Patents by Inventor Paul Bates

Paul 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).

  • Publication number: 20230244714
    Abstract: 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 associate 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventor: Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11651334
    Abstract: A computer system including sensor and alternative power technologies for enhancing waste disposal and energy efficiency using is provided. The computer system may be configured to receive waste data and recycling data from at least one sensor located proximate to a waste bin, and determine a level of waste in the waste bin based upon the received waste data, and a level of contamination of the waste bin based upon the received recycling data. The computer system may be also configured to determine whether collection of waste in the waste bin or decontamination of the waste bin is required. The computer system may be further configured to generate an alert including information corresponding collection or decontamination of the waste bin, and transmit the alert to one or more client devices associated with at least one user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventors: Matthew Megyese, Sarah Ann Lockenvitz, Paul Bates, Nicholas Carmelo Marotta, Cathy Jo Roth, Austin Rowley, Jared Wheet
  • Publication number: 20230126124
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
  • Publication number: 20230125193
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Paul Bates, Lee Keyser-Allen, Jonathan P. Lang, Diane Roberts, Nicholas A.J. Millington
  • Patent number: 11625430
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11494060
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bates, Joni Rafalski Hoadley, Lee Keyser-Allen
  • Publication number: 20220353556
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Luis Vega, Paul Bates, Jason Kendall
  • Patent number: 11481182
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Chris Bierbower, Mish Fabok, Jake Szymanski, JD Hooge, Tristan Wood, Chip Truex, Christopher Butts, Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11467799
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Bates, Lee Keyser-Allen, Jonathan P. Lang, Diane Roberts, Nicholas A. J. Millington
  • Publication number: 20220122583
    Abstract: In one aspect, a user's intent can be inferred based on voice analysis during a communications session, and prompts can be presented, or other actions taken, at least partly in response to the inferred intent. For example, a network microphone device (NMD) having one or more microphones can capture voice input and transmit the voice input to remote computing device(s) for a communication session (e.g., a videoconference). The NMD can analyze the voice input to detect one or more utterances. Based on the utterance(s), the NMD can cause a user prompt to be displayed via a display device communicatively coupled to the NMD. The particular prompt can depend at least in part on one or more context parameters associated with the communication session (e.g., a microphone state of one or more users, a screen share state of one or more users, or a recording status of the session, etc.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventor: Paul Bates
  • Publication number: 20220121418
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
  • Publication number: 20220012999
    Abstract: A device for evaluating aspects of health of a residential property configured to: (i) receive a first element of internal home health data captured by one or more smart devices installed within a residential property, the first element of internal home health data reflecting an aspect of operational quality of one or more assets of the residential property; (ii) determine a safety score based upon the first element of internal home health data; (iii) receive a second element of internal home health data captured by the one or more smart devices; (iv) determine a home health score based upon the first or second elements of internal home health data, the home health score representing a measure of health of the residential property; and (v) cause to be displayed, to a homeowner via a graphical user interface, a home health evaluation that includes the safety score and the home health score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas Carmelo Marotta, Austin Rowley, Michael Scott Harrison, Jared Wheet, Cathy Jo Roth, Matthew Megyese, JD Johnson Willingham, Laura Anne Uphoff, Paul Bates, Stacee Madsen
  • Publication number: 20220013222
    Abstract: A device for evaluating aspects of health of a residential property configured to: (i) receive a first element of internal home health data captured by one or more smart devices installed within a residential property, the first element of internal home health data reflecting an aspect of operational quality of one or more assets of the residential property; (ii) determine a safety score based upon the first element of internal home health data; (iii) receive a second element of internal home health data captured by the one or more smart devices; (iv) determine a home health score based upon the first or second elements of internal home health data, the home health score representing a measure of health of the residential property; and (v) cause to be displayed, to a homeowner via a graphical user interface, a home health evaluation that includes the safety score and the home health score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas Carmelo Marotta, Austin Rowley, Michael Scott Harrison, Jared Wheet, Cathy Jo Roth, Matthew Megyese, JD Johnson Willingham, Laura Anne Uphoff, Paul Bates, Stacee Madsen
  • Publication number: 20210373841
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Bates, Lee Keyser-Allen, Jonathan P. Lang, Diane Roberts, Nicholas A.J. Millington
  • Patent number: 11175880
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Sherwin Liu, Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11175815
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Vega, Paul Bates, Jason Kendall
  • Publication number: 20210342043
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Paul Bates, Joni Rafalski Hoadley, Lee Keyser-Allen
  • Publication number: 20210343285
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Paul Bates
  • Publication number: 20210311988
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: Paul Bates
  • Patent number: 11120794
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Connor Kristopher Smith, Paul Bates