Prosecution Insights
Prosecution Insights
Technology areas: Computing & Software • Networking & Security • Communications
65 pending office actions • 20 art units • 47 examiners • 0 of 65 (0%) have an AI response strategy ready • 229 patents granted in the last 365 days
Sonos Inc. has 63 pending office actions in the Communications technology area. These matters are assigned to 45 distinct examiners across 19 distinct art units. This distribution indicates that while there is some variety in examiners, there is also a notable concentration of work among the 45 distinct examiners, reflecting a focused technical scope within the communications field.
The busiest examiner is MCCORD, PAUL C, who is responsible for 8 pending office actions. This represents a significant portion of the 63 total pending actions. With 45 distinct examiners and 19 distinct art units involved, practitioners should analyze the specific preferences of examiner MCCORD, PAUL C while also accounting for the diverse requirements of the other administrative groups. The 8 pending office actions with MCCORD, PAUL C provide a key area for monitoring prosecution trends that may affect the broader portfolio.
Based on the USPTO statutory response window for each pending office action. 16 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date; the rest are excluded from the tile counts.
Every pending office action with a known statutory deadline, placed on a days-until-due axis. Dots left of Today are overdue; the further right, the more runway. Cases that share a deadline window stack vertically. 16 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date.
Difficulty is derived from the rejection statutes on the most recent pending office action. §101-driven and multi-statute cases are graded Hard; §112-only and obviousness-type double-patenting cases are graded Easy; everything else is Medium. "Unknown" means we have not yet parsed a statute for that office action.
| Bucket | Cases |
|---|---|
| §101 + other | 1 (2%) |
| §103 only | 28 (43%) |
| §102 only | 1 (2%) |
| §112 only | 1 (2%) |
| Double-patenting only | 13 (20%) |
| Double-patenting + other | 2 (3%) |
| Multi-statute (no §101) | 19 (29%) |
How the docket's pending cases split across USPTO tech-center bands.
Manual office-action response work runs about 10 hours per case. The time-saved bands below show what IP Author's prosecution pipeline typically delivers — a conservative 20% on the low end, 35% in the middle, 50% on the high end.
| Examiner | Apps on this docket | Allow rate | Interview lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCCORD, PAUL C | 8 | 69.2% | +25.9% |
| SAUNDERS JR, JOSEPH | 4 | 73.3% | +20.6% |
| GAUTHIER, GERALD | 3 | 91.1% | +6.6% |
| LEROUX, ETIENNE PIERRE | 2 | 88.5% | +5.3% |
| NGUYEN, QUYNH H | 2 | 87.4% | +17.1% |
| PAUL, DISLER | 2 | 82.2% | +8.6% |
| BARBOZA, MARCUS ALEXANDER | 2 | 100.0% | +0.0% |
| NGUYEN, CAO H | 2 | 90.9% | +7.4% |
| WON, MICHAEL YOUNG | 2 | 80.0% | +28.5% |
| CRAVER, CHARLES R | 1 | 61.5% | +22.1% |
Cases in front of an examiner with an allow rate of 80%+ where the difficulty is Easy or Medium. The top 8 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18464848 | Multiple Media Playback Protocols for Synchronized Media Playback in Grouped Zones | WON, MICHAEL YOUNG | 85d overdue |
| 18474961 | Cloud Queue Access Control | GAUTHIER, GERALD | 9d |
| 19022968 | STORING GENERATED DIGITAL OBJECTS ON A DISTRIBUTED LEDGER | LEROUX, ETIENNE PIERRE | 34d |
| 18886512 | Media Playback System Control via Multiple Networks | WON, MICHAEL YOUNG | 71d |
| 19209096 | BLOCKCHAIN-BASED GENERATIVE MEDIA SYSTEM FOR REAL-WORLD ASSET TOKENIZATION | LEROUX, ETIENNE PIERRE | — |
| 19038176 | POWER MANAGEMENT FOR AUDIO PLAYBACK DEVICES | NGUYEN, QUYNH H | — |
| 19030817 | Wireless Radio Switching | PAUL, DISLER | — |
| 19027699 | Validation of Audio Calibration Using Multi-Dimensional Motion Check | PAUL, DISLER | — |
