Patents by Inventor Paul A Bates
Paul A Bates 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: 11175815Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve modification of playback based on the proximity of a user to a playback device. An example technique involves a device determining that a listener is within a given proximity of a first playback device and based on determining that the listener is within the given proximity of the first playback device, causing the first playback device to begin playback of first media and causing a second playback device to modify playback of second media.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Luis Vega, Paul Bates, Jason Kendall
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Patent number: 11175880Abstract: Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include (i) capturing a voice input comprising a request for media content, (ii) receiving information derived at least from the request for media content, (iii) requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, wherein (a) the information identifies first media content available via the first media content service for playback and identifies second media content available via the second media content service for playback, and (b) the first and second media content are related to the requested media content, and (iv) after receiving at least one of the first information and the second information, (a) selecting the first media content instead of the second media content, and (b) playing back the first media content.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20210342043Abstract: Embodiments are provided for enabling a user to control multiple media playback systems with a single mobile device. The mobile device may connect with a first or second media playback system based on receiving a first or second household identifier (HHID), respectively. If the mobile device receives both the first and second HHIDs, the mobile device may connect with either the first or second media playback system based on a priority of the two systems. If neither the first nor second HHIDs are received by the mobile device, a user may be prompted to add a third media playback system if the mobile device receives a third HHID. The user interface of the mobile device may receive an input to connect the mobile device to the third media playback system, and a connection may be established between the mobile device and the third media playback system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Paul Bates, Joni Rafalski Hoadley, Lee Keyser-Allen
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Publication number: 20210343285Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining voice assistant persistence across multiple network microphone devices are described. In one example, first and second NMDs each identify a wake word based on detected sound, and are each transitioned from an inactive state to an active state in which the NMD captures and transmits sound data over a network interface. The first NMD is selected over the second NMD to output a first response, and both NMDs remain in the active state to further capture and transmit sound data. After further capturing and transmitting of sound data, the second NMD is selected over the first NMD to output a second response. After a predetermined time, one or both of the NMDs are transitioned back to the inactive state. The selection of one NMD over another for outputting a response can be based at least in part on user location information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20210311988Abstract: Examples described herein relate to music discovery. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves (a) receiving by a computing device an indication of a search tool from among a plurality of search tools, where each search tool of the plurality of search tools is associated with at least one respective media service, (b) receiving by the computing device an indication of a media characteristic, where the computing device receives the media characteristic via the indicated search tool, (c) selecting by the computing device one or more of the at least one respective media service that maintains media associated with the indicated media characteristic, and (d) sending by the computing device an indication of the selected one or more of the at least one respective media service.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventor: Paul Bates
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Patent number: 11120794Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining voice assistant persistence across multiple network microphone devices are described. In one example, first and second NMDs each identify a wake word based on detected sound, and are each transitioned from an inactive state to an active state in which the NMD captures and transmits sound data over a network interface. The first NMD is selected over the second NMD to output a first response, and both NMDs remain in the active state to further capture and transmit sound data. After further capturing and transmitting of sound data, the second NMD is selected over the first NMD to output a second response. After a predetermined time, one or both of the NMDs are transitioned back to the inactive state. The selection of one NMD over another for outputting a response can be based at least in part on user location information.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20210271351Abstract: Example techniques involve control of a media playback system involving multiple zones. A control application may include different control interfaces for respective zones of the multiple zones. A control interface for a given zone may include transport controls to control playback in the zone, volume controls to control zone volume level, and an indication of media playing back in the zone. A user may utilize swipe inputs to switch between the control interfaces in order to control different zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Robert Reimann, Abhishek Kumar, Paul Bates
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Patent number: 11080329Abstract: Example techniques involve a dynamic display of filter criteria on a control device. In one aspect, the control device retrieves first search results from a plurality of streaming media services and displays an interface including a first region that includes selectable controls corresponding to respective first filter criteria of a first set of filter criteria for filtering the retrieved first search results according to respective streaming media services and a second region that includes a graphical representation of (i) the first search results corresponding to a given first filter criteria and (ii) metadata identifiers that separate the retrieved first search results into sets corresponding to respective types of metadata. When a given selectable control corresponding to a particular streaming media service is selected, the interface is updated to display, in place of the first search results, a graphical representation of second search results from the particular streaming media service.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Abhishek Kumar, Robert A. Lambourne, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20210216272Abstract: An example playback device is configured to play back a first media item and, while playing back the first media item, receive a voice command to enter a preview mode in which the playback device plays back one or more second media items for a predetermined duration that is shorter than a total duration of the one or more second media items. Responsive to receiving the voice command, the playback device enters the preview mode, thereby (i) suspending playback of the first media item and (ii) initiating playback of the one or more second media items for the predetermined duration. The playback device subsequently terminates the preview mode, thereby (i) terminating playback of the one or more second media items, and (ii) resuming playback of the first media item.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Paul Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Lang
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Publication number: 20210145115Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes a main body and a projection extending downwardly from the main body. The projection includes a projection assembly. The projection assembly includes a first pod and a second pod coupled to the first pod by a connecting tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Paul BATES, Paul E. LITCHFIELD, David LACORAZZA, William MCINNIS
