Patents by Inventor Ted Lin

Ted Lin 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: 20200280800
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to transitioning a playback session between portable playback devices such as “smart” headphones, earbuds, and handheld speakers with playback devices of a zone-based media playback system. Exemplary techniques facilitate continuity of playback when transitioning between locations (e.g., from at home to on-the-go or vice versa) or between listening paradigms (e.g., personal or out-loud playback of audio content). An example implementation includes detecting a swap trigger, determining the source playback device(s) and target playback device(s), and performing a playback session swap between the source playback device(s) and target playback device(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Youjin Nam, Tadeo T. Toulis, Cole Harris, Patrick Devine, Nicholas A.J. Millington, Jason Yore, Maria-Jose Ramos, Richard Bannon, Michael Sheldon, Ted Lin, Ron Kuper
  • Publication number: 20200260396
    Abstract: A control device of media playback system receives a user command to initiate playback of video content and associated audio content and transmits a BLUETOOTH message based on the command to a video playback device. The video playback device receives the BLUETOOTH message, obtains the media content via a local area network (LAN), and determines an indication of when to begin playback of the media content. The video playback device transmits the indication to an audio playback device via the LAN and outputs the video content in lip-synchrony with playback of the corresponding audio content by the audio playback device. While outputting the video content in lip-synchrony with playback of the corresponding audio content by the audio playback device, the video playback device transmits timing information via the LAN to the audio playback device to maintain lip-synchrony with playback of the corresponding audio content by the audio playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
  • Publication number: 20200234708
    Abstract: A first network microphone device (NMD) is configured to receive, from a second NMD, a first arbitration message including (i) a first measure of confidence associated with a voice input as detected by the second NMD and (ii) the voice input as detected by the second NMD, and receive, from a third NMD, a second arbitration message including (i) a second measure of confidence associated with the voice input as detected by the third NMD and (ii) the voice input as detected by the third NMD. The first NMD is configured to determine that the second measure of confidence is greater than the first measure of confidence and based on the determination, perform voice recognition based on the voice input as detected by the third NMD, where the voice input includes a command to control audio playback by the first, second, and/or third NMD, and after performing voice recognition, executing the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Ted Lin
  • Publication number: 20200174743
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri
  • Patent number: 10614807
    Abstract: A system comprises a first network microphone device (NMD) communicatively coupled to a second NMD via a network interface of the first NMD, wherein the first NMD is configured to: receive, from the second NMD via the network interface of the first NMD, an arbitration message comprising (i) a first measure of confidence associated with a voice input detected by the second NMD and (ii) an identifier associated with at least a portion of the voice input detected by the second NMD, determine that the first measure of confidence is greater than a second measure of confidence, wherein the second measure of confidence is associated with a voice input detected by the first NMD via at least one microphone of the second NMD, and based on the determination, perform voice recognition based on the voice input detected by the second NMD, wherein the voice input detected by the second NMD comprises a command to control the playback of the audio content by at least one of the first or the second NMDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Ted Lin
  • Patent number: 10592200
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri
  • Patent number: 10575270
    Abstract: Networked devices are arranged to play content such as audio and video content in synchronization. A synching device receives a packet from an initiating device over a network. The packet may include an identifier of content to play, such as a URI, and an indication of when to play the content. A local clock time to play the content is determined based on a time of a local clock of the first device and the indication of when to play the content. The synching device obtains from a server the content based on the received identifier, and plays the content in synchronization with the initiating device based on a time on the local clock and the local clock time to play the content. In some embodiments, the synching device also adjusts a clock speed of the local clock reference to control rate of playback of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
  • Publication number: 20200026487
    Abstract: A first zone player engages in synchronous playback of given audio content by obtaining the given audio content, generating and placing representative audio frames into a buffer, and transmitting the audio frames to a second zone player to play the given audio content in synchrony with the second zone player. After receiving a command to pause the synchronous playback, the first zone player prepares for a fast-resume by identifying a given audio frame and retaining at least some of the audio frames in the buffer for use during the fast-resume. The first zone player then initiates the fast-resume by determining a future resume time, transmitting an instruction to the second zone player to resume playback at the future resume time, and at the future resume time, resuming use of the audio frames in the buffer, starting with the given audio frame, to play the given audio content in synchrony.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Jim Dolan
