Receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources

Abstract

Techniques and apparatuses are described for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources. In an example aspect, a hearable (102-1) receives different audio streams (108), which are respectively transmitted by different audio sources (118). Due to bandwidth limitations, the hearable (102) receives at least two of the multiple audio streams (108) using at least two different wireless communication channels (404). With a first wireless communication channel (404-1), the hearable (102-1) receives a first audio stream (108-1) directly from a first audio source (118-1). With a second wireless communication channel (404-2), the hearable (102-1) receives a second audio stream (108-2), which is forwarded by another device (402) from a second audio source (118-2). To further free up bandwidth or temporal resources on the first wireless communication channel (404-1), the hearable (102-1) can perform general overhead operations with a second hearable (102-2) using the wireless second communication channel (404‑2).

Description

RECEIVING MULTIPLE AUDIO STREAMS FROM MULTIPLE AUDIO SOURCESBACKGROUND

[0001] Wireless technology has become prevalent in every day life, making communication and data readily accessible to users. One ty pe of wireless technology is wireless hearables, examples of which include wireless earbuds and wireless headphones. Wireless hearables have allowed users freedom of movement while listening to audio content. To improve aesthetics and reduce encumbrance, it is desirable to design wireless hearables with smaller sizes. As space becomes limited, however, it can be challenging to enhance the capabilities of wireless hearables.SUMMARY

[0002] Techniques and apparatuses are described for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources. In example aspects, a hearable is capable of receiving different audio streams, which are respectively transmitted by different audio sources. By receiving the multiple audio streams, the hearable can play the multiple audio streams for a user during a same time period. This enables the user to listen to music while hearing a response from a virtual assistant, for instance. To address bandwidth limitations (e.g., temporal limitations), the hearable receives at least two of the multiple audio streams using at least two different wireless communication channels. With a first wireless communication channel, for example, the hearable receives a first audio stream directly from a first audio source. With a second wireless communication channel, the hearable receives a second audio stream, which is forwarded by another device from a second audio source. This other device can be a second hearable in some implementations. To further free up bandwidth (e g., free up temporal resources) on the first wireless communication channel, the hearable can perform general overhead operations with a second hearable using the second wireless communication channel instead of the first wireless communication channel.

[0003] Aspects described below include a method performed by a hearable for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources. The method includes receiving, using a first wireless communication channel, a first audio stream from a first audio source. The method also includes receiving, using a second wireless communication channel that is different from the first wireless communication channel, a second audio stream from a device (which is different from the hearable). The second audio stream is forwarded by the device from a second audio source. The method additionally includes playing the first audio stream and the second audio stream during a same time interval.

[0004] The time interval may be defined by a predetennined number of frames, each of the frames having a defined duration. For example, the time interval extends over not more than 20 or not more than 16 frames, each of the frames having a duration of e.g., 1.25 milliseconds. The receiving of the first audio stream and the receiving of the second audio stream may occur during the same time interval. For example, the receiving of the first audio stream comprises receiving a portion of the first audio stream during a first set of frames of the time interval; and the receiving of the second audio stream comprises receiving a portion of the second audio stream during a second set of frames of the time interval. The second set of frames may be different from the first set of frames (non-overlapping or partially overlapping). Further, the first wireless communication channel may be associated with a first frequency band; and the second wireless communication channel is associated with a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band. For example, the second frequency band is higher than the first frequency band.

[0005] Aspects described below also include a hearable comprising a at least one wireless transceiver and at least one speaker. The hearable is configured to perform any of the described methods.

[0006] Aspects described below include a computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, responsive to execution by a processor, cause a hearable to perform any one of the described methods.

[0007] Aspects described below also include a system with means for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Apparatuses for and techniques for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources are described with reference to the following drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components:FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment in which aspects of receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources can be implemented;FIG. 2 illustrates an example implementation of an audio source;FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of a hearable capable of receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources;FIG. 4 illustrates an example operation of a hearable for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources;FIG. 5 illustrates example traffic for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources;FIG. 6 illustrates example transactions between a hearable and other devices to implement aspects of receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources;FIG. 7 illustrates a first example method for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources;FIG. 8 illustrates a second example method for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources; andFIG. 9 illustrates an example computing system embodying, or in which techniques may be implemented that enable use of. receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Wireless hearables have allowed users freedom of movement while listening to audio content. Users can utilize hearables to make a phone call, to playback music, to interact with voice-enabled applications, and so forth. With the emergence of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and generative artificial intelligence (GAI) technologies, hearables can become an access point to a multitude of services on audio-enabled devices (e.g., a phone or a laptop). The user, for instance, can use the hearable as a communication interface for asking a general artificial intelligence model questions and for receiving answers from the general artificial intelligence model.

[0010] To enable the user to make voice queries to the general artificial intelligence model throughout the day, the hearable can be connected to a device that is executing the general artificial intelligence model, such as a phone. To support other audio use cases, the hearable may also need to connect to another device, such as a laptop. Bandwidth limitations (e.g., temporal limitations), however, can make it challenging for the hearable to directly stream audio content from multiple devices.

[0011] This problem can be even more challenging to solve as the hearable may support other features and / or perform other operations that limit the available bandwidth. Hearables that support high-resolution audio, for instance, may have less bandwidth availability compared to hearables that support low-resolution audio. Some background tasks performed by the hearable, such as Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) advertising and scanning, can also utilize bandwidth. The hearable needs to have some bandwidth availability to avoid traffic collisions associated with asynchronous communications. It can be challenging to receive audio content from multiple devices while ensuring there is sufficient bandwidth to perform background tasks and / or to avoid traffic collisions.

[0012] Some techniques can address the above bandwidth limitation by running two different radios on a same frequency band. The small form factor of a hearable, however, can make itchallenging to realize a sufficient amount of isolation between the different radios. Other techniques can modify the hearable to communicate with audio devices using a higher frequency band. While the higher frequency band can alleviate bandwidth concerns, higher frequencies are subjected to higher path loss. The higher path loss can significantly reduce an effective communication range of the hearable, which can degrade the user experience.

