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).

  • Publication number: 20230370795
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 11812250
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness
  • Patent number: 11809779
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 11789692
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20230327625
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Bob Dizon, Neil Griffith, Luis R. Vega Zayas
  • Publication number: 20230300021
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 11758342
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 11681281
    Abstract: Examples described herein involve a playback device performing one or more playback device actions based on locations of one or more physical contacts on an external surface of the playback device. A processor of the playback device may receive from an array of proximity sensors underlying an external surface of the playback device, location data indicating a physical contact at a location on the external surface. Based on at least the location, the processor may identify a playback device action from a plurality of playback device actions, and cause at least the playback device to perform the identified playback device action. The playback device may further include at least one orientation sensor from which the processor may also receive orientation data indicating an orientation of the playback device. The processor may identify the playback device action also based on the orientation of the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Chris Bierbower, Matt Nelson, Paul Kafadar
  • Publication number: 20230188915
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20230111138
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20230093725
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness
  • Patent number: 11552843
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 11545948
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Dizon, Neil Griffiths, Luis R. Vega Zayas
  • Patent number: 11516608
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 11457327
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness
  • Publication number: 20220295202
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20220253271
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
  • Publication number: 20220229627
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20220217041
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
  • Publication number: 20220141606
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths