Patents by Inventor Robert Caston Curtis
Robert Caston Curtis 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: 11943497Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for network-based audio playback. An embodiment operates by determining that a media device is configured to stream audio content to one or more wireless speakers over a first wireless network. A second wireless network over which the media device is configured to stream the audio content to the one or more wireless speakers is established by the media device. A signal to the one or more wireless speakers to switch from the first wireless network to the second wireless network is provided by the media device. The audio is provided to the wireless speakers for playback over the second wireless network.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Mike Kristoffersen, Rafal Malewski, Rafal Zwierz
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Publication number: 20240015438Abstract: Embodiments included herein generally relate to managing low frequencies of an output signal. For example, a method may include: measuring a sound pressure level (SPL) of a speaker; dynamically selecting a cutoff frequency for operating a first filter configured to provide a first bass component of a bass element of an output signal and a second filter configured to provide a second bass component of the bass element; providing the cutoff frequency to the first filter to configure the first filter to generate the first bass component based on the cutoff frequency; providing the cutoff frequency to the second filter to configure the second filter to generate the second bass component based on the cutoff frequency; and generating an output signal based on at least one of the first and second bass components.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: ROBERT CASTON CURTIS, KASPER ANDERSON
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Publication number: 20230370689Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for modifying one or more parameters of a data streaming payload to add optimized display and/or audio settings as metadata. An example embodiment operates by training and operating a first machine learning model to predict optimized picture and sound settings. A second embodiment operates by training a learning model with crowdsourced individual user manual adjustments to the display device display during playback. Having the optimized display settings in advance allows adjustments to be made in advance of playback.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Paul NANGERONI, Erwin Ben BELLERS, Robert Caston CURTIS, Mustafa OZGEN
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Publication number: 20230290366Abstract: A method for dynamically controlling enhancement of an audio stream is provided, where the audio stream defines a sequence of audio segments over time. Each audio segment defines a waveform having a plurality of waveform attributes. For each audio segment of the sequence of audio segments, the method includes: (i) determining a set of waveform-attribute values of the audio segment's waveform attributes, (ii) computing a first distance between the determined set of waveform-attribute values and a first predefined set of waveform-attribute values representative of speech, and computing a second distance between the determined set of waveform-attribute values and a second predefined set of waveform-attribute values representative of music, (iii) using the computed first and second distances as a basis to classify the audio segment as primarily speech or rather primarily music, and (iv) controlling, based on the classifying, whether or not to enhance the audio segment for output.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: David Henry Friedman, Alan Robert Bithell, Robert Caston Curtis
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Patent number: 11743644Abstract: Embodiments included herein generally relate to managing low frequencies of an output signal. For example, a method may include: measuring a sound pressure level (SPL) of a speaker; dynamically selecting a cutoff frequency for operating a first filter configured to provide a first bass component of a bass element of an output signal and a second filter configured to provide a second bass component of the bass element; providing the cutoff frequency to the first filter to configure the first filter to generate the first bass component based on the cutoff frequency; providing the cutoff frequency to the second filter to configure the second filter to generate the second bass component based on the cutoff frequency; and generating an output signal based on at least one of the first and second bass components.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Kasper Andersen
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Publication number: 20230261692Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for identifying electronic devices in a room using a spread code. In some embodiments, a first electronic device receives a spread spectrum signal from a second electronic device over an audio data channel. The first electronic device determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal based on despreading. The first electronic device calculates a distance between the first electronic device and the second electronic device based on the time of receipt and a time of transmission. The first electronic device determines the second electronic device is not in the room with the first electronic device based on the calculated distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston CURTIS, Mark Ely, Brian Thoft Moth Møller
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Patent number: 11671139Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for identifying electronic devices in a room using a spread code. In some embodiments, a first electronic device receives a spread spectrum signal from a second electronic device over an audio data channel. The first electronic device determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal based on despreading. The first electronic device calculates a distance between the first electronic device and the second electronic device based on the time of receipt and a time of transmission. The first electronic device determines the second electronic device is not in the room with the first electronic device based on the calculated distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Mark Ely, Brian Thoft Moth Møller
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Patent number: 11625215Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for cancellation and content recognition of audio received over a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)/Audio Return Channel (ARC) port of a display device. The media device receives audio over the HDMI/ARC port from the display device, processes the audio by identifying, decoding, re-encoding, and fingerprinting the audio with identification information, and subsequently streams the audio within the media streaming environment, including to external speakers, such as voice-enabled speakers. Based on the identification information and recognized content of the processed audio, the media device offers additional content for streaming to a user. The media device continuously monitors for spoken voice received over a voice-enabled speaker while the media device simultaneously receives, processes, and streams audio from the display device.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventor: Robert Caston Curtis
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Patent number: 11558579Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audiovisual content among multiple speakers. In some embodiments, a first smart speaker receives a spread spectrum signal from a second smart speaker over an audio data channel. The first smart speaker despreads the spread spectrum signal based on a spreading code. The first smart speaker determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal based on the despreading. The first smart speaker receives a time of transmission of the spread spectrum signal. The first smart speaker then calculates a playback delay based on the time of receipt and the time of transmission. Then the first smart speaker controls the playback of the audiovisual content based on the playback delay.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Mark Ely, Brian Thoft Moth Møller
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Publication number: 20220351737Abstract: Embodiments included herein generally relate to using non-audio data embedded in an audio signal. More particularly, embodiments relate to using non-audio data embedded into the audio signal to control an audio configuration of a plurality of speakers and/or to measure a delay of a playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: Roku Inc.Inventors: Thomas Richard Henry DEWEY, Robert Caston CURTIS
