Patents by Inventor William H. Bush
William H. Bush 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).
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Publication number: 20230362566Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve audio settings based on an environment. An example implementation may involve a playback device playing back first audio content and during playback of at least a portion of the first audio content, detecting, via the at least one microphone, an audio signal. At least a portion of the detected audio signal may include a reflection of the first audio content played back by the playback device. The playback device may determine an equalization setting based on at least the determined one or more reflection characteristics and apply the determined equalization setting during playback of second audio content.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventor: William H. Bush
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Publication number: 20230300550Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve audio settings based on an environment. An example implementation may involve a playback device playing back first audio content and during playback of at least a portion of the first audio content, detecting, via the at least one microphone, an audio signal. At least a portion of the detected audio signal may include a reflection of the first audio content played back by the playback device. The playback device may determine an equalization setting based on at least the determined one or more reflection characteristics and apply the determined equalization setting during playback of second audio content.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventor: William H. Bush
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Publication number: 20230232175Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H. Bush
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Patent number: 11696081Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve audio settings based on an environment. An example implementation may involve a playback device playing back first audio content and during playback of at least a portion of the first audio content, detecting, via the at least one microphone, an audio signal. At least a portion of the detected audio signal may include a reflection of the first audio content played back by the playback device. The playback device may determine an equalization setting based on at least the determined one or more reflection characteristics and apply the determined equalization setting during playback of second audio content.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: William H. Bush
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Patent number: 11540073Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
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Publication number: 20210105568Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve audio settings based on an environment. An example implementation may involve a playback device playing back first audio content and during playback of at least a portion of the first audio content, detecting, via the at least one microphone, an audio signal. At least a portion of the detected audio signal may include a reflection of the first audio content played back by the playback device. The playback device may determine an equalization setting based on at least the determined one or more reflection characteristics and apply the determined equalization setting during playback of second audio content.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventor: William H. Bush
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Publication number: 20210099821Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
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Patent number: 10863295Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve calibration of playback devices in indoor and outdoor environments. An example implementation may involve a playback device applying a first equalization profile that at least partially offsets acoustic characteristics of a first zone in a media playback system, the first zone corresponding to an indoor environment. The playback device may play back audio content using the first equalization profile and record, via one or more microphones, at least a portion of the played back audio content. Based on the recorded audio content, the playback device may detect that the playback device has been moved to an outdoor environment. Responsive to detecting that the playback device has been moved to the outdoor environment, the playback device applies a second equalization profile that calibrates the playback device to the outdoor environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: William H. Bush
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Patent number: 10791407Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Sonon, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
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Publication number: 20200196077Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H. Bush
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Publication number: 20190394594Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve calibration of playback devices in indoor and outdoor environments. An example implementation may involve a playback device applying a first equalization profile that at least partially offsets acoustic characteristics of a first zone in a media playback system, the first zone corresponding to an indoor environment. The playback device may play back audio content using the first equalization profile and record, via one or more microphones, at least a portion of the played back audio content. Based on the recorded audio content, the playback device may detect that the playback device has been moved to an outdoor environment. Responsive to detecting that the playback device has been moved to the outdoor environment, the playback device applies a second equalization profile that calibrates the playback device to the outdoor environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventor: William H. Bush
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Patent number: 10511924Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
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Publication number: 20190342684Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
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Patent number: 10412517Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve dynamically adjusting the equalization of multiple speakers in a playback device. An example implementation involves a playback device emitting, via a speaker, a first audio signal. While emitting the first audio signal, the playback device detects, via a microphone, data representing a second audio signal, the second audio signal comprising one or more reflections of the first audio signal as emitted by the speaker within a surrounding environment. The playback device determines a frequency response curve based on the second audio signal, the frequency response curve representing acoustic characteristics of a system comprising the playback device and the surrounding environment. The playback device determines filter coefficients based on a difference between the determined frequency response curve and a target frequency response curve, and applies the filter coefficients to one or more filters during playback of audio content by the playback device.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: William H. Bush
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Patent number: 10306364Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a crossover frequency between a plurality of audio speakers rendering audio content. In one example, a first subset of a plurality of audio speakers may be rendering a first sub-range of a range of audio frequencies of an audio content, and a second subset of speakers of the plurality of audio speakers may be rendering a second sub-range of the range of audio frequencies. In this example, the first sub-range and the second sub-range may be substantially separated at the crossover frequency. In one case, a characteristic of the audio content may be determined, and the crossover frequency may be adjusted based on the determined characteristic to help improve the audio content rendering quality by the respective subsets of audio speakers in the plurality of audio speakers.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Sheen, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, William H. Bush
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Patent number: 10299055Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
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Publication number: 20190075415Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
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Publication number: 20190075414Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve dynamically adjusting the equalization of multiple speakers in a playback device. An example implementation involves a playback device emitting, via a speaker, a first audio signal. While emitting the first audio signal, the playback device detects, via a microphone, data representing a second audio signal, the second audio signal comprising one or more reflections of the first audio signal as emitted by the speaker within a surrounding environment. The playback device determines a frequency response curve based on the second audio signal, the frequency response curve representing acoustic characteristics of a system comprising the playback device and the surrounding environment. The playback device determines filter coefficients based on a difference between the determined frequency response curve and a target frequency response curve, and applies the filter coefficients to one or more filters during playback of audio content by the playback device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventor: William H. Bush
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Patent number: 10129675Abstract: Techniques described herein may involve dynamically adjusting the equalization of multiple speakers in a playback device. An example implementation involves a playback device emitting, via a first speaker, a first audio signal and emitting, via a second speaker, a second audio signal. The playback device may detect, via a microphone, an audio signal representing (i) at least a portion of the first audio signal and (ii) at least a portion of the second audio signal. The implementation may further involve the playback device determining one or more reflection characteristics based on the detected audio signal. The example implementation may also involve identifying a first audio setting and a second audio setting based on one or more reflection characteristics and applying (i) the first audio setting to playback of media content via the first speaker and (ii) the second audio setting to playback of media content via the second speaker.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventor: William H. Bush
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Patent number: 10051399Abstract: Examples described herein involve configuring a playback device based on distortion, such as that caused by a barrier. One implementation may involve causing the playback device to play audio content according to an existing playback configuration, determining an existing frequency response of the playback device in a given system, and determining whether a difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device in the given system and a predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than a predetermined distortion threshold. If it is determined that the difference between the existing frequency response of the playback device and the predetermined frequency response for the playback device is greater than the predetermined distortion threshold, then the existing playback configuration of the playback device is changed to an updated playback configuration of the playback device and the playback device plays audio content according to the updated playback configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Sonos, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush