Dynamic start time for periodic communications for audio devices

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications. In some aspects, a wireless communication device (WCD) may communicate with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device has a start time and a second duration variable in length. The WCD may send, to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of the change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different than the first start time. Numerous other aspects are described.

Description

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 202221057109 filed on October 5, 2022, and titled “DYNAMIC START TIMES FORPERIODIC COMMUNICATIONS OF AN AUDIO DEVICE” and assigned to its assignee. The disclosure of the prior application is deemed to be a part of this patent application and is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications and to techniques and apparatus for dynamic start times for periodic communications to audio devices. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, etc. These systems can be multiple access systems that can support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (such as time, frequency, and power). A wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a Wi-Fi (i.e., an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11) network) may include an access point (AP) that can communicate with one or more stations (STAs) or mobile devices. An AP can be coupled to a network such as the Internet and can enable mobile devices to communicate via the network (or communicate with other devices coupled to the access point). A wireless device can communicate bidirectionally with a network device. For example, in a WLAN, a STA can communicate with an associated AP via a downlink and an uplink. A downlink (or forward link) may refer to a communication link from an AP to a station, and an uplink (or reverse link) may refer to a communication link from a station to an AP.

[0004] An AP can be coupled to a network such as the Internet and can enable mobile devices to communicate via the network (or to communicate with other devices coupled to the access point). Wireless devices can communicate bidirectionally with network devices. For example, in a WLAN, a device can communicate with an associated AP via a downlink (e.g., a communication link from an AP to a device), and an uplink (e.g., a communication link from a device to an AP). A wireless personal area network (WPAN), which may include a Bluetooth connection, can provide a short-range wireless connection between two or more paired wireless devices. For example, a wireless device such as a cellular phone can utilize WPAN communication to exchange information such as audio signals with a wireless headset. Summary of the invention

[0005] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a wireless communication device (WCD). The method may include, during a time period, communicating with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicating with a second audio device via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The method may include, to the second audio device and based at least in part on detecting a change in the first duration, sending an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time.

[0006] Some aspects described herein relate to a method of wireless communication performed by a second audio device. The method may include communicating with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection to a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The method may include receiving, from the WCD and based at least in part on a detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time.

[0007] Some aspects described herein relate to a WCD for wireless communications. The WCD may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to communicate with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicate with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The one or more processors may be configured to send an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration.

[0008] Some aspects described herein relate to a second audio device for wireless communication. The second audio device may include a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory. The one or more processors may be configured to communicate with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection to a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The one or more processors may be configured to receive an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration.

[0009] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a WCD. When executed by one or more processors of the WCD, the set of instructions may cause the WCD to communicate with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicate with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length. When executed by one or more processors of the WCD, the set of instructions may cause the WCD to send an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration.

[0010] Some aspects described herein relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions for wireless communication by a second audio device. When executed by one or more processors of the second audio device, the set of instructions may cause the second audio device to communicate with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection to a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length. When executed by one or more processors of the second audio device, the set of instructions may cause the second audio device to receive, from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time.

[0011] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for communicating with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicating with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The apparatus may include means for sending, to the second audio device and based at least in part on detecting a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time.

[0012] Some aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for communicating with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection to a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication between the WCD and the apparatus having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from the WCD and based at least in part on detecting a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with a second audio device that is different from the first start time.

[0013] Aspects generally include methods, apparatus, systems, computer program products, non-transitory computer-readable media, user equipment, base stations, network entities, network nodes, WCDs, and / or processing systems as fully described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, descriptions, and appendices.

[0014] The foregoing has been fairly broadly summarized according to the features and technical advantages of the examples of the present disclosure, so that the following detailed description can be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described later. The disclosed concepts and specific examples can be easily used as the basis for modifying or designing other structures for the same purpose of achieving the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the appended claims. When considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the characteristics of the concepts disclosed herein (their organization and method of operation) and the associated advantages will be better understood according to the description below. Each of the figures in the accompanying drawings is provided for the purpose of illustration and description, and is not intended to be a definition of the limitations of the claims.

[0015] Although various aspects are described in the present disclosure by way of illustration of some examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that such aspects can be implemented in many different arrangements and scenarios. The technology described herein can be implemented using different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and / or packaging arrangements. For example, some aspects can be implemented via integrated chip embodiments and other devices based on non-module components (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial devices, retail / purchasing devices, medical devices, and / or artificial intelligence devices). Various aspects can be implemented in chip-level components, modular components, non-modular components, non-chip-level components, device-level components, and / or system-level components. The device incorporating the described aspects and features may also include additional components and features for implementing and implementing the claimed and described aspects. For example, the transmission and reception of wireless signals may include one or more components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including antennas, radio frequency (RF) chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders, and / or adders). It is contemplated that the various aspects described herein can be implemented in a wide variety of devices, components, systems, distributed arrangements, and / or end-user devices having different sizes, shapes, and configurations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to understand the above features of the present disclosure in detail, a more specific description of the content briefly summarized above can be obtained by referring to various aspects (some of which are shown in the accompanying drawings). However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings only show certain typical aspects of the present disclosure and are therefore not considered to be limiting of its scope, as the specification may allow other equally effective aspects. The same reference numerals in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements.

[0017] Figure 1 A wireless communication system configured in accordance with the present disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system supporting low latency parameter updates for an extended personal area network in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 3 is a diagram of an example associated with target wake time (TWT) service interval (SI) communication involving a first audio device and a second audio device using time domain multiplexing according to the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram of an example associated with a dynamic start time for periodic communications to an audio device in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 is a diagram of an example associated with a dynamic start time for periodic communications to an audio device in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a wireless communication device (WCD) in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example process performed, for example, by a second audio device according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 8 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communications in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0025] Fig. 9 is a diagram of an example apparatus for wireless communications in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Various aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of different forms, and should not be interpreted as being limited to any specific structure or function given throughout the present disclosure. Instead, these aspects are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the protection scope of the present disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. It should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the present disclosure disclosed herein, whether the aspect is implemented independently of any other aspect of the present disclosure or implemented in combination with any other aspect. For example, using any number of aspects set forth herein, a device can be implemented or a method can be implemented. In addition, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover such a device or method implemented using other structures, functions, or structures and functions other than the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein or different from the various aspects of the present disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the present disclosure disclosed herein can be implemented by one or more elements of the claims.

[0027] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be presented with reference to various devices and techniques. These devices and methods will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0028] In some networks, a wireless communication device (WCD) can support applications associated with low latency or lossless audio to one or more other devices (such as one or more personal audio devices). For example, a WCD can support: applications and use cases associated with ultra-low latency (ULL) (such as ULL games), or streaming lossless audio to one or more personal audio devices (e.g., peripherals) of a user. In a scenario where a user uses two peripherals, a WCD can support an extended personal area network (XPAN), and the WCD can communicate with the two peripherals via the extended personal area network. In order to meet the latency or lossless standards associated with an application or use case, an XPAN device can use a target wake-up time (TWT) technology for communication between a WCD and a peripheral. In some systems, a peripheral and a WCD can exchange one or more Bluetooth messages, and complete TWT removal is implemented between each peripheral in the WCD and the peripheral. This exchange and TWT removal of Bluetooth messages may introduce too much latency for some applications (such as ULL games or streaming lossless audio applications).

[0029] In some implementations, a WCD (which may be a cell phone or access point (AP) (e.g., a soft AP (SAP)) and a set of peripheral devices (e.g., a headset or an audio device) may use a downlink audio data packet to carry updated TWT parameters, or any other XPAN-related parameters that the WCD and the peripheral devices may indicate via wireless signaling. In some examples, the WCD may embed an updated set of parameters (e.g., updated TWT parameters or other parameters associated with XPAN) in one or more fields of a real-time transport protocol (RTP) audio header of an audio data packet, and may send the audio data packet to the peripheral device. Additionally or alternatively, the WCD may embed an updated set of parameters in a padding segment of an audio data packet, and may send the audio data packet to the peripheral device. The peripheral devices may each acknowledge the audio data packet sent by the WCD, and the WCD may communicate based on receiving an acknowledgement from each of the peripheral devices in accordance with the updated parameters.

[0030] Aspects of the present disclosure are initially described in the context of a WCD. Aspects of the present disclosure are additionally illustrated and described with reference to process flows, audio data packets (e.g., audio data packet formats), communication timelines, encoding formats, and example XPAN topologies. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated and described with reference to device diagrams, system diagrams, and flow charts related to low-latency parameter updates for XPAN.

[0031] Figure 1 A wireless communication system 100 (also referred to as a wireless local area network (WLAN) or Wi-Fi network) configured in accordance with the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication system 100 may include an AP 105 and a plurality of associated devices 115 (such as a station (STA) or SAP, which may represent devices such as mobile stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebooks, tablet computers, laptop computers, display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors, etc.), printers, etc.). The AP 105 and associated devices 115 (e.g., associated STAs) may represent a basic service set (BSS) or an extended service set (ESS). Various devices 115 in the network are able to communicate with each other through the AP 105. Also shown is a coverage area 110 of the AP 105, which may represent a basic service area (BSA) of the wireless communication system 100. An extended network station (not shown) associated with the wireless communication system 100 may be connected to a wired or wireless distribution system, which may allow multiple APs 105 to be connected in an ESS.

