Patents by Inventor Steven Beckhardt

Steven Beckhardt 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: 9967246
    Abstract: Techniques relate to a cloud queue facilitating access to a cloud queue via an authorization token. In an example implementation, a computing system receives, over a network interface from a media playback system, an authorization token corresponding to a cloud queue of media items at the computing system and a request by the media playback system for access to the cloud queue of media items. The computing system determines that the authorization token is valid and in response to the determination, provides, to the media playback system, the requested access to the cloud queue of media items, the providing comprising transmitting information associated with at least one of the media items of the cloud queue. Thereafter, the computing system determines that the media playback system is eligible for a renewed authorization token and, in response, transmits, to the media playback system, the renewed authorization token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
  • Publication number: 20180108351
    Abstract: A first voice input is detected and a first measure of confidence associated with the first voice input is determined. A message is received comprising a second measure of confidence associated with detection of the first voice input by a network device. A determination is made whether the first measure of confidence is greater than the second measure of confidence. Based on the determination that the first measure of confidence is greater than the second measure of confidence, a second voice input is sent to a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Ted Lin
  • Patent number: 9942215
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system over the network interface, a request to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at a first media item. The computing system assigns a playhead pointer to a position within the particular cloud queue that corresponds to the first media item and transmits, to the media playback system over the network interface, an instruction that causes one or more playback devices of the media playback system to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at the first media item. While the one or more playback devices play back the particular cloud queue, the computing system updates the assigned position of the playhead pointer to indicate the currently playing media item of the particular cloud queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
  • Patent number: 9940091
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a first playback device rendering audio content. The example implementation may also involve the first playback device detecting that a second playback device has been connected to a playback system. After detecting that the second playback device has been connected to the playback system, the first playback device may determine a playback responsibility associated with the second playback device. The determined playback responsibility may include a grouping with the first playback device. After determining the playback responsibility associated with the second playback device, the first playback device may direct the second playback device to render the audio content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Jonathan Paul Lang, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 9877124
    Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jeffrey M. Peters, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Steven Beckhardt
  • Publication number: 20180013804
    Abstract: Embodiments are provided for replacing media items in a queue of a playback device. An example implementation involves receiving, at the playback device, first data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue. The playback device determines that the first media item is no longer accessible to the playback device at a later second time. The playback device initiates a query for a media item similar to the first media item and receives second data indicating that a second media item has replaced the first media item in the queue, the second media item being similar to the first media item. In response, the playback device initiates playback of the second media item on the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Steven Beckhardt, Jonathon Reilly
  • Patent number: 9864571
    Abstract: Examples of dynamic bonding of playback devices are disclosed. A disclosed example first playback device includes a shared device identifier to determine that a second playback device is sharable between a first bonded zone and a second bonded zone, the first bonded zone comprising the first playback device, the second bonded zone comprising a second playback device; a device manager to cause the shared playback device to join the first bonded zone; and an adjuster to change a first audio parameter of the first playback device in accordance with the joining of the shared playback device in the first bonded zone, wherein at least one of the shared device identifier, the device manager, or the adjuster is implemented via a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Triplett, Steven Beckhardt
  • Patent number: 9774643
    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: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Steven Beckhardt, Jonathon Reilly
  • Publication number: 20170272481
    Abstract: Certain examples accommodate data routing optimizations. An example method comprises receiving, by a first playback device, data to be directed to at least a second playback device, the data comprising: i) audio data and ii) non-audio data. The method comprises transmitting, by the first playback device, the non-audio data to the second playback device via a third playback device according to a network protocol for communication between the first playback device and at least the second playback device via a wireless communication link. The method further comprises determining, by the first playback device, that a signal strength of the wireless communication link is above a threshold, and in response to the determination, transmitting the audio data to the second playback device via the wireless communication link, wherein transmitting the audio data comprises transmitting the audio data over the wireless communication link not according to the network protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Jeffrey M. Peters
  • Patent number: 9733889
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein involve remote storage and provisioning of a local-media index. An example implementation may involve a computing system storing a local-media index that identifies a plurality of multimedia items that are stored within a local area network and accessible within the local area network by a playback device of a media playback system within the local area network. The example implementation may also involve the computing system sending a message over a wide area network that indicates at least a portion of the local-media index to the media playback system, perhaps based on a request to provide the local-media index (or a portion thereof) to the media playback system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Beckhardt
