Selectively communicating during asynchronous connection-oriented logical transfer events

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods, components, devices, and systems for selectively communicating during an asynchronous connection-oriented logical transfer event. Some aspects are more particularly directed to selective communication between wireless audio devices during events of an asynchronous connection-oriented logical transmission (ACL) link. In some examples, each of the wireless audio devices may indicate, during an event of a connected isochronous streaming (CIS) link, whether any of the wireless audio devices has data for communication via the ACL link, respectively. The wireless audio devices may determine whether to communicate via the ACL link based on a status of the ACL data, such as the presence of the ACL data. For example, if none of the wireless audio devices indicates that there is data for communication via the ACL link, the wireless audio devices may refrain from communicating during one or more upcoming ACL events.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication, and more specifically to selectively communicating during asynchronous connection-oriented logical transport (ACL) events.

[0002] Related technical descriptions

[0003] A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) can be formed by one or more wireless access points (APs) that provide a shared wireless communication medium for use by multiple client devices (also known as wireless stations (STAs)). The basic building block of a WLAN conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard family is the Basic Service Set (BSS) managed by the AP. Each BSS is identified by a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) advertised by the AP. The AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames to enable any STA within the AP's wireless range to establish or maintain a communication link with the WLAN.

[0004] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content, such as voice, video, packet data, message sending and receiving, broadcasting, and so on. These systems can be multiple access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources, such as time, frequency, and power. Wireless networks (e.g., wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as Wi-Fi networks (e.g., IEEE 802.11 networks)) may include access points (APs) that can communicate with one or more wireless or mobile devices. APs may be coupled to networks such as the Internet and enable mobile devices to communicate via the network (or with other devices coupled to the access point). Wireless devices can communicate bidirectionally with network devices. For example, in a WLAN, a device may communicate with an associated AP via a downlink (such as a communication link from the AP to the device) and an uplink (such as a communication link from the device to the AP). Wireless personal area networks (PANs) (which may include Bluetooth connectivity) can provide short-range wireless connections between two or more paired wireless devices. For example, a wireless device (such as a cellular phone) may use wireless PAN communication to exchange information such as audio signals with a wireless headset.

[0005] The device can perform both Bluetooth and WLAN communication. These communications can be associated with different communication protocols, and in some scenarios, the communication medium can be shared. Therefore, a coexistence solution may be needed to enable Bluetooth and WLAN communication through a device equipped with both Bluetooth and WLAN operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The systems, methods, and apparatus disclosed herein each have some innovative aspects, and no single aspect is solely responsible for the desired properties disclosed herein.

[0007] One innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a first wireless audio device. The first wireless audio device may include a processing system comprising processor circuitry and memory circuitry storing code. The processing system may be configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: transmit a first set of one or more packets during a first event of the first link via a first link between the first wireless audio device and a second wireless audio device, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via a second link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device; receive a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; and selectively communicate via the second link during a second event of the second link based on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0008] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a method for enabling wireless communication by a first wireless audio device. The method may include: transmitting a first set of one or more packets during a first event of the first link via a first link between the first and second wireless audio devices, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via a second link between the first and second wireless audio devices; receiving a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; and selectively communicating via the second link during a second event of the second link based on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0009] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a first wireless audio device. The first wireless audio device may include: components for transmitting a first set of one or more packets during a first event of the first link via a first link between the first wireless audio device and a second wireless audio device, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via a second link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device; components for receiving a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; and components for selectively communicating via the second link during a second event of the second link based on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0010] Another innovative aspect of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented in a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication at a first wireless audio device. The code may include instructions executable individually or jointly by one or more processors for: transmitting a first set of one or more packets during a first event of the first link via a first link between the first and second wireless audio devices, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via a second link between the first and second wireless audio devices; receiving a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; and selectively communicating via the second link during a second event of the second link based on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0011] In some examples of the methods described herein, the first wireless audio device, and the nontransitory computer-readable medium, selective communication via the second link may include operations, features, components, or instructions for avoiding communication via the second link during the second event, based on at least one first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the first data and at least one second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the second data.

[0012] In some examples of the methods described herein, the first wireless audio device, and the nontransitory computer-readable medium, avoiding communication via the second link may include operations, features, components, or instructions for initiating a pause mode for the second link, wherein the pause mode may instruct the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to skip at least the second event.

[0013] In some examples of the methods described herein, the first wireless audio device, and the nontransitory computer-readable medium, selective communication via the second link may include operations, features, components, or instructions for: transmitting the first data via the second link according to at least one of the first packets in the first set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the first data during the second event; and receiving the second data via the second link according to at least one of the second packets in the second set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the second data during the second event.

[0014] In some examples of the methods described herein, the first wireless audio device, and the nontransitory computer-readable medium, sending the first data or receiving the second data may include operations, features, components, or instructions for initiating a recovery mode for the second link, wherein the recovery mode may instruct the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to communicate via the second link at least during the second event.

[0015] Details of one or more specific embodiments of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, drawings, and claims. Note that the relative dimensions in the following drawings may not be drawn to scale. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system that supports selective communication during asynchronous connection-oriented logical transport (ACL) events is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 An example signaling diagram is shown between wireless audio devices that support selective communication during ACL events.

[0018] Figure 3 An example process flow is shown that supports signaling between wireless audio devices that selectively communicate during ACL events.

[0019] Figure 4 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device that supports selective communication during ACL events is shown.

[0020] Figure 5A flowchart illustrating an example procedure that can be executed by or at a wireless audio device that supports selective communication during ACL events is shown.

[0021] The same reference numerals and names in the various figures indicate the same elements. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following description refers to certain specific examples in order to illustrate the innovative aspects of this disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the teachings herein can be applied in a variety of different ways. Some or all of the examples described can be applied in Bluetooth systems that meet the requirements of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, IEEE 802.15, or Bluetooth as defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). ® The described examples can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to one or more of the following standards, or Long Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, 4G, or 5G (New Radio (NR)) standards published by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The examples described can be implemented in any device, system, or network capable of transmitting and receiving RF signals according to one or more of the following technologies or techniques: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), Single Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA), Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA), Rate Split Multiple Access (RSMA), Multi-User Shared Access (MUSA), Single-User (SU) Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), and Multi-User (MU)-MIMO (MU-MIMO). The described examples can also be implemented using other wireless communication protocols or RF signals suitable for use in one or more of the following networks: Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN), Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN), or Internet of Things (IoT).

