(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`\
`>3
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`
`WO 2018/098136 A1
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property
`Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`31 May 2018(31.05.20]8)
`
`5/”
`WIPOI PCT
`
`(51) International Patent Classification:
`H04W4/00 (2018,01)
`H04W 76/15 (2018.01)
`
`US
`Filed on
`
`15/358,397 (CIP)
`22 November 2016 (22.11.2016)
`
`H04W 4/80 (2018.01)
`H04W 76/00 (2018.01)
`H04L 29/06 (2006.01)
`H04I/V 88/04 (2009.01)
`
`_
`GO6F 3/16 (2006.01)
`H04B 1/3827 (2015.01)
`H04W 84/1 8 (2009.01)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US2017/062740
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`21 November 2017 (21.11.2017)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(71) Applicant: BOSE CORPORATION [US/US]; The
`Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701-9168 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors: YOUNG, Douglas, Warren; C/O Bose Corpo-
`ration, The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701-9168 (US).
`BLAGROVE, Nathan, A.; 0/0 Bose Corporation, The
`Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701-9168 (US). DEANE,
`Joshua, James; c/o Bose Corporation, The Mountain,
`Framingham. MA 01701-9168 (US). REED, Graeme; c/
`o Bose Corporation, The Mountain, Framingham, MA
`01701-9168 (US). PATIL, Naganagouda; c/o Bose Corpo-
`ration, The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701-9168 (US).
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`15/358,397
`
`22 November 2016 (22.11.2016) US
`
`(74)
`
`(63) Related by continuation (CON) or continuation-in-part
`(CIP) to earlier application:
`
`(81)
`
`Agent: SMITH, Craig, R. et al.; Lando & Anastasi, LLP,
`Riverfront Office Park, One Main Street, Suite 1 100, Cam-
`bridge, MA 02142 (US).
`
`Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
`
`(54) Title: WIRELESS AUDIO TETHERING SYSTEM
`
`
`
`W02018/098136A1|||||||||||||||l|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l|||||||||l||||||||||||||||||||l||||||||||||||
`
`
`
`(57) Abstract: A wireless audio device tethering system is provided for including an intermediary device having at least one wireless
`transceiver that is configured to establish a first wireless connection with a first Wireless audio device and a second Wireless connection
`with a second Wireless audio device. The intermediary device is also configured to receive a unique identifier from the second wireless
`audio device and to transmit the tuiique identifier to the first wireless audio device in order to initiate wireless tethering between the
`first and second wireless audio device. Once tethering has been initiated, wireless audio signals can be streamed to the first Wireless
`audio device and then re—streamed to the second Wireless audio device.
`
`[Continued on next page]
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`

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`WO 2018/098136 A1 |||||||||||||||l||l|||l|||ll||||||||||||l||||||||||||||||||||||l|||||||||||||l||||||||||||l||||
`
`AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, Bz,
`CA, CH, CL, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DJ, DK, DM, DO,
`DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN,
`HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, IS, JO, JP, KE, KG, KH, KN, KP,
`KR, KW, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME,
`MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ,
`OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA,
`SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, TN,
`TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW,
`
`(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every
`kind ofregional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
`GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, TZ,
`UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TJ,
`TM), European (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK,
`EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV,
`MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM,
`TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
`KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`
`— with international search report (Art. 21(3))
`— before the expiration of the time limit for amending the
`Claims and to be republished in the event of receipt of
`amendments (Rule 48.2(h))
`
`

`

`WO 2018/098136
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`PCT/US2017/062740
`
`WIRELESS AUDIO TETHERING SYSTEM
`
`FIELD
`
`[01]
`
`This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for tethering wireless audio
`
`devices together such that multiple devices may play sounds produced from a single source.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[02]
`
`Traditionally, when two people wished to listen to the same audio source on separate
`
`headphones they have used a splitter wire that allows audio signals to be transmitted to two
`
`devices simultaneously. However, it has proven difficult to listen to the same audio source
`
`through a wireless connection because most commercially available audio sources only permit
`
`audio to be streamed over a single Bluetooth connection at a time, allowing stereo audio to be
`
`streamed via the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) from an A2DP source to a single
`
`AZDP receiver (such as a set of Bluetooth headphones or speakers).
