Changing companion communication device behavior based on status of wearable device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025298576-A1
Application number	US-202519055132-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 17, 2025
Priority date	Jun 5, 2015
Publication date	Sep 25, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for detecting a wearing status of a wearable device, such as a wireless ear bud, eyeglasses, a watch, etc., where the wearing status indicates whether a user is wearing the wearable device, and sending wearing status data to a companion communication device to control a behavior of the companion communication device.

First claim

1 . A wearable device comprising:
a processor; a media output component; a sensor configured to detect a wearing status of the wearable device; and a communication interface configured to send, to a companion communication device paired with the wearable device, a wearing status signal indicating a wearing status or change in wearing status of the wearable device.

2 . The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein:
the sensor detects a change in the wearing status of the wearable device; the signal indicates the wearable device the change in the wearing status of the wearable device from not being worn to being worn; and the communication interface receives, from the companion communication device, media data subsequent to the change in the wearing status.

3 . The wearable device of claim 2 , wherein:
the wearable device further comprises smart eyeglasses; and the processor is configured to process the media data, received from the companion communication device, to generate a media output signal for the media output component.

4 . The wearable device of claim 3 , wherein:
the media output component comprises a speaker and/or a display; and the media data comprises audio data and/or image data.

5 . The wearable device of claim 2 , wherein:
the wearable device further comprises an audio output device; the media output component comprises at least one speaker; and the processor is configured to process audio data, received from the companion communication device, to generate an audio output signal for the at least one speaker.

6 . The wearable device of claim 2 , wherein:
the wearable device further comprises a smart watch; and the processor is configured to process media data, received from the companion communication device, to generate media output data for the media output component.

7 . The wearable device of claim 6 , wherein:
the media output component comprises a speaker; and the media data comprises audio data.

8 . The wearable device of claim 6 , wherein:
the media output component comprises a display; and the media data comprises image data.

9 . The wearable device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a camera configured to perform retinal scanning; and the processor is configured to process retinal scanning data to confirm a user's identity; and the communication interface is further configured to send to the companion communication device a signal confirming the user's identity.

10 . The wearable device of claim 9 , wherein the wearable device is configured to perform the retinal scanning responsive to a change in the wearing status of the wearable device indicating a user donning the wearable device.

11 . The wearable device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises any one of or combination of: an optical proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a heat sensor, or a moisture sensor.

12 . A companion communication device comprising:
a communication interface configured to receive, from a wearable device paired with the companion communication device, a wearing status signal indicating a wearing status of the wearable device; and a processor configured to change behavior of an operating system component of the companion communication device, based on the wearing status.

13 . The companion communication device of claim 12 , wherein:
the processor of the companion communication device is configured to change behavior of the operating system component by publishing or un-publishing availability of a media route that allows user-selectable controls to route media from the companion communication device to the wearable device.

14 . The companion communication device of claim 12 , wherein:
the wearing status signal indicates the wearable device is not being worn or indicates a change in the wearing status of the wearable device from being worn to not being worn; and the wearing status signal causes the companion communication device to un-publish availability of a media route to the wearable device.

15 . The companion communication device of claim 12 , wherein:
the wearing status signal indicates the wearable device is being worn or indicates a change in the wearing status of the wearable device from not being worn to being worn; and the wearing status signal causes the companion communication device to publish availability of a media route to the wearable device.

16 . A communication system comprising a wearable device paired with a companion communication device, wherein:
the wearable device comprises:
a speaker;
a sensor configured to detect a wearing status of the wearable device; and
a first communication interface configured to send a wearing status signal to the companion communication device indicating a wearing status of the wearable device; and
the companion communication device comprises:
a second communication interface configured to receive from the wearable device the wearing status signal; and
a processor configured to change behavior of an operating system component of the companion communication device, based on the wearing status signal received from the wearable device.

17 . The communication system of claim 16 , wherein:
the processor of the companion communication device is configured to change the behavior of the operating system component by publishing or un-publishing availability of a media route that allows user selectable controls to route media from the companion communication device to the wearable device.

18 . The communication system of claim 16 , wherein:
the wearable device further comprises:
a camera to perform retinal scanning; and
a processor to confirm a user's identity based on a retinal scan; and
the first communication interface is configured to send a signal indicating confirmation of a user's identity to the companion communication device; and the processor of the companion communication device is configured to unlock the companion communication device responsive to the signal received from the wearable device confirming the user's identity.

19 . The communication system of claim 18 wherein:
the signal confirming the user's identity allows for unlocking the companion communication device in place of a default setting embedded in the operating system of the companion communication device requiring a fingerprint scan at the companion communication device.

20 . The communication system of claim 18 , wherein:
the processor of the companion communication device is further configured to allow completion of a purchase request after confirmation of the user's identity.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Watson Robert D
• Shaw David John
• Chawan Arun Dhyaneshwar
• Gillette Matthew
• Ganapathi Batta Ganesha Adkasthala
• Moore Jeffrey Chandler
• Bernhard Patrick Ian
• Chang Baek San
• Coffman Patrick Lee
• Bennett Jonathan Anderson
• Guetta Anthony
• Minoo Jahan Christian
• Rauenbuehler Keith Walter

Classifications

• H04R2420/07

  Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones · CPC title

• H04R1/1041

  Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements (switches in general H01H) · CPC title

• G06F3/162 Primary

  Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs · CPC title

• H04R29/001

  for loudspeakers (H04R29/007 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04R1/1016

  Earpieces of the intra-aural type · CPC title