[0023] Various aspects generally relate to wireless communication, including Bluetooth communication between wireless audio devices. Some aspects more specifically relate to selective (e.g., conditional) communication between two wireless audio devices during events on an asynchronous connection-oriented logical transport (ACL) link. For example, according to some specific embodiments disclosed herein, a first and a second wireless audio device may communicate via events on the ACL link, or may skip ACL events based on whether at least one of the first or second wireless audio devices has data ready to be transmitted via the ACL link. In such examples, if at least one of the wireless audio devices has ACL link data ready to be transmitted, the wireless audio devices may communicate via ACL link events (such as sending and / or receiving one or more packets), and if none of these wireless audio devices has ACL link data ready to be transmitted, the ACL link events may be skipped.

[0024] In some examples, each of these wireless audio devices can individually indicate the presence of data (such as queued, available, or ready) for transmission via the ACL link during an event on a connected isochronous stream (CIS) link. For example, a first wireless audio device can use one or more bits of a CIS link packet sent by the first wireless audio device to indicate the presence of ACL link data, and a second wireless audio device can use one or more bits of a CIS link packet sent by the second wireless audio device to indicate the presence of ACL link data. Therefore, these wireless audio devices can determine whether to communicate via the next event of the ACL link (such as scheduling the next event of the ACL link) based on the state of the ACL link data (such as the presence of the ACL link data). For example, if none of these wireless audio devices indicate the presence of data for transmission via the ACL link via the corresponding CIS link packet, these wireless audio devices can avoid communication during one or more upcoming ACL events.

[0025] Specific aspects of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. In some examples, by selectively communicating via an ACL link, the described techniques can mitigate the impact of communication between wireless audio devices on (adjacent) WLAN devices or components by enabling wireless audio devices to occupy radio channels less frequently. For example, by allowing wireless audio devices to avoid occupying radio channels when an event on the ACL link is skipped, WLAN devices or components can gain access to and occupy the radio channel for a relatively long duration, which allows WLAN devices or components to ramp up to the desired throughput more fully or completely. Thus, by skipping ACL link events in the absence of data to be transmitted via the ACL link, the throughput of WLAN devices or components can be undisturbed (e.g., uninterrupted) without adversely affecting communication between wireless audio devices. Therefore, the described techniques can be further implemented to achieve greater system capacity, greater system throughput, a better user experience associated with greater capacity and throughput, and greater spectral efficiency, among other benefits. Furthermore, the described technique can be implemented to reduce power usage at the wireless audio device by eliminating or reducing instances of the wireless audio device transmitting empty packets, because, according to the described technique, the wireless audio device can skip events where it would transmit empty packets. In other words, because the low-energy (LE) link can enter a pause mode when no data is present or ready to be transmitted, the central device can avoid transmitting any empty LE packets, and the peripheral devices can avoid receiving (including monitoring and decoding) any empty LE packets.

[0026] Figure 1 An example of a wireless communication system 100 supporting selective communication during ACL events is illustrated. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include or refer to a wireless personal area network (PAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), or Wi-Fi network configured according to various aspects of this disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include an access point (AP) 105, a device 110 (which may be referred to as a source device or central device), and a pairing device 115 (which may be referred to as a destination device or peripheral device) that implements WLAN communication (such as Wi-Fi communication) and / or Bluetooth communication. For example, device 110 may include a cellular phone, user equipment (UE), radio station (STA), mobile station, personal digital assistant (PDA), other handheld device, netbook, laptop computer, tablet computer, laptop computer, or some other suitable term. Pairing device 115 may include a Bluetooth-enabled device capable of pairing with other Bluetooth-enabled devices (such as device 110), which may include wireless audio devices (such as headsets, earphones, speakers, handsets, headphones), display devices (such as televisions, computer monitors), microphones, meters, and / or valves.

[0027] Bluetooth communication can refer to a short-range communication protocol and can be used to connect and exchange information between device 110 and paired device 115, such as between mobile phones, computers, digital cameras, wireless headsets, speakers, keyboards, mice, or other input peripherals and similar devices. Bluetooth systems (such as aspects of wireless communication system 100) can be organized using a center-peripheral relationship employing a time-division duplex protocol with defined time slots of, for example, 625 microseconds, in which transmissions alternate between a center device (such as device 110) and one or more peripheral devices (such as paired device 115). In some examples, device 110 may generally refer to the center device, while paired device 115 may refer to a peripheral device in wireless communication system 100. Therefore, in some examples, a device may be referred to as device 110 or paired device 115 based on its Bluetooth role configuration. That is, designating a device as device 110 or paired device 115 may not necessarily indicate a difference in device capabilities, but may refer to or indicate the role the device plays in wireless communication system 100. Typically, device 110 may refer to a wireless communication device capable of wirelessly exchanging data signals with another device (such as pairing device 115), while pairing device 115 may refer to a device operating in a peripheral role, or a short-range wireless communication device capable of exchanging data signals with device 110 (such as using the Bluetooth communication protocol).

[0028] Bluetooth-enabled devices are compatible with certain Bluetooth profiles to use the required services. A Bluetooth profile can refer to a specification about one aspect of Bluetooth-based wireless communication between devices. That is, a profile specification can refer to a set of instructions for using the Bluetooth protocol stack in a certain way and can include information such as a suggested user interface format and / or specific options and parameters at each layer of the Bluetooth protocol stack. For example, the Bluetooth specification can include various profiles that define the behavior associated with each communication endpoint to implement a specific use case. Thus, profiles are generally defined according to a protocol stack that facilitates and allows interoperability between endpoint devices from different manufacturers by enabling applications to discover and use services that other nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices may be providing. The Bluetooth specification defines device role pairs (such as roles for device 110 and paired device 115), which together form a single use case called a profile (such as for communication between device 110 and paired device 115). An example profile defined in the Bluetooth specification is the Hands-free profile (HFP) for voice telephony, where one device (such as device 110) implements the Audio Gateway (AG) role, and the other device (such as paired device 115) implements the Hands-free (HF) device role. Another example is the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) for high-quality audio streaming, in which one device (such as device 110) implements the Audio Source Device (SRC) role, while another device (such as paired device 115) implements the Audio Destination Device (SNK) role.

[0029] For a commercially available Bluetooth-enabled device to function correctly in a configuration file that implements a role, another device implementing the corresponding role may be within the radio range of the first device. For example, for an HF device (such as a Bluetooth headset) to function according to a hands-free configuration file, a device implementing the AG role (such as a cellular phone) may need to be within the radio range. Similarly, for high-quality mono or stereo audio to stream according to A2DP, a device implementing the SNK role (such as a Bluetooth headset or Bluetooth speaker) may need to be within the radio range of a device implementing the SRC role (such as a stereo music player).