[0032] although Figure 1100. Although not shown in the figure, the device 115 can be located at the intersection of more than one coverage area 110 and can be associated with more than one AP 105. A single AP 105 and an associated group of devices 115 can be referred to as a BSS. An ESS is a group of connected BSSs. A distribution system (not shown) can be used to connect the APs 105 in the ESS. In some cases, the coverage area 110 of the AP 105 can be divided into sectors (also not shown). The wireless communication system 100 may include APs 105 of different types (e.g., metropolitan area networks, home networks, etc.) with varying and overlapping coverage areas 110. Two devices 115 can also communicate directly via a direct wireless communication link 125, regardless of whether the two devices 115 are in the same coverage area 110. Examples of direct wireless communication links 120 may include Wi-Fi direct connections, Wi-Fi tunneling direct link setup (TDLS) links, and other group connections. Device 115 and AP 105 may communicate according to WLAN radio and baseband protocols for physical and MAC layers from IEEE 802.11 and versions including, but not limited to, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, 802.11ax, etc. In other implementations, peer-to-peer connections or ad hoc networks may be implemented within wireless communication system 100.

[0033] In some cases, a device 115 (or AP 105) may be detectable by the central AP 105, but not detectable by other devices 115 in the coverage area 110 of the central AP 105. For example, one device 115 may be at one end of the coverage area 110 of the central AP 105, while another device 115 may be at the other end. Thus, two devices 115 may communicate with the AP 105, but may not receive the transmission of the other device. This may result in conflicting transmissions for the two devices 115 in a contention-based environment (e.g., carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA)) because the devices 115 may not prohibit transmission over each other. Devices 115 whose transmissions are not identifiable but within the same coverage area 110 may be referred to as hidden nodes. CSMA / CA may be supplemented by exchanging request to send (RTS) packets sent by the transmitting device 115 (or AP 105) and clear to send (CTS) packets sent by the receiving device 115 (or AP 105). This can alert other devices within range of the transmitter and receiver not to transmit for the duration of the primary transmission.Thus, RTS and / or CTS can help mitigate the hidden node problem.

[0034] The wireless communication system 100 may include an AP 105, a device 115 (e.g., which may be referred to as a source device, a central device, etc.), and a paired device 115 (e.g., which may be referred to as a sink device, a peripheral device, etc.) to implement WLAN communication (e.g., Wi-Fi communication) and / or Bluetooth communication. For example, the device 115 may include a cellular phone, a user equipment (UE), a wireless station (STA), a mobile station, a PDA, other handheld devices, a netbook, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or some other suitable terminology. The paired device 115 may include a Bluetooth-enabled device that is capable of pairing with other Bluetooth-enabled devices (e.g., such as the device 115), which may include wireless audio devices (e.g., headphones, earbuds, speakers, earpieces, headsets), display devices (e.g., TVs, computer monitors), microphones, meters, valves, etc.

[0035] Bluetooth communication may refer to a short-range communication protocol and may be used to connect and exchange information between a device 115 and a paired device 115 (e.g., between a mobile phone, a computer, a digital camera, a wireless headset, a speaker, a keyboard, a mouse or other input peripheral device, and the like). A Bluetooth system (e.g., aspects of the wireless communication system 100) may be organized using a central-peripheral relationship using a time division duplex protocol with a defined time slot of, for example, 625 microseconds, where transmissions alternate between a central device (e.g., device 115) and one or more peripheral devices (e.g., paired device 115). In some examples, in the wireless communication system 100, a device 115 may generally refer to a central device, while a paired device 115 may refer to a peripheral device. Thus, in some examples, a device may be referred to as a device 115 or a paired device 115 based on the device's Bluetooth role configuration. That is, designating a device as a device 115 or a paired device 115 does not necessarily indicate a difference in device capabilities, but may refer to or indicate the role the device plays in the wireless communication system 100. Generally, device 115 may refer to a WCD capable of wirelessly exchanging data signals with another device (e.g., paired device 115), and paired device 115 may refer to a device operating in a peripheral role or to a short-range WCD capable of exchanging data signals with device 115 (e.g., using the Bluetooth communication protocol).

[0036] The communication link 125 may be established between two Bluetooth-enabled devices (e.g., between the device 115 and the paired device 115) and may provide communication or services (e.g., according to some Bluetooth profiles). The controller stack may be responsible for establishing the communication link 125, such as an asynchronous connection-oriented link (or asynchronous connection-oriented connection), a synchronous connection-oriented (SCO) link (or SCO connection), an extended synchronous connection-oriented (eSCO) link (or eSCO connection), other logical transport channel links, etc. For example, the Bluetooth connection may be an eSCO connection for voice calls (e.g., which may allow retransmissions), an asynchronous connectionless (ACL) connection for music streaming (e.g., Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)), etc. The eSCO packets may be sent in predetermined time slots (e.g., 6 Bluetooth time slots each for eSCO). When the Bluetooth link is established, regular intervals between eSCO packets may be specified. The eSCO packets to / from a specific device (e.g., paired device 115) are acknowledged and may be retransmitted if not acknowledged during a retransmission window. In addition, an ACL connection (A2DP profile) may be used to stream audio between the device 115 and the paired device 115. In some cases, an ACL connection may occupy 1, 3, or 5 Bluetooth time slots for data or voice. Other Bluetooth profiles supported by Bluetooth-enabled devices may include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (e.g., providing significantly reduced power consumption and cost while maintaining similar communication range), Human Interface Device Profile (HID) (e.g., providing a low-latency link with low power requirements), etc.

[0037] In some examples, the device is capable of Bluetooth communication and WLAN communication. For example, the WLAN component and the Bluetooth component can be placed in the device so that the device can communicate according to the Bluetooth communication protocol and the WLAN communication protocol, because each technology can provide different benefits or can improve the user experience under different conditions. In some examples, Bluetooth communication and WLAN communication can share the same medium, such as the same unlicensed frequency medium. In such an example, the device 115 can support WLAN communication via AP 105 (e.g., through communication link 120). AP 105 and associated devices 115 can represent BSS or ESS. Various devices 115 in the network can communicate with each other through AP 105. In some cases, AP 105 can be associated with a coverage area, which can represent a BSA.

[0038] Device 115 and AP 105 can communicate according to WLAN radio and baseband protocols for physical layer and MAC layer from IEEE 802.11 and versions including but not limited to 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, 802.11ax, etc. In other implementations, peer-to-peer connections or ad hoc networks can be implemented within the wireless communication system 100, and devices can communicate with each other via communication links 120 (e.g., Wi-Fi direct connections, Wi-Fi TDLS links, peer-to-peer communication links, other peer-to-peer connections or group connections). AP 105 can be coupled to a network such as the Internet and can enable device 115 to communicate via the network (or communicate with other devices 115 coupled to AP 105). Device 115 can communicate bidirectionally with network devices. For example, in a WLAN, the device 115 may communicate with an associated AP 105 via a downlink (eg, a communication link from the AP 105 to the device 115 ) and an uplink (eg, a communication link from the device 115 to the AP 105 ).

[0039] In some examples, content, media, audio, etc. exchanged between device 115 and paired device 115 may originate from a WLAN. For example, in some examples, device 115 may receive audio from AP 105 (e.g., via WLAN communications), and device 115 may then relay or pass the audio to paired device 115 (e.g., via Bluetooth communications). In some examples, certain types of Bluetooth communications (e.g., such as high-quality or high-definition (HD) Bluetooth) may require enhanced quality of service. For example, in some examples, delay-sensitive Bluetooth traffic may have a higher priority than WLAN traffic.

[0040] In some deployments, the WCD may support applications associated with low latency or lossless audio for one or more other devices, such as one or more personal audio devices. For example, the WCD may support applications and use cases associated with ULL, such as ULL gaming, or streaming lossless audio to one or more personal audio devices (e.g., peripherals) of a user. In a scenario where a user uses two peripherals (e.g., wireless earbuds 130-a and wireless earbuds 130-b), the WCD may support XPAN, via which the WCD may communicate with the two peripherals.

[0041] In order to meet the delay or lossless standards associated with applications or use cases, XPAN devices can use TWT technology for communication between WCD and peripheral devices. Initial or default TWT parameters can be set in the expectation of ideal (e.g., interference-free or nearly interference-free) conditions, and can be updated in response to changing channel conditions or changing concurrent situations at the WCD. In some systems, peripheral devices and WCDs can exchange one or more Bluetooth messages, and complete TWT removal is achieved between the WCD and each peripheral device. This exchange of Bluetooth messages and TWT removal may introduce too much delay for some applications (such as ULL games or streaming lossless audio applications).

[0042] In some implementations, a WCD (which may be a device 115 (e.g., a cell phone) or an AP 105) and a set of peripheral devices may use a downlink audio data packet to carry updated TWT parameters, or any other parameters associated with XPAN that the WCD and the peripheral devices may indicate via wireless signaling. In some examples, the WCD may embed an updated set of parameters (e.g., updated TWT parameters or other parameters associated with XPAN) into one or more fields (such as one or more contributing sources (CSRC) fields) of an RTP audio header of an audio data packet, and may send the audio data packet to the peripheral device. Additionally or alternatively, the WCD may embed an updated set of parameters in a padding segment of an audio data packet, and may send the audio data packet to the peripheral device. Each peripheral device may confirm the audio data packet sent by the WCD, and the WCD may communicate based on receiving the confirmation from each peripheral device in the peripheral device according to the updated parameters.