[0013] To address this challenge, techniques are described for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources. In example aspects, a hearable is capable of receiving different audio streams, which are respectively transmitted by different audio sources. By receiving the multiple audio streams, the hearable can play the multiple audio streams for a user during a same time period. This enables the user to listen to music while hearing a response from a virtual assistant, for instance. To address bandwidth limitations (e.g., temporal limitations), the hearable receives at least two of the multiple audio streams using at least two different wireless communication channels. With a first wireless communication channel, for example, the hearable receives a first audio stream directly from a first audio source. With a second wireless communication channel, the hearable receives a second audio stream, which is forwarded by another device from a second audio source. This other device can be a second hearable in some implementations. To further free up bandwidth (e g., free up temporal resources) on the first wireless communication channel, the hearable can perform general overhead operations with a second hearable using the second wireless communication channel instead of the first wireless communication channel.Operating Environment

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 for perfonning aspects of receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources. In the environment 100, a hearable 102 is a device that can play audio content provided by the computing devices 104-1 and 104-2. Although the first computing device 104-1 is depicted as a laptop and the second computing device 104-2 is depicted as a smartphone, other devices are also possible, including those described with respect to FIG. 2.

[0015] Each of the computing devices 104-1 and 104-2 is capable of transmitting audio content. For example, the first computing device 104-1 transmits a first audio stream 108-1, and the second computing device 104-2 transmits a second audio stream 108-2. The content of the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 can vary depending on operations of the computing device 104-1 and 104-2. Consider an example in which a music application 1 10 executes on the first computing device 104-1, and a virtual assistant 112 executes on the second computing device 104-2. The virtual assistant 112 can be implemented using a machine-learned model or a large-languagemodel. Example large language models include LaMDA GLM, Chat GPT, Gopher, Chinchilla, Gemini, PaLM, or a similar large language model.

[0016] In this example, the music application 110 generates music 114, which is provided as the first audio stream 108-1. The virtual assistant 112 generates a response 116, which is provided as the second audio stream 108-2. The response 116 can be an answer to a voice query, which was previously spoken by the user 106. Other types of audio content are also possible including navigation instructions, a voice call, an emergency broadcast, and so forth.

[0017] In the environment 100, the first computing device 104-1 and the second computing device 104-2 respectively represent a first audio source 118-1 and a second audio source 118-2. The audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 can alternatively be referred to as audio hosts, devices, or source devices. In general, the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 represent different entities that are first to respectively transmit the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 within the environment 100. With the techniques of receiving multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118, the hearable 102 can play multiple audio streams 1 8 for the user 106, including the music 114 and the response 116 in the environment 100.

[0018] Due to bandwidth or temporal limitations, the hearable 102 is unable to receive both of the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 directly from the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2. Instead, one of the audio streams 108 is forwarded to the hearable 102 through another device, such as another hearable (not shown). This forwarding technique is further described with respect to FIGs. 4 and 5. Example implementations of the computing devices 104-1 and 104-2 are further described with respect to FIG. 2.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an example computing device 104. which can represent the audio source 118. The computing device 104 is illustrated with various non-limiting example devices including a desktop computer 104-1, a tablet 104-2, a laptop 104-3, a television 104-4, a computing watch 104-5, computing glasses 104-6, a gaming system 104-7, a microwave 104-8, and a vehicle 104-9. Other devices may also be used, such as a home service device, a smart speaker, a smart thennostat, a baby monitor, a Wi-Fi® router, a drone, a trackpad, a drawing pad, a netbook, an e-reader, a home automation and control system, a wall display, and another home appliance. Note that the computing device 104 can be wearable, non-w earable but mobile, or relatively immobile (e.g., desktops and appliances).

[0020] The computing device 104 includes at least one wireless communication system 202 for communicating data over a wireless communication channel. Using the wireless communication system 202, the computing device 104 can transmit and / or receive signals. The wireless communication system 202 includes at least one antenna 204 and at least one wirelesstransceiver 206. Although not explicitly shown, the wireless communication system 202 can also include a radio-frequency front-end circuit and / or a modem. Using the wireless communication system 202, the computing device 104 can transmit an audio stream 108 to the hearable 102 or another device. In an example implementation, the wireless communication system 202 uses Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) or Bluetooth* Classic (BR / EDR) technology for transmitting the audio stream 108. The wireless communication system 202 can operate using at least one wireless communication channel, such as a first wireless communication channel 404-1 of FIG. 4.

[0021] The computing device 104 also includes one or more computer processors 208 and at least one computer-readable medium 210, which includes memory media and storage media. Applications and / or an operating system (not shown) embodied as computer-readable instructions on the computer-readable medium 210 can be executed by the computer processor 208 to provide some of the functionalities described herein. The computer-readable medium 210 also includes an audio-based application 212, which generates audio content for the audio stream 108. Example audio-based applications 212 can include the music application 110, the virtual assistant 112, a voice-calling application, a navigation application, a game, and so forth. In some implementations, the computer processor 208 implements the modem of the wireless communication system 202.

[0022] The computing device 104 can also include a network interface 214 for communicating data over wired, wireless, or optical networks. For example, the network interface 214 may communicate data over a local-area-network (LAN), a wireless local-area-network (WLAN), a personal-area-network (PAN), a wire-area-network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, a peer-to- peer network, point-to-point network, a mesh network, Bluetooth®, and the like. The computing device 104 may also include the display 216. The computing device 104 can communicate with the hearable 102, which is further described with respect to FIG. 3.

[0023] FIG 3. illustrates an example hearable 102. The hearable 102 is illustrated with various non-limiting example devices, including wireless earbuds 302-1, hearing aids 302-2, and wireless headphones 302-3. The earbuds 302-1 and the hearing aids 302-2 are a type of in-ear device that fits into the user 106’s ear canal. Each earbud 302-1 or each hearing aid 302-2 can represent an individual hearable 102. The headphones 302-3 can rest on top of or over the user 106’s ears. The headphones 302-3 can represent closed-back headphones, open-back headphones, on-ear headphones, or over-ear headphones. Each headphone 302-3 includes two hearables 102, which are physically packaged together. In some situations, the user 106 uses one hearable 102 for each ear.

