Changing the behavior of a companion communication device based on the state of a wearable device

Abstract

To provide a system, a method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for detecting a wearing state of a wearable device.SOLUTION: A wearable state indicates whether a user is wearing a wearable device. Wearing state data is transmitted to a companion communication device to control the operation of the companion communication device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to controlling devices, including controlling devices paired with a wearable device based on the state of the wearable device. [Background technology]

[0002] An electronic device may change its operation based on whether a peripheral device is connected to the electronic device, for example, a music player device may send audio to a pair of headphones when the headphones are connected to a headphone jack of the music player device.

[0003] Additionally, some peripheral devices may connect wirelessly to an electronic device, allowing a user to send information to the electronic device by providing inputs to the peripheral device. For example, a wireless headset may connect wirelessly to a mobile phone and may include a button on the wireless headset that can be used to answer a voice call on the mobile phone. However, requiring a user to interact with a peripheral device to communicate user commands may be unintuitive, involve difficult controls, or may otherwise be burdensome. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the principles disclosed herein. The features and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and the appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the principles described herein.

[0005] The technology includes a wearable device that pairs with a companion communication device and transmits data to the paired companion communication device describing a wearing state that indicates whether a user is wearing the wearable device and / or whether the wearing state of the wearable device has changed. Based on the wearing state data received from the wearable device, the companion communication device can determine to take one or more actions, such as how to transmit audio data, when to change the operation of the companion communication device, or when / how to change aspects of an application running on the companion communication device.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present technology, the wearable device is a wireless earphone and includes a sensor for determining when the wireless earphone is worn at the user's ear. The wireless earphone can transmit a signal indicative of a change in the wear state of the wireless earphone to indicate whether the wireless earphone is worn at the user's ear. A paired companion communication device, e.g., a phone, can detect the signal transmitted by the wireless earphone and determine whether to transmit audio data to the wireless earphone based on the wear state of the wireless earphone. For example, the companion communication device can transmit audio data to the wireless earphone when the wireless earphone is worn at the user's ear and transmit audio data to an alternative output of the companion communication device when the wireless earphone is not worn at the user's ear.

[0007] Additionally, the companion communication device paired with the wireless earphones may determine to control other operations of the paired companion communication device based on the signal indicating a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones, e.g., based on whether the wireless earphones are worn at the user's ear. In some embodiments, in response to detecting that the wireless earphones are worn at the user's ear, a telephone call being received at the companion communication device paired with the wireless earphones is answered and audio data from the telephone call is transmitted to the wireless earphones without requiring additional user setting, configuration, etc. Also, in some embodiments, when a media application is playing on the companion communication device paired with the wireless earphones, the companion communication device may transmit audio data to the wireless earphones when the wireless earphones are worn at the user's ears and may pause playback when the wireless earphones are not worn at the user's ears (e.g., removed). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] To explain the manner in which the above-mentioned advantages and features, as well as other advantages and features of the present disclosure, may be obtained, a more particular description of the principles outlined above will be presented with reference to specific embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With the understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure, the principles herein will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the following accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless earphone wirelessly paired with a companion communication device in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system having two combined wearable wireless earphones paired with one or more companion communication devices in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 illustrates an example method for controlling operation of a companion communication device wirelessly paired with wireless earphones in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3A] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3B] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3C] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3D] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3E] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3F] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3G] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3H] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3I] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3J] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3K] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3L] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3M] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 3N] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device, resulting in changes in the operation of the companion communication device, in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless earphone case in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. [Figure 5A] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary possible system embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary possible system embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] The disclosed technology addresses a need in the art for a wearable device that can be paired with a companion communication device and control the operation of the paired combination of the wearable device and the companion communication device based at least in part on a wearable state of the devices, e.g., whether the wearable device is worn, attached, or removed. The technology includes systems, methods, and non-transitory media for pairing one or more wearable devices with a companion communication device and altering one or more operations of the wearable device and / or the companion communication device based on whether the wearable device is worn by a user and / or a change in the wearable device's wearable state.

[0011] As used throughout this disclosure, the terms "wear," "wearing," and "worn" may be used to refer to various ways of placing or otherwise associating wearable technology on a user's body in one or more ways that enable the wearable technology to be used.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present technology, a sensor for determining the wearing state of the wearable device is included as part of the wearable device, and the wearable device is configured to communicate the wearing state of the wearable device and changes in the wearing state of the wearable device to the companion communication device to affect the operation of the companion communication device. Many examples described herein include the wearing state of wireless earphones affecting the operation of the companion communication device. However, a wide range of wearable technologies can be configured to take advantage of the present technology. For example, the wearable device can include glasses, sunglasses, headphones, watches, etc. that include a sensor that detects the wearing state of the wearable device and also include a communication interface for communicating the wearing state of the wearable device to a paired companion communication device.