[0043] According to the example implementation scheme described herein, various devices can use air transmission to indicate updated parameters (e.g., updated XPAN-related parameters, such as updated TWT parameters) via one or both of the RTP audio header CSRC field or the padding field in the payload data segment. Therefore, various devices can use a sequence of air packet transmissions to change or update a parameter set (e.g., a TWT parameter set). For example, via audio data packet transmission, various devices can configure, trigger, or indicate an increase or decrease in the audio packet period (e.g., when changing the TWT SI). In addition, according to the described technology, such a device can avoid explicit TWT teardown, request and response frame exchanges, and instead can implement TWT sequence changes after the RTP audio header CSRC field or the padding segment indicates the updated TWT parameters.

[0044] Figure 2An example of a wireless communication system 200 that supports low latency parameter updates for an extended personal area network according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless communication system 200 can implement or be implemented to achieve aspects of the wireless communication system 100. For example, the wireless communication system 200 shows an AP 105, a device 115 (e.g., a mobile phone or handheld device), and a wireless earbud 130-a and a wireless earbud 130-b (e.g., an example of an audio device and / or peripheral device) of a user 205 (which can be referenced to Figure 1 In some implementations, the device 115, the wireless earbud 130-a, and the wireless earbud 130-b may support a signaling-based mechanism by which the device 115 may send an indication of the updated parameter set to each of the wireless earbud 130-a and the wireless earbud 130-b via one or more audio data packets.

[0045] In some deployments, the device 115 may communicate with the AP 105 via one or both of the link 210-a and the link 210-b, which may be examples of infrastructure links between the AP 105 and the device 115. The link 210-a may be an example of a 2.4 GHz link between the AP 105 and the device 115, and the link 210-b may be an example of a 5 GHz link or a 6 GHz link between the AP 105 and the device 115. In addition, the device 115 may wirelessly communicate with each of the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b, where each of the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b may be associated with an XPAN of the device 115. For example, device 115 may communicate with wireless earbud 130-a via link 215-a, and may communicate with wireless earbud 130-b via link 215-b, wherein link 215-a and link 215-b may be referred to as or understood as XPAN links. Link 215-a may be an example of a 5GHz link or a 6GHz link, and link 215-b may be an example of a 5GHz link or a 6GHz link. In addition, in some examples, device 115 may communicate with wireless earbud 130-a via communication link 220, which may be an example of a primary earbud. Communication link 220 may be an example of a Bluetooth link between device 115 and wireless earbud 130-a. Wireless earbud 130-a and wireless earbud 130-b (which may be an example of a secondary earbud) may communicate with each other via link 225, which may be an example of a Bluetooth link between wireless earbud 130-a and wireless earbud 130-b.

[0046] In some cases, the device 115, the wireless earbud 130-a, and the wireless earbud 130-b may support or belong to XPAN, and may use XPAN to support one or more applications or use cases, such as applications or use cases associated with latency or lossless audio constraints or standards. For example, the device 115 may support one or more of the following use cases: ULL gaming, and streaming lossless audio to the wireless earbud 130-a and the wireless earbud 130-b (e.g., the personal device of the device 115). For such applications, the device 115 may be expected to keep the end-to-end latency below a relatively strict latency target (e.g., 40 milliseconds (ms) for ULL gaming). In addition, the device 115 may also be responsible for handling (e.g., gracefully handling) the coexistence of XPAN traffic (e.g., traffic to or from one or both of the wireless earbud 130-a and the wireless earbud 130-b) with other concurrency scenarios that the user 205 or the system may initiate. Such other concurrency scenarios may include scanning concurrency for channel selection, STA infrastructure link concurrency for online gaming or other services to or from the AP 105, or Neighbor Awareness Network (NAN) discovery and NAN data transmission, or any combination thereof.

[0047] Therefore, the device 115 may be expected to meet latency constraints for various applications or use cases (e.g., ultra-low latency constraints for ULL gaming use cases) and also facilitate coexistence between XPAN and other concurrency scenarios on the device 115. In order to meet latency constraints associated with, for example, ULL gaming, power constraints of the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b, power and concurrency constraints at the device 115, the device 115 may employ TWT technology for communication between the device 115 (which may act or function as a SAP) and each of the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b (which may act or function as a STA).

[0048] Example TWT parameters include TWT 230, TWT service interval (SI) 235, and TWT service period (SP) 240. TWT 230 may indicate or be associated with a timing synchronization function (TSF) time indicating the start or initiation of a first TWT session. TWT SI 235 may indicate a TWT interval, which may refer to the time difference between the start or initiation of two consecutive TWT sessions. TWT SP 240 may indicate a duration during which one or both of the wireless earbuds 130-a and the wireless earbuds 130-b are awake during the TWT SI 235. In some aspects, the TWT SP 240 may be referred to as or understood to be a TWT session. Therefore, and as indicated by Figure 2As shown, TWT SI 235 may indicate the time difference between TWT SP 240-a and TWT 240-b. The remaining time within TWT SI 235 excluding TWT SP 240 may be referred to or understood as concurrency time 245, during which device 115 may perform any operations (e.g., transmission or reception) associated with a concurrency scenario at device 115. In other words, the difference between XPAN TWT SI 235 and XPAN TWT SP 240 may be the time left for device 115 to support other concurrency (e.g., outside of any channel switching or software overhead).

[0049] For XPAN, each of the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b (which may be examples of TWT requesting STAs) may initiate a TWT session with the device 115 (which may be examples of TWT responding STAs). In addition, for low-latency use cases (e.g., ULL gaming use cases), the target end-to-end latency may be relatively strict (e.g., less than or equal to approximately 40 ms), which may be bound to, associated with, or expected to be in a specific range (e.g., in a range below 10 ms). In order to achieve such Wi-Fi latency, the TWT SI 235 and the TWT SP 240 may be selected or set to specific values ​​(e.g., the TWT SI 235 may be set to 4 ms, where the TWT SP 240 is 2 ms). In addition, for lossless audio use cases, for example, the TWT SI 235 may be set to approximately 70 ms, where the TWT SP 240 is approximately 23 ms.

[0050] In some cases, the default or initial TWT parameter set for XPAN can be configured or set to expect ideal (e.g., no interference or approximately no interference) conditions (e.g., link conditions, channel conditions, or environmental conditions). In some deployments, Wi-Fi channel conditions, concurrency situations of device 115, or XPAN constraints can change over time. This change can trigger, be associated with, or force TWT parameter updates. In addition, in applications or use cases associated with low latency (e.g., ULL games and streaming lossless audio), it can be expected to perform TWT parameter updates with low latency to continue to meet XPAN constraints without compromising user experience. For example, for XPAN game use cases, TWT SP 240 can be approximately 2ms. Therefore, it can also be expected that the communication overhead of other information updated by TWT parameters or transmitted from device 115 to wireless earplug 130-a and wireless earplug 130-b is relatively small.

[0051] However, in some systems, the TWT parameter update process may be associated with relatively high latency. In addition, because a TWT session may be initiated by the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b (with default or initial parameters), any updates to the TWT parameters triggered by a change in conditions on the device 115 may involve the device 115 sending the updated parameters to the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b, followed by making the TWT parameter changes at the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b.

[0052] The example TWT parameter update process may include a series of signaling steps involving one or more transmissions using a Bluetooth link, which may introduce relatively large delays. For example, the Wi-Fi subsystem (SS) of device 115 may send a request (e.g., a TWT parameter update request) to the Bluetooth host (BT host) of device 115 to request to update one or more TWT parameters after detecting one or more conditions that trigger the change of one or more TWT parameters. The BT host of device 115 may use the Bluetooth link to transmit the updated TWT parameter set to the BT host of the main earbud (e.g., wireless earbud 130-a). This updated TWT configuration sent via the Bluetooth link can add approximately 80ms of delay. The BT host of the main earbud can internally signal the new TWT parameters to the Wi-Fi SS of the main earbud, and the BT host of the main earbud can use the Bluetooth link to transmit the new TWT-parameters to the BT host of the secondary earbud (e.g., wireless earbud 130-b). This indication of the TWT configuration via the Bluetooth link between the main earbud and the secondary earbud can add approximately 120ms of delay. The BT host of the secondary earbud may internally signal the new TWT parameters to the Wi-Fi SS of the secondary earbud.

[0053] The Wi-Fi SS of the primary earbud may start a TWT session teardown and parameter update process. The TWT session teardown and parameter update process may involve the transmission of a TWT teardown message and a TWT request message carrying new TWT parameters from the Wi-Fi SS of the primary earbud to the Wi-Fi SS of device 115 via the XPAN Wi-Fi link, and the transmission of an acknowledgment (ACK) and a TWT response message for the new TWT parameters from the Wi-Fi SS of device 115 to the Wi-Fi SS of the primary earbud via the XPAN Wi-Fi link. The Wi-Fi SS of device 115 may update the BT host of device 115 that a new TWT session with the primary earbud has been established (e.g., the Wi-Fi SS may indicate the TWT session update to the BT host). This TWT session teardown and parameter update process may be performed additionally between device 115 and the secondary earbud.

[0054] According to such a TWT parameter update process, the device 115 may incur a relatively large delay between the time when the condition associated with the TWT parameter update is triggered on the device 115 and the time when the updated parameters take effect. For example, some components of the delay may include an approximately 80ms delay associated with the updated TWT configuration sent via the Bluetooth link between the device 115 and the primary earbud, an approximately 100ms delay associated with the sniff exit delay if the Bluetooth link between the two earbuds is in sniff mode, an approximately 20ms delay associated with the updated TWT configuration sent via the Bluetooth link between the two earbuds, and an approximately 5ms delay associated with the teardown of the TWT session and the reestablishment of a new TWT session from the two earbuds. Accordingly, such a TWT parameter update process may be associated with a total end-to-end delay of approximately 205ms for a one-time TWT parameter update, which may be too much for some applications or use cases (e.g., ULL gaming and streaming lossless audio use cases).

[0055] In some implementations, the device 115, the wireless earbuds 130-a, and the wireless earbuds 130-b may support a data packet generation-based and signaling-based mechanism according to which the device 115 may embed an indication of one or more updated parameters in one or more audio data packets that the device 115 may send to the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b. For example, if the device 115 detects a change that triggers a parameter update, or if the device 115 otherwise determines to send a set of parameters to the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b with low latency, the device 115 may embed the parameters in one or more downlink audio data packets and may send the one or more downlink audio data packets to the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b. In some implementations, the device 115 may send an indication of the parameter to the wireless earbud 130-a via a first audio data packet sent using a first Wi-Fi link (e.g., a first XPAN Wi-Fi link), and may send an indication of the parameter to the wireless earbud 130-b via a second audio data packet sent using a second Wi-Fi link (e.g., a second XPAN Wi-Fi link). The first audio data packet and the second audio data packet may include the same information or may include different information, and each may be an example of a physical layer convergence protocol (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).

[0056] Thus, the device 115 can transmit a set of one or more parameters to both the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b during an expected downlink data transmission or service (e.g., without using any additional or dedicated signaling). Based on this lack of additional over-the-air Bluetooth signaling or Wi-Fi signaling between the device 115 and each of the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b and between the wireless earbuds 130-a and 130-b, the total end-to-end delay can be one or a relatively small amount of TWT SI 235, which can correspond to a delay of approximately 4ms or 8ms for some applications or use cases (e.g., ULL gaming). This delay of approximately 4ms or 8ms can represent a significant reduction in end-to-end delay for TWT parameter renegotiation compared to other example parameter update processes (which may incur a delay of approximately 205ms).

[0057] Thus, the device 115, the wireless earbuds 130-a, and the wireless earbuds 130-b may achieve up to approximately 50 times faster response times to any condition changes on the XPAN or infrastructure link associated with the device 115. In other words, the described techniques may enable or facilitate an agile XPAN system that may adapt to changing wireless conditions associated with the XPAN or infrastructure link at the device 115. Accordingly, the described techniques may be applicable to any latency-sensitive application or use case that uses TWT as a communication protocol between potentially power-constrained devices, or any other use case that is associated with or desires low-latency XPAN parameter updates from a default or initial set of programmed values.

[0058] In addition, the described techniques may allow or facilitate simultaneous updating of one or more TWT parameters, and may additionally or alternatively be used to transmit any other information (XPAN related or otherwise) between the device 115, the wireless earbuds 130-a, and the wireless earbuds 130-b in a fast and efficient manner. For example, the parameters that may be transmitted between the device 115 and each of the wireless earbuds 130-a and the wireless earbuds 130-b may include a set of one or more TWT parameters, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measured at the device 115 or one or both of the wireless earbuds 130-a and the wireless earbuds 130-b that is desired to be transmitted to the device 115 or one or both of the wireless earbuds 130-a and the wireless earbuds 130-b, a channel switching indication or request, or a bearer switching indication or request. Such one or more TWT parameters may include any one or more of the TWTSI 235, the TWT SP 240, or the TWT start time (e.g., TWT 230). Furthermore, such a bearer switching indication or request may be a request for switching from an XPAN bearer to a Bluetooth bearer, or a request for switching from a Bluetooth bearer to an XPAN bearer.

[0059] In some networks, the WCD may communicate with a first audio device and a second audio device. The first audio device may have a fixed start time (e.g., at the beginning of a periodic resource set such as a service interval, or at an offset from the beginning of the periodic resource set) and a variable duration. The variable duration may be based at least in part on whether retransmission is required, the number of retransmissions, and / or a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used to communicate with the first audio device, etc.

[0060] The second audio device can also have a fixed start time offset from the fixed start time of the first audio device. This can be based at least in part on the fact that the WCD cannot communicate with two audio devices simultaneously (e.g., based at least in part on interference and / or transmission capabilities, etc.). In the first scenario, the second audio device can wake up and monitor communication before the first audio device completes communication with the WCD. In this scenario, before the WCD is ready to communicate with the second audio device, the second audio device may waste power and computing resources in order to wake up. In the second scenario, after the first audio device completes the communication with the WCD, the second audio device can wake up and monitor communication (e.g., the fixed start time of the second audio device is relatively large from the offset of the fixed start time of the first audio device). In this scenario, during the time period after the first audio device completes communication with the WCD, the second audio device may waste concurrency time and / or the WCD may waste network resources.

[0061] In some aspects described herein, the WCD can communicate with a first audio device (e.g., an earbud or other peripheral device) via a first wireless connection and communicate with a second audio device (e.g., an earbud or other peripheral device) via a second wireless connection during a time period. The periodic communication with the first audio device can have a fixed start time and a first duration that is variable in length. The start time can be fixed based at least in part on the fact that the start time of the TWT period is known to the first audio device based at least in part on a TWT setup message. For example, if the TWT (e.g., the first start time) is 10 ms and the TWT SI is 100 ms, the first earbud infers that the TWT SI will start at time 10, 110, 210, etc.

[0062] The periodic communication with the second audio device may have a start time (e.g., a variable and / or dynamic start time) and a second duration that is variable in length. The WCD may send an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration. The second start time may be different from the first start time. The second start time may be dynamic (e.g., based at least in part on the start time and duration of the periodic communication with the first audio device).

[0063] In some aspects, the second audio device may have a dynamic start time. For example, the WCD may start with a fixed offset for the second audio device (assuming the highest MCS for the left earbud and no retransmissions, and / or the shortest first earbud TWT SP, SP L,开始 =SP L,最小 ). In an example with TWT SI = 100 ms, 192 KHz / 24 bits, and a maximum MCS of 3, the second audio device may have an initial offset of 16 ms. The WCD may convert the second audio device start offset to a second audio device start time (e.g., TSF start time). For example, TWT (second audio device) = TWT (first audio device) + SP L,开始 (Ideal parameters).

[0064] The WCD may communicate the second audio device start time to the second audio device via an unsolicited TWT response message or other proprietary communication method (e.g., vendor-specific action frames). The WCD may track the last SP (SP) of the first audio device used to communicate the second audio device TWT start time. 第一音频设备,上一 )(SP 第一音频设备,先前 Initialized to SP 第一音频设备,开始 ).

[0065] In some aspects, the WCD may monitor the average TWT SP of the first audio device using a moving average as: avgSP 第一音频设备 =α*SP 第一音频设备,当前 +(1-α)*avgSP 第一音频设备 The first audio device TWT SP may change based at least in part on first audio device channel conditions, an MCS used for the first audio device, and / or a number of retransmissions used by the first audio device, among other things.

[0066] If the average TWT SP avgSP of the left earbud 第一音频设备 From SP 第一音频设备,上一 If the deviation is more than the hysteresis margin, the WCD calculates a new second audio device start time and transmits it to the second audio device. 第一音频设备 -SP 第一音频设备,先前 )>SP 滞后 (the difference from the average value is greater than the threshold), the WCD may change the start time of the second audio device. 第一音频设备,先前 =avgSP 第一音频设备 , SP(first audio device, previous) is set to the average value only when a change is made. If the change in the first audio device TWT SP is small, the use of a hysteresis margin can be used to reduce the unnecessary overhead of changing and transmitting a new second audio device start time. The hysteresis margin can be set to an absolute time value (e.g., SP 滞后 =2ms) or a percentage of the previous first audio device SP (eg, SP 滞后 =β*SP 第一音频设备,上一 , for example, β=5%).

[0067] In some aspects, if the audio device is disconnected (e.g., runs out of battery or is placed in a battery compartment), the start times of the other audio devices do not change (e.g., the start times will remain unchanged). As long as the first audio device is active and connected, average SP tracking can be performed to reduce WCD battery consumption and / or increase WCD concurrency time. If the first audio device is disconnected, there is no need to update the second audio device TWT start time, because the WCD will only wake up for the second audio device without affecting WCD power consumption and WCD concurrency time.

[0068] Based at least in part on the second audio device having a dynamic start time, the second audio device can have an increased concurrency time compared to a fixed start time for the second audio device (wherein the second audio device can be assigned a larger TWT SP duration than the first audio device), unnecessary power consumption on the second audio device and / or WCD can be reduced, lossless audio with an MCS as low as 1 can be supported, and / or unbalanced performance between the two audio devices can be reduced.

