ACOAA
`
`as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0109894 Al
`
` Uedaetal. (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 30, 2009
`
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`(54) PSEUDO HUB-AND-SPOKE WIRELESS
`AUDIO NETWORK
`ate
`.
`+
`ii
`Joji Ueda, Cambridge, MA (US);
`co N. Hsaac, Shrewsbury,MA
`.
`Correspondence Address:
`Bose Corporation
`.
`clo Donna Griffiths
`The Mountain, MS40, IP Legal - Patent Support
`Framingham, MA01701 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`-
`BOSE CORPORATION
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/981,985
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 31, 2007
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HO4J 1/10
`(2006.01)
`HOAB 7/14
`(2006.01)
`(59) U.S.C, scwussseseoneesenenennnveer STOS1Ss 455/7
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Anapparatus inducesafirst wireless devicetotransmit audio-
`related data to both the apparatus and a second wireless
`device by providing the first wireless device with a false
`indicationofthe apparatus being capable of performing an
`audio function that the apparatus is incapable of performing
`so as to enable the second wireless device to receive the
`audio-related data simultaneously with the apparatus, and
`whereinthe second wireless device cooperates with the appa-
`ratus to leave the first wireless device unaware of the simul-
`taneous receipt ofthe audio-related data by the second wire-
`less device.
`
`control
`122
`
`indicator
`123
`
`user interface
`120
`
`139 acoustic
`
`D-to-A
`converter
`140
`
`amplifier
`145
`
`wireless
`transceiver
`110
`
`processor
`130
`
`
`
`driver
`170
`
`connector
`150
`
`routine
`132
`
`audio
`data
`
`powerstorage
`190
`
`storage
`135
`
`wireless audio device
`100
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`processor
`130
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`150
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`routine
`132
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`power storage
`190
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`170
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`indicator
`control
`acoustic
`122
`123
`driver
`user interface
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`120
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`wireless
`D-to-A
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`amplifier
`transceiver
`converter
`
`145
`
`
`140
`110
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`connector
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`storage
`wireless audio device
`135
`100
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`FIG. 2
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`
`acoustic
`driver
`
`270
`
`
`indicator
`control
`223
`222
`user interface
`220
`
`
`wireless
`D-to-A
`
`
`
`amplifier
`transceiver
`converter
`
`245
`
`210
`240
`
`
`
`connector
`
`
`A-to-D
`250
`
`
`processor
`
`converter
`230
`
`260
`microphone
`
`
`275
`
` power storage
`
`2390
`
`storage
`wireless audio device
`
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`235
`200
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`FIG. 4
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`FIG. 5
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`PatentApplicationPublicationApr.30,2009Sheet5of§US2009/0109894Al
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`323
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`wireless audio device
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`335
`300
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`FIG. 6
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`IVF686010/6002SN
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`user interface
`320
`
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`wireless
`
`transceiver
`
`310
`
`
`
`connector
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`
`
`A-to-D
`350
`
`
`
`
`processor
`converter
`
`330
`
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`microphone
`360
`375
`
`
`power storage
`390
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`routine
`332
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`audio
`data
`339
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`FIG. 7
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`indicator
`control
`423
`422
`user interface
`
`wireless
`
`transceiver
`410
`
`processor
`430
`
`routine
`432
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`
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`JOSIISG00T‘OEAdy—-HoNNLaTTQngUOLRINddyjudEg
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`420
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` power storage
`audio
`490
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`data
`439
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`storage
`wireless audio device
`435
`400
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`connector
`455
`connector
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`450
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`FIG. 8
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`

`

`US 2009/0109894 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2009
`
`PSEUDO HUB-AND-SPOKE WIRELESS
`AUDIO NETWORK
`
`FIELD
`
`[0001] This description relates to sharing audio through
`wireless devices.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`It has become commonplacetouse devices employ-
`[0002]
`ing point-to-point wireless communications technologiesto
`create a personal area network in the vicinity of a user of
`personalelectronic devices carried about bythe user (referred
`to by someas a “piconet”) to convey audio from one of those
`personalelectronic devices to one or bothears ofthe user, as
`in the case ofthe playback ofaudiostored on anaudioplaying
`device to the user. It has also become commonplaceto addi-
`tionally convey audiofromthe user to one ofthose personal
`electronic devices, as in the case of cell phone in which the
`user engages in telephonic communication through such
`point-to-point wireless communications with that device.