Multi-statute / §101-driven matters, or cases in front of an examiner with an allow rate under 30%. The top 8 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18982755 | Priority Media Content | HOSSAIN, FARZANA E | 15d overdue |
| 18411731 | Room-Informed Binaural Rendering | BRINEY III, WALTER F | 4d overdue |
| 18745199 | Dynamic Bonding of Playback Devices | MCCORD, PAUL C | 5d |
| 18635595 | Multi-User Media Playback System | TOLENTINO, RODERICK | 7d |
| 18635422 | Management of Media Playback System Splits and Location Designation for Partitions of a Media Playback System | NGUYEN, PHUNG HOANG JOSEPH | 7d |
| 18760210 | Playback Zone Representations | ORR, HENRY W | 22d |
| 17833224 | RADIO COEXISTENCE TECHNIQUES FOR PLAYBACK DEVICES | TSVEY, GENNADIY | 28d |
| 19342362 | DEVICE IMPAIRMENT DETECTION | CRAVER, CHARLES R | — |
Cases in front of an examiner whose interview lift is 10 percentage points or more — i.e. interviewed cases historically resolve more favorably than non-interviewed ones. The top 8 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18464848 | Multiple Media Playback Protocols for Synchronized Media Playback in Grouped Zones | WON, MICHAEL YOUNG | 85d overdue |
| 18514882 | ASSOCIATING PLAYBACK DEVICES WITH PLAYBACK QUEUES | MCCORD, PAUL C | 26d overdue |
| 18745199 | Dynamic Bonding of Playback Devices | MCCORD, PAUL C | 5d |
| 18597873 | Systems and Methods for Calibrating a Playback Device | MCCORD, PAUL C | 6d |
| 18886512 | Media Playback System Control via Multiple Networks | WON, MICHAEL YOUNG | 71d |
| 19342362 | DEVICE IMPAIRMENT DETECTION | CRAVER, CHARLES R | — |
| 19068226 | Room Association Based on Name | SAUNDERS JR, JOSEPH | — |
| 19038176 | POWER MANAGEMENT FOR AUDIO PLAYBACK DEVICES | NGUYEN, QUYNH H | — |
| Art Unit | Apps |
|---|---|
| 2692 | 9 |
| 2691 | 4 |
| 2161 | 2 |
| 2421 | 2 |
| 2424 | 2 |
| 2443 | 2 |
| 2695 | 2 |
| 3992 | 1 |
| 2164 | 1 |
| 3735 | 1 |
| App # | Title | Examiner | Art Unit | Statutes | Status | Due in | AI | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19342362 | DEVICE IMPAIRMENT DETECTION | CRAVER, CHARLES R | 3992 | §102§103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 26, 2025 |
| 19253512 | Playback Queue Collaboration and Notification | SKHOUN, HICHAM | 2164 | §101§103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 27, 2025 |
| 19209096 | BLOCKCHAIN-BASED GENERATIVE MEDIA SYSTEM FOR REAL-WORLD ASSET TOKENIZATION | LEROUX, ETIENNE PIERRE | 2161 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 15, 2025 |
| 19184737 | Techniques for Extending the Lifespan of Playback Devices | ABEDIN, NORMIN | — | §103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 21, 2025 |
| 19171711 | Playback Device Group Volume Control | HAMID, AMMAR T | 2691 | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 07, 2025 |
| 19088378 | PACKAGING SYSTEM | PAL, PRINCE | 3735 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Mar 24, 2025 |
| 19068226 | Room Association Based on Name | SAUNDERS JR, JOSEPH | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 03, 2025 |
| 19052027 | Access Control Techniques for Media Playback Systems | DAVIS, CHENEA | 2421 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Feb 12, 2025 |
| 19050482 | PLAYBACK OF SYNTHETIC MEDIA CONTENT VIA MULIPLE DEVICES | MENGESHA, MULUGETA A | 2424 | DP | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Feb 11, 2025 |
| 19044357 | Cable Retraction Mechanism for Headphone Devices | SUTHERS, DOUGLAS JOHN | — | §103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 03, 2025 |
| 19038176 | POWER MANAGEMENT FOR AUDIO PLAYBACK DEVICES | NGUYEN, QUYNH H | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 27, 2025 |