[0069] In some aspects, the WCD may include a communication manager. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager may communicate with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicate with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length; and send an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0070] In some aspects, the second audio device and / or the first audio device may include a communication manager. As described in more detail elsewhere herein, the communication manager may communicate with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection to the first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, with periodic communications between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and periodic communications between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length; and receiving an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time from the WCD and based at least in part on a detection of a change in the first duration. Additionally or alternatively, the communication manager may perform one or more other operations described herein.

[0071] In some aspects, the WCD includes: means for communicating with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicating with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length; and / or means for sending an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration. In some aspects, means for the WCD to perform operations described herein may include: for example, one or more of a communication manager, a transmit processor, a TX multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) processor, a modem, an antenna, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or a scheduler, etc.

[0072] In some aspects, the second audio device includes: means for communicating with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection with the first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length; and / or means for receiving, from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time. In some aspects, the means for the second audio device to perform the operations described herein may include, for example, one or more of a communication manager, a transmit processor, a TX MIMO processor, a modem, an antenna, a MIMO detector, a receive processor, a controller / processor, a memory, or a scheduler.

[0073] Figure 3 2 is a diagram of an example associated with TWT SI communication involving a first audio device and a second audio device using time domain multiplexing. For example, the first audio device can use a first time resource of the TWT SI, and the second audio device can use a second time resource that starts later in time than the first time resource.

[0074] The first time resource may have a fixed start time (e.g., at the start of the TWT SI or after the control information) and a variable duration. For example, the first time resource may have a variable duration based at least in part on the amount of data and / or control information to be transmitted between the first audio device and the WCD (e.g., UE, host and / or audio source device, etc.). The second time resource may have a fixed start time that is offset from the start of the TWT SI, from the control information, and / or from the start time of the first time resource.

[0075] As shown at reference numeral 300, the second time resource may have a fixed start time that is too early and wastes power and / or computing resources attempting to receive communications while the first time resource is ongoing.

[0076] The WCD may configure channel switching 302 as a time period during which the WCD and / or the first audio device and the second audio device may switch channels (e.g., tune hardware to communicate on the indicated channels). The WCD, the first audio device, and the second audio device may be configured to communicate during a TWT SI 304. The TWT SI may include a TWT maximum (max) utilization 306, after which communications involving the WCD and the first audio device and the second audio device must cease.

[0077] Within TWT maximum utilization 306, the first audio device can communicate with the WCD during a TWT SP 308 that has a start time that is aligned with the start time of TWT SI 304 or that is offset from TWT SI 304 by an amount of time that is less than the offset associated with communication between the second audio device and the WCD. The second audio device can communicate with the WCD during a TWT SP 310 that is offset 312 so that the TWT SP 310 starts after the start time of the TWT SP 308.

[0078] As shown in example 300, when offset 312 is too small, TWT SP 310 can have a start time that can be before the end time of TWT SP 308. Based at least in part on the first audio device and the second audio device being time division multiplexed, only one audio device can communicate with the WCD at a time. Based at least in part on TWT SP 310 starting before the second audio device is able to communicate with the WCD (e.g., based at least in part on TWT SP 308 being ongoing), the second audio device may unnecessarily consume power and computing resources during the early wake-up time 314.

[0079] TWT maximum utilization 306 may be followed by concurrency time 316 during which the WCD does not communicate with the first audio device or the second audio device. For example, concurrency time 316 may include time allocated for communication with other devices, scanning channels for occupancy, and / or communication by the WCD with another device.

[0080] As shown at reference numeral 350, the second time resource may have a fixed start time that is too early and wastes power and / or computing resources attempting to receive communications while the first time resource is ongoing.

[0081] The WCD may configure channel switching 352 as a time period during which the WCD and / or the first audio device and the second audio device may switch channels (e.g., tune hardware to communicate on the indicated channels). The WCD, the first audio device, and the second audio device may be configured to communicate during a TWT SI 354. The TWT SI may include a TWT maximum utilization 356, after which communications involving the WCD and the first audio device and the second audio device must cease.

[0082] Within TWT maximum utilization 356, the first audio device can communicate with the WCD during a TWT SP 358 that has a start time that is aligned with the start time of TWT SI 354 or is offset from TWT SI 354 by an amount less than the offset associated with communication between the second audio device and the WCD. The second audio device can communicate with the WCD during a TWT SP 360 that is offset 362 so that TWT SP 360 starts after the start time of TWT SP 358.

[0083] As shown in example 350, when the offset 362 is too large, the TWT SP 360 can have a start time that is after the end time of the TWT SP 308. Based at least in part on the TWT SP 360 starting after the second audio device can communicate with the WCD (e.g., based at least in part on the TWT SP 308 ending), the second audio device may unnecessarily waste network resources during wasted time 364 during which the WCD does not communicate with the first audio device or the second audio device.

[0084] TWT maximum utilization 356 may be followed by concurrency time 316 during which the WCD does not communicate with the first audio device or the second audio device. For example, concurrency time 366 may include time allocated for communication with other devices, scanning channels for occupancy, and / or communication by the WCD with another device.

[0085] As shown above, provide Figure 3 As an example. Other examples may differ from Figure 3 An example of description.

[0086] Figure 4 4 is a diagram of an example 400 associated with a dynamic start time for periodic communications to an audio device in accordance with the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, a WCD (e.g., a UE, a host device, and / or an audio source, etc.) can communicate with a first audio device and a second audio device (e.g., 130-a and 130-b, respectively). In some aspects, the WCD, the first audio device, and the second audio device can communicate with each other at a predetermined time. Figure 4 The operations shown are performed with a wireless connection already established.

[0087] As shown in reference numeral 405, the WCD may send an indication of a start time to the second audio device. In some aspects, the indication of the start time may include an indication of an offset from the start of the TWT SI so that the start time is relative to the start of the TWT SI. The start time may be later than the start time of the communication between the WCD and the first audio device.

[0088] In some aspects, the WCD may send an indication of the start time via configuration communication. The WCD may broadcast, multicast and / or unicast configuration information (e.g., the first audio device may also receive the configuration information). In some aspects, the configuration information may provide parameters for communicating using a communication schedule based on TWT. For example, the configuration information may configure time resources to be used for communication between the WCD and the first audio device and the second audio device.

[0089] In some aspects, the indication of the start time can indicate a minimum length of duration of communication with the first audio device. In some aspects, the second audio device can assume a start time based at least in part on the minimum length of duration of communication with the first audio device (e.g., without receiving an indication of the start time).

[0090] As shown in reference numeral 410, the WCD may receive an ACK from the second audio device, wherein the ACK is associated with an indication of a start time. In some aspects, based at least in part on receiving the ACK, the WCD may synchronize the start time with the second audio device for communication during the time period. In some aspects, if the WCD fails to receive the ACK, the WCD may resend the indication of the start time to the second audio device.

[0091] As shown in reference numeral 415, the WCD may communicate with the first audio device during a first TWT SP (e.g., a first time period) associated with the first audio device. In some aspects, the WCD may communicate with the first audio device via a first wireless connection. The WCD may communicate with the first audio device using periodic communication, wherein the periodic communication has a fixed start time (e.g., relative to the start of the TWT SI) and a first duration that is variable in length. The start time may be fixed based at least in part on the fact that the start time of the TWT period is known to the first audio device based at least in part on a TWT setup message. For example, if the TWT (e.g., the first start time) is 10 ms and the TWT SI is 100 ms, the first earbud infers that the TWT SI will start at time 10, 110, 210, etc.

[0092] In some aspects, the start time of a first audio device (and / or WCD) can be changed (e.g., updated via a TWT update message). Once updated, the start time of the first audio device becomes fixed until further updated. In this way, the start time of the first audio device can be considered to be semi-static during a duration, and the start time of the second audio device is dynamic relative to the first start time during the duration. If for any reason, the start time of the first audio device is updated, the WCD can send a TWT update message, and the new start time of the first audio device will act as a new "fixed" reference for the "super loop" until further changes occur. In this way, a "super loop" is associated with the first audio device, and within the super loop, there can be multiple "loops" with variable start times for second devices.

[0093] As shown in reference numeral 420, the WCD may communicate with the second audio device during a second TWT SP associated with the second audio device. In some aspects, the WCD may communicate with the second audio device via a second wireless connection. The WCD may communicate with the second audio device using periodic communication, wherein the periodic communication has a start time (e.g., relative to the start of the TWT SI) and a second duration that is variable in length.

[0094] As shown at reference numeral 425, the WCD may send an indication of an update to the start time. For example, the start time described in conjunction with reference numeral 405 may be a first start time applied to a first set of one or more periodic communications. The update to the start time described in conjunction with reference numeral 425 may be a second start time applied to a second set of one or more periodic communications (e.g., after the first set of one or more periodic communications). The second start time may be different from (e.g., longer or shorter than) the first start time based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration.

[0095] In some aspects, the change in the first duration is based at least in part on one or more changes associated with a channel condition of the first wireless connection, an MCS of the first wireless connection, a number of retransmissions of the first wireless connection, or an audio quality metric of the first wireless connection. In some aspects, the change in the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration. For example, the reference value of the first duration may include an average length of the first duration (e.g., a weighted average).