`Among the forms ofsuch point-to-point wireless communi-
`cations being usedfor such purposesare those that conformto
`the widely used “Bluetooth”specification promulgated bythe
`Bluetooth Special Interest Group of Bellevue, Wash.
`[0003] Wireless communications conforming to the Blue-
`tooth specification have been in use for some time to wire-
`lessly convey two-wayaudio betweencell phones and so-
`called “earpieces” that incorporate both an acoustic driver to
`output audio to anear of a user and a microphoneto receive
`audio from the mouth ofthe user. More recently, there has
`been a growing emergence ofaudioplaying devices employ-
`ing wireless communications conforming to the Bluetooth
`specification to wirelessly convey one-wayaudio from those
`devices to one or more acoustic drivers to output audio to one
`or both ears of a user,
`[0004] Unfortunately, despite the growing acceptance of
`such point-to-point wireless communications for the convey-
`ing of audio between personal electronic devices, the point-
`to-point nature, the procedures required to securelyestablish
`wireless connections, and the conversions of audio between
`various analog and digital forms have presented various dif-
`ficulties. Those difficulties include various impediments to
`providing audioto both ears ofa user, allowing a usertoeasily
`transition from one choice ofacoustic driver and/or micro-
`phoneto another, and sharing audiowitha personal electronic
`device carried by anotheruser.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0005] Anapparatus inducesafirst wireless devicetotrans-
`mit audio-related data to both the apparatus and a second
`wireless device byproviding the first wireless device with a
`false indication of the apparatus being capable ofperforming
`an audio function that the apparatus is incapable of perform-
`ing so as to enable the second wireless device to receive the
`audio-related data simultaneously with the apparatus, and
`wherein the second wireless device cooperates with the appa-
`ratus to leave the first wireless device unaware of the simul-
`taneous receipt ofthe audio-related data by the second wire-
`less device.
`
`In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus
`[0006]
`that includesa processor, a transceiver accessible to the pro-
`cessor and configured to engage in wireless communications
`with a first wireless device, a storage accessible to the pro-
`
`cessor and having a routine stored therein comprising a
`sequenceofinstructions. When the sequence of instructions
`are executed by the processor, the processor is caused to
`operate the transceiver to transmit to thefirst wireless device
`across a first wireless link formed with the first wireless
`
`device a false indication that the apparatus is capable of
`performingat least one audio function of whichthe apparatus
`is not capable ofperformingtoinducethefirst wireless device
`1o transmit a piece of audio-related data across thefirst wire-
`less link to the apparatus, operate the transceiverto receive the
`piece ofaudio-related data across the first wireless link, and
`operate the transceiver to wirelessly communicate with a
`second wireless device to coordinate a substantially simulta-
`neousreceipt of the piece of audio-related data by the second
`wireless device.
`
`Implementationsofthe invention mayinclude one
`[0007]
`or more of the following features. Implementations could
`include the processor being further caused to form a second
`wireless link between the apparatus and the second wireless
`device, to transmit information concerning the first wireless
`link to the second wireless device, to exchange a synchroni-
`zation signal with the second wireless device to synchronize
`audible output ofthe audio-related data between the appara-
`tus and the second wireless device, and/orto transmit anerror
`signal to the first wireless device causing the first wireless
`device to retransmit
`the piece of audio-related data in
`response to receiving anindication fromthe second wireless
`device ofanerrorin receiving the piece ofaudio-related data.
`Implementations could include the piece of audio-related
`data being a piece ofaudio having afirst audio channel anda
`second audio channel, where thefirst audio channelis audibly
`output by the apparatus and the second audio channel is
`audibly output bythe second wireless device, and where the
`apparatus and the second wireless device may each be an
`earphone. Implementations could include the piece ofaudio-
`related data being a piece ofaudio havingafirst audio channel
`and a second audio channel, where the first audio channelis
`audibly output by the second wireless device and the second
`audio channel is audibly outputbya third wireless device, and
`where the second and third wireless devices are each an
`
`earphone.
