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).

  • Patent number: 12615484
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20260023524
    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: July 28, 2025
    Publication date: January 22, 2026
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
  • Publication number: 20260003565
    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: June 13, 2025
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20250383835
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2025
    Publication date: December 18, 2025
    Inventors: Shilpa Sarode, Zach Buchman, Jennifer Iudice, Neil Griffiths, Katie Inglis, Kristen Leclerc
  • Publication number: 20250365195
    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: August 12, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
  • Publication number: 20250342812
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Inventors: Shilpa Sarode, Zach Buchman, Jennifer Morse, Katie Inglis, Ashley Conway, Neil Griffiths, Peter Dodds
  • Publication number: 20250330136
    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: April 7, 2025
    Publication date: October 23, 2025
    Inventors: Bob Dizon, Neil Griffiths, Luis R. Vega Zayas
  • Publication number: 20250324212
    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: June 23, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness
  • Publication number: 20250254086
    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 18, 2024
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
  • Publication number: 20250254482
    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: January 16, 2025
    Publication date: August 7, 2025
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 12373162
    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: October 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 12342152
    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: November 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness
  • Patent number: 12333209
    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: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon Reilly, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 12273084
    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: January 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Dizon, Neil Griffiths, Luis R. Vega Zayas
  • Patent number: 12212937
    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: February 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 12155527
    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: January 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mark Triplett
  • Patent number: 12096187
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20240289087
    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: October 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 12069444
    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 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20240187808
    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: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Neil Griffiths, Mike Chamness