[0030] The Bluetooth specification defines a layered data transmission architecture and various protocols and procedures for handling data communicated between two devices implementing specific profile use cases. For example, various logical links can be used to support different application data transmission requirements, each logical link associated with a logical transport having certain characteristics such as flow control, acknowledgment mechanisms, repetition mechanisms, sequence numbering, and / or scheduling behavior. The Bluetooth protocol stack can be divided into two parts: a controller stack that includes a timing-critical radio interface, and a host stack that handles high-level data. The controller stack is typically implemented in a low-cost silicon device comprising one or more Bluetooth radio components and one or more microprocessors. The controller stack is responsible for establishing connection links125, such as asynchronous connectionless (ACL) links (or ACL connections), synchronous connection-oriented (SCO) links (or SCO connections), extended synchronous connection-oriented (eSCO) links (or eSCO connections), and / or other logical transport channel links.

[0031] In some examples, the controller stack may implement Link Management Protocol (LMP) functionality and / or Low Energy Link Layer (LELL) functionality. The host stack is typically implemented as part of the operating system or as an installable package on top of the operating system. The host stack may be responsible for Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP) functionality, Bluetooth Network Encapsulation Protocol (BNEP) functionality, and / or Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) functionality. In some examples, the controller stack and host stack may communicate via a Host Controller Interface (HCI). In some other examples (such as for integrated devices like Bluetooth headsets), the host stack and controller stack may run on the same microprocessor to reduce mass production costs. For such hostless systems, the HCI may be optional and may be implemented as an internal software interface.

[0032] A connection link 125 can be established between two Bluetooth-enabled devices (such as device 110 and paired device 115), and this connection link can provide communication or services (e.g., according to a Bluetooth profile). For example, the Bluetooth connection could be an eSCO connection for voice calls (such as one that allows retransmissions) and / or an ACL connection for music streaming (such as A2DP), among other examples. For instance, eSCO packets can be sent in predetermined time slots (such as six Bluetooth time slots each for eSCO). When establishing a Bluetooth link, a rule interval between eSCO packets can be specified. eSCO packets destined for / from a specific peripheral device (such as paired device 115) are acknowledged and can be retransmitted during a retransmission window if unacknowledged. Furthermore, audio can be streamed between device 110 and paired device 115 using an ACL connection (A2DP profile). In some examples, an ACL connection can occupy one, three, or five Bluetooth time slots used for data or voice. Other Bluetooth profiles supported by Bluetooth-enabled devices may include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) (such as providing significantly reduced power consumption and cost while maintaining similar communication range) and / or Human Interface Device Profiles (HID) (such as providing low-latency links with low power requirements).

[0033] In some examples, the device may be capable of both Bluetooth and WLAN communication. For instance, the WLAN and Bluetooth components may co-located within the device, enabling it to communicate according to both Bluetooth and WLAN communication protocols, as each technology offers different benefits or improves the user experience under different conditions. In some examples, Bluetooth and WLAN communication may share the same medium, such as the same unlicensed frequency medium. In such examples, device 110 may support WLAN communication via AP 105 (e.g., via communication link 120). AP 105 and associated device 110 may represent a Basic Service Set (BSS) or an Extended Service Set (ESS). Various devices 110 in the network may be able to communicate with each other via AP 105. In some examples, AP 105 may be associated with a coverage area, which may represent a Basic Service Area (BSA).

[0034] Device 110 and AP 105 can communicate using WLAN radio and baseband protocols for the physical and MAC layers from IEEE 802.11 and its various versions (including but not limited to 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ah, 802.11ay, 802.11ax, 802.11az, 802.11ba, 802.11bd, 802.11be, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn). In some other implementations, peer-to-peer or ad hoc networks can be implemented within the wireless communication system 100, and devices can communicate with each other via communication links 120 (such as Wi-Fi direct connection, Wi-Fi Tunnel Direct Link Establishment (TDLS) link, peer-to-peer communication link, other peer-to-peer or group connections). AP 105 can be coupled to a network (such as the Internet) and enables device 110 to communicate via that network (or with other devices 110 coupled to AP 105). Device 110 can communicate bidirectionally with network devices. For example, in a WLAN, device 110 can communicate with associated AP 105 via downlinks (such as communication links from AP 105 to device 110) and uplinks (such as communication links from device 110 to AP 105).

[0035] In some examples, the content, media, and / or audio exchanged between device 110 and paired device 115 may originate from a WLAN. For example, in some examples, device 110 may receive audio from AP 105 (e.g., via WLAN communication), and device 110 may relay or transmit audio (e.g., via Bluetooth communication) to paired device 115. In some examples, certain types of Bluetooth communication (such as high-quality or high-definition (HD) Bluetooth) may require enhanced quality of service. For example, in some examples, latency-sensitive Bluetooth traffic may have a higher priority than WLAN traffic.

[0036] Figure 2 An example signaling diagram 200 is shown that supports selective communication between wireless audio devices during ACL events. Signaling diagram 200 may implement or be implemented as one or more aspects of wireless communication system 100. For example, signaling diagram 200 illustrates communication between wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 via ACL link 215 and CIS link 220, wherein wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may be as follows: Figure 1The illustrated and referenced figures describe device 110 or paired device 115, or examples of device 110 and paired device 115. In some examples, one of wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may be a central device, initiator, source device, or first host and initiation layer, while the other of wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may be a peripheral device, receiver, sink device, or second host and response layer.

[0037] Wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may support communication via one or more wireless links, such as ACL link 215 and CIS link 220. For example, wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may communicate control information via ACL link 215, which may be an example of a low-energy (LE) audio link (such as according to the Bluetooth standard). Such communication may occur during one or more periodic ACL events 225, which may be separated by ACL intervals 230 (e.g., in the time domain). For example, ACL event 225-a may occur at a first time, ACL event 225-b may occur after a first ACL interval 230, and ACL event 225-c may occur after a second ACL interval 230. During ACL events 225 (such as ACL event 225-a), wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may communicate one or more ACL packets 245 (such as control information packets). For example, during ACL event 225-a, wireless audio device 205 may send one or more first ACL packets 245 (such as Protocol Data Units (PDUs) or Control PDUs, which may refer to PDUs carrying control information) to wireless audio device 210, and / or wireless audio device 210 may send one or more second ACL packets 245 to wireless audio device 205.

[0038] In some examples, wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may use ACL link 215 to establish CIS link 220, which may be an example of an LE audio link. CIS link 220 may support data communication (such as point-to-point data transmission streams) between wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210. Such communication may occur during one or more periodic CIS events 235, which may be separated by CIS intervals 240. For example, CIS event 235-a may occur at a first time, and CIS event 235-b may occur after a CIS interval 240 following CIS event 235-a. During CIS event 235, wireless audio device 205 may send a first set of one or more CIS packets 250 (such as one or more isochronous physical channel PDUs) to wireless audio device 210, and wireless audio device 210 may send a second set of one or more CIS packets 250 to wireless audio device 205. In some examples, wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may alternately transmit corresponding CIS packets 250, transmit corresponding sets of CIS packets 250 during corresponding portions of CIS event 235, or a combination thereof.

[0039] In some examples, ACL link 215 and CIS link 220 may be associated with corresponding radio channels. For example, wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may communicate control information and data via different frequencies. Alternatively, ACL link 215 and CIS link 220 may be associated with the same radio channel (such as the same or similar frequencies). In some examples, ACL link 215 may occupy a radio channel that interferes with or otherwise disrupts the operation of WLAN devices (such as WLAN APs or STAs). In some scenarios, such disruption may impede the ramp-up of WLAN devices. For example, a WLAN device may be configured to ramp up to a desired or anticipated throughput (such as 50 megabits per second (Mbps)) for a period of time and may serve one or more other WLAN devices before and after reaching the desired or anticipated throughput. If communication via ACL link 215 disrupts the ramp-up of a WLAN device, the WLAN device may perform a subsequent ramp-up after ACL event 225 completes (because the WLAN device may relinquish or release the radio channels to wireless audio devices 205 and 210), thereby limiting the achievable throughput of the WLAN device. Furthermore, if no data is communicated during ACL event 225 (e.g., if ACL event 225 is scheduled after ACL interval 230, even though no wireless audio device has control information ready to be communicated), such restrictions and interruptions can be imposed on the WLAN device without improving communication between wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210.

[0040] To mitigate or balance the impact of ACL link 215 communication on the achievable throughput of the WLAN devices, wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may selectively communicate during ACL event 225. In some examples, the wireless audio devices may indicate, during CIS event 235, in or via CIS packet 250 whether data is ready to be transmitted during the upcoming ACL event 225. For example, during CIS event 235-a, wireless audio device 205 may set one or more bits (such as one or more bits of fields included in at least a subset of CIS packet 250) sent by wireless audio device 205 to indicate whether wireless audio device 205 has data ready to be transmitted during the upcoming ACL event 225 (such as ACL event 225-b). Similarly, during CIS event 235-a, wireless audio device 210 may set one or more bits in one or more CIS packet 250 sent by wireless audio device 210 to indicate whether wireless audio device 210 has data ready to be transmitted during ACL event 225-b.

[0041] In some aspects, the one or more bits may include a single bit. In such aspects, a first binary value of the bit (such as "1") may indicate that the corresponding device has data to transmit via ACL link 215, and a second binary value of the bit (such as "0") may indicate that the corresponding device does not have data to transmit via ACL link 215. The single bit may be any bit included in CIS packet 250, including, in some examples, bits designated as reserved for future use (RFU) bits. Additionally, in some implementations, wireless audio device 205 or wireless audio device 210 may provide information to WLAN devices or components (such as devices or communication components that may be affected by communication via ACL link 215) indicating whether wireless audio device 205 or wireless audio device 210 will communicate during an upcoming ACL event 225.

[0042] In some examples, wireless audio devices may selectively communicate during ACL event 225 based on indications provided during a previous CIS event 235. For example, if neither wireless audio device 205 nor wireless audio device 210 indicates the presence of data to be transmitted via ACL link 215 during CIS event 235-a, then wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may avoid communicating via ACL link 215 during ACL event 225-b. In some examples, wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may initiate a pause mode for ACL link 215 based on the absence of data to be transmitted via ACL link 215, which may instruct the wireless audio devices to skip one or more ACL events 225.

[0043] Alternatively, if wireless audio device 205, wireless audio device 210, or both indicate the presence of data to be transmitted via ACL link 215, wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may communicate during an upcoming ACL event 225. For example, if either wireless audio device indicates the presence of data to be transmitted via ACL link 215 during CIS event 235-b, wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may transmit that data during ACL events 225-c. In some examples, wireless audio device 205 and wireless audio device 210 may initiate a recovery mode for ACL link 215 based on the presence of data to be transmitted via ACL link 215, which may indicate that the wireless audio devices will communicate during one or more ACL events 225. In some examples, after wireless audio device 205 or wireless audio device 210 initiates a recovery mode, the wireless audio device may schedule ACL event 225 at the next opportunity (such as the fastest or earliest ACL event 225 according to ACL interval 230). Therefore, wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may support one or more configuration- or signaling-based mechanisms, according to which wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may support pause / resume modes for ACL link 215 (which can be understood as the LE audio parent ACL link), and wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may employ these pause / resume modes to achieve a greater performance indicator associated with coexistence (including coexistence between Bluetooth LE audio communication and WLAN communication).

[0044] In some examples, wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may indicate the status of ACL link data for each CIS event 235 (e.g., on an event-by-event basis). That is, the wireless audio devices may provide a data status indication via one or more bits in one or more CIS packets 250 during each CIS event 235 (even if the data status remains unchanged). As an example, wireless audio device 205 may indicate that no ACL data exists during CIS event 235-a, and may further indicate that no ACL data exists during CIS event 235-b. Additionally or alternatively, wireless audio devices 205 and 210 may indicate the status of ACL data based on a status change. For example, wireless audio device 205 may indicate that no ACL data exists during CIS event 235-a, and if the status has changed (e.g., if ACL link data exists at CIS event 235-b), a data status indication may only be provided during CIS event 235-b. Therefore, if the data status remains unchanged relative to the indication delivered during a previous (such as immediately preceding) CIS event 235, the wireless audio device may avoid providing an ACL data status indication during CIS event 235.

[0045] Figure 3 An example of a process flow 300 supporting selective communication during ACL events is shown. Process flow 300 may implement or be implemented by one or more aspects of the wireless communication system 100 and signaling diagram 200. For example, process flow 300 illustrates communication between wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310, which may be a reference... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Examples of the corresponding devices described. In the following description of process flow 300, operations (such as reporting or providing) may be performed in a different order than those shown, or operations performed by the example devices may be performed in a different order or at different times. For example, specific operations may be omitted from process flow 300, or other operations may be added to process flow 300. Furthermore, although some operations or signaling are shown to occur at different times for discussion purposes, these operations may actually occur simultaneously.

[0046] At 315, wireless audio device 305 (such as a first wireless audio device) and wireless audio device 310 (such as a second wireless audio device) can communicate via a first link between wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310, which may be an example of a CIS link. In some examples, such communication may occur during a first event on the first link, which may be an example of a CIS event. For example, during the first event, wireless audio device 305 may send a first set of one or more packets (such as CIS packets, data packets) to wireless audio device 310, and wireless audio device 310 may send a second set of one or more packets to wireless audio device 305. In some examples, the packets communicated during the first event may indicate the presence of data to be transmitted via a second link between wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310, which may be an example of an ACL link. For example, at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets (if not every packet in the first set of one or more packets) may indicate the presence of first data to be transmitted by the wireless audio device 305 via the second link, and at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets (if not every packet in the second set of one or more packets) may indicate the presence of second data to be transmitted by the wireless audio device 310 via the second link.

[0047] In some examples, each packet in the first set of one or more packets may include a first field indicating the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the wireless audio device 305, and each packet in the second set of one or more packets may include a second field indicating the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the wireless audio device 310. For example, the first field and the second field may be examples of bits indicating the presence of ACL link data or may otherwise include the bit. For example, a first binary value of the bit (such as "1") may indicate the presence of the first data or the second data, and a second binary value of the bit (such as "0") may indicate the absence of the first data or the second data.

[0048] At locations 320-a and 320-b, wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may each initiate a communication mode for the second link based on the presence or absence of the first data to be transmitted by wireless audio device 305, the presence or absence of the second data to be transmitted by wireless audio device 310, or both. For example, if at least one first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the absence of the first data, and at least one second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the absence of the second data, then wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may each initiate a pause mode for the second link. In some examples, the pause mode may instruct wireless audio devices 305 and 310 to skip at least a second event. As another example, if at least one first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of the first data, or at least one second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of the second data, then wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may each initiate a resume mode for the second link. In some examples, the recovery mode may instruct wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310 to schedule and communicate via at least the second event of the second link.

[0049] At 325, wireless audio device 305 (and / or wireless audio device 310) may provide information to the WLAN device or component indicating whether at least one of wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310 will communicate during the second event of the second link. In some examples, the ramp-up of the WLAN device or component may be interrupted by wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310 communicating via the second link. Therefore, if the WLAN device or component receives an indication or otherwise determines that wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310 will avoid communicating via the second link, the WLAN device or component may continue ramping up.

[0050] At 330, wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may selectively communicate during the second event (such as an ACL event) on the second link based on their communication modes. For example, if wireless audio devices 305 and 310 initiate the pause mode for the second link (such as when at least the first packet indicates the absence of the first data and at least the second packet indicates the absence of the second data), then wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may avoid communicating via the second link during the second event.

[0051] Alternatively, if wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310 initiate the recovery mode (such as when at least the first packet indicates the presence of the first data or at least the second packet indicates the presence of the second data), then wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310 may communicate via the second link during the second event. For example, during the second event, wireless audio device 305 may transmit the first data via the second link according to at least the first packet indicating the presence of the first data, may receive the second data via the second link according to at least the second packet indicating the presence of the second data, or both.

[0052] At point 335, wireless audio device 305 and wireless audio device 310 may communicate via the first link during a third event of the first link. For example, during the third event of the first link, wireless audio device 305 may send a third set of one or more packets to wireless audio device 310, and wireless audio device 310 may send a fourth set of one or more packets to wireless audio device 305. In some examples, at least a third packet in the third set of one or more packets may indicate the presence of third data to be sent by wireless audio device 305 via the second link, and at least a fourth packet in the fourth set of one or more packets may indicate the presence of fourth data to be sent by wireless audio device 310 via the second link.

[0053] At 340, wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may selectively communicate via the second link during one or more subsequent events of the second link based on the presence or absence of the third data to be transmitted by wireless audio device 305, the presence or absence of the fourth data to be transmitted by wireless audio device 310, or both. In some examples, the one or more subsequent events of the second link may include a fourth event of the second link (such as a single event). In such examples, wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may provide an indication of the presence or absence of ACL link data to be transmitted via the second link for each event of the first link (such as on an event-by-event basis). Alternatively, the one or more subsequent events of the second link may include multiple events of the second link. In such examples, wireless audio devices 305 and 310 may provide an indication of the presence or absence of data to be transmitted via the second link when the state of the data changes (such as based on a change associated with the presence or absence of data). For example, if wireless audio device 305 or wireless audio device 310 changes its communication mode (such as between pause mode and resume mode), wireless audio device 305 or wireless audio device 310 can provide an indication of whether to communicate during an upcoming event on the second link.

[0054] Figure 4 A block diagram of an example wireless communication device 400 supporting selective communication during ACL events is shown. The wireless communication device 400, or its various components, can be examples of parts for performing various aspects of selective communication during ACL events as described herein. The wireless communication device 400 can be configured to perform reference... Figure 5 The process described is 500. Wireless communication device 400 may include one or more chips, SoCs, chipsets, packages, components, or devices that individually or collectively constitute or include a processing system. The processing system may interface with other components of wireless communication device 400 and typically processes information (such as inputs or signals) received from and outputs information (such as outputs or signals) to such other components. In some aspects, an example chip may include a processing system, a first interface for outputting or transmitting information, and a second interface for receiving or acquiring information. For example, the first interface may refer to an interface between the chip's processing system and a transmitting component, enabling wireless communication device 400 to transmit information output from the chip. In such examples, the second interface may refer to an interface between the chip's processing system and a receiving component, enabling wireless communication device 400 to receive information, which is then passed to the processing system. In some such examples, the first interface may also acquire information, for example, from the transmitting component, and the second interface may also output information, for example, to the receiving component.

[0055] The processing system of the wireless communication device 400 includes processor (or “processing”) circuitry in the form of one or more processors, microprocessors, processing units (such as a central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), or digital signal processor (DSP)), processing blocks, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) (such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), or other discrete gate or transistor logic components or circuits (all of which are generally referred to herein individually as “processors” or collectively as “processors” or “processor circuitry”). One or more of these processors may be individually or collectively configurable to perform the various functions or operations described herein. The processing system may also include memory circuitry in the form of one or more memory devices, memory blocks, memory elements, or other discrete gate or transistor logic components or circuitry, each of which may include tangible storage media such as random access memory (RAM) or ROM or combinations thereof (all of which are generally referred to herein individually as “memory” or collectively as “memory” or “memory circuitry”). One or more of these memories may be coupled to one or more processors and may store processor-executable code, individually or collectively, which, when executed by one or more processors, configures one or more processors to perform the various functions or operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, one or more processors may be pre-configured to perform the various functions or operations described herein without software configuration. The processing system may also include or be coupled to one or more modems (such as Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE compliant) modems, Bluetooth modems, and / or cellular (e.g., 3GPP 4G LTE, 5G, or 6G compliant) modems). In some embodiments, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more modems. The processing system may also include or be coupled to multiple radio components (collectively, “radio components”), multiple RF chains, or multiple transceivers, each of which may in turn be coupled to one or more antennas. In some embodiments, one or more processors of the processing system include or implement one or more of the radio components, RF chains, or transceivers.