`[0008]
`In one aspect, the invention features an apparatus
`that includes a processor, a transceiver accessible to the pro-
`cessor and configured to engage in wireless communications
`with a first wireless device and a second wireless device, a
`storage accessible to the processor and having a routine stored
`therein comprising a sequence ofinstructions. When the
`sequence ofinstructions are executed by the processor, the
`processor is caused to operate the transceiver to receive an
`indication that
`the first wireless device has successfully
`induced the second wireless device to transmit a piece of
`audio-related dataas a result ofthefirst wireless device trans-
`mitting a false indication that the first wireless device is
`capable ofperforming at least one audiofunction ofwhichthe
`first wireless device is not capable of performing, operate the
`transceiver to receive information from the first wireless
`device concerning a first wireless link formed between the
`first and second wireless devices that enables the apparatus to
`receive a piece of audio-related data substantially simulta-
`neously withfirst wireless device as the second wireless
`device transmits the piece ofaudio-related data acrossthefirst
`wireless link, and operate the transceiverto receive the piece
`of audio-related data substantially simultaneously with the
`first wireless device.
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 2009/0109894 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2009
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 depicts a network 1000 in which audio is
`[0020]
`transferred amongthree personal electronics devices, specifi-
`cally, a personal electronic device 900 and apair ofwireless
`audio devices 100@ and 1006. The network 1000 is ofa
`
`pseudo hub-and-spoke topology in whichthe personal elec-
`tronic device 900 is presented withfalse indicationsofbeing
`in Wireless communications to transfer audio solely to the
`wireless audio device 100a across a single wireless point-to-
`point link 915, but with the purpose ofinducing the personal
`electronic device 900to alsotransfer the audiotothe wireless
`
`Implementations ofthe invention may include one
`[0009]
`or more of the following features. Implementations could
`include the apparatus exchanging a synchronization signal
`withthefirst wireless device to synchronizethe audible out-
`put of portions ofthe piece of audio-related data betweenthe
`apparatus and the first wireless device where the piece of
`audio-related data is a piece ofaudio data having multiple
`audio channels. Implementations could include the apparatus
`exchanging a synchronization signal with the first wireless
`device to synchronize the audible output of portions ofthe
`piece of audio-related data between the apparatus and a third
`wireless device where the piece of audio-related data is a
`piece ofaudio data having multiple audio channels. Further,
`audio device 1004. In essence, the personal electronic device
`the implementations could include one or more ofthe appa-
`900 is induced into occupying the hub position with each of
`ratus, the first wireless device and the above-mentioned third
`the wireless audio devices 100a and 1005 occupying spoke
`wireless device each being an earphone.
`positions. Another wireless point-to-point link 115 is formed
`[0010]
`In one aspect, the invention features a method that
`between the wireless audio devices 100a and 1006 for net-
`includes transmitting toafirst wireless device acrossafirst
`wireless link formed with the first wireless device a false
`work management purposes and to coordinate actions
`between them conceming receiving audio fromthe personal
`electronic device 900 as part of maintaining the pseudo hub-
`and-spoke topology. The technology on whicheither ofthe
`links 115 and 915 are based may be ofany ofa widevariety
`oftypes employing RF signals, infrared signals, or any ofa
`varietyof other forms ofwireless transmission media, and the
`technologies used betweenthe links 115 and 915 maydiffer.
`Where one or both of the links 115 and 915 employ RF
`signals, one or both may at least partially conform to the
`Bluetooth specification, or to any ofa varietyof other speci-
`fications for wireless networking as would be appropriate in
`shortness of range and limitation of power consumptionfor
`use between personal electronic devices carried bya user.
`[0021] The personal electronic device 900 maybe of any of
`a variety oftypes ofpersonal electronic device, including and
`not limited to, various multimedia,information handling and/
`or communications devices such as a cell phone, a digital
`music player (e.g., a typical MP3 musicfile player), portable
`camera with audio playback functionality, a personal data
`assistant (PDA), or a personal navigation device. At a mini-
`mum,the personal electronic device 900 is capable of pro-
`viding audio in digital form across a wireless point-to-point
`link. This audio maybe any ofavariety offorms ofaudio,
`including and not limited to, digitized music stored onthe
`personal electronic device 900, and audio received by the
`personalelectronic device 900 froman RF transmission(e.g.,
`FM orsatellite radio). The personal electronic device 900
`mayalso be capable ofreceiving remote control commands
`from across a wireless point-to-point
`link to enable the
`remote control ofvarious functions ofthe personal electronic
`device 900, including commandsrelated audio (e.g., com-
`mands to stop, pause, play, fast-forward, adjust a volume,
`change a channel, etc.). The commands maycorrespond to
`functions accessible through a manually-operable control
`922 incorporated into the personal electronic device 900, The
`personal electronic device 900 mayalso be capable of trans-
`mitting textual or other data beyond audio, including song
`titles, track titles, time, date, GPS coordinates, RF signal
`strength, etc. These various pieces of data maycorrespondto
`data displayable on an indicator 923 incorporated into the
`personal electronic device 900.
`[0022] The wireless audio devices 100a and 1005 are meant
`to wirelessly receive audio and enable output ofthat audioin
`audible form. Although the pair of wireless audio devices
`
`indication that an apparatus is capable of performingat least
`one audio function of which the apparatus is not capable of
`performing to induce the first wireless device to transmit a
`piece of audio-related data across thefirst wireless link to the
`apparatus, receiving the piece of audio-related data across the
`first wireless link, and wirelessly communicating with a sec-
`ond wireless device to coordinate a substantially simulta-
`neous receipt of the piece of audio-related data by the second
`wireless device.
`
`Implementations of the invention may include one
`[0011]
`or more of the following features. Implementations could
`include forming a second wireless link with the second wire-
`less device, transmitting information concerning the first
`wireless link to the second wireless device to enable the
`
`simultaneousreceipt of the piece of audio-related data by the
`second wireless device, signaling the first wireless device to
`retransmit
`the piece of audio-related data in response to
`receiving fromthe secondwireless device an indication ofan
`error in the substantially simultaneousreceipt ofthe piece of
`audio-related data bythe second wireless device, and/or wire-
`lessly communicating with a third wireless device to coordi-
`nate a substantially simultaneous receipt of the piece of
`audio-related data by the third wireless device.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`is a block diagram ofa wireless network
`1
`FIG.
`[0012]
`incorporating multiple wireless audio devices and a personal
`electronic device.
`[0013]
`FIG. 2 isa block diagramofa wireless audio device
`of FIG. 1.
`
`FIG, 3 ts another block diagram ofa wireless net-
`[0014]
`work incorporating multiple wireless audio devices and a
`personal electronic device.
`[0015]
`FIG. 4 isa block diagramofa wireless audio device
`of FIG. 3.
`
`FIG. 5 is still another block diagram ofa wireless
`[0016]
`network incorporating multiple wireless audio devices and a
`personalelectronic device.
`[0017]
`FIG. 6 is a block diagramofa wireless audio device
`of FIG. 5.
`[0018]
`FIG. 7 is yet another block diagram of a wireless
`network incorporating multiple wireless audio devices and a
`personalelectronic device.
`[0019]
`FIG. 8 isa block diagramofa wireless audio device
`of FIG. 7.
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2009/0109894 Al
`
`Apr. 30, 2009
`
`100a and 1006 are depicted as being a pair ofearbuds(also
`commonly referred to as “in-ear” headphones),
`this is
`intendedto beillustrative of one formofdevice, and each of
`
`the pair ofwireless audio devices 100a@ and 1006 could be any
`ofa numberoftypes of devices capable ofaudibly outputting
`wirelessly-received audio (e.g., wireless speakers). Each of
`the wireless audio devices 100a and 1004 incorporatesat least
`one acoustic driver 170 (e.g., an electromagnetic speaker, a
`piezo-electric electric element, an electrostatic speaker, etc.),
`and each mayfurther incorporate a manually-operable con-
`trol 122 and/or anindicator (not shown). Where a given one of
`the wireless audio devices 100a and 1005 incorporates the
`control 122, the contro] 122 maybe operableto enable a user
`to remotelycontrol the personal electronic device 900 and/or
`the other ofthe wireless audio devices 100a and 1006. Where
`
`a given one ofthe wireless audio devices 100a and 1006
`incorporates anindicator, the indicator may enable non-audio
`data to be displayed to a user.