[0024] The hearable 102 includes at least one wireless communication system 302 for communicating data over at least one wireless communication channel. Using the wireless communication system 302, the hearable 102 can transmit and / or receive signals. The wireless communication system 302 includes at least one antenna 304 and at least one wireless transceiver 306. Although not explicitly shown, the wireless communication system 302 can also include a radio-frequency front-end circuit and / or a modem. Using the wireless communication system 302, the hearable 102 can receive an audio stream 108 from the computing device 104 or can receive an audio stream 108 that is forwarded by another device. In an example implementation, the wireless communication system 302 uses Bluetooth® Low Energy’ (LE) and / or Bluetooth® Classic (BR / EDR) technology for performing wireless communications.

[0025] The wdreless communication system 302 can operate using at least two wireless communication channels, such as a first wireless communication channel 404-1 and a second wireless communication channel 404-2 of FIG. 4. In some cases, a single instance of the wireless communication system 302 can perform wireless communications using the multiple wireless communication channels. In other cases, the hearable 102 can include more than one wireless communication system 302 to perform wireless communications using the multiple wireless communication channels.

[0026] The hearable 102 also includes at least one speaker 308 and optionally includes at least one microphone 310. In some cases, the speaker 308 and the microphone 310 can be implemented using a transducer with a monostatic topology. In this case the transducer can convert electric signals into sound waves and can convert sound waves into electrical signals (e.g., can transmit or receive acoustic signals). Example monostatic transducers may include piezoelectric transducers, capacitive transducers, and micro-machined ultrasonic transducers (MUTs) that use microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. In other cases, the speaker 308 and the microphone 310 are implemented using multiple transducers that are physically distinct (e.g., using a transducer having a bistatic topology). In this case, a first transducer converts the electrical signal into sound waves (e.g., transmits acoustic signals), and a second transducer converts sound waves into an electrical signal (e.g., receives the acoustic signals). The speaker 308 can be oriented towards the user 106’s ear while the microphone 310 can be oriented towards an external environment (e.g., oriented away from the user 106’s ear). In this way, the microphone 310 can receive over-the-air audio signals.

[0027] The computing device 104 also includes at least one system processor 312 and at least one system medium 314, which includes memory media and / or storage media. Applications and / or an operating system (not shown) embodied as computer-readable instructions on the systemmedium 314 can be executed by the system processor 312 to provide some of the functionalities described herein. The system medium 314, for instance, can include instructions that enable the hearable 102 to receive multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118. In one aspect, the system medium 314 can implement a link controller or a radio source manager to enable the hearable 102 to establish multiple wireless communication links with multiple audio sources 118 and to determine which wireless communication link to handoff to another device (e.g., a forwarding device 402 of FIG. 4) via a handover procedure.

[0028] Although the techniques for receiving multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118 are generally described with respect to a hearable 102, these techniques can also be applied to other types of audio-playing devices, such as wireless speakers or a headset (e.g., a virtual-reality headset and / or an augmented-reality headset).Receiving Multiple Audio Streams from Multiple Audio Sources

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an example operation of a first hearable 102-1 for receiving multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118. In this example, the first hearable 102-1 and a forwarding device 402 receive different audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 from different audio sources 118-1 and 118-2, respectively. The first hearable 102-1 communicates directly with the first audio source 118-1 and the forwarding device 402 using different wireless communication channels 404. For example, the first hearable 102-1 communicates with the first audio source 118-1 using a first wireless communication channel 404-1 and communicates with the forwarding device 402 using a second wireless communication channel 404-2. The forwarding device 402 is another device that can communicate directly with a second audio source 118-2 and the first hearable 102-1 using the different wireless communication channels 404. For example, the forwarding device 402 communicates with the second audio source 118-2 using the first wireless communication channel 404-1 and communicates with the first hearable 102-1 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2.

[0030] In some situations, the forwarding device 402 is another hearable, such as a second hearable 102-2. Other situations are also possible in which the forwarding device 402 is another computing device 104, such as a computing watch 104-5, computing glasses 104-6, or a headset (e.g., a virtual-reality headset or an augmented-reality7headset). In general, the forwarding device 402 is a device, such as a wearable device, that is positioned closer to the hearable 102-1 than the second audio source 118-2.

[0031] The different wireless communication channels 404-1 and 404-2 enable the first hearable 102-1 to overcome bandwidth limitations for receiving multiple audio streams 108-1 and108-2 from multiple audio sources 118-1 and 118-2, as further described with respect to FIG. 5. The wireless communication channels 404-1 and 404-2 are associated with different frequency bands 406-1 and 406-2. In general, the frequency bands 406-1 and 406-2 are sufficiently distinct so as to reduce interference and enable simultaneous operation. The frequency bands 406-1 and 406-2, for instance, can include unlicensed frequency bands that do not overlap in frequency. In many implementations, the first frequency band 406-1 includes lower frequencies than the second frequency band 406-2. In this case, the first frequency band 406-1 can be referred to as a “low” frequency band, and the second frequency band 406-2 can be referred to as a “high” frequency band. Using lower frequencies for the first wireless communication channel 404-1 can extend a communication range between the hearable 102-1 and the first audio source 1 18-1. Similarly, the lower frequencies can extend a communication range between the forw arding device 402 and the second audio source 118-2. In example situations, the first hearable 102-1 and the forwarding device 402 are positioned sufficiently close to each other such that the higher frequencies of the second frequency band 406-2 can be used for wireless communication.

