synchrony with the second subwoofer and the at least one other playback device, and after outputting the first tone set and the second tone set, receive, from a controller device, an indication of a selected one of the first tone set or the second tone set. Based on the selected tone set, the first subwoofer may adjust a phase setting of the first subwoofer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2023Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness