Patents by Inventor Timothy Sheen

Timothy Sheen 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: 20260189865
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to playback device calibration. A calibration state variable may represent a calibration state of a playback device. A control device may display an indications of the calibration state. For instance, in a first instance, the control device may display an indication that a first playback device is in an uncalibrated state. Further, in a second instance, the control device may display an indication that the first playback device is in an calibrated state, perhaps after instructing the first playback device to initiate calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2025
    Publication date: July 2, 2026
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen
  • Publication number: 20260012676
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are playback devices, groups of playback devices, and methods of operating playback devices and groupings thereof, wherein individual playback devices are configured to detect and correct clock rate drift by synchronizing a clock rate and perhaps clock time of a local clock to a remote time source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Inventors: Timothy Sheen, Steven Bechardt, Jeffrey Peters
  • Patent number: 12495258
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to playback device calibration. A calibration state variable may represent a calibration state of a playback device. A control device may display an indications of the calibration state. For instance, in a first instance, the control device may display an indication that a first playback device is in an uncalibrated state. Further, in a second instance, the control device may display an indication that the first playback device is in an calibrated state, perhaps after instructing the first playback device to initiate calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen
  • Publication number: 20250358569
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2025
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Publication number: 20250278235
    Abstract: An example method may include recording, via a microphone of a first playback device, audio played by a second playback device in accordance with a calibration setting. The method may further include, based on the recorded audio, determining that the calibration setting is invalid. The method may further include, in response to determining that the calibration setting is invalid, sending an indication that the calibration setting is invalid. This disclosure also includes example non-transitory computer readable media and playback devices that are related to the example method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2025
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Inventors: Romi Kadri, Christopher Butts, Timothy Sheen, Simon Jarvis
  • Patent number: 12375849
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Publication number: 20250240589
    Abstract: Examples described herein involve validating motion of a microphone during calibration of a playback device. An example implementation involves a mobile device detecting, via one or more microphones, audio signals emitted from one or more playback devices as part of a calibration process. After the one or more playback devices emit the audio signals, the mobile device determines whether the detected audio signals indicate that sufficient horizontal translation of the mobile device occurred during the calibration process. When the detected audio signals indicate that insufficient horizontal translation occurred, the mobile device displays a prompt to move the mobile device more while the one or more playback devices emit one or more additional audio signals as part of the calibration process. When the detected audio signals indicate that sufficient horizontal translation occurred, the mobile device calibrates the one or more playback devices with a calibration based on the detected audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Inventors: Jonathan Downing, Timothy Sheen, Daniel Valente
  • Publication number: 20250227423
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve performing aspects of a spatial calibration. An example implementation may include detecting a trigger condition that initiates calibration of a media playback system including multiple audio drivers that form multiple sound axes, each sound axis corresponding to a respective channel of multi-channel audio content The implementation may also include causing the multiple audio drivers to emit calibration audio that is divided into constituent frames, the multiple sound axes emitting calibration audio during respective slots of each constituent frame. The implementation may further include recording the emitted calibration audio. The implementation may include causing delays for each sound axis of the multiple sound axes to be determined, the determined delay for each sound axis based on the slots of recorded calibration audio corresponding to the sound axes and causing the multiple sound axes to be calibrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2024
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventor: Timothy Sheen
  • Publication number: 20250211932
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a playback device include (i) outputting first audio content; (ii) capturing audio data representing reflections of the first audio content within a room in which the playback device is located; (iii) based on the captured audio data, determining an acoustic response of the room; (iv) connecting to a database comprising a plurality of sets of stored audio calibration settings, each set associated with a respective stored acoustic room response of a plurality of stored acoustic room responses; (v) querying the database for a stored acoustic room response that corresponds to the determined acoustic response of the room in which the playback device is located; and (vi) applying to the playback device a particular set of stored audio calibration settings associated with the stored acoustic room response that corresponds to the determined acoustic response of the room in which the playback device is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2024
    Publication date: June 26, 2025
    Inventor: Timothy Sheen
  • Publication number: 20250150768
    Abstract: Example techniques involve calibration of one or more playback devices. An example implementation involves a playback device playing back audio content using a first calibration via the one or more audio transducers and the one or more amplifiers. The first calibration is based on a response of a listening environment to audio content playback by the playback device. The playback device records, via one or more microphones, at least a portion of the played back audio content. Based on the recorded audio content, the playback device detects a change in the response of the listening environment to audio content playback by the playback device. Responsive to detecting the change in the response, the playback device causes output of a prompt to initiate a calibration procedure for the playback device. The calibration procedure involves a mobile device recording playback by the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2024
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Ananth Jasty, Aurelio Ramos, Timothy Sheen
  • Patent number: 12238490