`
`[03]
`
`In order to address this shortcoming, some Bluetooth chipsets, such as Cambridge Silicon
`
`Radio Ltd.’ s BlueCoreSTM CSR8670 Multimedia Bluetooth® with True Wireless capabilities,
`
`have implemented software to allow a pair of headphones to tether together. To do so, a first
`
`headphone accepts a wireless audio stream from a source and retransmits the audio via another
`
`audio stream to a second headphone, allowing both headphones to listen to the same audio from
`
`a source device. However, the process for wirelessly pairing and connecting a set of headphones
`
`has proved cumbersome with tethering controls provided as buttons on the headphones,
`
`themselves. Thus, there exists a need for user-friendly systems, methods, and apparatuses for
`
`tethering wireless audio devices together, such that multiple devices may play sounds produced
`
`from a single audio source using a tethering application at the audio source.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[04]
`
`This disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for tethering wireless audio
`
`devices together, such that multiple devices may play sounds produced from an audio source
`
`using a tethering application on the audio source. All examples and features mentioned below
`
`can be combined in any technically possible way.
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`

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`WO 2018/098136
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`PCT/USZOl7/062740
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`[05]
`
`In one example, a wireless audio device tethering system includes an intermediary device
`
`having at least one wireless transceiver. The intermediary device is configured to establish at
`
`least a first wireless connection with a first wireless audio device and at least a second wireless
`
`connection with a second wireless audio device. The intermediary device is also configured to
`
`receive wireless pairing information, such as the MAC address or other unique identifier, from
`
`the second wireless audio device and to transmit the pairing information to the first wireless
`
`audio device so that a third wireless connection can be established between the first and second
`
`wireless audio devices based on the wireless pairing information.
`
`In some examples, the first
`
`and third wireless connections operate on the same channel.
`
`In other examples, the intermediary
`
`device also includes an audio source capable of streaming wireless audio signals to at least the
`
`first wireless audio device. The second wireless connection may also be a Bluetooth low energy
`
`signal. In such examples, the first wireless connection may be a Bluetooth low energy signal, a
`
`Bluetooth Serial Port Profile signal, or an iPod Accessory Profile signal to the first wireless
`
`audio device.
`
`In some examples, the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio
`
`device may be headsets including at least one speaker and at least one microphone for receiving
`
`voice data.
`
`[06]
`
`In other examples of the system, the intermediary device may transmit streaming audio
`
`data over a fourth wireless connection. The fourth wireless connection may be a Bluetooth
`
`wireless connection and the audio data may be streamed using the Bluetooth advanced audio
`
`distribution profile. In other examples, the third wireless connection may be a Bluetooth
`
`wireless signal for streaming the audio data to the second wireless audio device using the
`
`Bluetooth advanced audio distribution profile. The third wireless connection may also be a
`
`Bluetooth wireless connection for streaming voice data using the Bluetooth Hands—Free Profile.
`
`In such examples. the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device may be
`
`headsets including at least one speaker and at least one microphone for receiving voice data,
`
`headphones, or a sound system. The intermediary can also be a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop
`
`computer, or a sound system.
`
`[07]
`
`In other examples, the wireless audio device tethering system may include a second
`
`intermediary device that is at least initially in digital communication with the second wireless
`
`audio device. In such examples, the first intermediary device may be configured to receive the
`
`wireless pairing information, such as a unique identifier, from the second wireless audio device
`
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`WO 2018/098136
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`PCT/USZOl7/062740
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`through the second intermediary device. The intermediary device can also receive user inputs
`
`via a graphical user interface, with user inputs indicating a desire to tether the first wireless audio
`
`device with the second audio device.