[0013] 1A shows a wireless earphone 165 that wirelessly couples with a companion communication device in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The wireless earphone 165 includes a communication interface 175 that can be used to pair the wireless earphone 165 with the companion communication device. The communication interface 175 can also be used to couple the wireless earphone 165 with another wireless earphone to form a pair of untethered wireless earphones.

[0014] The wireless earphone 165 includes an audio output 170 that converts received signals into sound. The signals can be received from a paired companion communication device (not shown) via a communication interface 175. The wireless earphone 165 can also include a processor 180, a memory 185, a battery 190, a microphone 199, and one or more sensors 195 for detecting when the wireless earphone 165 is placed in the ear. The sensors 195 can be any number and type of sensors capable of detecting when the wireless earphone is in the user's ear. For example, the sensors 195 can include any or all of an optical proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, a heat sensor, a moisture sensor, etc. Additionally, the sensors 195 can be of a single type or multiple types.

[0015] The wireless earphone 165 can be coupled with another wireless earphone to form a pair of untethered wireless earphones. In some cases, one of the coupled wireless earphones plays a primary role and the other of the coupled wireless earphones plays a secondary role. In this case, the former may be referred to as the first wireless earphone and the latter as the second wireless earphone. The first wireless earphone can perform a number of actions, including: (i) forming a pairing with a companion communication device, (ii) receiving audio data from the companion communication device, (iii) transmitting audio data to the second wireless earphone, (iv) receiving in-ear state information from the second wireless earphone, and (v) transmitting data regarding the in-ear state of the first wireless earphone and / or the second wireless earphone to the companion communication device.

[0016] In some embodiments, the wireless earphones 165 do not include any type of user input, such as a button, so that a user cannot explicitly provide manual input to the wireless earphones 165 to indicate that the user wants the wireless earphones 165 to perform an action. For example, known headphones can include a button on the headphones that is used to answer an incoming call from a connected smartphone.

[0017] Thus, the technology includes using the wearing state of the wearable device and using changes in the wearing state of the wearable device to cause changes in the operation of the companion communication device, which can include changes in the operation of applications running on the companion communication device.

[0018] The broad operation of the companion communication device may be altered based on a change in the wearing state of either or both of the wireless earphones. For example, audio information associated with a music application may be transmitted to the paired wireless earphones when the wireless earphones are inserted into the user's ears. Additionally, when the wireless earphones are inserted into the user's ears, the transmission of the audio stream may be changed, for example, from the speaker to the wireless earphones. Similarly, a control component (e.g., a "play" command or a "pause" command) may be executed when the paired wireless earphones are inserted into or removed from the user's ears.

[0019] In another example, an incoming voice call received at a paired companion communication device, such as a paired smartphone, may be automatically answered by the companion communication device when the companion communication device receives data indicating that the paired wireless earphones are placed (or inserted) in the user's ear. Also, audio from the voice call may be transmitted to the paired wireless earphones, and the companion communication device may receive user voice data from the paired wireless earphones, captured via the microphone of the paired wireless earphones. In some embodiments, the voice call may be processed by a voice application executing on the companion communication device.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present technology, the operating system or operational settings of a device (e.g., a companion communication device) may be changed in response to a wearing state or change in wearing state of a paired wearable device (e.g., a paired wireless earbud). For example, a companion communication device may have a default setting embedded in the operating system that requires a fingerprint sensor to verify a user's fingerprint before unlocking the companion communication device or before completing a purchase request using the companion communication device. In accordance with the present technology, camera-equipped glasses capable of retinal scanning detect a user wearing the glasses, scan the user's retina based on a change in wearing state to verify the user's identity, and automatically send a signal to the operating system of the companion communication device to verify the user's identity and unlock the companion communication device or allow the user to complete a purchase request.

[0021] While many operations are explicitly described herein, those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will readily appreciate that a wide range of other operations may be modified by a companion communications device receiving a wearing state or changes in wearing state from a paired wearable device.

[0022] 1B illustrates a system 100 having two coupled wearable wireless earphones 165, 110 paired with one or more companion communication devices 115, 120, 125 in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The wireless earphone 165 can function as a first wireless earphone and the wireless earphone 110 can function as a second wireless earphone. The first wireless earphone 165 can be paired with one or more companion communication devices 115, 120, 125 and can also transmit audio data to the second wireless earphone 110.

[0023] The wireless earphones 165, 110 can detect when the wireless earphones 165, 110 are worn in a user's ear via the sensor 195. The first wireless earphone 165 can receive data from the second wireless earphone 110 describing a wear state of the second wireless earphone 110. The first wireless earphone 165 can also transmit its own wear state and the wear state of the second wireless earphone 110 to a companion communication device 115, 120, 125 with which the first wireless earphone 165 is paired. Similarly, the first wireless earphone 165 can receive data from the paired companion communication device 115, 120, 125, and the data can reflect changed operation of the companion communication device 115, 120, 125 in response to changes in the wear state of one or more of the wireless earphones 110, 165.