`[0023] Although the personal electronic device 900 may
`employ any ofa variety of technologiesin forming thelink
`915, a number ofavailable ones ofthese technologies rely on
`an assumptionthat a device transmitting a piece of audio with
`multiple audio channels will transmit that audio to only one
`otherdevice that will receive and useall of those channels. As
`a result, some ofthese technologies are not meant to sepa-
`rately transmit different audio channels ofa piece ofaudio to
`different other devices that will receive the different audio
`channels and separately makeuse ofthe different audio chan-
`nels. In order to accommodate such a limitation, the wireless
`audio devices 100a and 1004 cooperate to present the per-
`sonal electronic device 900 with the appearance of forming
`the link 915 with only a single other device (namely the
`wireless audio device 100a) to whichthe personal electronic
`device 900 transmits a piece of audio. Though both ofthe
`wireless audio devices 100a and 1006 receive signals from
`the personal electronic device 900, only one ofthe wireless
`audio devices 100a and 1005 transmits to the personal elec-
`tronic device 900 (i.e.. the wireless audio device 100a. as
`depicted).
`[0024] While the personal electronic device 900 transmits
`the piece ofaudio across the link 915 to the wireless audio
`device 100a, the wireless audio device 100alsopicks up the
`samesignal and receives the same piece ofaudio despite not
`being the intended recipient. Where a packet ofdigitized
`audiois either not received or is received as corrupted bythe
`wireless audio device 100a, the wireless audio device 100a
`
`transmits an error signal across the link 915 to the personal
`electronic device 900 to cause the packetto be retransmitted.
`Where a packetofdigitized audiois either not received or is
`received as corrupted by the wireless audio device 1005, the
`wireless audio device 1004 transmits an error signal across
`the link 115 to the wireless audiodevice 100ato be forwarded
`
`onto the personal electronic device 900 across the link 915 to
`cause the packetto be retransmitted.
`[0025] The link 915 mayalsobe used bythe wireless audio
`device 100a to transmit remote control commands (perhaps
`generated as a result ofa user operating the control 122) back
`to the personal electronic device 900. Giventhat the wireless
`audio device 1006 only receives signals from the personal
`electronic device 900, and does not transmit to the personal
`electronic device 900, where the wireless audio device 100
`is caused by a user to generate remote control commands,
`
`those commands are transmitted across the link 115 to be
`forwarded to the personal electronic device 900 across the
`link 915.
`
`[0026] The technologies on whichthe links 115 and 915 are
`based dictate what is entailed in forming those links, and
`those links maybe ofanyofa widevariety of types employing
`RF signals, infrared signals, or any ofa variety ofother forms
`ofwireless transmission media. It is preferred for the sake of
`efficiency, thoughnot necessary,that both ofthe links 115 and
`915 be based on technologies that are at least similar enough
`to avoid havingto incorporate two completelyseparate trans-
`ceivers into either ofthe wireless audio devices 100a and
`
`1005, since both must receive the same signal conveying
`audio from the personal electronic device 900. Where RF
`signals are employed, these links mayat least partially con-
`formto the Bluetooth specification, or to any ofa variety of
`other specifications for wireless networking as would be
`appropriate in shortness ofrange andlimited power consump-
`tionfor portable devices that maybe carried by a user onhis
`or her person. As those familiar with such wireless specifica-
`tions will readily recognize, such wireless communications
`are often accompanied with security mechanisms that include
`requiring two devices that are to be in such communication
`with each othertofirst undergo a link establishment proce-
`dure between them by which identification codes, security
`keys, etc., are exchanged between them. Depending onthe
`technology on whicheachofthe links 115 and 915 is based,
`oneor both ofthe wireless audio devices 100a and 1005 may
`engage in suchlink establishment procedures.
`[0027] Depending onthe technology employedin the link
`915, the wireless audio device 100a may be required to pro-
`vide informationto the personal electronic device 900 about
`its own functionality. The wireless audio device 100a
`addresses this requirement by providing a false indication
`across the link 915 to the personal electronic device 900 that
`the wireless audio device 100qis, itself, capable ofreceiving
`andaudibly outputting audio having multiple audio channels.