`
`[08]
`
`A method for tethering wireless audio devices is also provided for, including the steps of
`
`establishing a first wireless connection between a first audio source and a first intermediary
`
`device for transmitting control information, establishing a second wireless connection between
`
`the first intermediary device and a second wireless audio device, receiving wireless pairing
`
`information, such as a unique identifier, at the first intermediary device regarding the second
`
`wireless audio device via the second wireless connection, transmitting the wireless pairing
`
`information, such as a unique identifier, to the first wireless audio device via the first wireless
`
`connection, transmitting an instruction to the first wireless audio device, via the first wireless
`
`connection, to initiate wireless tethering between the first wireless audio device and the second
`
`wireless audio device for streaming audio data to the second wireless audio device via a third
`
`wireless connection, and transmitting audio data to the first wireless audio device for streaming
`
`to the second wireless audio device via the third wireless connection.
`
`In some examples, the first
`
`wireless connection and the third wireless connection are formed over the same wireless channel.
`
`In other examples, the audio data is also transmitted from the first intermediary device to the first
`
`wireless audio device. The second wireless connection may also be a Bluetooth low energy
`
`signal and the first wireless connection may be a Bluetooth low energy signal, a Bluetooth serial
`
`port profile signal, or an iPod Accessory Profile signal.
`
`[09]
`
`In some examples, the method may also include the steps of establishing a fourth wireless
`
`connection between the first intermediary device and the first wireless audio device and wherein
`
`the audio data is transmitted to the first wireless audio device over the fourth wireless connection
`
`using the Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. The third wireless connection may
`
`also be a Bluetooth wireless signal and the audio data may be transmitted using the Bluetooth
`
`Advanced Audio Distribution Profile.
`
`In some examples, the second wireless connection may be
`
`made over a wide area network. The method may also include transmitting an instruction to the
`
`first wireless audio device, via the first wireless connection, to initiate wireless tethering between
`
`the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device for transmitting voice data
`
`via a fifth wireless connection. In such examples, the fifth wireless connection may be a
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`

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`WO 2018/098136
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`Bluetooth wireless signal and the voice data may be transmitted using the Bluetooth Hands-Free
`
`Profile.
`
`[10]
`
`A wireless audio device tethering system is also provided, which includes an
`
`intermediary device that has a processor, memory in communication with the processor, a
`
`transceiver in communication with the processor for communicating wirelessly with at least a
`
`first wireless audio device and a second wireless audio device, and a display in communication
`
`with the processor and the processor is configured to provide a user interface. The user interface
`
`includes a home screen including at least one selectable tethering button for initiating a tethering
`
`request between the first and second wireless audio devices, a tethering screen including a
`
`graphical depiction of at least the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio
`
`device. The user interface may also allow the graphical depictions to be dragged and dropped on
`
`the other, thereby initiating wireless tethering between the first and second wireless devices.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[1 1]
`
`Various aspects of at least one implementation of a wireless headphone tethering system
`
`are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures. The figures are provided for
`
`the purposes of illustration and explanation and are not intended as a definition of the limits of
`
`the disclosure.
`
`[12]
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of a pair of wireless headphones that have been tethered to one
`
`another.
`
`[13]
`
`FIG. 2 is a schematic of a pair of wireless headphones that have been tethered to one
`
`another in an example of the present disclosure.
`
`[14]
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic of two wireless sound systems that have been tethered to one
`
`another in an example of the present disclosure.
`
`[15]
`
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a pair of wireless headphones that have been tethered to one
`
`another in another example of the present disclosure.
`
`[16]
`
`FIG. 5 is a schematic of a pair of wireless headphones that have been tethered to one
`
`another in another example of the present disclosure.
`
`[17]
`
`FIG. 6 is a schematic of a pair of voice—enabled headsets that have been tethered to one
`
`another in another example of the present disclosure.