[0096] In some aspects, the first start time of the communication of the second audio device can be based at least in part on a reference value, and the second start time of the communication of the second audio device can be based at least in part on a change in the average first duration relative to the reference value. For example, the WCD can update the start time based at least in part on the average first duration changing from a reference value (e.g., an average first duration from a previous communication). In some aspects, the detection of the change in the first duration includes the detection of an amount of change that satisfies a change threshold (e.g., the change from the reference value satisfies the change threshold). In some aspects, the change threshold includes a percentage change from the reference value or an absolute time value difference (e.g., a number of milliseconds) between the first duration and the reference value, etc.

[0097] In some aspects, sending an indication of a first start time (described in conjunction with reference numeral 405) or sending an indication of a second start time (described in conjunction with reference numeral 425) includes sending the indication via an unsolicited TWT communication or sending the indication via a vendor-specific action frame.

[0098] As indicated by reference numeral 430, the WCD may receive an ACK from the second audio device.

[0099] As indicated by reference numeral 435, the WCD may communicate with the first audio device during the first TWT SP.

[0100] As shown in reference numeral 440, the WCD may communicate with the second audio device during a second TWT SP based at least in part on the updated indication of the start time. In some aspects, the WCD may communicate with the second audio device using the second start time based at least in part on receiving an ACK associated with the indication. Alternatively, the WCD may resend the indication based at least in part on failing to receive an ACK associated with the indication.

[0101] In some aspects, the WCD may identify a disconnection of the first wireless connection and may continue to use the start time for the second TWT SP until a reconnection of the first wireless connection or a disconnection of the second wireless connection is identified.

[0102] Based at least in part on using a start time that is updateable for the second audio device, the WCD can save network resources that might otherwise have been consumed due to having a fixed offset to the start time that is too long. Additionally or alternatively, the second audio device can save power and computing resources that might otherwise have been consumed by attempting to communicate with the WCD before communication is possible, based at least in part on the fixed offset being too short.

[0103] As shown above, provide Figure 4 As an example. Other examples may differ from Figure 4 An example of description.

[0104] Figure 5 is a diagram of an example 500 associated with a dynamic start time for periodic communications to an audio device in accordance with the present disclosure. Figure 4 In the context of , a WCD (e.g., a UE, a host device, and / or an audio source, etc.) can communicate with a first audio device and a second audio device (e.g., 130-a and 130-b, respectively). In some aspects, the WCD, the first audio device, and the second audio device can communicate with each other at a predetermined time. Figure 5 The operations shown are performed with a wireless connection already established.

[0105] As shown at reference numeral 505, the WCD may set an initial SP duration (SP L,开始 ) is set at a minimum SP duration. The WCD may start with a fixed offset for the second audio device (assuming the highest MCS for the first audio device and no retransmissions, which may be based at least in part on the shortest first audio device TWT SP, SP L,开始 =SP L,最小 )

[0106] In the example where TWT SI = 100 ms, 192 KHz / 24 bits, maximum MCS of 3, the second audio device may have a start time of offset = 16 ms.

[0107] As shown at reference numeral 510, the WCD can calculate the second audio device start time as the TWT (e.g., start time) for the first audio device plus the minimum SP duration. In some aspects, the WCD can convert the second audio device start offset into a second audio device start time (TSF), TWT R =TWT L +SP L,最小

[0108] The WCD may communicate the second audio device start time to the second audio device (eg, send an indication of the second audio device start time), as indicated by reference numeral 515. In this manner, the second audio device may be synchronized with the WCD on the TWT SP start time.

[0109] In some aspects, the WCD may communicate the second audio device start time to the second audio device using an unsolicited TWT response message or other proprietary communication method (e.g., a vendor-specific action frame). The WCD may track the last SPSP of the first wireless device that the WCD used to communicate the second audio device TWT start time. L,上一 (SP L,先前 Can be initialized to SP L,s开始 ).

[0110] As shown at reference numeral 520, the WCD may determine whether the first audio device is disconnected. As shown at reference numeral 525, if the first audio device is disconnected, the WCD may not make changes to the second audio device start time.

[0111] As shown at reference numeral 530, if the first audio device is not disconnected, the WCD may monitor the average TWT SP duration of the first audio device. In some aspects, the WCD may monitor the average TWT SP of the first audio device using a moving average such as: avgSP L =α*SP L,当前 +(1-α)*avgSP L In some aspects, the first audio device TWTSP duration may vary based at least in part on channel conditions associated with communications with the first audio device, the MCS used, and / or the number of retransmissions.

[0112] As shown in reference numeral 535, the WCD can determine whether the difference between the average TWT SP duration and the previous duration meets the threshold. For example, the WCD can determine whether the average TWT SP duration of the most recent TWT SP of the first audio device is different from the previous average TWT SP duration used to configure the current second audio device start time. If the difference fails to meet the threshold, the WCD can continue to monitor the difference.

[0113] If the average TWT SP avgSP of the left earbud L From SP L,上一 If the deviation is more than a hysteresis margin (eg, a threshold), the WCD may calculate a new second audio device start time and transmit the new second audio device start time to the second audio device. L -SP L,先前 )>SP 滞后 (eg, the difference from the previous average is greater than a threshold), the WCD may determine to update the start time for the second audio device.

[0114] If the change in the duration of the first audio device SP is relatively small, the use of a hysteresis margin and / or threshold can reduce unnecessary overhead associated with changing and transmitting a new second audio device start time. The hysteresis margin can be set to an absolute time value (e.g., SP 滞后 =2ms) or a percentage of the previous (last) first audio device SP duration (eg, SP hyst =β*SP L,上一 , for example, β=5%).

[0115] As shown at reference numeral 540, based at least in part on the WCD determining that the difference satisfies the threshold, the WCD may update the second audio device start time. In some aspects, the WCD may update a value of a previous average first audio device SP duration based at least in part on updating the second audio device start time. For example, the SP L,先前 =avgSP L , SP(L,prev) can be set to the average value only when the second audio device start time is changed. In this way, the current second audio device start time can be associated with the previous average first audio device SP duration used to determine the current second audio device start time.

[0116] As shown above, provide Figure 5 As an example. Other examples may differ from Figure 5 An example of description.

[0117] Figure 66 is a diagram illustrating an example process 600 performed, for example, by a WCD in accordance with the present disclosure. Example process 600 is an example in which a WCD (eg, WCD 115) performs operations associated with triggering conditions for switching service intervals and service periods.

[0118] like Figure 6 As shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include: during a time period, communicating with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicating with a second audio device via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length (block 610). For example, a WCD (e.g., using Figure 8 The communication manager 808, receiving component 802 and / or sending component 804 depicted in the figure can communicate with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicate with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, and the periodic communication with the first audio device has a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device has a start time and a second duration that is variable in length, as described above.

[0119] like Figure 6 As further shown, in some aspects, process 600 may include sending, to a second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time (block 620). Figure 8 The sending component 804 depicted in can send an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration, as described above.

[0120] Process 600 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of the aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0121] In a first aspect, the change in the first duration is based at least in part on one or more changes associated with one or more of a channel condition, an MCS, a number of retransmissions, or an audio quality metric of the first wireless connection.

[0122] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the change in the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

[0123] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the reference value of the first duration comprises an average length of the first duration.

[0124] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the first start time is based at least in part on a reference value.

[0125] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the detecting of a change in the first duration comprises detecting an amount of change that satisfies a change threshold.

[0126] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the change threshold comprises a percentage change from a reference value, or an absolute time value difference between the first duration and the reference value.

[0127] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, process 600 includes sending an indication of a first start time prior to communicating during the time period.

[0128] In the eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, one or more of sending an indication of a first start time or sending an indication of a second start time includes one or more of the following: sending the indication via unclaimed target wake time communication, or sending the indication via a vendor-specific action frame.

[0129] In a ninth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of aspects one to eight, process 600 includes communicating using a second start time based at least in part on receiving an ACK associated with the indication, or retransmitting the indication based at least in part on failing to receive an ACK associated with the indication.

[0130] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, the first start time is based at least in part on a minimum length of the first duration.

[0131] In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to tenth aspects, process 600 includes identifying a disconnection of the first wireless connection, and using a second start time until a reconnection of the first wireless connection or a disconnection of the second wireless connection is identified.

[0132] Although Figure 6 Example blocks of process 600 are shown, but in some aspects process 600 may include Figure 6The blocks depicted in the process 600 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted in the process 600. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks in the blocks of process 600 may be executed in parallel.

[0133] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example process 700 performed, for example, by a second audio device according to the present disclosure. The example process 700 is an example in which a second audio device (eg, wireless earbuds 130 and / or ) performs operations associated with a trigger condition for switching service intervals and service periods.

[0134] like Figure 7 As shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include: communicating with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection with a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length (block 710). For example, the second audio device (e.g., using Fig. 9 The communication manager 908, receiving component 902 and / or sending component 904 depicted in the figure can communicate with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection with a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, wherein periodic communications between the WCD and the first audio device have a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and periodic communications between the WCD and the second audio device have a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length, as described above.

[0135] like Figure 7 As further shown, in some aspects, process 700 may include receiving, from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with a second audio device that is different from the first start time (block 720). Fig. 9 The receiving component 902 depicted in FIG. 1 may receive, from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with a second audio device that is different from the first start time, as described above.

[0136] Process 700 may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of the aspects described below and / or in conjunction with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

[0137] In a first aspect, the change in the first duration is based at least in part on one or more changes associated with one or more of a channel condition, an MCS, a number of retransmissions, or an audio quality metric of the first wireless connection.