| 19031215 | Networked Device Group Information in a System with Multiple Media Playback Protocols | FLYNN, RANDY A | 2424 | §103Other | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19030817 | Wireless Radio Switching | PAUL, DISLER | — | §103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19031204 | Multi-Channel Acoustic Echo Cancellation | TON, DAVID L | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19031170 | Systems and Methods of Multiple Voice Services | COLUCCI, MICHAEL C | 2658 | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19029722 | MEDIA PLAYBACK BASED ON SENSOR DATA | MCCORD, PAUL C | 2691 | §103§112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19027699 | Validation of Audio Calibration Using Multi-Dimensional Motion Check | PAUL, DISLER | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19027999 | Facilitating Calibration of an Audio Playback Device | MCCORD, PAUL C | — | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19029647 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPERATING MEDIA PLAYBACK SYSTEMS HAVING MULTIPLE VOICE ASSISTANT SERVICES | JACKSON, JAKIEDA R | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19029937 | MEDIA PLAYBACK BASED ON SENSOR DATA | MCCORD, PAUL C | — | §103§112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19031037 | Handling of loss of pairing between networked devices | SAINT CYR, LEONARD | — | §102Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19027809 | Calibration of a Playback Device Based on an Estimated Frequency Response | MOHAMMED, ASSAD | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19025318 | PLAYBACK OF MEDIA CONTENT ACCORDING TO MEDIA PREFERENCES | BARBOZA, MARCUS ALEXANDER | — | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 16, 2025 |
| 19025149 | PLAYBACK TRANSITIONS | SAUNDERS JR, JOSEPH | — | §112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 16, 2025 |
| 19022968 | STORING GENERATED DIGITAL OBJECTS ON A DISTRIBUTED LEDGER | LEROUX, ETIENNE PIERRE | 2161 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 34d | Pending | Jan 15, 2025 |
| 19019322 | Methods and Devices for Rejoining a Group | DEANE JR, WILLIAM J | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 13, 2025 |
| 18990825 | INTEROPERABILITY OF NATIVE MEDIA PLAYBACK SYSTEM WITH VIRTUAL LINE-IN | MCCORD, PAUL C | — | §103§112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 20, 2024 |
| 18991208 | Earphone Positioning and Retention | ROBINSON, RYAN C | — | §102§103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 20, 2024 |
| 18982755 | Priority Media Content | HOSSAIN, FARZANA E | 2482 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | 15d overdue | Pending | Dec 16, 2024 |
| 18968645 | Extending Playback With Corresponding Media | SAUNDERS JR, JOSEPH | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 04, 2024 |
| 18968407 | Systems and Methods of Adjusting Bass Levels of Multi-Channel Audio Signals | NGUYEN, QUYNH H | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 04, 2024 |
| 18955419 | Home Graph | ABEBE, DANIEL DEMELASH | — | §102§103DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 21, 2024 |
| 18944141 | AUDIO PARAMETER ADJUSTMENT BASED ON PLAYBACK DEVICE SEPARATION DISTANCE | SAUNDERS JR, JOSEPH | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 12, 2024 |
| 18939900 | AUDIO PROCESSING ALGORITHMS | BARBOZA, MARCUS ALEXANDER | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 07, 2024 |
| 18939935 | SPATIAL AUDIO CORRECTION | FISCHER, MARK L | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 07, 2024 |
| 18907910 | Remote Creation of a Playback Queue for an Event | NGUYEN, CAO H | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 07, 2024 |
| 18903504 | Techniques for Reducing Latency in a Wireless Home Theater Environment | CHOWDHURY, RAYEEZ R | — | §103DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 01, 2024 |
| 18886512 | Media Playback System Control via Multiple Networks | WON, MICHAEL YOUNG | 2443 | §103 | Final Rejection | 71d | Pending | Sep 16, 2024 |
| 18883801 | Information Display Regarding Playback Queue Subscriptions | BEKEE, CHIMEZIE EZERIWE | 2691 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 12, 2024 |
| 18800916 | Sound and Light Experiences | CHAI, RAYMOND REI-YANG | 2844 | §103Other | Final Rejection | 16d | Pending | Aug 12, 2024 |
