Managing connections of a user device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10986436-B2
Application number	US-201916559088-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 3, 2019
Priority date	May 30, 2014
Publication date	Apr 20, 2021
Grant date	Apr 20, 2021

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium are provided for managing connections of user devices. For example, two source devices may be configured to maintain a data stream with one another. The data stream may enable the two source devices to identify one or more connections between each other and at least a third device. In response to receiving an event that indicates content to be provided to the third device, the data stream may be used by the source devices to configure their network connections with the third device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method performed by a mobile phone connected to an electronic device, the method comprising:
detecting, by the mobile phone, that the electronic device is streaming content to a headset;
receiving, by the mobile phone, a notification of an incoming call;
instructing, by the mobile phone, the electronic device to cease transmission of the streaming content to the headset; and
transmitting, by the mobile phone, information associated with the incoming call directly to the headset.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises a wearable device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the wearable device comprises a watch.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the content being streamed to the headset comprises an audio signal.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information associated with the incoming call comprises audio information associated with the incoming call or a notification of the incoming call.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile phone and the electronic device are connected to one another via a persistent connection.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the persistent connection is maintained at least while the mobile phone is within communication range of the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the persistent connection comprises a Bluetooth protocol connection.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the electronic device is to transmit the information associated with the incoming call to the headset, and wherein transmitting the information comprises:
transmitting, by the mobile phone, the notification of the incoming call to the electronic device via a persistent connection; and
transmitting, by the mobile phone, an instruction for the electronic device to transmit the information to the headset.

10. A cellular-capable device for communicating with a second cellular-capable device and a headset, comprising:
a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions; and
one or more processors in communication with the memory and configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
detect that the second cellular-capable device is streaming content to the headset;
receive a notification of an incoming call;
instruct the second cellular-capable device to cease transmission of the streaming content to the headset; and
transmit information associated with the incoming call directly to the headset.

11. The cellular-capable device of claim 10 , wherein the second cellular-capable device comprises a mobile phone or a watch.

12. The cellular-capable device of claim 10 , wherein the content being streamed to the headset comprises audio content.

13. The cellular-capable device of claim 10 , wherein the information associated with the incoming call comprises audio information associated with the incoming call or a notification of the incoming call.

14. The cellular-capable device of claim 10 , wherein the persistent connection between the cellular-capable device and the second cellular-capable device comprises a non-cellular wireless connection.

15. The cellular-capable device of claim 14 , wherein the persistent connection is maintained at least while the cellular-capable device is within communication range of the second cellular-capable device.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a cellular-capable device, configure the cellular-capable device to perform operations comprising:
detecting that an electronic device is streaming content to a headset;
receiving a notification of an incoming call;
instructing, by the cellular-capable device, the electronic device to cease transmission of the streaming content to the headset; and
transmitting information associated with the incoming call directly to the headset.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the electronic device comprises a mobile phone or a watch.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the content being streamed to the headset comprises audio content.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 16 , wherein the cellular-capable device and the electronic device are connected to one another via a persistent connection.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 19 , wherein the persistent connection is maintained at least while the cellular-capable device is within communication range of the electronic device.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Schobel Andreas E
• De Vries Nathan
• Novick Gregory B
• Guetta Anthony J
• Conn Jason C
• Prats Augustin

Classifications

• H04M1/724094

  Interfacing with a device worn on the user's body to provide access to telephonic functionalities, e.g. accepting a call, reading or composing a message · CPC title

• H04M1/6066

  including a wireless connection · CPC title

• H04M1/72412 Primary

  using two-way short-range wireless interfaces · CPC title

• H04W76/25

  Maintenance of established connections · CPC title

• H04R1/1091 Primary

  Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083 · CPC title