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Publication number: 20220291894Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for cancellation and content recognition of audio received over a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)/Audio Return Channel (ARC) port of a display device. The media device receives audio over the HDMI/ARC port from the display device, processes the audio by identifying, decoding, re-encoding, and fingerprinting the audio with identification information, and subsequently streams the audio within the media streaming environment, including to external speakers, such as voice-enabled speakers. Based on the identification information and recognized content of the processed audio, the media device offers additional content for streaming to a user. The media device continuously monitors for spoken voice received over a voice-enabled speaker while the media device simultaneously receives, processes, and streams audio from the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: Roku, Inc.Inventor: Robert Caston CURTIS
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Patent number: 11438025Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audiovisual content with a dumb speaker. In some embodiments, a display device transmits a spread spectrum signal to a dumb speaker over a data channel using a spread spectrum code. The display device then receives the spread spectrum signal from the dumb speaker over an audio data channel. The display device despreads the spread spectrum signal based on the spreading code. The display device determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal. The display device calculates an audiovisual output path delay for the dumb speaker based on the time of receipt and a time of transmission. The display device then synchronizes the playback of the audiovisual content at the dumb speaker and a smart speaker based on the audiovisual output path delay.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Mark Ely, Brian Thoft Moth Møller
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Patent number: 11392342Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for cancellation and content recognition of audio received over a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)/Audio Return Channel (ARC) port of a display device. The media device receives audio over the HDMI/ARC port from the display device, processes the audio by identifying, decoding, re-encoding, and fingerprinting the audio with identification information, and subsequently streams the audio within the media streaming environment, including to external speakers, such as voice-enabled speakers. Based on the identification information and recognized content of the processed audio, the media device offers additional content for streaming to a user. The media device continuously monitors for spoken voice received over a voice-enabled speaker while the media device simultaneously receives, processes, and streams audio from the display device.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventor: Robert Caston Curtis
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Patent number: 11361773Abstract: Embodiments included herein generally relate to using non-audio data embedded in an audio signal. More particularly, embodiments relate to using non-audio data embedded into the audio signal to control an audio configuration of a plurality of speakers and/or to measure a delay of a playback device.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Richard Henry Dewey, Robert Caston Curtis
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Publication number: 20220109931Abstract: Embodiments included herein generally relate to managing low frequencies of an output signal. For example, a method may include: measuring a sound pressure level (SPL) of a speaker; dynamically selecting a cutoff frequency for operating a first filter configured to provide a first bass component of a bass element of an output signal and a second filter configured to provide a second bass component of the bass element; providing the cutoff frequency to the first filter to configure the first filter to generate the first bass component based on the cutoff frequency; providing the cutoff frequency to the second filter to configure the second filter to generate the second bass component based on the cutoff frequency; and generating an output signal based on at least one of the first and second bass components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Applicant: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston CURTIS, Kasper Andersen
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Publication number: 20220046311Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for network-based audio playback. An embodiment operates by determining that a media device is configured to stream audio content to one or more wireless speakers over a first wireless network. A second wireless network over which the media device is configured to stream the audio content to the one or more wireless speakers is established by the media device. A signal to the one or more wireless speakers to switch from the first wireless network to the second wireless network is provided by the media device. The audio is provided to the wireless speakers for playback over the second wireless network.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Mike Kristoffersen, Rafal Malewski, Rafal Zwierz
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Publication number: 20220045715Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audiovisual content with a dumb speaker. In some embodiments, a display device transmits a spread spectrum signal to a dumb speaker over a data channel using a spread spectrum code. The display device then receives the spread spectrum signal from the dumb speaker over an audio data channel. The display device despreads the spread spectrum signal based on the spreading code. The display device determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal. The display device calculates an audiovisual output path delay for the dumb speaker based on the time of receipt and a time of transmission. The display device then synchronizes the playback of the audiovisual content at the dumb speaker and a smart speaker based on the audiovisual output path delay.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: Roku Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston CURTIS, Mark ELY, Brain Thoft Moth MØLLER
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Patent number: 11218805Abstract: Embodiments included herein generally relate to managing low frequencies of an output signal. For example, a method may include: measuring a sound pressure level (SPL) of a speaker; dynamically selecting a cutoff frequency for operating a first filter configured to provide a first bass component of a bass element of an output signal and a second filter configured to provide a second bass component of the bass element; providing the cutoff frequency to the first filter to configure the first filter to generate the first bass component based on the cutoff frequency; providing the cutoff frequency to the second filter to configure the second filter to generate the second bass component based on the cutoff frequency; and generating an output signal based on at least one of the first and second bass components.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Kasper Andersen
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Patent number: 11197054Abstract: Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing audio by a media device to wireless speakers while content comprising the audio is being played on a display device, wherein the media device includes a single wireless radio. Some embodiments operate by: determining that the media device is not a source of the content, such that the media device does not need to stream the content over a first wireless network; informing the audio speakers to switch from the first wireless network to a second wireless network; disconnecting the media device from the first wireless network; establishing the second wireless network; and providing the audio to the wireless speakers for playback over the second wireless network.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: ROKU, INC.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Mike Kristoffersen, Rafal Malewski, Rafal Zwierz
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Patent number: 11177851Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audiovisual content with a dumb speaker. In some embodiments, an electronic device transmits a spread spectrum signal to a dumb speaker over a data channel using a spread spectrum code. The electronic device then receives the spread spectrum signal played back auditorily by the dumb speaker. The electronic device despreads the spread spectrum signal based on the spreading code. The electronic device determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal. The electronic device calculates an audiovisual output path delay for the dumb speaker based on the time of receipt and a time of transmission. The electronic device then synchronizes the playback of the audiovisual content at the dumb speaker and another electronic device based on the audiovisual output path delay.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Roku, Inc.Inventors: Robert Caston Curtis, Mark Ely, Brian Thoft Moth Møller