[0056] In some examples, the wireless communication device 400 may be configurable or be configured to be used in, as in reference 1 Figure 2 and Figure 3This is used in the described wireless audio devices (such as any of wireless audio devices 205, 210, 305, or 310). In some other examples, wireless communication device 400 may be a wearable audio device including such a processing system and other components including multiple antennas. Wireless communication device 400 is capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communications, for example, in the form of wireless packets. For example, wireless communication device 400 can be configured, configured to, or operated to transmit and receive packets in the form of physical layer PPDUs and MPDUs conforming to one or more of the IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth family of wireless communication protocol standards. In some other examples, wireless communication device 400 can be configured to or is configured to transmit and receive signals and communications conforming to one or more 3GPP specifications, including those for 5G NR or 6G. In some examples, wireless communication device 400 also includes one or more application processors or can be coupled to such one or more application processors, which may be further coupled to one or more other memories.

[0057] Wireless communication device 400 may include one or more of a data transmission component 425, a data reception component 430, a control link communication component 435, a control information communication component 440, and a mode selection component 445. Each portion of one or more of the data transmission component 425, data reception component 430, control link communication component 435, control information communication component 440, and mode selection component 445 may be implemented at least partially in hardware or firmware. For example, one or more of the data transmission component 425, data reception component 430, control link communication component 435, control information communication component 440, and mode selection component 445 may be implemented at least partially by at least a processor or modem. In some examples, each portion of one or more of the data transmission component 425, data reception component 430, control link communication component 435, control information communication component 440, and mode selection component 445 may be implemented at least partially by a processor and software in the form of processor-executable code stored in memory.

[0058] According to the examples disclosed herein, wireless communication device 400 may support wireless communication. Data transmission component 425 is capable of, configured to, or configured to transmit a first set of one or more packets via a first link between a first wireless audio device and a second wireless audio device during a first event of the first link, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via a second link between the first and second wireless audio devices. Data reception component 430 is capable of, configured to, or configured to receive a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link. Control link communication component 435 is capable of, configured to, or configured to selectively communicate via the second link during a second event of the second link based on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0059] In some examples, in order to support selective communication via the second link, the control link communication component 435 can be configured to avoid communication via the second link during the second event based on at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the first data and at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the second data.

[0060] In some examples, to support avoiding communication via the second link, the mode selection component 445 can be configured to initiate a pause mode for the second link, wherein the pause mode instructs the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to skip at least the second event.

[0061] In some examples, to support selective communication via the second link, the control link communication component 435 is capable of, configured to, or configured to transmit the first data via the second link during the second event based on at least one first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the first data. In some examples, to support selective communication via the second link, the control link communication component 435 is capable of, configured to, or configured to receive the second data via the second link during the second event based on at least one second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the second data.

[0062] In some examples, in order to support the transmission of the first data or the reception of the second data, the mode selection component 445 can be configured to initiate a recovery mode for the second link, wherein the recovery mode indicates that the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device communicate via the second link at least during the second event.

[0063] In some examples, the data transmission component 425 is capable of, configured to, or configured to transmit a third set of one or more packets via the first link during a third event of the first link, wherein at least a third packet in the third set of one or more packets indicates the presence of third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link. In some examples, the data reception component 430 is capable of, configured to, or configured to receive a fourth set of one or more packets via the first link during the third event, wherein at least a fourth packet in the fourth set of one or more packets indicates the presence of fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link. In some examples, the control link communication component 435 is capable of, configured to, or configured to selectively communicate via the second link during one or more subsequent events of the second link based on the presence of the third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0064] In some examples, the one or more subsequent events of the second link include a fourth event of the second link following the second event of the second link. In some examples, the first wireless audio device indicates via the first link whether there is data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link on an event-by-event basis.

[0065] In some examples, the one or more subsequent events of the second link include a set of multiple events. In some examples, the first wireless audio device indicates the presence or absence of data via the first link, based on a change in association between the presence or absence of data intended for transmission by the first wireless audio device via the second link.

[0066] In some examples, the control information communication component 440 is capable of, configured to, or configured to provide information to the WLAN device or component indicating whether at least one of the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device will communicate via the second link in connection with the second event. In some examples, providing such information may include sending a message including such information via over-the-air (e.g., wireless) signaling, or may include sending or outputting such information via a wired connection (e.g., a wired connection between a Bluetooth controller or engine of the same wireless communication device and the WLAN component, controller, engine), or any combination thereof.

[0067] In some examples, each group in the first set of one or more groups includes a first field indicating whether the first data is intended to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device; and each group in the second set of one or more groups includes a second field indicating whether the second data is intended to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device.

[0068] In some examples, the first field includes bits. In some examples, the first binary value of the bit indicates the presence of the first data, and the second binary value of the bit indicates the absence of the first data.

[0069] In some examples, the second field includes bits. In some examples, the first binary value of the bit indicates the presence of the second data, and the second binary value of the bit indicates the absence of the second data.

[0070] In some examples, the first link includes a connected isochronous stream link, and the second link includes an asynchronous connection-oriented logical transport link.

[0071] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating an example process 500 that can be executed by or at a first wireless audio device that supports selective communication during an ACL event is shown. The operation of process 500 can be implemented by a wireless audio device or its components as described herein. For example, process 500 can be implemented by a wireless communication device (such as reference 500) that is or operates within a wireless audio device. Figure 4 The described wireless communication device 400) performs the process. In some examples, the process 500 may be performed by a first wireless audio device (such as...). Figures 2 to 4 The wireless audio device 205, wireless audio device 210, wireless audio device 305 or wireless audio device 310 illustrated and described with reference to these figures shall be used.

[0072] In some examples, in block 505, the first wireless audio device may transmit a first set of one or more packets via a first link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device during a first event of the first link, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via a second link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device. Operation of block 505 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of block 505 may be as described in references... Figure 4 The described data sending component 425 is executed.

[0073] In some examples, in block 510, the first wireless audio device may receive a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link. Operation of block 510 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of block 510 may be as described in references... Figure 4 The described data receiving component 430 is executed.