[0032] In an example implementation, the first wireless communication channel 404-1 is established using Bluetooth* Low Energy (LE) or Bluetooth® Classic (BR / EDR) technology, and the first frequency band 406-1 includes a 2.4 gigahertz frequency band. The second wireless communication channel 404-2 is established using a Bluetooth* Low-Energy asynchronous connection-oriented logical transport (Bluetooth® LE-ACL), and the second frequency band 406-2 includes a 5 gigahertz frequency band. Other implementations are also possible. For example, the second frequency band 406-2 can include sub-6 gigahertz frequency bands, above-6 gigahertz frequency bands (e g., frequency bands associated with millimeter wavelengths or terahertz (THz) bands associated with sub-millimeter wavelengths), and so forth. The second wireless communication channel 404-2 can represent a cross-head (xHead) communication link between two hearables 102. In general, the second wireless communication channel 404-2 is used for intradevice (or intra-hearable) communications betw een the first hearable 102-1 and the forwarding device 402.

[0033] During operation, the first audio source 118-1 transmits the first audio stream 108-1 to the first hearable 102-1 using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. Also, the second audio source 118-2 transmits the second audio stream 108-2 to the forwarding device 402 using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. Each of the first and second audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 include audio information. In some examples, the same audio information is to be played in the user 106’s left and right ear. In other examples, the audio information can include audio stereo information. The audio stereo information can include first audio information meant to beplayed in the user 106’s left ear and second audio information mean to be played in the user 106’s right ear.

[0034] The transmitting of a portion of the first audio stream 108-1 and the transmitting of a portion of the second audio stream 108-2 can occur during a same time interval, as further described with respect to FIG. 5. In this sense, the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 can be considered to be transmitted concurrently. Interference mitigation techniques, such as frequency hopping, can be employed to prevent the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 from interfering with each other.

[0035] The first hearable 102-1 receives the first audio stream 108-1. and the forwarding device 402 receives the second audio stream 108-2. The forwarding device 402 forwards the second audio stream 108-2 (or at least a portion of the audio information provided by the second audio stream 108-2) to the first hearable 102-1 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2. If the forwarding device 402 is the second hearable 102-2 or can play audio content, the first hearable 102-1 can forward the first audio stream 108-1 (or at least a portion of the audio information provided by the first audio stream 108-1 ) to the second hearable 102-2 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2. In this way, the first hearable 102-1, and optionally the second hearable 102-2, can each play the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 (or portions of the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2) for the user 106 during a same time interval.

[0036] The communications with the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 and the communications between the first hearable 102-1 and the forwarding device 402 can occur during a same time interval. This simultaneous operation is also known as simultaneous dual band (SDB). As the first hearable 102-1 and the forwarding device 402 can each handle one of the audio streams 108 with one of the audio sources 118, this effectively doubles the available bandwidth for communicating the audio streams 108 using the wireless communication channel 404.

[0037] The first hearable 102-1 and the forwarding device 402 (e.g., the second hearable 102-2) can also utilize the second wireless communication channel 404-2 for performing general overhead communications 408. Example overhead communications 408 can include passing control information (e.g., a link channel map), passing information for synchronizing clocks, passing information for managing traffic, and so forth. By utilizing the second wireless communication channel 404-2 instead of the first wireless communication channel 404-1 for performing these overhead communications 408, additional bandwidth can be made available for audio streaming through the first wireless communication channel 404-1.

[0038] Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 4, the first hearable 102-1 and / or the forwarding device 402 can perform other background operations using the first wireless communicationchannel 404-1. These background operations can include Bluetooth* Low Energy (LE) advertising, page scans, and so forth.

[0039] In some implementations, the first hearable 102-1 acts as a primary device 410. As a primary device 410, the first hearable 102-1 can establish initial communications with the first and second audio sources 118-1 and 118-2, as further described with respect to FIG. 6. To support receiving multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 1 1 , the primary device 410 performs a handover procedure with the forwarding device 402 to enable the forwarding device 402 to communicate with one of the audio sources 118-1 or 118-2 (e.g., the second audio source 118-2 in FIG. 4). In some cases, the handover procedure can be performed in a seamless manner such that the second audio source 118-2 is unaware that it is communicating with the forwarding device 402 instead of the primary device 410. The forw arding device 402 can also be referred to as a secondary' device.

[0040] In some example implementations, the communications using the wireless communication channel 404-1 are synchronous communications. This means that a timing of the transmissions of the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 can be fixed relative to a time interval, as further described with respect to FIG. 5. In this case, the primary device 410 can establish a timing of the transmission of the second audio stream 108-2 with the audio source 118-2 prior to performing the handover procedure. Other example implementations are also possible in which the communications using the wireless communication channel 404-1 are asynchronous communications.

[0041] Generally speaking, the techniques for distributing multiple audio streams 108-1 and l08-2 from multiple audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 to multiple devices (e.g., the first hearable 102-1 and the forwarding device 402) via the first wireless communication channel 404-1, sharing the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 between the devices via the second wireless communication channel 404-2, and / or performing overhead communications 408 via the second wireless communication channel 404-2 expands the available bandwidth (e.g., expands the available temporal resources) and makes it possible for at least one of the devices (e.g., the hearable 102-1 and / or the forwarding device 402) to receive multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118. In some cases, performing of the overhead communications 408 via the second wireless communication channel 404-2 frees up sufficient bandwidth to enable the first hearable 102-2 to receive multiple audio streams 108 from a same audio source (e.g.. to receive a fourth audio stream 108 from the first audio source 118-1).

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates example traffic for receiving multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118. In FIG. 5, time is shown progressing from left to right. During a timeinterval 502, there are a certain quantity of frames 504 that are available for wireless communications. Consider an example in which a Bluetooth®1technology is used for the communications with the audio sources 118 and for the communications between the hearable 102 and the forwarding device 402. In this example, the time interval 502 represents twenty milliseconds, and each frame 504 has a duration of 1.25 milliseconds. This means that there are sixteen frames 504 per time interval 502. An audio stream 108 can be transmitted during one or more consecutive time intervals 502.

