Wireless audio output devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11095967-B2
Application number	US-201916285023-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 25, 2019
Priority date	Jun 5, 2015
Publication date	Aug 17, 2021
Grant date	Aug 17, 2021

Abstract

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for determining when to wirelessly communicatively couple together a pair of untethered wireless audio output devices and for determining when to erase a connection history stored on one or both of the wireless audio output devices.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for controlling audio output devices, the method comprising:
detecting, via a first audio output device, an input to answer an incoming voice call;
determining whether the first audio output device is in a muted microphone state or an active microphone state;
when the first audio output device is in the muted microphone state and is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly to a companion communication device, causing the first audio output device to change from the muted microphone state to the active microphone state;
when the first audio output device is in the muted microphone state and is wirelessly communicatively coupled indirectly to the companion communication device via a second audio output device:
causing the first audio output device to wirelessly communicatively couple directly to the companion communication device;
when the second audio output device is in the active microphone state, causing the second audio output device to change from the active microphone state to the muted microphone state; and

answering the incoming voice call via the first audio output device while in the active microphone state and via the companion communication device to which the first audio output device is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
when the first audio output device is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly to the companion communication device via a connection using a non-voice profile, changing the connection from the non-voice profile to a voice profile in association with answering the incoming voice call.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting the input to answer the incoming voice call comprises detecting, via a sensor of the first audio output device, a tap comprising at least part of the input.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to answering the incoming voice call, configuring the first audio output device to the active microphone state in response to a configuration input received via the companion communication device.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to detecting the input to answer the incoming voice call, configuring the first audio output device to the muted microphone state in response to a configuration input received via the companion communication device.

6. A wireless ear bud comprising:
a communications interface configured to communicate with a companion communication device and with a second wireless ear bud;
a memory storing instructions for controlling operation of the wireless ear bud; and
a processor that, in response to execution of the instructions, is configured to:
detect an input to answer an incoming voice call;
determine whether the wireless ear bud is in a muted microphone state or an active microphone state;
when the wireless ear bud is in the muted microphone state and is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly to the companion communication device, change the wireless ear bud from the muted microphone state to the active microphone state;
when the wireless ear bud is in the muted microphone state and is wirelessly communicatively coupled indirectly to the companion communication device via the second wireless ear bud, wirelessly communicatively couple the wireless ear bud directly to the companion communication device; and
answer the incoming voice call, via the wireless ear bud while in the active microphone state and via the companion communication device to which the wireless ear bud is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly,
wherein when the second wireless ear bud is in the active microphone state, the companion communication device causes the second wireless ear bud to change from the active microphone state to the muted microphone state in association with answering the incoming voice call via the wireless ear bud.

7. The wireless ear bud of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to execution of the instructions:
when the wireless ear bud is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly to the companion communication device via a connection using a non-voice profile, change the connection from the non-voice profile to a voice profile in association with answering the incoming voice call.

8. The wireless ear bud of claim 6 , further comprising a sensor, wherein the wireless ear bud detects, via the sensor, a tap comprising at least part of the input to answer the incoming voice call.

9. The wireless ear bud of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to execution of the instructions:
prior to answering the incoming voice call, configure the wireless ear bud to the active microphone state in response to a configuration input received via the companion communication device.

10. The wireless ear bud of claim 6 , wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to execution of the instructions:
prior to detecting the input to answer the incoming voice call, configure the wireless ear bud to the muted microphone state in response to a configuration input received via the companion communication device.

11. A companion communication device comprising:
a communications interface configured to communicate with a first wireless ear bud and a second wireless ear bud;
a memory storing instructions for controlling operation of the companion communication device; and
a processor that, in response to execution of the instructions, is configured to:
output an indication signaling receipt of an incoming voice call;
receive an input to answer the incoming voice call;
when the first wireless ear bud is in a muted microphone state and is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly to the companion communication device, cause the first wireless ear bud to change from the muted microphone state to an active microphone state;
when the first wireless ear bud is in the muted microphone state and is wirelessly communicatively coupled indirectly to the companion communication device via the second wireless ear bud:
communicatively couple the first wireless ear bud directly to the companion communication device; and
when the second wireless ear bud is in the active microphone state, change the second wireless ear bud from the active microphone state to the muted microphone state; and

answer the incoming voice call while the first wireless ear bud is in the active microphone state and wirelessly communicatively coupled directly to the companion communication device.

12. The companion communication device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to execution of the instructions:
when the first wireless ear bud is wirelessly communicatively coupled directly to the companion communication device via a connection using a non-voice profile, change the connection from the non-voice profile to a voice profile in association with answering the incoming voice call.

13. The companion communication device of claim 11 , wherein the input to answer the incoming voice call is received from the first wireless ear bud.

14. The companion communication device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to execution of the instructions:
prior to answering the incoming voice call, configure the first wireless ear bud to the active microphone state in response to a configuration input received via the companion communication device.

15. The companion communication device of claim 11 , wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to execution of the instructions:
prior to de

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Watson Robert D
• Shaw David John
• Ganapathi Batta Ganesh Adkasthala
• CHANDRAMOHAN Chandrahas Aralaguppe
• Burns Gregory Robert
• Byer Benjamin Huth

Classifications

• H04W76/14 Primary

  Direct-mode setup · CPC title

• H04W12/50

  Secure pairing of devices · CPC title

• H04W12/06

  Authentication · CPC title

• H04W8/005

  Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals · CPC title

• H04W4/80

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title