[0074] In some examples, in block 515, the first wireless audio device may selectively communicate via the second link during a second event on the second link based on the presence or absence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence or absence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both. Operation of block 515 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation of block 515 may be provided by reference to [reference needed]. Figure 4 The control link communication component 435 described herein is executed.

[0075] Specific implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses: Clause 1: A method for wireless communication by a first wireless audio device, the method comprising: transmitting a first set of one or more packets during a first event of the first link via a first link between the first and second wireless audio devices, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates the presence of first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via a second link between the first and second wireless audio devices; receiving a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; and selectively communicating via the second link during a second event of the second link based at least in part on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0076] Clause 2: The method according to Clause 1, wherein selectively communicating via the second link comprises: avoiding communication via the second link during the second event based on at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the first data and at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the second data.

[0077] Clause 3: The method according to Clause 2, wherein avoiding communication via the second link comprises: initiating a pause mode for the second link, wherein the pause mode instructs the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to skip at least the second event.

[0078] Clause 4: The method according to Clause 1, wherein selective communication via the second link comprises: transmitting the first data via the second link during the second event, based on at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the first data; or receiving the second data via the second link during the second event, based on at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the second data.

[0079] Clause 5: The method according to Clause 4, wherein sending the first data or receiving the second data comprises: initiating a recovery mode for the second link, wherein the recovery mode instructs the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to communicate via the second link at least during the second event.

[0080] Clause 6: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, the method further comprising: transmitting a third set of one or more packets via the first link during a third event of the first link, at least a third packet in the third set of one or more packets indicating the presence of third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link; receiving a fourth set of one or more packets via the first link during the third event, at least a fourth packet in the fourth set of one or more packets indicating the presence of fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; and selectively communicating via the second link during one or more subsequent events of the second link based at least in part on the presence of the third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

[0081] Clause 7: According to the method of Clause 6, wherein the one or more subsequent events of the second link include a fourth event of the second link after the second event of the second link, and the first wireless audio device indicates via the first link whether there is data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link on an event-by-event basis.

[0082] Clause 8: According to the method of Clause 6, the one or more subsequent events of the second link include multiple events, and the first wireless audio device indicates via the first link whether there is data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device on the basis of a change between the existence of data transmitted via the second link and the absence of the data.

[0083] Clause 9: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 8 further comprises: providing information to the WLAN device or component indicating whether at least one of the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device will communicate via the second link in connection with the second event.

[0084] Clause 10: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 9, wherein each packet in the first set of one or more packets includes a first field indicating whether the first data is intended to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device; and each packet in the second set of one or more packets includes a second field indicating whether the second data is intended to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device.

[0085] Clause 11: The method according to Clause 10, wherein the first field includes bits, and a first binary value of the bits indicates the presence of the first data and a second binary value of the bits indicates the absence of the first data.

[0086] Clause 12: The method according to any one of Clauses 10 to 11, wherein the second field comprises a bit, and a first binary value of the bit indicates the presence of the second data and a second binary value of the bit indicates the absence of the second data.

[0087] Clause 13: The method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 12, wherein the first link includes a CIS link and the second link includes an ACL link.

[0088] Clause 14: A first wireless audio device, the first wireless audio device comprising: one or more memories storing processor-executable code; and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories and individually or collectively configured, configured to, or operable to execute the code, so as to cause the first wireless audio device to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 13.

[0089] Clause 15: A first wireless audio device, the first wireless audio device including a processing system, the processing system including processor circuitry and memory circuitry storing code, the processing system being configured to cause the first wireless audio device to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 13.

[0090] Clause 16: A first wireless audio device, the first wireless audio device comprising at least one component for performing the method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 13.

[0091] Clause 17: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code including instructions executable individually or jointly by one or more processors to perform a method according to any one of Clauses 1 to 13.

[0092] As used herein, the term "determine" encompasses a wide variety of actions, and therefore, "determine" can include calculation, computation, processing, derivation, estimation, investigation, searching (such as by searching in a table, database, or other data structure), reasoning, probing, or measurement, etc. Additionally, "determine" can include receiving (such as receiving information), accessing (such as accessing data stored in memory), or sending (such as sending information), etc. Furthermore, "determine" can include parsing, selecting, obtaining, choosing, building, and other similar actions.

[0093] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” or “one or more of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including a single member. For example, “at least one of a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, and abc. As used herein, “or” is intended to be interpreted as inclusive unless otherwise explicitly stated. For example, “a or b” could include only a, only b, or a combination of a and b. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase referring to “one” or “a” element means one or more such elements that act individually or collectively to perform the described function. Additionally, “set” refers to one or more items, and “subset” refers to less than the entire set but not empty.

[0094] As used herein, unless otherwise expressly indicated, “based on” is intended to be interpreted in an inclusive sense. For example, unless otherwise explicitly indicated, “based on” may be used interchangeably with “at least partially based on,” “associated with,” “associated with,” or “according to.” Specifically, unless the phrase in the context means “based on only one” or an equivalent, whether it is “based on one” or “at least partially based on one”, it may be based solely on “one” or based on a combination of “one” and one or more other factors, conditions, or information.

[0095] The various exemplary components, logic units, logic blocks, modules, circuits, operations, and algorithmic processes described in conjunction with the examples disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, firmware, software, or a combination of hardware, firmware, or software, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents. This interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software has been generally described in terms of its functionality and exemplified in the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and processes described above. Whether this functionality is implemented in hardware, firmware, or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0096] Various modifications to the examples described in this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the claims are not intended to be limited to the examples shown herein, but are to be granted the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles disclosed herein, and the novel features.

[0097] Additionally, the various features described in this specification in the context of individual examples may also be implemented in combination in a single specific embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single specific embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple examples. Thus, although features may be described above as functioning in a particular combination, and even initially claimed in this way, one or more features from the claimed combination may be removed from the combination in some cases, and the claimed combination may involve sub-combinations or variations of sub-combinations.

[0098] Similarly, although operations are depicted in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this should not be construed as requiring such operations to be performed in the specific order shown or in sequential order, or to perform all illustrated operations to achieve the desired result. Furthermore, the drawings may schematically depict one or more example processes in the form of flowcharts or flow diagrams. However, other operations not depicted may be incorporated into the schematically illustrated example processes. For example, one or more additional operations may be performed before, after, simultaneously with, or between any of the illustrated operations. In some environments, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the examples described above should not be construed as requiring such separation in all examples, but rather should be understood as meaning that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or encapsulated in multiple software products.

