Patents by Inventor Robert Lambourne

Robert Lambourne 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: 20260066863
    Abstract: A computing device (i) receives a first request for a playback device to operate at a maximum volume, (ii) determines that the playback device is currently operating in accordance with a current maximum volume setting of the playback device that is less than a loudest volume at which the playback device is capable of outputting sound, (iii) based on the first request and the determination, presents, via a user interface of the computing device, a notification that includes instructions for changing the current maximum volume setting of the playback device, (iv) receives a second request to increase the current maximum volume setting of the playback device, and (v) based on the second request, causes the playback device to operate in accordance with the increased maximum volume setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Patent number: 12470188
    Abstract: A command to update a volume level of a group comprising a first and a second playback device to a requested group volume level is detected, the requested group volume level indicating respective requested volume levels for the first and second playback devices. Based on the command, (i) a first volume state variable of the first playback device is determined to be adjusted based on a first maximum volume state variable and (ii) a second volume state variable of the second playback device is determined to be adjusted based on a second maximum volume state variable. Based on the first and second maximum volume state variables, the volume level of the playback group is adjusted to an alternate group volume level different from the requested group volume level. An indication that the volume level of the playback group has been adjusted to the requested group volume level is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Publication number: 20250140253
    Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Patent number: 12154569
    Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Publication number: 20240072748
    Abstract: A command to update a volume level of a group comprising a first and a second playback device to a requested group volume level is detected, the requested group volume level indicating respective requested volume levels for the first and second playback devices. Based on the command, (i) a first volume state variable of the first playback device is determined to be adjusted based on a first maximum volume state variable and (ii) a second volume state variable of the second playback device is determined to be adjusted based on a second maximum volume state variable. Based on the first and second maximum volume state variables, the volume level of the playback group is adjusted to an alternate group volume level different from the requested group volume level. An indication that the volume level of the playback group has been adjusted to the requested group volume level is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Patent number: 11799433
    Abstract: In one example, a zone player may include a network interface, at least one processor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be executable by the at least one processor such that the zone player is configured to receive an instruction to change a volume setting of the zone player to a requested volume level; in response to receiving the instruction to change the volume setting of the zone player to the requested volume level, adjust the volume setting of the zone player to an adapted volume level that is lower than the requested volume level; and after adjusting the volume setting of the zone player to the adapted volume level, send an indication that the volume setting of the zone player has been adjusted to the requested volume level rather than the adapted volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Publication number: 20230326458
    Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Patent number: 11676590
    Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Publication number: 20220116005
    Abstract: In one example, a zone player may include a network interface, at least one processor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be executable by the at least one processor such that the zone player is configured to receive an instruction to change a volume setting of the zone player to a requested volume level; in response to receiving the instruction to change the volume setting of the zone player to the requested volume level, adjust the volume setting of the zone player to an adapted volume level that is lower than the requested volume level; and after adjusting the volume setting of the zone player to the adapted volume level, send an indication that the volume setting of the zone player has been adjusted to the requested volume level rather than the adapted volume level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Patent number: 11206002
    Abstract: In one example, a zone player may include a network interface, at least one processor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be executable by the at least one processor such that the zone player is configured to receive an instruction to change a volume setting of the zone player to a requested volume level; in response to receiving the instruction to change the volume setting of the zone player to the requested volume level, adjust the volume setting of the zone player to an adapted volume level that is lower than the requested volume level; and after adjusting the volume setting of the zone player to the adapted volume level, send an indication that the volume setting of the zone player has been adjusted to the requested volume level rather than the adapted volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Publication number: 20210110826
    Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Patent number: 10818290
    Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Publication number: 20200076388
    Abstract: In one example, a zone player may include a network interface, at least one processor, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium that may be executable by the at least one processor such that the zone player is configured to receive an instruction to change a volume setting of the zone player to a requested volume level; in response to receiving the instruction to change the volume setting of the zone player to the requested volume level, adjust the volume setting of the zone player to an adapted volume level that is lower than the requested volume level; and after adjusting the volume setting of the zone player to the adapted volume level, send an indication that the volume setting of the zone player has been adjusted to the requested volume level rather than the adapted volume level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Patent number: 10461710
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments for adjusting playback volume in a media playback system that utilizes a maximum volume feature. In one embodiment, when a playback device receives an instruction to change its playback volume to a requested volume level, the playback device will not necessarily set its playback volume state variable to the requested volume level, but rather will calculate a new (typically lower) alternate volume level based on the maximum volume state variable and instead set its playback volume state variable to that alternate volume level. Moreover, when a playback device shares certain of its state variables among the other devices of the media playback system, the playback device will not necessarily share its actual playback volume state variable, but rather will calculate a new (typically higher) representative volume level and instead share that representative volume level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Charlton, Jodi Vautrin, Robert Lambourne, Nathan Fish, Daniel Casimiro, Won So
  • Publication number: 20190287522
    Abstract: Example techniques involve a control hierarchy for a “smart” home having smart appliances and related devices, such as wireless illumination devices, home-automation devices (e.g., thermostats, door locks, etc.), and audio playback devices, among others. An example home includes various rooms in which smart devices might be located. Under the example control hierarchy described herein and referred to as “home graph,” a name of a room (e.g., “Kitchen”) may represent a smart device (or smart devices) within that room. In other words, from the perspective of a user, the smart devices within a room are that room. This hierarchy permits a user to refer to a smart device within a given room by way of the name of the room when controlling smart devices within the home using a voice user interface (VUI) or graphical user interface (GUI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Lambourne, Dayn Wilberding, Jeffrey Torgerson
  • Patent number: 10152212
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a control device displaying a control interface that includes an indication of one or more playable media items. The example implementation may further involve detecting input data indicating a selection of a particular instance of the given media item from among the one or more playable media items. Upon detecting the input data, the control device may identify a container of two or more media items, the container including the particular instance of the given media item and indicating a sequence for the two or more media items. The example implementation may also involve inserting the two or more media items of the identified container into a queue such that the two or more media items follow the indicated sequence within the queue, and causing one or more playback devices to initiate playback of the queue beginning with the given media item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Tripoli, Robert Lambourne, Yasser Rashid, Joni Hoadley
  • Patent number: D785649
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Liesbeth van den Berg, Abhishek Kumar, Eduardo Apodaca, Amber Brown, Mark Trammell, Robert Lambourne, Yasser Rashid, Michael Lemmon, Jonathan Garn
  • Patent number: D786266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Liesbeth van den Berg, Abhishek Kumar, Eduardo Apodaca, Amber Brown, Mark Trammell, Robert Lambourne, Yasser Rashid
  • Patent number: D792420
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Liesbeth van den Berg, Abhishek Kumar, Eduardo Apodaca, Amber Brown, Mark Trammell, Robert Lambourne, Yasser Rashid
  • Patent number: D895638
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Liesbeth van den Berg, Abhishek Kumar, Eduardo Apodaca, Amber Braden, Mark Trammell, Robert Lambourne, Yasser Rashid