    Abstract: Examples described herein involve validating motion of a microphone during calibration of a playback device. An example implementation involves a mobile device detecting, via one or more microphones, audio signals emitted from one or more playback devices as part of a calibration process. After the one or more playback devices emit the audio signals, the mobile device determines whether the detected audio signals indicate that sufficient horizontal translation of the mobile device occurred during the calibration process. When the detected audio signals indicate that insufficient horizontal translation occurred, the mobile device displays a prompt to move the mobile device more while the one or more playback devices emit one or more additional audio signals as part of the calibration process. When the detected audio signals indicate that sufficient horizontal translation occurred, the mobile device calibrates the one or more playback devices with a calibration based on the detected audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Downing, Timothy Sheen, Daniel Valente
  • Publication number: 20250063300
    Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating a passive speaker include (i) activating, by a playback device configured to drive the passive speaker, a passive speaker identification circuit of the passive speaker by providing an identification signal to an input terminal of the passive speaker, wherein the passive speaker is a particular type of passive speaker having particular acoustic characteristics; (ii) while the passive speaker identification circuit is active, measuring, by the playback device, an electrical current of the identification signal; (iii) determining, based on the measured electrical current of the identification signal, an impedance modulation of the passive speaker; (iv) determining, by the playback device, the particular type of the passive speaker based on the impedance modulation of the passive speaker; and (v) applying, by the playback device, a calibration to the playback device based on the determined particular type of the passive speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Nicholas D'Amato, Benjamin Rappoport, Dayn Wilberding, Timothy Sheen, Andrea Testa, Nash Reilly, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 12231714
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are playback devices, groups of playback devices, and methods of operating playback devices and groupings thereof, wherein individual playback devices are configured to detect and correct clock rate drift by synchronizing a clock rate and perhaps clock time of a local clock to a remote time source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Sheen, Steven Bechardt, Jeffrey Peters
  • Patent number: 12200453
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 12170873
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve performing aspects of a spatial calibration. An example implementation may include detecting a trigger condition that initiates calibration of a media playback system including multiple audio drivers that form multiple sound axes, each sound axis corresponding to a respective channel of multi-channel audio content The implementation may also include causing the multiple audio drivers to emit calibration audio that is divided into constituent frames, the multiple sound axes emitting calibration audio during respective slots of each constituent frame. The implementation may further include recording the emitted calibration audio. The implementation may include causing delays for each sound axis of the multiple sound axes to be determined, the determined delay for each sound axis based on the slots of recorded calibration audio corresponding to the sound axes and causing the multiple sound axes to be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Sheen
  • Patent number: 12167222
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a playback device include (i) outputting first audio content; (ii) capturing audio data representing reflections of the first audio content within a room in which the playback device is located; (iii) based on the captured audio data, determining an acoustic response of the room; (iv) connecting to a database comprising a plurality of sets of stored audio calibration settings, each set associated with a respective stored acoustic room response of a plurality of stored acoustic room responses; (v) querying the database for a stored acoustic room response that corresponds to the determined acoustic response of the room in which the playback device is located; and (vi) applying to the playback device a particular set of stored audio calibration settings associated with the stored acoustic room response that corresponds to the determined acoustic response of the room in which the playback device is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Sheen
  • Patent number: 12143781
    Abstract: Example techniques may involve performing aspects of a spatial calibration. An example implementation may include detecting a trigger condition that initiates calibration of a media playback system including multiple audio drivers that form multiple sound axes, each sound axis corresponding to a respective channel of multi-channel audio content. The implementation may also include causing the multiple audio drivers to emit calibration audio that is divided into constituent frames, the multiple sound axes emitting calibration audio during respective slots of each constituent frame. The implementation may further include recording the emitted calibration audio. The implementation may include causing delays for each sound axis of the multiple sound axes to be determined, the determined delay for each sound axis based on the slots of recorded calibration audio corresponding to the sound axes and causing the multiple sound axes to be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Sheen
  • Patent number: 12126970
    Abstract: Example techniques involve calibration of one or more playback devices. An example implementation involves a playback device playing back audio content using a first calibration via the one or more audio transducers and the one or more amplifiers. The first calibration is based on a response of a listening environment to audio content playback by the playback device. The playback device records, via one or more microphones, at least a portion of the played back audio content. Based on the recorded audio content, the playback device detects a change in the response of the listening environment to audio content playback by the playback device. Responsive to detecting the change in the response, the playback device causes output of a prompt to initiate a calibration procedure for the playback device. The calibration procedure involves a mobile device recording playback by the playback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Ananth Jasty, Aurelio Ramos, Timothy Sheen
  • Publication number: 20240314496
    Abstract: Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Mike Chamness, Aurelio Rafael Ramos, Timothy Sheen, Hilmar Lehnert
  • Patent number: 12096169
    Abstract: Audio device transducers are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the audio device transducer comprises a coil, first and second terminals each disposed adjacent a first side of the coil, and first and second conductors each electrically coupled to the coil. The first conductor extends from the first end of the coil to the first terminal, and the second end extends from a second end of the coil to the second terminal. The second conductor includes a first conductive pathway and a second conductive pathway spaced apart from the first conductive pathway such that the coil is disposed between the first conductive pathway and the second conductive pathway. In some embodiments, the first conductive pathway is symmetric to the second conductive pathway about an axis extending through the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Sheen