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`

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`WO 2018/098136
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`PCT/USZOl7/062740
`
`[18]
`
`FIG. 7A is an example of a home screen for a graphical user interface for a tethering
`
`program prior to initiating tethering in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`[19]
`
`FIG. 7B is an example of a music share screen for a graphical user interface for a
`
`tethering program in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`[20]
`
`FIG. 7C is an example of a connection warning screen for a graphical user interface for a
`
`tethering program in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`[21]
`
`FIG. 7D is an example of a device inquiry screen for a graphical user interface for a
`
`tethering program in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`[22]
`
`FIG. 7E is an example of a tethering screen for a graphical user interface for a tethering
`
`program in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`[23]
`
`FIG. 7F is an example of a handshake screen for a graphical user interface for a tethering
`
`program in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`[24]
`
`FIG. 7G is an example of a pairing screen for a graphical user interface for a tethering
`
`program in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`[25]
`
`FIG. 7H is an example of a home screen for a graphical user interface for a tethering
`
`program after tethering has been accomplished in one example of the present disclosure.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[26]
`
`It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the
`
`disclosure to an exemplary implementation. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives,
`
`modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described
`
`subject matter.
`
`[27]
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of a pair of wireless headphones that have been tethered to one
`
`another using known methods.
`
`In this example, an audio source 5 may be paired with master
`
`headphones 1 via a first Bluetooth connection 7, which is configured to transfer audio signals via
`
`the A2DP profile. Any Bluetooth-enabled device capable of streaming audio via the A2DP
`
`profile (or similar profiles) may be used as an audio source 5, such as a smart phone (as shown in
`
`FIG. 1), tablet, laptop. or other audio devices. Master headphones 1 may be a Bluetooth-enabled
`
`wireless headphone equipped with a Bluetooth chipset capable of tethering with another A2DP—
`
`enabled wireless headphone. The Bluetooth chipset may be Cambridge Silicon Radio Ltd’s
`
`BlueCoreSTM CSR867O Multimedia Bluetooth® with True Wireless capabilities, for example. As
`
`

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`WO 2018/098136
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`shown in FIG. 1, a second pair of headphones 3 may also be provided for. Slave headphones 3
`
`may also be a pair of Bluetooth-enabled wireless headphones, with AZDP capabilities. In some
`
`examples, slave headphones 3 may also include a Bluetooth chipset capable of tethering with
`
`another A2DP-enabled wireless headphone.
`
`[28] Master headphones 1 and slave headphones 3 may also include a series of buttons or
`
`other inputs for enabling a tethering session, such as beacon button 11 and inquiry button 13,
`
`which allow master headphone 1 to tether to slave headphone 3.
`
`In this example, when a user of
`
`slave headphones 3 wishes to tether to master headphone l, he or she may press beacon button
`
`11 in order to make slave headphones 3 discoverable by other Bluetooth—enabled devices. If the
`
`user of master headphones 1 also wishes to tether, he or she may press inquiry button 13, which
`
`places master headphones 1 into an inquiry mode, whereby it will attempt to connect with any
`
`available devices via a Bluetooth connection, such as slave headphone 3.
`
`[29]
`
`Once master headphones 1 has discovered slave headphones 3, slave headphones 3
`
`transmits service discovery protocol (SDP) records to master headphones l via a Bluetooth
`
`signal 9. The SDP records include all of the necessary information about slave headphones 3 in
`
`order to complete a second Bluetooth connection 15, including an indication that slave
`
`headphones 3 supports the True Wireless feature. Once the SDP records have been transmitted,
`
`master headphones l and slave headphones 3 may pair over second Bluetooth connection 15 and
`
`establish an A2DP connection.
`
`[30]
`
`Upon establishing the second Bluetooth connection 15, audio signals, for example music,
`
`may then be streamed from audio source 5 , to master headphones 1 via the first Bluetooth
`
`connection 7. Master headphones 1 may then stream the same streaming audio information to
`
`slave headphones 3 via the second Bluetooth AZDP connection 15. As one of ordinary skill in
`
`the art will appreciate. the Bluetooth chipset within master headphones 1 may also include
`
`software to synchronize the audio playback between master headphones 1 and slave headphones
`
`3, for example, by buffering the audio playback at master headphones l, in order to provide the
`
`necessary delay for transmitting the audio signals to slave headphones 3.