Claims

1. A first wireless audio device, the first wireless audio device comprising: A processing system, comprising processor circuitry and memory circuitry for storing code, is configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: During a first event of the first link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device, a first set of one or more packets is transmitted, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates whether there is first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device; During the first event, a second set of one or more packets is received via the first link, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; as well as Communication is selectively performed via the second link during a second event, based at least in part on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

2. The first wireless audio device according to claim 1, wherein, In order to selectively communicate via the second link, the processing system is configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: Communication via the second link is avoided during the second event if at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates that the first data does not exist and at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates that the second data does not exist.

3. The first wireless audio device according to claim 2, wherein, To avoid communication via the second link, the processing system is configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: Initiate a pause mode for the second link, wherein the pause mode instructs the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to skip at least the second event.

4. The first wireless audio device according to claim 1, wherein, In order to selectively communicate via the second link, the processing system is configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: The first data is transmitted via the second link during the second event, based on at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the first data; or The second data is received via the second link during the second event, based on at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the second data.

5. The first wireless audio device according to claim 4, wherein, In order to send the first data or receive the second data, the processing system is configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: Initiate a recovery mode for the second link, wherein the recovery mode indicates that the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device communicate via the second link at least during the second event.

6. The first wireless audio device according to claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: During a third event on the first link, a third set of one or more packets is transmitted via the first link, wherein at least a third packet in the third set of one or more packets indicates the presence of third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link; During the third event, a fourth set of one or more packets is received via the first link, wherein at least a fourth packet in the fourth set of one or more packets indicates the presence of fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; as well as Communication is selectively performed via the second link during one or more subsequent events, based at least in part on the presence of the third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

7. The first wireless audio device of claim 6, wherein the one or more subsequent events of the second link include a fourth event of the second link following the second event of the second link, and wherein the first wireless audio device indicates via the first link whether there is data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link on an event-by-event basis.

8. The first wireless audio device of claim 6, wherein the one or more subsequent events of the second link include a plurality of events, and wherein the first wireless audio device indicates via the first link whether there is data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device on the basis of a change between the existence of data transmitted via the second link and the absence of the data.

9. The first wireless audio device according to claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to cause the first wireless audio device to: Provide information to a wireless local area network (WLAN) device or component indicating whether at least one of the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device will communicate via the second link in connection with the second event.

10. The first wireless audio device according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first set of one or more packets includes a first field indicating whether the first data is intended to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device; and Each packet in the second set of one or more packets includes a second field indicating whether the second data is intended to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device.

11. The first wireless audio device of claim 10, wherein the first field includes bits, and wherein a first binary value of the bit indicates the presence of the first data and a second binary value of the bit indicates the absence of the first data.

12. The first wireless audio device of claim 10, wherein the second field includes bits, and wherein a first binary value of the bit indicates the presence of the second data and a second binary value of the bit indicates the absence of the second data.

13. The first wireless audio device of claim 1, wherein the first link includes a connected isochronous stream link, and the second link includes an asynchronous connection-oriented logical transmission link.

14. A method for wireless communication by a first wireless audio device, the method comprising: During a first event of the first link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device, a first set of one or more packets is transmitted, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates whether there is first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device; During the first event, a second set of one or more packets is received via the first link, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; as well as Communication is selectively performed via the second link during a second event, based at least in part on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein selective communication via the second link comprises: Communication via the second link is avoided during the second event if at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates that the first data does not exist and at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates that the second data does not exist.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein avoiding communication via the second link comprises: Initiate a pause mode for the second link, wherein the pause mode instructs the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to skip at least the second event.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein selective communication via the second link comprises: The first data is transmitted via the second link during the second event, based on at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the first data; or The second data is received via the second link during the second event, based on at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the presence of the second data.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein sending the first data or receiving the second data comprises: Initiate a recovery mode for the second link, wherein the recovery mode indicates that the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device communicate via the second link at least during the second event.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising: During a third event on the first link, a third set of one or more packets is transmitted via the first link, wherein at least a third packet in the third set of one or more packets indicates the presence of third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link; During the third event, a fourth set of one or more packets is received via the first link, wherein at least a fourth packet in the fourth set of one or more packets indicates the presence of fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; as well as Communication is selectively performed via the second link during one or more subsequent events, based at least in part on the presence of the third data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the fourth data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more subsequent events of the second link include a fourth event of the second link following the second event of the second link, and wherein the first wireless audio device indicates via the first link whether there is data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link on an event-by-event basis.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the one or more subsequent events of the second link include a plurality of events, and wherein the first wireless audio device indicates via the first link whether there is data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device on the basis of a change between the existence of data transmitted via the second link and the absence of the data.

22. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: Provide information to a wireless local area network (WLAN) device or component indicating whether at least one of the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device will communicate via the second link in connection with the second event.

23. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Each of the first set of one or more packets includes a first field indicating whether the first data is intended to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device; and Each packet in the second set of one or more packets includes a second field indicating whether the second data is intended to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first field comprises a bit, and wherein a first binary value of the bit indicates the presence of the first data and a second binary value of the bit indicates the absence of the first data.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the second field comprises bits, and wherein a first binary value of the bit indicates the presence of the second data and a second binary value of the bit indicates the absence of the second data.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein the first link includes a connected isochronous stream link, and the second link includes an asynchronous connection-oriented logical transport link.

27. A first wireless audio device, the first wireless audio device comprising: Components for transmitting a first set of one or more packets during a first event of the first link via the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates whether there is first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device; A component for receiving a second set of one or more packets via the first link during the first event, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; and A component for selectively communicating via the second link during a second event of the second link, based at least in part on the presence or absence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence or absence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

28. The first wireless audio device of claim 27, wherein the component for selectively communicating via the second link comprises: A component for avoiding communication via the second link during the second event based on at least the first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the first data and at least the second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicating the absence of the second data.

29. The first wireless audio device of claim 28, wherein the component for avoiding communication via the second link comprises: A component for initiating a pause mode for the second link, wherein the pause mode instructs the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device to skip at least the second event.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable individually or jointly by one or more processors to: During a first event of the first link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device, a first set of one or more packets is transmitted, wherein at least a first packet in the first set of one or more packets indicates whether there is first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device via the second link between the first wireless audio device and the second wireless audio device; During the first event, a second set of one or more packets is received via the first link, wherein at least a second packet in the second set of one or more packets indicates the presence of second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device via the second link; as well as Communication is selectively performed via the second link during a second event, based at least in part on the presence of the first data to be transmitted by the first wireless audio device, the presence of the second data to be transmitted by the second wireless audio device, or both.

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