[0024] 2 shows a flowchart 200 of an example method of controlling operation of a companion communication device wirelessly paired with a wireless earphone in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The method includes, at 210, the companion communication device receiving a signal from the paired wireless earphone indicating a wear state of the paired wireless earphone. The method further includes, at 220, the companion communication device transmitting audio data of the companion communication device to an output of the companion communication device based on the wear state of the paired wireless earphone. For example, the signal received from the paired wireless earphone may indicate a wear state of the paired wireless earphone, and if the wear state of the paired wireless earphone is that the paired wireless earphone is worn in the user's ear, the companion communication device may transmit audio data of the companion communication device to the paired wireless earphone. On the other hand, if the signal received from the paired wireless earphone indicates that the wear state of the paired wireless earphone is that the paired wireless earphone is not worn in the user's ear, the companion communication device may send the audio data to an alternative output, such as a default output, a most recently used output, another available wireless output, or another output of the companion communication device.

[0025] The method also includes the companion communication device receiving a signal from the paired wireless earphone indicating that a wear state of the wireless earphone has changed, at 230. In response, at 240, an operation of the companion communication device can be altered based at least in part on the wear state of the paired wireless earphone as indicated in the signal received from the paired wireless earphone.

[0026] 3A-3N show examples of changes in the wearing state of wireless earphones paired with a companion communication device that alter the operation of the companion communication device according to some embodiments of the present technology.

[0027] 3A shows a wireless earphone 300 paired with a companion communication device 350 receiving a voice call but not pressing an on-screen call answer button on the companion communication device 350. As shown in FIG. 3B, the wireless earphone 300 can detect when the earphone is placed in the ear and can send a signal to the companion communication device 350 indicating a change in placement from out-of-ear to in-ear. The companion communication device 350 can use the received signal to perform one or more actions, such as automatically answering the incoming voice call, transmitting audio from the voice call to the paired wireless earphone 300, and receiving user voice data captured via the microphone of the wireless earphone 300.

[0028] The present technology enables the action of placing the wireless earphones in the ears and automatically answering a voice call without any user setup, configuration, etc. Also, as described in more detail below, in some embodiments, the wireless earphones can be made discoverable and paired with the user's companion communication device by opening a wireless earphone case that houses a pair of wireless earphones. Thus, the technology of the present invention can provide a user with the ability to automatically answer a voice call by placing one or both wireless earphones in the user's ears after opening the wireless earphone case, without requiring any user setup.

[0029] Next, as shown in Figure 3C, the companion communication device 350 may receive a signal from the paired wireless earphone 300 indicating that the wear state of the wireless earphone has changed from in-ear to out-of-ear, such as when the wireless earphone is removed from the user's ear. Similarly, as shown in Figure 3D, the companion communication device 350 may determine that the wireless earphone 300 is no longer paired with the companion communication device 350. For the events shown in Figures 3C and 3D, the companion communication device 350 may decide to send audio for the voice call to a different output of the companion communication device 350, such as a speaker of the companion communication device 350, an alternative output (e.g., a previously connected wireless speaker, a vehicle radio system, etc.).

[0030] FIG. 3E shows the wireless earphone 300 paired with the companion communication device 350 receiving a voice call and pressing an on-screen call answer button on the companion communication device 350. Initially, as shown in FIG. 3F, the voice call is answered with audio transmitted to the speaker of the companion communication device 350 (or an alternative output designated by the user of the companion communication device 350). However, as shown in FIG. 3G, when the companion communication device 350 receives a signal indicating a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphone 300, indicating that the wireless earphone 300 is being worn on the user's ear, the companion communication device 350 transmits audio from the voice call to the paired wireless earphone 300. Additionally, the companion communication device 350 receives user audio output from the wireless earphone 300, captured via the microphone of the wireless earphone 300.

[0031] 3H shows a wireless earphone 300 paired with a companion communication device 350 and a voice call received at the companion communication device 350. When a user answers the voice call by pressing an on-screen call answer button on the companion communication device 350, the companion communication device 350 can automatically transmit the audio of the voice call to the paired wireless earphone 300 based on a signal received from the wireless earphone 300 indicating the in-ear status of the wireless earphone 300. Additionally, the companion communication device 350 can receive user voice data of the voice call from the wireless earphone 300 that was captured via the microphone of the wireless earphone 300.

[0032] As described above, a wide range of operations of the companion communication device can be controlled based at least in part on the companion communication device receiving signals indicative of the wearing state and / or changes in the wearing state of the paired wearable device.