`The wireless audio device 100a does this, instead of more
`truthfully indicating that it can audibly output only a single
`audio channel,
`in order to induce the personal electronic
`device 900 into transmitting multiple audio channels of a
`piece of audio to the wireless audio device 100a across the
`link 915. This is allow the wireless audio device 1005the
`opportunity to also pickup the transmission ofthe multiple
`channels ofaudio transmitted by the personal electronic
`device 900 to the wireless audio device 100a. During the
`transmission ofthis audio by the personal electronic device
`900 including multiple channels, both of the wireless audio
`devices 100a and 1006 receive all of the multiple channels,
`but each ofthe wireless audio devices 100a and 1005 make
`use ofonlythe one or more audio channels that are ofuse to
`each. In other words, the wireless audio device 100+ tois able
`to “listen in” and make use ofthe transmissions of audio
`
`directed bythe personal electronic device 900 tothe wireless
`audio device 100@, and make use of whatever channels of
`audio it needs.
`
`[0028] More specifically, where the link 915 at least par-
`tially conforms to the Bluetooth specification, the wireless
`audio device 100falsely indicates having supportfor one or
`more Bluetooth “profiles” (more commonly referred to as
`protocols in other forms of wireless technology) to inducethe
`personal electronic device 900 to transmit multiple channels
`ofa given piece of audioacross the link 915. Further, where
`either of the wireless audio devices 100a and 1004 incorpo-
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`rate either the control 122 or some form ofindicator (not
`shown), the wireless audio device 100a mayalso indicate
`having support for profiles (protocols) allowing for either
`remote control commandsto be transmitted back tothe per-
`sonal electronic device 900 or non-audiodata (such as text
`data) to be transmitted by the personal electronic device 900.
`Amongthe Bluetoothprofiles that the wireless audio device
`100a may falsely indicate having support for maybe the
`general audio/video distribution profile (GAVDP),
`the
`advanced audiodistributionprofile (A2DP), the humaninter-
`face device protocol (HIDP), the audio/video remote control
`profile (AVRCP), and the serial port profile (SPP).
`[0029] The link 115 may or may not require similar link
`establishment procedures to be formed. This will depend on
`the degree to whichthe wireless audio devices 100a and 1005
`may be received byauseras alreadyconfiguredto locate each
`other and interact with eachother, and/or the degree to which
`each has been configured to employ a simplified link estab-
`lishment procedure.
`[0030] With the links 115 and 915 established and needed
`exchanges of information to enable required protocols
`already completed, the links 115 and 915 are able to be used
`in the transfer of audio fromthe personal electronic device
`900 to both of the wireless audio devices 100a and 1006. As
`already discussed, the personal electronic device 900 trans-
`mits audio across the link 915 to the wireless audio device
`100a, but the wireless audio device 1006 also receives the
`same signal, and each ofthe wireless audio devices 100a and
`100extract the audio channels of use to each in audibly
`outputting audioto a user. The link 115 is used to coordinate
`various aspects ofthis activity between the wireless audio
`devices 100a and 1004,including andnot limited to, synchro-
`nizing timings, exchanging volume and various audiosignal
`processingsettings, and sharing data to implementnoise can-
`cellation functions. The link 115 may be employed fornet-
`work management functions, most especiallyfor the manage-
`ment of the link 915, including passing identity codes to the
`wireless audio device 1004 to enable the wireless audio
`device 1004to “listen in” on transmissions across the link
`915, and passing decryptionkeys to the wireless audio device
`1004 to enable the wireless audio device 1005 to decrypt
`audio transmitted across the link 915. By way of example,
`whicheverone ofthe wireless audio devices 100a and 1006
`incorporates a manually-operable control (e.g., the control
`122) that is employed as a volume control maytransmit user
`volumesettings to the other ofthese two devices.
`[0031] Where the wireless audio device 100a incorporates
`the depicted contro] 122, and the control 122 is configured to
`send remote control commands to the personal electronic
`device 900 when manually operated,the link 915 is employed
`to convey those remote control commands fromthe wireless
`audio device 100a to the personal electronic device 900.
`Wherethe wireless audio device 1005 incorporates a manu-
`ally-operated control (not shown), and that control is config-
`ured to send remote control commandsto the personal elec-
`tronic device 900 when manually operated, the link 115 is
`employed to conveythose remote control commands fromthe
`wireless audio device 1005 to the wireless audiodevice 100a,
`which forwards those commands onwardtothe personalelec-
`tronic device 900 via the link 915.