[0138] In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the change in the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

[0139] In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the reference value of the first duration comprises an average length of the first duration.

[0140] In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to third aspects, the first start time is based at least in part on a reference value.

[0141] In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fourth aspects, the detecting of a change in the first duration comprises detecting an amount of change that satisfies a change threshold.

[0142] In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to fifth aspects, the change threshold comprises a percentage change from a reference value, or an absolute time value difference between the first duration and the reference value.

[0143] In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to sixth aspects, process 700 includes receiving an indication of a first start time prior to communicating during the time period.

[0144] In the eighth aspect, either alone or in combination with one or more of the first to seventh aspects, one or more of receiving an indication of a first start time or receiving an indication of a second start time comprises one or more of: receiving the indication via unsolicited target wake time communication, or receiving the indication via a vendor-specific action frame.

[0145] In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to eighth aspects, process 700 includes communicating using a second start time based at least in part on sending an ACK associated with the indication.

[0146] In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first to ninth aspects, the first start time is based at least in part on a minimum length of the first duration.

[0147] Although Figure 7 Example blocks of process 700 are shown, but in some aspects, process 700 may include Figure 7The blocks depicted in the process 700 may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or blocks arranged in a different manner than those depicted in the process 700. Additionally or alternatively, two or more blocks in the blocks of process 700 may be executed in parallel.

[0148] Figure 8 800 is a diagram of an example apparatus 800 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. Apparatus 800 may be a WCD, or a WCD may include apparatus 800. In some aspects, apparatus 800 includes a receiving component 802 and a sending component 804, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, apparatus 800 may communicate with another apparatus 806 (such as a peripheral device, an earbud, an audio device, and / or another WCD) using receiving component 802 and sending component 804. As further shown, apparatus 800 may include a communication manager 808.

[0149] In some aspects, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 800 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as Figure 6 In some aspects, the apparatus 800 and / or Figure 8 One or more of the components shown may include a combination of Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, Figure 8 One or more of the components shown may be in combination Figure 2 In addition or alternatively, one or more components in the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0150] The receiving component 802 may receive communications from the apparatus 806, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof. The receiving component 802 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the apparatus 800. In some aspects, the receiving component 802 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding) on ​​the received communications and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the apparatus 800. In some aspects, the receiving component 802 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receive processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described WCDs.

[0151] Transmit component 804 may transmit communications, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof, to device 806. In some aspects, one or more other components of device 806 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to transmit component 804 for transmission to device 806. In some aspects, transmit component 806 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding, etc.) on the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to device 806. In some aspects, transmit component 804 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described WCD. In some aspects, transmit component 804 can be co-located with receive component 802 in a transceiver.

[0152] Using the communication manager 808, the receiving component 802 and / or the sending component 804 can communicate with the first audio device via the first wireless connection and communicate with the second audio device via the second wireless connection during the time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The sending component 804 can send an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration.

[0153] The sending component 804 can send an indication of a first start time prior to communicating during the time period.

[0154] Using the communication manager 808, the receiving component 802 and / or the sending component 804 can communicate using the second start time based at least in part on receiving an ACK associated with the indication.

[0155] Transmitting component 804 can retransmit the indication based at least in part on a failure to receive an ACK associated with the indication.

[0156] The communication manager 808 may identify a disconnection of the first wireless connection.

[0157] Using the communication manager 808, the receiving component 802 and / or the sending component 804 can use the second start time until a reconnection of the first wireless connection or a disconnection of the second wireless connection is identified.

[0158] Figure 8 The number and arrangement of components shown in are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Figure 8Additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner than those shown in FIG. Figure 8 Two or more components shown may be implemented in a single component, or Figure 8 The single component shown may be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Figure 8 A set (one or more) of components shown in can perform the operations described as being Figure 8 One or more functions performed by another set of components shown in FIG.

[0159] Fig. 9 900 is a diagram of an example apparatus 900 for wireless communication according to the present disclosure. Apparatus 900 may be a second audio device, or the second audio device may include apparatus 900. In some aspects, apparatus 900 includes a receiving component 902 and a sending component 904, which may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses and / or one or more other components). As shown, apparatus 900 may communicate with another apparatus 906 (such as another peripheral device, WCD, and / or another WCD) using receiving component 902 and sending component 904. As further shown, apparatus 900 may include a communication manager 908.

[0160] In some aspects, the apparatus 900 may be configured to perform one or more operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 900 may be configured to perform one or more processes described herein, such as Figure 7 Process 700. In some aspects, Fig. 9 The apparatus 900 and / or one or more components shown in the figure may include the above combined Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, Fig. 9 One or more of the components shown in the figure may be combined with Figure 2 In addition or alternatively, one or more components in the set of components may be implemented at least in part as software stored in a memory. For example, a component (or a portion of a component) may be implemented as instructions or codes stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by a controller or processor to perform the function or operation of the component.

[0161] The receiving component 902 may receive communications from the device 906, such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or a combination thereof. The receiving component 902 may provide the received communications to one or more other components of the device 900. In some aspects, the receiving component 902 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, demodulation, analog-to-digital conversion, demultiplexing, deinterleaving, demapping, equalization, interference cancellation, or decoding) on ​​the received communications and may provide the processed signals to one or more other components of the device 900. In some aspects, the receiving component 902 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, demodulators, MIMO detectors, receive processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described second audio device.

[0162] Transmit component 904 may transmit communications such as reference signals, control information, data communications, or combinations thereof to device 906. In some aspects, one or more other components of device 906 may generate communications and may provide the generated communications to transmit component 904 for transmission to device 906. In some aspects, transmit component 906 may perform signal processing (such as filtering, amplification, modulation, digital-to-analog conversion, multiplexing, interleaving, mapping, or encoding) on ​​the generated communications and may transmit the processed signals to device 906. In some aspects, transmit component 904 may include combining Figure 2 One or more antennas, modems, modulators, transmit MIMO processors, transmit processors, controllers / processors, memories, or combinations thereof of the described second audio device. In some aspects, the transmit component 904 can be co-located with the receive component 902 in a transceiver.

[0163] The communication manager 908, the receiving component 902, and / or the sending component 904 can communicate with a WCD associated with a first wireless connection with a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, the periodic communication between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length. The receiving component 902 can receive, from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time.

[0164] Receiving component 902 can receive an indication of a first start time prior to communicating during the time period.

[0165] The communication manager 908, receiving component 902, and / or sending component 904 can communicate using the second start time based at least in part on sending an ACK associated with the indication.

[0166] Fig. 9 The number and arrangement of components shown in are provided as examples. In practice, there may be Fig. 9 Additional components, fewer components, different components, or components arranged in a different manner than those shown in FIG. Fig. 9 Two or more components shown in may be implemented in a single component, or Fig. 9 The single component shown in can be implemented as multiple distributed components. Additionally or alternatively, Fig. 9 A set (one or more) of components shown in can perform the operations described as being Fig. 9 One or more functions performed by another set of components shown in FIG.

[0167] The following provides an overview of some aspects of the disclosure:

[0168] Aspect 1: A method of wireless communication performed by a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising: communicating with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicating with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during a time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length; and sending an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time to the second audio device and at least partially based on detection of a change in the first duration.

[0169] Aspect 2: A method according to Aspect 1, wherein the change in the first duration is based at least in part on one or more changes associated with one or more of the channel conditions, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), number of retransmissions, or audio quality metrics of the first wireless connection.

[0170] Aspect 3: The method according to any one of aspects 1-2, wherein the change of the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

[0171] Aspect 4: The method according to aspect 3, wherein the reference value of the first duration comprises an average length of the first duration.

[0172] Aspect 5: The method according to any one of aspects 3-4, wherein the first start time is based at least in part on the reference value.

[0173] Aspect 6: The method according to any one of aspects 1-5, wherein the detection of the change in the first duration comprises: detecting an amount of change that satisfies a change threshold.

[0174] Aspect 7: The method according to aspect 6, wherein the change threshold comprises: a percentage change from a reference value, or an absolute time value difference between the first duration and the reference value.

[0175] Aspect 8: The method according to any one of aspects 1-7 further comprises: sending an indication of the first start time before communicating during the time period.

[0176] Aspect 9: A method according to Aspect 8, wherein one or more of sending the indication of the first start time or sending the indication of the second start time includes one or more of the following items: sending the indication via unclaimed target wake-up time communication, or sending the indication via a vendor-specific action frame.

[0177] Aspect 10: The method according to Aspect 9 also includes: using the second start time for communication based at least in part on receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) associated with the indication; or retransmitting the indication based at least in part on failing to receive the ACK associated with the indication.

[0178] Aspect 11: The method according to any one of aspects 1-10, wherein the first start time is based at least in part on a minimum length of the first duration.

[0179] Aspect 12: The method according to any one of aspects 1-11, further comprising: identifying disconnection of the first wireless connection; and using the second start time until reconnection of the first wireless connection or disconnection of the second wireless connection is identified.

[0180] Aspect 13: A method of wireless communication performed by a second audio device, comprising: communicating with a wireless communication device (WCD) associated with a first wireless connection with a first audio device during a time period and via a second wireless connection, wherein periodic communications between the WCD and the first audio device have a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and periodic communications between the WCD and the second audio device have a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length; and receiving, from the WCD and based at least in part on detection of a change in the first duration, an indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time.

