Patents by Inventor Paul Andrew Bates

Paul Andrew 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).

  • Patent number: 9395950
    Abstract: An example method may include displaying, by a network device, an indication of a first audio content and an indication of a second audio content; receiving, by the network device, first input data indicating a request for the first audio content to be played by a group of one or more playback devices; causing, by the network device, the group of one or more playback devices to render the first audio content; receiving, by the network device, second input data indicating a request to audition the second audio content using the network device; and in response to the request to audition the second audio content, rendering, by the network device, the second audio content while the group of one or more playback devices is playing the first audio content. An example network device and an example non-transitory computer-readable medium related to the example method may also be disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Paul Lang
  • Publication number: 20160182584
    Abstract: An example implementation involves a playback device receiving, from a control device, data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue that is playable by the playback device. This first media item is available to the first playback device at a first network location. The example implementation also involves determining that the first media item is unavailable to the playback device by determining that the control device has disconnected from the media playback system. Based on determining that the first media item is unavailable to the playback device, the playback device identifies a second media item that is equivalent to the first media item. This second media item is available to the playback device at a second network location that is different from the first network location and the playback device. The playback device replaces the first media item in the queue with the second media item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Steven Beckhardt, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 9319153
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for accessing media content on a mobile device. In one embodiment, a user may add media from a mobile device carried by the user to a queue of media that may be rendered by a media system in communication with the mobile device. In one example, the user may select a subset of media from the mobile device to add to the queue, such that only the subset of media is accessible to the media system while the non-selected media on the mobile device remains private. In one case, the mobile device may become disconnected from the media system such that the added subset of media is no longer accessible by the media system. In this case, the media system may search for media equivalent to the subset of media, and replace the subset of media in the queue with the equivalent media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Steven Beckhardt, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 9304735
    Abstract: A first playback device may include a processor and data storage including program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the first playback device to: playback a first audio content in synchrony with at least one second playback device; receive a command to play back a second audio content; stop playback of the first audio content based on the received command; and after stopping playback of the first audio content, play back the second audio content for a predefined duration of time. The program code may then cause the first playback device to: (i) after playing back the second audio content, resume playback of the first audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device, or (ii) play back the second audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Paul Lang
  • Publication number: 20160092560
    Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that provide searches, including a multi-dimensional search, a cross-source search, or both in a media playback system. The search can be initiated by way of a selection of a location on user interface of a controller. The location corresponds to one or more metadata that is used in the search. Results are sorted and displayed. In some embodiments, metadata is used to filter and/or sort the results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20160021085
    Abstract: Techniques provided herein may facilitate set-up of an audio system with audio content services that have been previously registered on a second system. An example technique involves a computing device maintaining data representing a list of audio services from which an audio system can receive streaming music and data indicating that a first audio service is registered with the audio system. The device receives data indicating a second audio service added to the list of audio services. An application on the computing device may be configured to receive streaming music from the second audio service using particular authentication information. The device causes display of a graphical representation of the second service indicating that the particular authentication information is available from the application. The device may detect a selection of the second service and cause the audio system to receive streaming music from the second service using the particular authentication information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20160021104
    Abstract: Techniques provided herein may facilitate registering audio content services with an audio system. An example technique involves a computing device receiving via a control interface for controlling an audio system, an input to register an audio content service with the audio system, where an audio content service application corresponding to the audio content service is installed on the computing device. The computing device identifies authentication information used by the audio content service application to access the audio content service and registers the audio system with the audio content service based at least in part on authentication information used by the audio content service application to access the audio content service. After registering the audio system with the audio content service, the computing device causes at least one playback device of the audio system to stream music from the audio content service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20160004417
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for providing on a display of a computing device, playback controls for a particular playback zone of a media playback system, while the computing device is in a locked state. The playback controls may then be selected to control playback of media content in the playback zone, while the computing device remains in the locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20160005302
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for displaying on a network device graphical display, an indication of an alarm, a media playback system playback zone associated with the alarm, and a control element for deactivating the alarm. The indication may be displayed in response to the network device receiving data indicating that the alarm is going off or is about to go off in the playback zone. A selection of the control element for deactivating the alarm may prompt a controller interface of the media playback system to be displayed on the graphical display, and the alarm may be deactivated via the controller interface. Alternatively, the selection of the control element may cause the alarm to be deactivated without displaying the controller interface. To deactivate the alarm, the network device may send to one or more playback devices in the playback zone, a transmission indicating that the alarm is to be deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Bates
  • Patent number: 9185103
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assisting a user with setting up an audio system with audio content services the user is already registered with. One method may involve receiving a list of a plurality of audio services supported by an audio system, selecting an audio service from the list of plurality of audio services, and determining whether a computing device application corresponding to the audio service is present on a computing device operated by the user and associated with the audio system. If the computing device application is present on the computing device operated by the user, the audio service may be set up with the audio system based on the user's registration information. In one case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may require additional user input. In another case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may be automatic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20150271227
