Paul A Bates

US Patent:

20210343285, Nov 4, 2021

Filed:

Jul 16, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/305920

Inventors:

- Santa Barbara CA, US
Paul Bates - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G10L 15/22
G10L 15/32
G10L 15/08
H04R 1/32

Abstract:

Systems and methods for maintaining voice assistant persistence across multiple network microphone devices are described. In one example, first and second NMDs each identify a wake word based on detected sound, and are each transitioned from an inactive state to an active state in which the NMD captures and transmits sound data over a network interface. The first NMD is selected over the second NMD to output a first response, and both NMDs remain in the active state to further capture and transmit sound data. After further capturing and transmitting of sound data, the second NMD is selected over the first NMD to output a second response. After a predetermined time, one or both of the NMDs are transitioned back to the inactive state. The selection of one NMD over another for outputting a response can be based at least in part on user location information.

US Patent:

20200349935, Nov 5, 2020

Filed:

May 3, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/402617

Inventors:

- Santa Barbara CA, US
Paul Bates - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G10L 15/22
G10L 15/32
G10L 15/08
H04R 1/32

Abstract:

Systems and methods for maintaining voice assistant persistence across multiple network microphone devices are described. In one example, first and second NMDs each identify a wake word based on detected sound, and are each transitioned from an inactive state to an active state in which the NMD captures and transmits sound data over a network interface. The first NMD is selected over the second NMD to output a first response, and both NMDs remain in the active state to further capture and transmit sound data. After further capturing and transmitting of sound data, the second NMD is selected over the first NMD to output a second response. After a predetermined time, one or both of the NMDs are transitioned back to the inactive state. The selection of one NMD over another for outputting a response can be based at least in part on user location information.

US Patent:

20200110571, Apr 9, 2020

Filed:

Oct 5, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/153530

Inventors:

- Santa Barbara CA, US
Paul Bates - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/16
G06F 16/68

Abstract:

Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, and evaluating the relevancy of the information received from each of the media content services as the information is received to determine a relevancy indicator for the information. The method may further include comparing the relevancy indicators to a relevancy threshold and determining whether to select the response for playback based on the comparison. The relevancy threshold may be lowered over time. The method may further include determining one of the relevancy indicators meets the relevancy threshold and selecting the associated media content for playback.

US Patent:

20190347063, Nov 14, 2019

Filed:

Aug 22, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/109375

Inventors:

- Santa Barbara CA, US
Paul Bates - Seattle WA, US

International Classification:

G06F 3/16
G10L 15/22
G10L 15/30

Abstract:

Systems and methods for media playback via a media playback system include (i) capturing a voice input comprising a request for media content, (ii) receiving information derived at least from the request for media content, (iii) requesting and receiving information from at least one remote computing device associated with a first media content service and at least one remote computing device associated with a second media content service, wherein (a) the information identifies first media content available via the first media content service for playback and identifies second media content available via the second media content service for playback, and (b) the first and second media content are related to the requested media content, and (iv) after receiving at least one of the first information and the second information, (a) selecting the first media content instead of the second media content, and (b) playing back the first media content.