[0043] First traffic 506-1 represents communications between the first hearable 102-1 and the first audio source 118-1, which are performed using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. The first traffic 506-1 can include downlink signals from the first audio source 118-1 to the first hearable 102-1, which are represented by rectangles with a diagonal fill pattern. The downlink signals can include packets of data associated with the first audio stream 108-1. Also, the first traffic 506-1 can include uplink signals from the first hearable 102-1 to the first audio source 118-1, as represented by rectangles with a dot fill pattern. In this example, the first traffic 506-1 occurs during the first six frames 504 associated with the time interval 502.

[0044] Second traffic 506-2 represents communications between the forwarding device 402 and the second audio source 118-2, which are also performed using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. The second traffic 506-2 can include downlink signals from the second audio source 118-2 to the forwarding device 402. The downlink signals can include packets of data associated with the second audio stream 108-2. Also, the second traffic 506-2 can include uplink signals from the forwarding device 402 to the second audio source 118-2. In this example, the second traffic 506-2 occurs between the eighth frame and the thirteenth frame of the time interval 502.

[0045] Third traffic 506-3 represents communications between the first hearable 102-1 and the forwarding device 402, which are performed using the second wireless communication channel 404-2. The third traffic 506-3 can include downlink signals, which are transmitted from the first hearable 102-1 to the forwarding device 402. The third traffic 506-3 can also include uplink signals, which are transmitted from the forwarding device 402 to the first hearable 102. The third traffic 506-3 can include packets of data associated with the first and / or second audio streams 108-1 and 108-2. The third traffic 506-3 can also include the overhead communications 408. In some cases, the third traffic 506-3 includes acknowledgements (ACKs) and / or negative acknowledgements (NACKs). In this example, the third traffic 506-3 is shown to occur during the fourteenth and fifteenth frames 504 of the time interval 502.

[0046] In this example, the first traffic 506-1 and the second traffic 506-2 represent synchronous communications, which can continue to occur during similar frames in subsequent time intervals 502. In general, the first traffic 506-1, the second traffic 506-2, and the third traffic 506-3 occur during portions of a same time interval 502. The third traffic 506-3 can occur after the first and second traffic 506-1 and 506-2. Other implementations are also possible in which portions of the third traffic 506-3 occur during a same frame 504 as the first and / or second traffic 506-1 and / or 506-2. Although the first traffic 506-1 and the second traffic 506-2 are shown to occur during different frames of the time interval 502 in FIG. 5, other implementations are also possible in which at least a portion of the first traffic 506-1 and at least a portion of the second traffic 506-2 occur during a same frame 504.

[0047] By having each one of the first hearable 102-1 and the forw arding device 402 receive a different audio stream 108, the available bandwidth (e.g., the available timing resources) within the first wireless communication channel 404-1 is increased relative to other techniques that utilize a single device (e.g., the first hearable 102-1) to receive multiple audio streams 108 using a same wireless communication channel. In some examples, the availability of the bandwidth (e.g., the availability of the timing resources) can be on the order of 50% or more. In the example described above, the first traffic 506-1 or the second traffic 506-2 occupy approximately 37.5% of the available frames 504 within the time interval 502. This means that the remaining frames 504, which represent approximately 62.5% of the remaining bandwidth, are available for performing other operations, such as background tasks. In many situations, it can be advantageous to ensure the first wireless communication channel 404-1 has at least 50% of the bandwidth available for performing operations other than streaming audio content.

[0048] In some example implementations, a duration of the third traffic 506-3 can be less than the durations of the first traffic 506-1 and / or the second traffic 506-2. This can be due to differences in the amount of information contained in the traffics 506-1, 506-2, and 506-3, and / or differences in the bandwidth of the wireless communication channels 404-1 and 404-2. For example, the first traffic 506-1 and / or the second traffic 506-2 can include the audio stereo information for two hearables 102 while the third traffic 506-3 can include a portion of the audio stereo information associated with one hearable 102. Other situations are also possible in which the third traffic 506-3 includes the overhead communications 408 in the time interval 502 shown in FIG. 5 and includes the audio information in a later time interval 502. In another example, a same amount of information can be communicated in a shorter amount of time using the second wireless communication channel 404-2 compared to the first wireless communication channel 404-1 due to the higher bandwidth associated with the second wireless communication channel 404-2.Accordingly, the third traffic 506-3 can have a shorter duration than the first traffic 506-1 or the second traffic 506-2, even in situations in which the third traffic 506-3 includes the same audio information as the first traffic 506-1 or the second traffic 506-2.

[0049] In some situations, the audio information provided by the first traffic 506-1 and / or the second traffic 506-2 is forwarded using the third traffic 506-3 during a same time interval 502. Other situations are also possible in which the audio information provided by the first traffic 506-1 and / or the second traffic 506-2 during the time interval 502 is forwarded using the third traffic 506-3 during a subsequent time interval 502. In other words, the techniques for receiving multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118 can include situations in which a hearable 102 receives at least one audio stream 108 from at least one audio source 118 and receives at least another audio stream 108 from at least one forwarding device 402 during a same time interval 502 or across different time intervals 502. The interactions between the hearable 102, the forwarding device 402, and the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 are further described with respect to FIG. 6.

[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates example transactions between a hearable 102 and other devices to implement aspects of receiving multiple audio streams 108 from multiple audio sources 118. In this example, the hearable 102 operates as the primary device 410 (primary 410). Other implementations are also possible in which the forwarding device 402 operates as the primary’ device 410.

[0051] At 602, the hearable 102 establishes a first communication link 604-1 with the first audio source 118-1. At 606, the hearable 102 establishes a second communication link 604-2 with the second audio source 118-1. The communication links 604-1 and 604-2 represent respective wireless connections between the hearable 102 and the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2. The audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 can utilize the first and second communication links 604-1 and 604-2 to transmit the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2, as further described below.

[0052] At 608, the hearable 102 performs a handover procedure with the forwarding device 402. The handover procedure enables the forwarding device 402 to communicate with one of the audio sources 118 using one of the previously-established communication links 604. In this example, the handover procedure enables the forwarding device 402 to communicate with the second audio source 118-2 using the second communication link 604-2.