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Patent number: 10983750Abstract: Example techniques may involve guest access to a media playback system. A guest may use a guest control device, such as a smartphone or tablet, to control aspects of a host's media playback system. In addition, the guest may temporarily register their user account of a streaming audio service with the host's media playback system, which enables playback of audio content from that service by one or more playback devices of the media playback system. When the guest control device de-registers from the host's media playback system, retrieval of audio content from the streaming audio service is disabled.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Paul Bates, Lee Keyser-Allen, Jonathan P. Lang, Diane Roberts, Nicholas A. J. Millington
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Publication number: 20210112304Abstract: An example first playback device includes programming to perform functions including receiving a first request to associate with a first playback queue that is stored remotely from, and persists unassociated with, any playback device of the media playback system. The functions also include associating with the first playback queue and designating the first playback queue as an active queue of the first playback device. The functions also include receiving a second request to enter into a group with a second playback device that is associated with a second playback queue, entering into the group with the second playback device, associating with the second playback queue, and designating the second playback queue as the active queue of the first playback device. The functions also include receiving a third request to leave the group, and after receiving the third request, de-designating the second playback queue as its active queue.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Luis R. Vega-Zayas, Kristen Johansen, Paul Bates, Abhishek Kumar
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Patent number: 10969940Abstract: Embodiments are provided for enabling a user to control multiple media playback systems with a single mobile device. The mobile device may connect with a first or second media playback system based on receiving a first or second household identifier (HHID), respectively. If the mobile device receives both the first and second HHIDs, the mobile device may connect with either the first or second media playback system based on a priority of the two systems. If neither the first nor second HHIDs are received by the mobile device, a user may be prompted to add a third media playback system if the mobile device receives a third HHID. The user interface of the mobile device may receive an input to connect the mobile device to the third media playback system, and a connection may be established between the mobile device and the third media playback system.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Paul Bates, Joni Rafalski Hoadley, Lee Keyser-Allen
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Patent number: 10963508Abstract: Examples described herein relate to music discovery. In one aspect, a method is provided that involves (a) receiving by a computing device an indication of a search tool from among a plurality of search tools, where each search tool of the plurality of search tools is associated with at least one respective media service, (b) receiving by the computing device an indication of a media characteristic, where the computing device receives the media characteristic via the indicated search tool, (c) selecting by the computing device one or more of the at least one respective media service that maintains media associated with the indicated media characteristic, and (d) sending by the computing device an indication of the selected one or more of the at least one respective media service.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: Paul Bates
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Patent number: 10956118Abstract: A processor and memory comprising instructions stored therein executable by the processor to display a first media item available for playback, wherein the first media item is associated at least with a preview option, a playback option, and a queue option. A first input associated with the first media item is received. The first input is determined to correspond only to the preview option. Responsive to determining that the first input corresponds only to the preview option, causing at least a portion of the first media item to be played.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Paul Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Lang
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Patent number: 10932519Abstract: A sole for an article of footwear includes: a foam base; a lateral pod assembly having a plurality of pods fluidly connected in series disposed below the foam base, wherein the lateral pod assembly extends from a heel portion of the sole to a forefoot portion of the sole along a lateral side of the sole; and a medial pod assembly having a plurality of pods fluidly connected in series disposed below the foam base, wherein the medial pod assembly extends from a heel portion of the sole to a forefoot portion of the sole along a medial side of the sole, wherein a portion of the foam base extends between the lateral pod assembly and the medial pod assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Reebok International LimitedInventors: Paul Bates, Paul E. Litchfield, David Lacorazza, William McInnis
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Publication number: 20200409652Abstract: Systems and methods for use in a media playback system comprising one or more playback devices are disclosed, where a playback device has a corresponding first set of device attributes used by a first controller application. The methods include: (i) identifying a second set of device attributes used by a second controller application to control the playback device, (ii) selecting a second device attribute for the playback device from the second set of device attributes based at least in part on a first device attribute; (iii) storing the selected second device attribute in the first set of device attributes; and (iv) controlling at least one function of the playback device using the selected second device attribute.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, Jake Szymanski, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
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Publication number: 20200393958Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve modification of playback based on the proximity of a user to a playback device. An example technique involves a device determining that a listener is within a given proximity of a first playback device and based on determining that the listener is within the given proximity of the first playback device, causing the first playback device to begin playback of first media and causing a second playback device to modify playback of second media.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Inventors: Luis Vega, Paul Bates, Jason Kendall
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Publication number: 20200349935Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining voice assistant persistence across multiple network microphone devices are described. In one example, first and second NMDs each identify a wake word based on detected sound, and are each transitioned from an inactive state to an active state in which the NMD captures and transmits sound data over a network interface. The first NMD is selected over the second NMD to output a first response, and both NMDs remain in the active state to further capture and transmit sound data. After further capturing and transmitting of sound data, the second NMD is selected over the first NMD to output a second response. After a predetermined time, one or both of the NMDs are transitioned back to the inactive state. The selection of one NMD over another for outputting a response can be based at least in part on user location information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Paul Bates
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Patent number: 10820044Abstract: An example first playback device includes programming to perform functions including receiving a first request to associate with a first playback queue that is stored remotely from, and persists unassociated with, any playback device of the media playback system. The functions also include associating with the first playback queue and designating the first playback queue as an active queue of the first playback device. The functions also include receiving a second request to enter into a group with a second playback device that is associated with a second playback queue, entering into the group with the second playback device, associating with the second playback queue, and designating the second playback queue as the active queue of the first playback device. The functions also include receiving a third request to leave the group, and after receiving the third request, de-designating the second playback queue as its active queue.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Luis Vega-Zayas, Kristen Johansen, Paul Bates, Abhishek Kumar