`
`[31]
`
`FIG. 2 is a schematic of a pair of wireless headphones that have been tethered to one
`
`another in an example of the present disclosure without the need for mechanical discovery and
`
`pairing, such as by using beacon button 11 and inquiry button 13. In this example, pairing
`
`between master headphones 1 and slave headphones 3 may be accomplished and controlled by
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`the audio source 5.
`
`In this example, the audio source may be equipped with tethering software
`
`for monitoring any available wireless devices that may be available for tethering to master
`
`headphones l and accepting inputs from a user to initiate tethering to another device, such as the
`
`Bose Connect application. As shown, audio source 5, which may be equipped with tethering
`
`software, may be paired with master headphones 1 via a first Bluetooth connection 7. Again,
`
`Bluetooth connection 7 may be configured to transfer audio signals via the A2DP profile or any
`
`other suitable wireless profiles for streaming digital audio. Master headphones 3 may also
`
`include a Bluetooth chipset configured for tethering with other AZDP-enabled Bluetooth devices,
`
`such as Cambridge Silicon Radio Ltd.’s BlueCoreSTM CSR867O Multimedia Bluetooth® with
`
`True Wireless capabilities, for example. Slave headphones 3 may also be a pair of Bluetooth-
`
`enabled wireless headphones, with A2DP capabilities, and may also include a Bluetooth chipset
`
`capable of tethering with another AZDP—enabled wireless headphone.
`
`[32]
`
`In this example, while master headphones l is paired with the audio source via an A2DP
`
`Bluetooth connection, it simultaneously maintains communication with the tethering software
`
`running on audio source 5, such as the Bose Connect application, via a secondary Bluetooth
`
`signal 17. The secondary signal may be any Bluetooth signal capable of coexisting with
`
`Bluetooth connection 7 and transferring control information between master headphone l and
`
`audio source 5.
`
`In some examples, secondary Bluetooth signal 17 may be a Bluetooth low
`
`energy (BLE) signal, a Serial Port Profile (SPP) signal, an iPod Accessory Profile (iAP or iAP2)
`
`signal, or any combination thereof. Slave headphones 3 may persistently or periodically
`
`transmit an advertising packet 19 via BLE that allows slave headphones 3 to be discovered by
`
`audio source 5. Using the tethering software on audio source 5, a user may then initiate a
`
`tethering session via a graphical user interface, as discussed below with respect to FIGS. 7A—7H,
`
`instead of pressing beacon button 11 or inquiry button 13 (which may still be present on the
`
`headphones although unused in this example). Based on the user’s selection, audio source 5 may
`
`then begin scanning for available Bluetooth AZDP-enabled headphones within range with which
`
`to connect via BLE, such as slave headphones 3. The audio source may further be configured to
`
`search for devices that are capable of tethering, for example, using the True Wireless feature.
`
`Once audio source 5 identifies slave headphones 3, the tethering software may be configured to
`
`display a list of available devices to the user through a graphical user interface, as explained
`
`below. The tethering software may also include logic to identify and only display relevant
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`devices for tethering with master headphones 1 (or any other primary device). For example, if
`
`the primary connected device is a headset, only additional headsets will be displayed, whereas a
`
`desktop sound system or home theater system may not be displayed in such examples.
`
`[33]
`
`If a user wishes to tether with the listed available devices, such as slave headphones 3, it
`
`may be selected via the graphical user interface of the tethering software on audio source 5.
`
`Once the user selects a graphical representation of slave headphones 3, a request for the device’s
`
`unique identifier may be sent from the audio source via BLE signal 19 to slave headphones 3.