  • Publication number: 20190317724
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri
  • Patent number: 10430153
    Abstract: Audio content may be played back in synchrony with a member of a synchrony group based on playback timing information. While synchronously playing back the audio content, the playback timing information may be transmitted to the member of the synchrony group. The transmitted playback timing information may comprise a first timestamp. In response to a pause command, the synchronous playback may be paused prior to a time indicated by the first timestamp and a second timestamp. While the synchronous playback is paused and in response to a resume command, the member of the synchrony group may be instructed to update the first timestamp based on a new start time indicative of when the synchronous playback is to be resumed and update the second timestamp such that the updated second timestamp is synchronized with the updated first timestamp. The synchronous playback may be resumed based on the updated second timestamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Jim Dolan
  • Patent number: 10296288
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri
  • Publication number: 20190074008
    Abstract: A system comprises a first network microphone device (NMD) communicatively coupled to a second NMD via a network interface of the first NMD, wherein the first NMD is configured to: receive, from the second NMD via the network interface of the first NMD, an arbitration message comprising (i) a first measure of confidence associated with a voice input detected by the second NMD and (ii) an identifier associated with at least a portion of the voice input detected by the second NMD, determine that the first measure of confidence is greater than a second measure of confidence, wherein the second measure of confidence is associated with a voice input detected by the first NMD via at least one microphone of the second NMD, and based on the determination, perform voice recognition based on the voice input detected by the second NMD, wherein the voice input detected by the second NMD comprises a command to control the playback of the audio content by at least one of the first or the second NMDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Ted Lin
  • Publication number: 20190045471
    Abstract: Networked devices are arranged to play content such as audio and video content in synchronization. A synching device receives a packet from an initiating device over a network. The packet may include an identifier of content to play, such as a URI, and an indication of when to play the content. A local clock time to play the content is determined based on a time of a local clock of the first device and the indication of when to play the content. The synching device obtains from a server the content based on the received identifier, and plays the content in synchronization with the initiating device based on a time on the local clock and the local clock time to play the content. In some embodiments, the synching device also adjusts a clock speed of the local clock reference to control rate of playback of the content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
  • Patent number: 10181323
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Beckhardt, Ted Lin
  • Patent number: 10098082
    Abstract: Networked devices are arranged to play content such as audio and video content in synchronization. A synching device receives a packet from an initiating device over a network. The packet may include an identifier of content to play, such as a URI, and an indication of when to play the content. A local clock time to play the content is determined based on a time of a local clock of the first device and the indication of when to play the content. The synching device obtains from a server the content based on the received identifier, and plays the content in synchronization with the initiating device based on a time on the local clock and the local clock time to play the content. In some embodiments, the synching device also adjusts a clock speed of the local clock reference to control rate of playback of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: SONOS, INC.
    Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
  • Publication number: 20180225084
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri
  • 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: 9886234
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri
  • Publication number: 20170295413
    Abstract: Audio content may be played back in synchrony with a member of a synchrony group based on playback timing information. While synchronously playing back the audio content, the playback timing information may be transmitted to the member of the synchrony group. The transmitted playback timing information may comprise a first timestamp. In response to a pause command, the synchronous playback may be paused prior to a time indicated by the first timestamp and a second timestamp. While the synchronous playback is paused and in response to a resume command, the member of the synchrony group may be instructed to update the first timestamp based on a new start time indicative of when the synchronous playback is to be resumed and update the second timestamp such that the updated second timestamp is synchronized with the updated first timestamp. The synchronous playback may be resumed based on the updated second timestamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Jim Dolan
  • Publication number: 20170220315
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Ted Lin, Romi Kadri