  • Patent number: 9729599
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving a request from a first media playback system for access to a queue of media items, and a request from a second media playback system for access to the queue of media items. The computing system may grant a first type of access to the first media playback system and a second type of access to the second media playback system. The first type of access and the second type of access may authorize a first set of operations and a second set of operations on the queue of media items, respectively. The computing system may provide an indication that the first media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the first type of access, and an indication that the second media playback system may access the queue as authorized by the second type of access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
  • Publication number: 20170223472
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a speaker driver, a processor, and a computer readable medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to implement a method. The example method includes receiving, from a first audio information source, first audio information. The example method includes playing back the first audio information. The example method includes receiving, from a second audio information source, (i) a first message, and (ii) second audio information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas A.J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
  • Publication number: 20170208056
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, a request to initiate playback of a cloud queue. The cloud queue may currently have a first access status that authorizes a first set of queue operations, which may include playback of the cloud queue. After receiving the request to initiate playback, the computing system may cause audio tracks of the cloud queue to be queued in a local queue of the media playback system such that the media playback system may playback audio tracks of the cloud queue via the local queue. The computing system may modify the access status of the cloud queue to a second access status. This second access status may authorize a second set of queue operations on the cloud queue. The computing system may cause access to the local queue to be restricted to the second set of queue operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
  • Patent number: 9681232
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to control audio playback devices are disclosed. An example first playback device includes a speaker driver, a processor, and a computer readable medium including a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first playback device to implement a method. The example method includes receiving, from a first audio information source, first audio information. The example method includes playing back the first audio information. The example method includes receiving, from a second audio information source, (i) a first message, and (ii) second audio information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. J. Millington, Craig Wisneski, Steven Beckhardt, Neil Griffiths
  • Patent number: 9674246
    Abstract: Certain examples accommodate data routing optimizations. An example method includes receiving, by a first playback device, data to be directed to at least a second playback device. The method further includes transmitting non-audio data to the second playback device via a third playback device and transmitting audio data to the second playback device directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SONOS, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Hrishikesh Gossain, Nicholas A. J. Millington, Jeffrey Peters
  • Patent number: 9654459
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a playback device of a media playback system sending a request for an indication of at least one media item from a remote queue of media items and an indication of a particular media item that is being played by the playback device. The implementation may also involve the playback device receiving an indication of one or more media items from the remote queue of media items. The one or more media items may include the particular media item is being played by the playback device. The implementation may further involve the playback device incorporating an indication of the one or more media items into a local queue of media items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert
  • Patent number: 9648070
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system, a request to initiate playback of a cloud queue. The cloud queue may currently have a first access status that authorizes a first set of queue operations, which may include playback of the cloud queue. After receiving the request to initiate playback, the computing system may cause audio tracks of the cloud queue to be queued in a local queue of the media playback system such that the media playback system may playback audio tracks of the cloud queue via the local queue. The computing system may modify the access status of the cloud queue to a second access status. This second access status may authorize a second set of queue operations on the cloud queue. The computing system may cause access to the local queue to be restricted to the second set of queue operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert, Gregory Ramsperger
  • Publication number: 20170126760
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Andrew Bates, Steven Beckhardt, Jonathon Reilly
  • Publication number: 20170078812
    Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hrishikesh Gossain, Jeffrey M. Peters, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Steven Beckhardt
  • Publication number: 20170041368
    Abstract: An example implementation may involve a computing system receiving, from a media playback system over the network interface, a request to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at a first media item. The computing system assigns a playhead pointer to a position within the particular cloud queue that corresponds to the first media item and transmits, to the media playback system over the network interface, an instruction that causes one or more playback devices of the media playback system to initiate playback of the particular cloud queue at the first media item. While the one or more playback devices play back the particular cloud queue, the computing system updates the assigned position of the playhead pointer to indicate the currently playing media item of the particular cloud queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Arthur L. Coburn, IV, Steven Beckhardt, Andrew J. Schulert