`
`Slave headphones 3 may then respond with the necessary tethering information, including its
`
`Bluetooth or MAC address via the same BLE signal 19. The tethering software running on audio
`
`source 5 may be configured to then relay this information to master headphones 1 via secondary
`
`Bluetooth signal 17 along with an instruction to initiate tethering with the selected device. To do
`
`so, master headphones 1 may establish a Serial Port Profile (SPP) connection 9 between master
`
`headphones 1 and slave headphones 3 in order to initiate a Bluetooth handshake procedure, as is
`
`familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art, which results in pairing and establishment of a second
`
`AZDP connection 15 between the two headphones. Thus, an A2DP connection may be
`
`established under the direction and control of tethering software running on audio source 5.
`
`[34]
`
`Upon establishing the second Bluetooth connection, audio signals may be shared between
`
`master headphones l and slave headphones 3. Audio signals, for example music, may be
`
`streamed from audio source 5 to master headphones 1 via the first Bluetooth connection 7.
`
`Master headphones 1 may then stream the same streaming audio information to slave
`
`headphones 3 via the second Bluetooth A2DP connection 15. As one of ordinary skill in the art
`
`will appreciate, the Bluetooth chipset within master headphones 1 may also include software to
`
`synchronize the audio playback between master headphones 1 and slave headphones 3, for
`
`example, by buffering the audio playback at master headphones 1, in order to provide the
`
`necessary delay for transmitting the audio signals to slave headphones 3 so that they may be
`
`heard by two users simultaneously.
`
`[35]
`
`In some examples, the above-described tethering system may be used to automatically
`
`tether a selected slave headphone 3 when it is detected as being within the same area as master
`
`headphones 1. For example, during an initial or subsequent tethering session, a user of master
`
`headphones 1 may select an option via the tethering software running on audio source 1 to
`
`automatically initiate tethering between master headphones 1 and slave headphones 3 whenever
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`slave headphones 3 are detected as being within range for tethering. Thereafter, the tethering
`
`software will continually or periodically scan for the BLE advertising packet being transmitted
`
`by slave headphones 3. If detected, the tethering software may be configured to automatically
`
`initiate tethering, using the same process described above.
`
`[36]
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic of a pair of wireless speakers that have been tethered to one another
`
`in an additional example of the present disclosure.
`
`In this example, an A2DP Bluetooth signal
`
`may be established between a master sound system 21 and a slave sound system 23. Both the
`
`master and slave systems may similarly be equipped with a Bluetooth chipset that permits
`
`tethering, such as Camindge Silicon Radio Ltd.’s BlueCoreSTM CSR8670 Multimedia
`
`Bluetooth® with True Wireless capabilities, for example. Tethering would proceed in the same
`
`fashion in this example, as it would in the previously discussed example, with reference to FIG.
`
`2. Here, master sound system 21 is paired with the audio source 5 via an A2DP Bluetooth
`
`connection and also maintains communication with tethering software running on the audio
`
`source, such as the Bose Connect application, via a secondary Bluetooth signal 17. Slave sound
`
`system 23 may persistently or periodically transmit an advertising packet 19 via BLE that allows
`
`the slave sound system 23 to be discovered by audio source 5. Using the tethering software on
`
`the audio source 5. a user may then initiate a tethering session via a graphical user interface, as
`
`discussed below with reference to FIGS. 7A—7H. Based on the user’s selection, audio source 5
`
`may then begin scanning for available Bluetooth A2DP—enabled devices within range with which
`
`to connect via BLE, such as slave sound system 23, that are capable of tethering, for example,
`
`using the True Wireless feature. Once audio source 5 identifies slave sound system 23 as
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`supporting tethering, the tethering software may display a list of available devices to the user,
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`including slave sound system 23. In some examples, the tethering software may also include
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`logic to identify and only display relevant devices for tethering with master sound system 21 (or
`
`any other primary device). For example, if the primary connected device is a sound system, only
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`additional sound systems may be displayed, whereas headsets might not be displayed in this
`
`example.
`
`[37]
`
`If a user wishes to tether with the listed available devices, such as slave sound system 23,
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`it may be selected via the graphical user interface of the tethering software on audio source 5.
