Patents by Inventor Thomas Higdon
Thomas Higdon 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: 20220264498Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Patent number: 11323974Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Publication number: 20210227485Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Patent number: 10880848Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Publication number: 20200260396Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Patent number: 10575270Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Publication number: 20190045471Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Patent number: 10098082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: SONOS, INC.Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Publication number: 20170181113Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Lee Keyser-Allen, Thomas Higdon, Luis Vega-Zayas, Ted Lin, Andrej Sarkic
-
Patent number: 9303961Abstract: A modular charge system based on a standard module fitted with a flying plate or a liner and axially coupled to other modules to configure the size and type of charge. The explosive is enclosed in a casing, which has a cylindrical wall with a plurality of external longitudinal rails that run lengthwise. The rails are substantially parallel, and approximately equidistantly spaced around the perimeter of the casing. The space between a pair of rails defines a channel. The casing rails function as a cylindrical tamper. The explosive is partitioned into removable portions and permanent portions, where the removable portions are separated from the permanent portions and any retained removable portions, therein enabling the module to be fitted with a variety of flying plates, liners and other hardware. Modules may be coupled utilizing internal slides, positioned in the channels to join modules.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Lonnie Frericks, Thomas Higdon, Michael D Lincoln, Bob Brush, Mitchell Hovenga
-
Patent number: 9074855Abstract: The assemblable module charge system includes a set of quadrant panels, where an individual quadrant panel is a fractional component of a cylindrical wall having a plurality of external longitudinal parallel rails separated by channels. The fractional cylindrical wall has a sectional length with fastening side edges. The set of panels may be stored as a flat-pack and assembled into a single module. The volume of the flat-pack is less than half the volume of the assembled module. The flat-pack is a group of unassembled quadrant panels nested to minimize space. The system uses elongate slides that may be frictionally positioned in channels shared by the module and a charge system. The charge system is a prepackaged explosive that may be fastened to the assembled module.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Lonnie Frericks, Thomas Higdon, Michael D Lincoln, Bob Brush, Mitchell Hovenga
-
Patent number: 9021956Abstract: A mechanical firing adapter for an igniter, such as an M81, to enable remotely firing the igniter using a robot, such as a MTRS. MTRS are used in the disposal/disruption of IEDs. Igniters are generally used with a shock tube, a type of fuse that is used with explosive charges, like shape charges. The adapter has a base plate with a first area to secure the igniter, a second area to withdraw the igniter's pull-rod by the attached pull-ring, and a compound assembly that interfaces with a robot. The pull-ring is attached to a sled that moves rearward when a clinching force is applied to opposing paddles, which causes the connected angled articulating struts to spread open. The paddles are moved closer by a remote controlled robotic jaw, and this closing movement causes the sled to move rearward, pulling out the pull-rod, which sets off the explosive.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Keith Chamberlain, Thomas Higdon, Anthony Kummerer