`
`[0032] Where the wireless audio device 100¢ incorporates
`an indicator (not shown) enabling non-audio data to be dis-
`played to a user, and that indicator is configuredto be used to
`display-data received from the personal electronic device
`
`900, that data is conveyed to the wireless audio device 100a
`via the link 915. Where the wireless audio device 1006 incor-
`
`porates anindicator (also not shown) enabling non-audio data
`to be displayedtoa user, and that indicator 1s configured to be
`used to display data received from the personal electronic
`device 900, that data is conveyed to the wireless audio device
`100a via the link 915. However, just as in the case ofaudio
`data, the non-audio data is also received by the wireless audio
`device 1004 by “listening in” on informationtransferred by
`the personal electronic device 900 across the link 915.
`[0033]
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one possible internal
`architecture ofeither or both of the wireless audio devices
`
`1004 and 1004 of FIG. 1. Althoughthe wireless audiodevices
`100a@ and 1006 may incorporate differing architectures, it is
`preferred that the wireless audio devices 100a and 1006 of
`FIG. 1 be ofthe same architecture, suchthat their roles as
`
`described withregard to FIG. 1 could be reversed. This would
`be advantageous to achieve greater manufacturing efficien-
`cies and to allow one replacement part
`to be required to
`resolve device failures, rather than twodifferent parts.
`[0034] The wireless audio device 100 incorporates a wire-
`less transceiver 110, a user interface 120, a processor 130, a
`storage 135, a digital-to-analog (D-to-A) converter 140, an
`amplifier 145, a connector 150, an acoustic driver 170 and a
`powerstorage 190 storing and providingelectrical powerto
`the rest of these. As those skilled in the art of processor-based
`systems will readily recognize, a wide variety of bus archi-
`tectures linking various ones of these may be employed,
`however, regardless of the exact architecture employed, the
`processor 130is provided access toat least the wirelesstrans-
`ceiver 110, the user interface 120, the storage 135 and the
`D-to-A converter 140. As will be explained in greater detail,
`the processor 130 accesses the storage 135 to retrieve a
`sequence of instructions making up a routine 132, and in
`executing the routine 132, the processor 130 is caused to
`performvarious functions during the operationofthe wireless
`audio device 100.
`
`‘The processor 130 may be anyofa variety oftypes
`[0035]
`ofprocessing device, including but not limited to, a general
`purpose processor, a digital signal processor or other more
`specialized processor having a limited instruction set opti-
`mized for a given range offunctions, a microcontroller or
`combinational logic. The storage 135 maybe based on anyof
`a wide varietyofinformationstorage technologies, including
`but notlimited to, static RAM, dynamic RAM, ROM of either
`erasable or non-erasable form, FLASH, magnetic memory,
`ferromagnetic disk storage, phase-change storage or mag-
`neto-optical storage. The storage 135 stores at least the rou-
`tine 132, and depending on what audio processing and/or
`audio buffering functions are caused bythe routine 132 to be
`performed by the processor 130, the storage 135 may also
`store an audio data 139.
`
`[0036] The technology on whichthe wireless transceiver
`110 is based depends on the technology of whatever wireless
`point-to-pointlinks the wireless audio device 100 forms with
`other devices. At a minimum, execution ofthe routine 132
`causes the processor 130 to operate the wireless transceiver
`110to receive audio froma personal electronic device, per-
`haps along with non-audiodata. In various embodiments, and
`depending onthe role occupiedby a givenone ofthe wireless
`audio device 100, the processor 130 may be further caused by
`the routine 132 to operate the wireless transceiver 110 to
`convey commands across a wireless point-to-point
`link,
`either to a personal electronic device or to another wireless
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`audio device to be forwarded on to a personal electronic
`device. Where a wireless point-to-point link between the
`wireless audio device 100 and another device at least partly
`conforms to the Bluetooth specificationor a similar specifi-
`cation for point-to-point wireless communication, the proces-
`sor 130 may be caused by the routine 132 to operate the
`wireless transceiver 110 to carry out a link establishment
`procedure to establish that point-to-point link. The processor
`130 maybe further caused, eit