    Abstract: An example implementation involves a playback device receiving a request to add continuous automated streaming audio content to a playback queue, the request indicating a playback start time, and the playback queue indicating a plurality of audio content. The implementation further involves the playback device adding the continuous automated streaming audio content to the playback queue. The example implementation also involves the playback device determining that a duration until the playback start time is less than a duration of the given audio content before playing a given audio content in the playback queue. The example implementation involves the playback device responsively, playing the continuous automated streaming audio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20150220301
    Abstract: An example implementation may include causing a group of one or more playback devices to render first audio content. The example implementation may also include displaying an indication of second audio content, the second audio content comprising two or more songs. The example implementation may further include receiving first input data indicating a request to audition the second audio content; and in response to the request to audition the second audio content, rendering at least one of the two or more songs while the group of one or more playback devices is rendering the first audio content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Paul Lang
  • Patent number: 9078010
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adding audio content to a playback queue. In one example, a method involves receiving a request to add automated streaming audio content to a particular playback position in a playback queue. The playback queue may indicate a plurality of audio content and a corresponding playback position associated with each of the plurality of audio content for playback. The method further involves determining a playback duration for the automated streaming audio content, adding the automated streaming audio content to the playback queue at the particular playback position, and causing the automated streaming audio content to be rendered at the particular playback position in the playback queue for the determined playback duration. The automated streaming audio content may include discrete automated streaming audio content and/or continuous automated streaming audio content. Respective examples for adding discrete and continuous automated streaming audio content are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar
  • Publication number: 20150169283
    Abstract: An example method may include displaying, by a network device, an indication of a first audio content and an indication of a second audio content; receiving, by the network device, first input data indicating a request for the first audio content to be played by a group of one or more playback devices; causing, by the network device, the group of one or more playback devices to render the first audio content; receiving, by the network device, second input data indicating a request to audition the second audio content using the network device; and in response to the request to audition the second audio content, rendering, by the network device, the second audio content while the group of one or more playback devices is playing the first audio content. An example network device and an example non-transitory computer-readable medium related to the example method may also be disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Paul Lang
  • Publication number: 20150058964
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assisting a user with setting up an audio system with audio content services the user is already registered with. One method may involve receiving a list of a plurality of audio services supported by an audio system, selecting an audio service from the list of plurality of audio services, and determining whether a computing device application corresponding to the audio service is present on a computing device operated by the user and associated with the audio system. If the computing device application is present on the computing device operated by the user, the audio service may be set up with the audio system based on the user's registration information. In one case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may require additional user input. In another case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may be automatic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20150051723
    Abstract: A first playback device may include a processor and data storage including program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the first playback device to: playback a first audio content in synchrony with at least one second playback device; receive a command to play back a second audio content; stop playback of the first audio content based on the received command; and after stopping playback of the first audio content, play back the second audio content for a predefined duration of time. The program code may then cause the first playback device to: (i) after playing back the second audio content, resume playback of the first audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device, or (ii) play back the second audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Paul Lang
  • Patent number: 8908879
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for playback of audio content in an “audition mode.” A system may be providing audio content to be rendered by a group of playback devices, when receiving a request to audition a second audio content with at least one playback device from the group of playback devices. The system may then suspend rendering of the first audio content at the at least one playback device, and provide the second audio content to be rendered by the at least one playback device for a duration of time. Upon exiting audition mode, either by completion of the second audio content, expiration of the duration of time, or request to exit audition mode, the system may resume rendering of the first audio content by the at least one playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar, Jonathan Paul Lang
  • Patent number: 8910265
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assisting a user with setting up an audio system with audio content services the user is already registered with. One method may involve receiving a list of a plurality of audio services supported by an audio system, selecting an audio service from the list of plurality of audio services, and determining whether a computing device application corresponding to the audio service is present on a computing device operated by the user and associated with the audio system. If the computing device application is present on the computing device operated by the user, the audio service may be set up with the audio system based on the user's registration information. In one case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may require additional user input. In another case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may be automatic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20140096219
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assisting a user with setting up an audio system with audio content services the user is already registered with. One method may involve receiving a list of a plurality of audio services supported by an audio system, selecting an audio service from the list of plurality of audio services, and determining whether a computing device application corresponding to the audio service is present on a computing device operated by the user and associated with the audio system. If the computing device application is present on the computing device operated by the user, the audio service may be set up with the audio system based on the user's registration information. In one case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may require additional user input. In another case, the setup of the audio system with the audio service may be automatic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lang, Paul Andrew Bates
  • Publication number: 20140094943
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adding audio content to a playback queue. In one example, a method involves receiving a request to add automated streaming audio content to a particular playback position in a playback queue. The playback queue may indicate a plurality of audio content and a corresponding playback position associated with each of the plurality of audio content for playback. The method further involves determining a playback duration for the automated streaming audio content, adding the automated streaming audio content to the playback queue at the particular playback position, and causing the automated streaming audio content to be rendered at the particular playback position in the playback queue for the determined playback duration. The automated streaming audio content may include discrete automated streaming audio content and/or continuous automated streaming audio content. Respective examples for adding discrete and continuous automated streaming audio content are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Abhishek Kumar