[0053] At 610 the first audio source 118-1 generates the first audio stream 108-1. At 612, the second audio source 118-2 generates the second audio stream 108-2. In the example environment of FIG. 1, the first audio stream 108-1 can include the music 114 and the second audiostream 108-2 can include the response 1 16. The first and second audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 can be generated concurrently or during a same time interval.

[0054] At 614, the second audio source 118-2 transmits, based on the second communication link 604-2, the second audio stream 108-2 to the forwarding device 402 using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. In some cases, the generating of the second audio stream 108-2 at 612 and the transmitting of the second audio stream 108-2 at 614 can be considered a single step. At 616, the first audio source 118-1 transmits, based on the first communication link 604-1, the first audio stream 108-1 to the hearable 102 using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. In some cases, the generating of the first audio stream 108-1 at 610 and the transmitting of the first audio stream 108-1 at 616 can be considered a single step.

[0055] At 618, the forwarding device 402 transmits the second audio stream 108-2 to the hearable 102 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2. Optionally at 620, the hearable 102 transmits the first audio stream 108-1 to the forwarding device 402 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2. This can be advantageous in situations in which the forwarding device 402 can play the multiple audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 for the user 106. Although the steps 614, 616, 618, and 622 are shown as occurring at different times in FIG. 6, it is to be understood that these steps can occur during a same time interval, as described above with respect to FIG. 5. For example, the hearable 102 can concurrently receive the first audio stream 108-1 from the first audio source 118-1 at 616 and receive the second audio stream 108-2 from the forwarding device 402 at 618. Likewise, the forwarding device 402 can concurrently receive the second audio stream 108-1 from the second audio source 118-2 at 614 and receive the first audio stream 108-1 from the hearable 102 at 620.

[0056] Optionally at 622, the hearable 102 and the forwarding device 402 perform overhead communications 408 (overhead comms 408). The overhead communications 408 can enable the hearable 102 and the forwarding device 402 to be synchronized for playing the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2. At 624, the hearable 102 plays the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 for the user 106. Optionally at 626, the forwarding device 402 plays the audio streams 108-1 and 108-2 for the user 106.

[0057] The techniques described herein can be extended to more than two audio sources 118 and more than two audio streams 108. For example, a second forwarding device 402 can receive a third audio stream 108 from a third audio source 118 using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. The second forw arding device 402 can transmit the third audio stream 108 to the hearable 102 and / or the forwarding device 402 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2. By freeing up the bandwidth on the first wireless communication channel 404-1,it can also be possible for the hearable 102 and / or the forwarding device 402 to receive multiple audio streams 108 from a same audio source 118. For example, the hearable 102 can receive a fourth audio stream 108 from the first audio source 118-1 in addition to the first audio stream 118-1.Example Method

[0058] FIGs. 7 and 8 depict example methods 700 and 800 for implementing aspects of receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources. Methods 700 and 800 are shown as sets of operations (or acts) performed but not necessarily limited to the order or combinations in which the operations are shown herein. Further, any of one or more of the operations may be repeated, combined, reorganized, or linked to provide a wide array of additional and / or alternate methods. In portions of the following discussion, reference may be made to the environment 100 of FIG. 1, and entities detailed in FIG. 2 and 3, reference to which is made for example only. The techniques are not limited to performance by one entity or multiple entities operating on one device.

[0059] At 702 in FIG. 7, a first audio stream is received from a first audio source using a first wireless communication channel. For example, the hearable 102 receives the first audio stream 108-1 from the first audio source 118-1 using a first wireless communication channel 404-1, as shown in FIGs. 4 and 6. The first wireless communication channel 404-1 can be associated with a first frequency band 406-1, such as a 2.4 gigahertz unlicensed frequency band.

[0060] At 704, a second audio stream is received from a device using a second wireless communication channel that is different from the first wireless communication channel. The second audio stream is forwarded by the device from a second audio source. For example, the hearable 102 receives the second audio stream 108-2 from the forwarding device 402 using a second wireless communication channel 404-2, as shown in FIGs. 4 and 6. The hearable 102 can receive the first audio stream 108-1 and the second audio stream 108-2 concurrently using techniques such as simultaneous dual band.

[0061] The second wireless communication channel 404-2 is different from the first wireless communication channel 404-1. For example, the first wireless communication channel 404-1 can be associated with a first frequency band 406-1 and the second wireless communication channel 404-2 can be associated with a second frequency band 406-2. The first frequency band 404-1 can be lower than the second frequency band 404-2 in some implementations.

[0062] The forw arding device 402 can include one of the computing devices 104 described with respect to FIG. 2 or another one of the hearables 102 described with respect to FIG. 3. In someimplementations, the hearable 102 and the forwarding device 402 represent two earbuds 302-1 or two hearing aids 302-2. The forwarding device 402 receives the second audio stream 108-2 from a second audio source 118-2.

[0063] The first audio source 118-1 and the second audio source 118-2 represent different entities, which can individually transmit the audio sources 1 18-1 and 118-2, respectively. In general, the audio sources 118-1 and 1 18-2 utilize different wireless communication systems 202 to transmit the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2. In some implementations, the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 can represent separate devices, such as the computing devices 104-1 and 104-2 in FIG. 1. Other implementations are also possible in which the audio sources 118-1 and 118-2 are incorporated within a same system and represent different sub-systems within the system.

[0064] At 706, the first audio stream and the second audio stream are played during a same time interval. For example, the hearable 102 plays the first audio stream 108-1 and the second audio stream 108-2 during a same time interval, as shown at 624 in FIG. 6. Optionally, the forwarding device 402 can also play the first audio stream 108-1 and the second audio stream 108-2 during the same time interval.