[0181] Aspect 14: A method according to Aspect 13, wherein the change in the first duration is based at least in part on one or more changes associated with one or more of the channel conditions, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), number of retransmissions, or audio quality metrics of the first wireless connection.

[0182] Aspect 15: The method according to any one of aspects 13-14, wherein the change in the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

[0183] Aspect 16: The method according to Aspect 15, wherein the reference value of the first duration comprises an average length of the first duration.

[0184] Aspect 17: The method according to any one of aspects 15-16, wherein the first start time is based at least in part on the reference value.

[0185] Aspect 18: The method according to any one of aspects 13-17, wherein the detection of the change in the first duration comprises: detecting an amount of change that satisfies a change threshold.

[0186] Aspect 19: The method according to Aspect 18, wherein the change threshold comprises: a percentage change from a reference value, or an absolute time value difference between the first duration and the reference value.

[0187] Aspect 20: The method according to any one of aspects 13-19, further comprising: receiving an indication of the first start time before communicating during the time period.

[0188] Aspect 21: A method according to Aspect 20, wherein one or more of receiving the indication of the first start time or receiving the indication of the second start time includes one or more of the following items: receiving the indication via unclaimed target wake time communication, or receiving the indication via a vendor-specific action frame.

[0189] Aspect 22: The method according to aspect 21 further includes: communicating using the second start time based at least in part on sending an acknowledgment (ACK) associated with the indication.

[0190] Aspect 23: The method according to any one of aspects 13-22, wherein the first start time is based at least in part on a minimum length of the first duration.

[0191] Aspect 24: An apparatus for wireless communication at a device, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method according to one or more of Aspects 1-23.

[0192] Aspect 25: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising a memory and one or more processors coupled to the memory, the one or more processors configured to execute the method according to one or more of aspects 1-23.

[0193] Aspect 26: An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising at least one unit for performing the method according to one or more of aspects 1-23.

[0194] Aspect 27: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to one or more of aspects 1-23.

[0195] Aspect 28: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing an instruction set for wireless communication, the instruction set comprising one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a device, cause the device to perform a method according to one or more of aspects 1-23.

[0196] The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the various aspects.

[0197] Further disclosure is included in the appendix. This appendix is ​​provided as an example only and should be considered a part of the specification. Definitions, instructions or other descriptions in the appendix do not replace or override similar information included in the specific embodiments or drawings. In addition, definitions, instructions or other descriptions in the specific embodiments or drawings do not replace or override similar information included in the appendix. In addition, this appendix is ​​not intended to limit the disclosure of possible aspects.

[0198] As used herein, the term "component" is intended to be interpreted broadly as hardware, and / or a combination of hardware and software. "Software" should be interpreted broadly as meaning instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subroutines, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, processes and / or functions, etc., regardless of whether they are referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages ​​or other. As used herein, a "processor" is implemented with a combination of hardware and / or hardware and software. It should be clear that the system and / or method described herein can be implemented with hardware and / or a combination of hardware and software in different forms. The actual dedicated control hardware or software code used to implement these systems and / or methods does not limit these aspects. Therefore, the operation and behavior of the system and / or method are described herein without citing a specific software code, because those skilled in the art will understand that software and hardware can be designed to implement the system and / or method based at least in part on the description herein.

[0199] As used herein, "satisfying a threshold" may refer to a value being greater than a threshold, greater than or equal to a threshold, less than a threshold, less than or equal to a threshold, equal to a threshold, not equal to a threshold, etc., depending on the context.

[0200] Even if the specific combination of features is recorded in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of various aspects. Many of these features can be combined in a manner that is not specifically recorded in the claims and / or specifically disclosed in the specification. The disclosure of various aspects includes the combination of each dependent claim with each other claim in the claim set. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" the list of items refers to any combination of these items (including single members). For example, "at least one of a, b or c" is intended to cover a, b, c, a+b, a+c, b+c and a+b+c, and any combination of the same elements in multiples (e.g., a+a, a+a+a, a+a+b, a+a+c, a+b+b, a+c+c, b+b, b+b+b, b+b+c, c+c and c+c+c or any other ordering of a, b and c).

[0201] None of the elements, actions or instructions used herein should be interpreted as critical or necessary, unless explicitly described as such. In addition, as used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the article "the" is intended to include one or more items mentioned in combination with the article "the", and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In addition, as used herein, the terms "set" and "group" are intended to include one or more items, and can be used interchangeably with "one or more". In the case of only one item expected, the phrase "only one" or similar language is used. In addition, as used herein, the terms "has", "have", "having" etc. are intended to be open terms, and these open terms do not limit the elements (for example, "having" A elements can also have B) that they modify. In addition, unless otherwise explicitly stated, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "at least partially based on". Furthermore, as used herein, the term "or" when used in a series is intended to be inclusive and may be used interchangeably with "and / or" unless expressly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in conjunction with "either" or "only one of").

Claims

1. A wireless communication device (WCD) for wireless communication, comprising: Memory; as well as One or more processors coupled to the memory, configured to: communicating with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicating with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during the time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length; as well as An indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time is sent to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of the change in the first duration.

2. The WCD of claim 1, wherein: The change in the first duration is based at least in part on one or more changes associated with one or more of: a channel condition of the first wireless connection, Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), The number of retransmissions, or Audio quality metrics.

3. The WCD of claim 1, wherein: The change of the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

4. The WCD of claim 3, wherein: The reference value of the first duration comprises an average length of the first duration.

5. The WCD of claim 3, wherein: The first start time is based at least in part on the reference value.

6. The WCD of claim 1, wherein: The detecting of the change in the first duration comprises: Detection of the amount of change that satisfies the change threshold.

7. The WCD of claim 6, wherein: The change threshold includes: Percent change from a reference value, or An absolute time value difference between said first duration and said reference value.

8. The WCD of claim 1, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to: Prior to communicating during the time period, an indication of the first start time is sent.

9. The WCD of claim 8, wherein: One or more of sending the indication of the first start time or sending the indication of the second start time comprises one or more of the following: Sending an indication via unsolicited target wake time communication, or The indication is sent via a vendor-specific action frame.

10. The WCD of claim 9, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to: communicating using the second start time based at least in part on receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) associated with the indication; or The indication is retransmitted based at least in part on a failure to receive the ACK associated with the indication.

11. The WCD of claim 1 , wherein: The first start time is based at least in part on a minimum length of the first duration.

12. The WCD of claim 1, wherein: The one or more processors are further configured to: identifying a disconnection of the first wireless connection; and The second start time is used until reconnection of the first wireless connection or disconnection of the second wireless connection is identified.

13. A second audio device for wireless communication, comprising: Memory; as well as One or more processors coupled to the memory, configured to: communicating, during the time period and via the second wireless connection, with a wireless communication device (WCD) associated with a first wireless connection with a first audio device, periodic communications between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and periodic communications between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length; as well as An indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time is received from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration.

14. The second audio device according to claim 13, wherein: The change in the first duration is based at least in part on one or more changes associated with one or more of: a channel condition of the first wireless connection, Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), The number of retransmissions, or Audio quality metrics.

15. The second audio device according to claim 13, wherein: The change in the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

16. The second audio device according to claim 15, wherein The reference value of the first duration comprises an average length of the first duration.

17. The second audio device according to claim 15, wherein: The first start time is based at least in part on the reference value.

18. The second audio device according to claim 13, wherein: The detecting of the change in the first duration comprises: Detection of the amount of change that satisfies the change threshold.

19. The second audio device according to claim 18, wherein The change threshold includes: Percent change from a reference value, or An absolute time value difference between said first duration and said reference value.

20. The second audio device according to claim 13, wherein The one or more processors are further configured to: Prior to communicating during the time period, an indication of the first start time is received.

21. The second audio device according to claim 20, wherein One or more of receiving the indication of the first start time or receiving the indication of the second start time comprises one or more of the following: receiving an indication via an unsolicited target wake time communication, or The indication is received via a vendor-specific action frame.

22. The second audio device according to claim 21, wherein The one or more processors are further configured to: Communicating using the second start time is based at least in part on sending an acknowledgment (ACK) associated with the indication.

23. The second audio device according to claim 13, wherein: The first start time is based at least in part on a minimum length of the first duration.

24. A method of wireless communication performed by a wireless communication device (WCD), comprising: communicating with a first audio device via a first wireless connection and communicating with a second audio device via a second wireless connection during the time period, the periodic communication with the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and the periodic communication with the second audio device having a start time and a second duration that is variable in length; as well as An indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time is sent to the second audio device and based at least in part on the detection of the change in the first duration.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein: The change of the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein: The reference value of the first duration comprises an average length of the first duration.

27. The method according to claim 25, wherein: The first start time is based at least in part on the reference value.

28. A method of wireless communication performed by a second audio device, comprising: communicating, during the time period and via the second wireless connection, with a wireless communication device (WCD) associated with a first wireless connection with a first audio device, periodic communications between the WCD and the first audio device having a fixed first start time and a first duration that is variable in length, and periodic communications between the WCD and the second audio device having a first start time and a second duration that is variable in length; as well as An indication of a second start time associated with the second audio device that is different from the first start time is received from the WCD and based at least in part on the detection of a change in the first duration.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein: The change in the first duration is relative to a reference value of the first duration.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein: The first start time is based at least in part on the reference value.

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