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`Once the user selects a graphical representation of slave sound system 23, a request for the
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`device’s unique identifier may be sent via BLE signal 19 to slave sound system 23. Slave sound
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`system 23 may then respond with the necessary tethering information, including its Bluetooth
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`address. The tethering software running on audio source 5 may then relay this information to
`
`sound system 21 via secondary Bluetooth signal 17 along with an instruction to initiate tethering
`
`with the selected device. To do so, master sound system 21 may establish a Serial Port Profile
`
`(SPP) connection 9 between master headphones 1 and slave sound system 23 in order to initiate a
`
`Bluetooth handshake procedure, as is familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art, resulting in
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`pairing and establishment of an A2DP connection 15 between the two sound systems.
`
`[38]
`
`Upon establishing the second Bluetooth connection 15, audio signals may be shared
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`between master sound system 21 and slave sound system 23 in the same manner as described
`
`above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Audio signals, for example music, may be streamed from
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`an audio source 5, such as a smartphone, to master sound system 21 via the first Bluetooth
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`connection 7. Master sound system 21 may then stream the same streaming audio information to
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`slave sound system 23 via the second Bluetooth A2DP connection 15. As one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art will appreciate, the Bluetooth chipset within master sound system 21 may also include
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`software to synchronize the audio playback between the tethered sound systems.
`
`[39]
`
`FIG. 4 is a schematic of a pair of wireless headphones that have been tethered to one
`
`another in another example of the present disclosure through an alternative process. In this
`
`example, two audio sources may be provided for, including a first audio source 5 and a second
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`audio source 25, which may both be smart phones in some examples. Each audio source may
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`have a wired or wireless connection to a local or wide area network 35, via network connections
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`31 and 33, respectively. Network 35 may be a local Wi-Fi network, a wide area network, such as
`
`the Internet, or any other means for establishing a communications link between first audio
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`source 5 and second audio source 25. Using this communications link, audio source 5 and
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`second audio source 25 may share information allowing master headphones 1 and slave
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`headphones 2 to tether to one another without the need for slave headphones 3 to transmit an
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`advertising packet 19 via BLE.
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`In this example, second audio source 25 may initially be
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`connected to slave headphones 3 via Bluetooth connection 27, which is configured to transfer
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`audio signals via the A2DP profile. Slave headphones 3 may also simultaneously maintain
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`communication with tethering software running on the second audio source 25 , such as the Bose
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`Connect application, via another secondary Bluetooth signal 29, which has the same properties
`
`as secondary Bluetooth signal 17, as discussed previously.
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`10
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`[40]
`
`In this arrangement, a user of the first audio source 5 may initiate tethering via a tethering
`
`program running on the first audio source 5 by selecting a graphical representation of slave
`
`headphones 3 within a graphical user interface. In order to receive the necessary permissions
`
`and Bluetooth address to initiate the connection, the tethering software may send a signal over
`
`network 35 to the second audio source 25 indicating that the user of the first audio device wishes
`
`to tether headphones. This communication may be transmitted in a manner known to one of
`
`ordinary skill in the art based on a registry of users for the tethering application. Once the
`
`second user approves tethering via the tethering software running on the second audio source 25 ,
`
`the second audio source may then respond by transmitting the necessary tethering information,
`
`including the Bluetooth address of the slave headphones 3. The tethering software running on
`
`audio source 5 may be configured to then relay this information to master headphones 1 via
`
`secondary Bluetooth signal 17 along with an instruction to initiate tethering with the selected
`
`device.
`
`[4l] Master headphones 1 may then tether with slave headphones 3 in the same manner
`
`previously discussed. Master headphones I may establish a SPP connection 9 between master
`
`headphones l and slave headphones 3 in order to initiate a Bluetooth handshake procedure, as is
`
`familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. This results in pairing and establishment of an A2DP
`
`connection 15 between the two headphones. Thus, an A2DP connection may be established
`
`under the direction and control of tethering software running on a first audio source 5 and a
`
`second audio source 25. In some examples, BLE signal 19 may still be utilized to determine that
`
`slave headphones 3 is able to comm