[0065] The time interval may be defined by a predetermined number of frames 504, each of the frames 504 having a defined duration. For example, the time interval extends over not more than 20 or not more than 16 frames 504. each of the frames 504 having a duration of e.g., 1.25 milliseconds, as described with respect to FIG. 5. The receiving of the first audio stream 108-1 and the receiving of the second audio stream 108-2 may occur during the same time interval. For example, the receiving of the first audio stream 108-1 includes receiving a portion of the first audio stream 108-1 during a first set of frames 504 of the time interval; and the receiving of the second audio stream 108-2 includes receiving a portion of the second audio stream 108-2 during a second set of frames 504 of the time interval. The second set of frames 504 may be different from the first set of frames 504 (non-overlapping or at least partially overlapping). Further, the first wireless communication channel 404-1 may be associated with a first frequency band 406-1; and the second wireless communication channel 404-2 is associated with a second frequency band 406-2 that is different from the first frequency band 406-1. For example, the second frequency band 406-2 is higher than the first frequency band 406-1.

[0066] Optionally at 802 in FIG. 8, a handover procedure is performed with a hearable to provide access to a wireless communication link that was previously established with the hearable with a first audio source. For example, the forwarding device 402 performs a handover procedure with the hearable 102 as shown at 608 in FIG. 6. The handover procedure provides the forwardingdevice 402 access to a wireless communication link 604 that was previously established by the hearable 102 with an audio source 118.

[0067] At 804, a first audio stream is received from the first audio source using a first wireless communication channel. For example, the forwarding device 402 receives an audio stream 108 from the audio source 118 using the first wireless communication channel 404-1. In FIGs. 4 and 6, the audio stream 108 and the audio source 118 are represented by the second audio stream 108-2 and the second audio source 118-2, respectively.

[0068] At 806, the first audio stream is transmitted to the hearable using a second wireless communication channel that is different from the first wireless communication channel. For example, the forwarding device 402 transmits the audio stream 108 to the hearable 102 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2, which is different from the first wireless communication channel 404-1. This step is shown at 618 in FIG. 6.

[0069] Optionally at 808, a second audio stream is received from the hearable using the second wireless communication channel. The second audio stream is forwarded by the hearable from a second audio source. For example, the forwarding device 402 optionally receives another audio stream 108 from the hearable 102 using the second wireless communication channel 404-2. The other audio stream 108 is forwarded by the hearable 102 from another audio source. In FIGs. 4 and 6, the other audio stream 108 and the other audio source 118 are represented by the first audio stream 108-1 and the first audio source 118-1, respectively. In this case, the forwarding device 402 can play the multiple audio streams 108 (e.g., the first and second audio streams 108-1 and 108-2) for the user 106. In example implementations, the forwarding device 402 can be implemented using a second hearable 102-2, as shown in FIG. 4. The forwarding device 402 can receive the first audio stream 108-1 and the second audio stream 108-2 concurrently using techniques such as simultaneous dual band.

[0070] Although the techniques for receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources are generally described with respect to a hearable, these techniques can also be applied to other types of audio-playing devices, such as wireless speakers or a headset (e.g., a virtual-reality headset and / or an augmented-reality headset).Example Computing System

[0071] FIG. 9 illustrates various components of an example computing system 900 that can be implemented as any type of client, server, and / or computing device as described with reference to the previous FIGs. 2 and 3 to implement aspects of receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources.

[0072] The computing system 900 includes communication devices 902 that enable wired and / or wireless communication of device data 904 (e.g., received data, data that is being received, data scheduled for broadcast, or data packets of the data). The communication devices 902 or the computing system 900 can include at least one hearable 102, at least one forwarding device 402, and two or more audio sources 118. The device data 904 or other device content can include configuration settings of the device, media content stored on the device, and / or information associated with a user of the device. Media content stored on the computing system 900 can include any type of audio, video, and / or image data. The computing system 900 includes one or more data inputs 906 via which any type of data, media content, and / or audio inputs can be received, such as human utterances, music, television media content, recorded video content, and any other type of audio data received from any content and / or data source.

[0073] The computing system 900 also includes communication interfaces 908, which can be implemented as any one or more of a serial and / or parallel interface, a wireless interface, any type of network interface, a modem, and as any other type of communication interface. The communication interfaces 908 provide a connection and / or communication links between the computing system 900 and a communication network by which other electronic, computing, and communication devices communicate data with the computing system 900.

[0074] The computing system 900 includes one or more processors 910 (e.g., any of microprocessors, controllers, and the like), which process various computer-executable instructions to control the operation of the computing system 900. Alternatively or in addition, the computing system 900 can be implemented with any one or combination of hardware, firmware, or fixed logic circuitry that is implemented in connection with processing and control circuits which are generally identified at 912. Although not shown, the computing system 900 can include a system bus or data transfer system that couples the various components within the device. A system bus can include any one or combination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and / or a processor or local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0075] The computing system 900 also includes a computer-readable medium 914, such as one or more memory devices that enable persistent and / or non-transitory data storage (i.e., in contrast to mere signal transmission), examples of which include random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory' (e.g., any one or more of a read-only memory’ (ROM), flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, etc.), and a disk storage device. The disk storage device may be implemented as any type of magnetic or optical storage device, such as a hard disk drive, a recordable and / orrewriteable compact disc (CD), any type of a digital versatile disc (DVD), and the like. The computing system 900 can also include a mass storage medium device (storage medium) 916.

[0076] The computer-readable medium 914 provides data storage mechanisms to store the device data 904. as well as various device applications 918 and any other types of infonnation and / or data related to operational aspects of the computing system 900. For example, an operating system can be maintained as a computer application with the computer-readable medium 914 and executed on the processors 910. The device applications 918 may include a device manager, such as any fonn of a control application, software application, signal-processing and control module, code that is native to a particular device, a hardware abstraction layer for a particular device, and so on.

[0077] The device applications 918 also include any system components, engines, or managers to implement aspects of receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources. In this example, the device applications 918 include the audio-based application 212 of FIG. 2. Although not explicitly shown, the device applications 918 can implement a link controller or a radio source manager to enable the hearable 102 to establish multiple communication links with multiple audio sources 118.Conclusion

[0078] Although techniques using, and apparatuses including, receiving multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources have been described in language specific to features and / or methods, it is to be understood that the subject of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as example implementations of multiple audio streams from multiple audio sources.

[0079] Some Examples are described below.