| 18798597 | OPTIMIZATION OF NETWORK MICROPHONE DEVICES USING NOISE CLASSIFICATION | MOONEY, JAMES K | 2695 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Aug 08, 2024 |
| 18787574 | Suggested Application Download | NGUYEN, CAO H | — | §103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jul 29, 2024 |
| 18771196 | Lock Screen Media Playback Control | VU, THANH T | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jul 12, 2024 |
| 18771158 | Policies for Media Playback | CALDERON SANTIAGO, ALVARO RAFAEL | — | §102§103§112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jul 12, 2024 |
| 18766327 | Intelligent User Interfaces for Playback Devices | YOON, ERIC | 2118 | §103Other | Final Rejection | 16d overdue | Pending | Jul 08, 2024 |
| 18760210 | Playback Zone Representations | ORR, HENRY W | 2172 | §102§112 | Final Rejection | 22d | Pending | Jul 01, 2024 |
| 18754031 | MEDIA CONTENT CURATION BASED ON SAMPLE MEDIA ITEM(S) | NGUYEN, TUAN S | 2179 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 25, 2024 |
| 18745199 | Dynamic Bonding of Playback Devices | MCCORD, PAUL C | 2692 | §103§112Other | Final Rejection | 5d | Pending | Jun 17, 2024 |
| 18738169 | Playback Device Grouping | MCCORD, PAUL C | 2692 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jun 10, 2024 |
| 18635595 | Multi-User Media Playback System | TOLENTINO, RODERICK | 2439 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | 7d | Pending | Apr 15, 2024 |
| 18635422 | Management of Media Playback System Splits and Location Designation for Partitions of a Media Playback System | NGUYEN, PHUNG HOANG JOSEPH | 2691 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | 7d | Pending | Apr 15, 2024 |
| 18597873 | Systems and Methods for Calibrating a Playback Device | MCCORD, PAUL C | 2692 | §103 | Final Rejection | 6d | Pending | Mar 06, 2024 |
| 18411731 | Room-Informed Binaural Rendering | BRINEY III, WALTER F | 2692 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | 4d overdue | Pending | Jan 12, 2024 |
| 18398580 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PODCAST PLAYBACK | GAUTHIER, GERALD | 2692 | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 28, 2023 |
| 18514882 | ASSOCIATING PLAYBACK DEVICES WITH PLAYBACK QUEUES | MCCORD, PAUL C | 2692 | §103Other | Non-Final OA | 26d overdue | Pending | Nov 20, 2023 |
| 18487182 | System Limits Based on Known Triggers | FLANDERS, ANDREW C | 2692 | §102§103Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 16, 2023 |
| 18474559 | IMMERSIVE AUDIO EXPERIENCES BASED ON VISUAL CONTENT OR OBJECTS | CHIN, VIVIAN C | 2695 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 26, 2023 |
| 18474961 | Cloud Queue Access Control | GAUTHIER, GERALD | 2692 | DP | Final Rejection | 9d | Pending | Sep 26, 2023 |
| 18469147 | AUDIO SETTINGS | GAUTHIER, GERALD | 2692 | DP | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Sep 18, 2023 |
| 18464848 | Multiple Media Playback Protocols for Synchronized Media Playback in Grouped Zones | WON, MICHAEL YOUNG | 2443 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 85d overdue | Pending | Sep 11, 2023 |
| 18549543 | Off-LAN Experience for Portables | MUHEBBULLAH, SAJEDA | 2174 | §103 | Final Rejection | 30d | Pending | Sep 07, 2023 |
| 18451973 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SCHEDULE-BASED CHARGING OF DEVICE BATTERIES | BICKIYA, AIMAN AMIR | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 18, 2023 |
| 18063146 | Application Programming Interface for Browsing Media Content | SAX, STEVEN PAUL | 2146 | §103Other | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Dec 08, 2022 |
| 17833224 | RADIO COEXISTENCE TECHNIQUES FOR PLAYBACK DEVICES | TSVEY, GENNADIY | 2648 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | 28d | Pending | Jun 06, 2022 |
| 17235704 | COUNTERPART MEDIA ITEMS | MARANDI, JAMES R | 2421 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 20, 2021 |
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