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).

  • Publication number: 20230362566
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Publication number: 20230300550
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Publication number: 20230232175
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 11696081
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 11540073
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
  • Publication number: 20210105568
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Publication number: 20210099821
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
  • Patent number: 10863295
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 10791407
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Sonon, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
  • Publication number: 20200196077
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H. Bush
  • Publication number: 20190394594
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 10511924
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
  • Publication number: 20190342684
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
  • Patent number: 10412517
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 10306364
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Sheen, Michael Darrell Andrew Ericson, William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 10299055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
  • Publication number: 20190075415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush
  • Publication number: 20190075414
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 10129675
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Bush
  • Patent number: 10051399
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Oishi, William H Bush