[0080] Example 1 : A method performed by a hearable, the method comprising: receiving, using a first wireless communication channel, a first audio stream from a first audio source: receiving, using a second wireless communication channel that is different from the first wireless communication channel, a second audio stream from a device, the second audio stream forwarded by the device from a second audio source; and playing the first audio stream and the second audio stream during a same time interval.

[0081] Example 2: The method of example 1, w herein the receiving of the first audio stream and the receiving of the second audio stream occur during the same time interval.

[0082] Example 3: The method of example 2, wherein:the receiving of the first audio stream comprises receiving a portion of the first audio stream during a first set of frames of the time interval; and the receiving of the second audio stream comprises receiving a portion of the second audio stream during a second set of frames of the time interval.

[0083] Example 4: The method of any previous example, further comprising: prior to receiving the first audio stream, establishing a first wireless communication link with the first audio source; prior to receiving the second audio stream, establishing a second wireless communication link with the second audio source; and prior to receiving the second audio stream, performing a handover procedure with the device to enable the device to receive the second audio stream from the second audio source using the second wireless communication link.

[0084] Example 5: The method of any previous example, further comprising: receiving, using the second wireless communication, a third audio stream from a third device, the third audio stream forwarded by the second device from a third audio source; and playing the first audio stream, the second audio stream, and the third audio stream during the same time interval.

[0085] Example 6: The method of any previous example, further comprising: receiving, using the first wireless communication channel, a fourth audio stream from the first audio source; and playing the first audio stream, the second audio stream, and the fourth audio stream during the same time interval.

[0086] Example 7: The method of any previous example, wherein: the first wireless communication channel is associated with a first frequency band; and the second wireless communication channel is associated with a second frequency band that is higher than the first frequency band.

[0087] Example 8: The method of example 7. wherein: the first frequency band comprises a 2.4 gigahertz frequency band; and the second frequency band comprises a frequency band including frequencies that are at or above 5 gigahertz.

[0088] Example 9: The method of any previous example, wherein the device comprises: a second hearable; a computing watch; computing glasses; ora virtual-reality or augmented-reality headset.

[0089] Example 10: The method of example 9, wherein: the device comprises the second hearable; and the method further comprises transmitting, using the second wireless communication channel, the first audio stream to the second hearable.

[0090] Example 11 : The method of example 10, further comprising: transmitting, using the second wireless communication channel, control information to the second hearable.

[0091] Example 12: The method of example 11, wherein the transmitting of the control information comprises transmitting the control information using a BluetoothRLow-Energy asynchronous connection-oriented logical transport.

[0092] Example 13: The method of any previous example, wherein: the first audio stream comprises music; and the second audio stream comprises a response from a virtual assistant that operates on the second audio source.

[0093] Example 14: The method of any previous claim, wherein the first audio source and the second audio source represent different computing devices.

[0094] Example 15: A hearable comprising: at least one wireless transceiver; and at least one speaker, the hearable configured to perform, using the at least one wireless transceiver and the at least one speaker, any one of the methods of examples 1 to 13.

[0095] Example 16: The hearable of example 15, wherein the hearable comprises: an ear bud; a hearing aid; or headphones.

[0096] Example 17: A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, responsive to execution by a processor, cause a hearable to perform any one of the methods of examples 1 to 13.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method performed by a hearable, the method comprising: receiving, using a first wireless communication channel, a first audio stream from a first audio source; receiving, using a second wireless communication channel that is different from the first wireless communication channel, a second audio stream from a device, the second audio stream forwarded by the device from a second audio source; and playing the first audio stream and the second audio stream during a same time interval.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the first audio stream and the receiving of the second audio stream occur during the same time interval.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein: the receiving of the first audio stream comprises receiving a portion of the first audio stream during a first set of frames of the time interval; and the receiving of the second audio stream comprises receiving a portion of the second audio stream during a second set of frames of the time interval.

4. The method of any previous claim, further comprising: prior to receiving the first audio stream, establishing a first wireless communication link with the first audio source; prior to receiving the second audio stream, establishing a second wireless communication link with the second audio source; and prior to receiving the second audio stream, performing a handover procedure with the device to enable the device to receive the second audio stream from the second audio source using the second wireless communication link.

5. The method of any previous claim, further comprising: receiving, using the second wireless communication, a third audio stream from a third device, the third audio stream forw arded by the second device from a third audio source; and playing the first audio stream, the second audio stream, and the third audio stream during the same time interval.

6. The method of any previous claim, further comprising: receiving, using the first wireless communication channel, a fourth audio stream from the first audio source; and playing the first audio stream, the second audio stream, and the fourth audio stream during the same time interval.

7. The method of any previous claim, wherein: the first wireless communication channel is associated with a first frequency band; and the second wireless communication channel is associated with a second frequency band that is higher than the first frequency band.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein: the first frequency band comprises a 2.4 gigahertz frequency band; and the second frequency band comprises a frequency band including frequencies that are at or above 5 gigahertz.

9. The method of any previous claim, wherein the device comprises: a second hearable; a computing watch; computing glasses; or a virtual-reality or augmented-reality headset.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein: the device comprises the second hearable; and the method further comprises transmitting, using the second wireless communication channel, the first audio stream to the second hearable.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: transmitting, using the second wireless communication channel, control information to the second hearable.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the transmitting of the control information comprises transmitting the control information using a Bluetooth® Low- Energy asynchronous connection- oriented logical transport.

13. The method of any previous claim, wherein: the first audio stream comprises music; and the second audio stream comprises a response from a virtual assistant that operates on the second audio source.

14. The method of any previous claim, wherein the first audio source and the second audio source represent different computing devices.

15. A hearable comprising: at least one wireless transceiver; and at least one speaker, the hearable configured to perform, using the at least one wireless transceiver and the at least one speaker, any one of the methods of claims 1 to 14.

16. The hearable of claim 15, wherein the hearable comprises: an ear bud; a hearing aid; or headphones.

17. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, responsive to execution by a processor, cause a hearable to perform any one of the methods of claims 1 to 14.

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