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The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

usitc.gov

21–30 of 127 posts

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#21
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The patent system is so broken.

Yes, so broken that the original inventors of a product class had to spend $50 million on litigation in not even a court, but rather a quasi court in DC after a trillion dollar company stole their IP, because it's the last place where patent holders in the US get a reasonably fair shake.

Software patents are an anathema on innovation. I'd go so far as to say all corporate patents are a hindrance to innovation. We're not in the days of singular inventors profiting off their inventions, which I'm fine with, as when corporations become patent trolls or create such broad patents like "able to play back on a device," then it gets a little ridiculous.

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#22
Patents are horrible. Can you really look me in the face and tell me that controlling the volume of speakers independently of each other is some kind of special idea - not even a concrete product, but so innovative that the very concept deserves an exclusive license and millions in damages from those that dare implement a common-sense UX control?

If you can, let me know where I can sign up for free Sonos products for astroturfing too.

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#23
I'm not a patent lawyer, but can anyone explain to me how this wasn't already covered by either part of multi-zone systems in the 80s/90s, or part of literally every single room correction tech since the late 90s? Sonos didn't exist when this technology was invented.

Edit: Surprised I'm getting downvoted for this. All the patents listed are things multi-zone and room correcting systems already do. Look at technology built by Dirac or Audyssey for latency-correcting multiple clock domains; they already do it. Audyssey, Dirac, and Sonos all started around the same time, around 20 years ago, and all base their technology on the companies and engineers who came before them, and Audyssey and Dirac have solutions that are lightyears ahead of Sonos.

How does Sonos have valid patents here when its identical to what two better companies have done at the same time, or worse, what companies before them have already done? Something does not sound right here.

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#24
post #8

As far as I can tell, these are the patents mentioned in the document: Method and apparatus for adjusting volume levels in a multi-zone system - https://patents.google.com/patent/US8588949B2/en System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices - https://patents.google.com/patent/US9195258B2/en Multi-channel pairing in a media system - https://pat…

> System and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices - https://patents.google.com/patent/US9195258B2/en This one in particular seems way too broad. So... they have a patent on the concept of deducting latency from a message to synchronize clocks? (and then sending data with a timestamp for when it will play?)

I wonder if they keep their server times in sync with ntp.

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#25

Patents are horrible. Can you really look me in the face and tell me that controlling the volume of speakers independently of each other is some kind of special idea - not even a concrete product, but so innovative that the very concept deserves an exclusive license and millions in damages from those that dare implement a common-sense UX control? If you can, let me know where I can sign up for free Sonos products for…

It tells people to not bother inventing anything, everything “legally” has already been invented by people with more money and lawyers than you.

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#26

Patents are horrible. Can you really look me in the face and tell me that controlling the volume of speakers independently of each other is some kind of special idea - not even a concrete product, but so innovative that the very concept deserves an exclusive license and millions in damages from those that dare implement a common-sense UX control? If you can, let me know where I can sign up for free Sonos products for…

[deleted]

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#27
This is the reason the physical volume buttons on Android 12 on Pixel phones no longer adjust Chromecasted music volume, unless you are in the music app in question.

Adjusting Spotify cast on the Google Home used to be so easy...

https://www.androidpolice.com/google-had-to-remove-cast-volu...

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#28

Patents are horrible. Can you really look me in the face and tell me that controlling the volume of speakers independently of each other is some kind of special idea - not even a concrete product, but so innovative that the very concept deserves an exclusive license and millions in damages from those that dare implement a common-sense UX control? If you can, let me know where I can sign up for free Sonos products for…

Ignoring the HN-pleasing "Patents are horrible" (to which I agree btw), the patents are very specifically about the opposite of independent volume control: They are about setting up groups of speakers which can be controlled together.

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#29
post #28

Patents are horrible. Can you really look me in the face and tell me that controlling the volume of speakers independently of each other is some kind of special idea - not even a concrete product, but so innovative that the very concept deserves an exclusive license and millions in damages from those that dare implement a common-sense UX control? If you can, let me know where I can sign up for free Sonos products for…

Ignoring the HN-pleasing "Patents are horrible" (to which I agree btw), the patents are very specifically about the opposite of independent volume control: They are about setting up groups of speakers which can be controlled together.

Sure. Replace "independently" with "dependently" in my comment. That distinction changes nothing about the novelty of such a system.

The volume knob on your stereo from 1960 controls both the left and right speaker volume, at the same time. Woah.

Re: The ITC declares Google infringed on audio tech patents held by Sonos [pdf]

#30

Patents are horrible. Can you really look me in the face and tell me that controlling the volume of speakers independently of each other is some kind of special idea - not even a concrete product, but so innovative that the very concept deserves an exclusive license and millions in damages from those that dare implement a common-sense UX control? If you can, let me know where I can sign up for free Sonos products for…

Yes, because at one point in time that was an innovation. You said it yourself.
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