[0033] FIGURE 3I shows the wireless earphones 300 paired with a companion communication device 350 playing audio via a music application or other media application running on the companion communication device 350. As shown in FIGURE 3J, the wireless earphones 300 can detect when the wireless earphones 300 are placed in the ears and can send a signal to the companion communication device 350 indicating a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones 300, e.g., from out-of-ear to in-ear. The companion communication device 350 can use the signal received from the wireless earphones 300 to automatically send audio of the music / media application running on the companion communication device 350 to the paired wireless earphones 300.

[0034] 3K and 3L, the companion communication device 350 may receive a signal from the paired wireless earphone 300 indicating that the wearing state of the wireless earphone 300 has changed, such as when the wireless earphone 300 has been removed from the user's ear. As shown in FIG. 3K, the companion communication device 350 may decide to pause the music / audio playback, or as shown in FIG. 3L, the companion communication device 350 may decide to transmit the music / audio to the speaker of the companion communication device 350 or to an alternative output of the companion communication device 350 (e.g., to a previously connected wireless speaker, to a vehicle wireless system, etc.). In some embodiments, the user of the companion communication device 350 may press an on-screen button on the companion communication device 350 to play the music application after the companion communication device 350 pauses the music application due to a change in the wearing state of the paired wireless earphone 300 (e.g., from in-ear to out-of-ear). Alternatively, the companion communication device 350 may receive a subsequent signal indicating a change in the wearing state of the paired wireless earphones 300 (e.g., from out-of-ear to in-ear), and cause a music application running on the companion communication device 350 to resume music / audio playback and transmit music / audio to the paired wireless earphones 300.

[0035] In some cases, the operation of the companion communication device can be based on the wearing state of both wireless earphones in a pair of coupled wireless earphones. For example, a first wireless earphone of a pair of coupled wireless earphones can receive wearing state data from a second wireless earphone and provide the wearing state of both wireless earphones to the companion communication device. Alternatively, each wireless earphone of the pair of coupled wireless earphones can provide a wearing state to the companion communication device. In either case, the companion communication device can modify its operation based on the wearing state of both wireless earphones. For example, the companion communication device can automatically pause audio only if both wireless earphones of the pair of coupled wireless earphones are not worn in the user's ear. In another example, the companion communication device can transmit audio to the wireless earphones in mono if only one wireless earphone is worn in the user's ear and transmit audio to the wireless earphones in stereo if both wireless earphones are worn in the user's ear. In some cases, the companion communication device can modify its operation in response to receiving wearing states from a single device, from a pair of devices, from two or more unrelated devices, etc. For example, when the companion communications device detects that a user is wearing wireless earphones capable of audio output and is also wearing glasses capable of providing visual output, the companion communications device can transmit audio information of a video call to the wireless earphones and transmit the video component of the video call to the glasses.

[0036] FIG. 3M illustrates the wireless earphone 300 paired with a companion communication device 360 ​​receiving a text message. The wireless earphone 300 can detect when the wireless earphone 300 is placed in the user's ear and can transmit a signal to the companion communication device 360 ​​indicating a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphone 300 (e.g., from extra-aural to in-aural). As shown in FIG. 3N, in response to the companion communication device 360 ​​receiving a signal indicating a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphone 300 from extra-aural to in-aural under a predetermined condition (e.g., within a predetermined threshold time), the companion communication device 360 ​​can cause the text message to be converted using speech-to-text software and transmitted as audio data to the paired wireless earphone 300 so that it can be played back to the user. Additionally, after playback of the audio corresponding to the text message is completed, the wireless earphone 300 can transmit the user's audio data captured via the wireless earphone's microphone to the companion communication device 360, which can automatically create a reply text message using speech-to-text software.

[0037] In some embodiments, the companion communication device sends a signal to the paired wearable device to override one or more functions to allow signals indicative of a wearing condition and / or a change in the wearing condition to change the operating behavior of the companion communication device.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present technology, a companion communication device may receive signals from a paired wearable device indicating that the wearable device is charging, is in a case, is charging in a case, etc. The companion communication device may determine whether to perform a particular action based on such types of events. For example, when the companion communication device is paired with a wearable device that is in a case, the companion communication device may perform a polling process to identify other devices to pair with the companion communication device.

[0039] 4 illustrates a wireless earphone case 400 in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology. The wireless earphone case 400 houses a pair of wireless earphones 405, 410 and can connect the wireless earphones 405, 410 while housed within the wireless earphone case 400. The wireless earphone case 400 can include a cover 445 that closes over the wireless earphones 405, 410 housed within the wireless earphone case 400, and the wireless earphone case 400 can include a sensor 455 that detects when the cover 445 of the wireless earphone case 400 is opened and when the cover 445 of the wireless earphone case 400 is closed. In some embodiments, the wireless earphones 405, 410 are configured to automatically pair with a companion communication device when the wireless earphone case 400 is opened for the first time.

[0040] The wireless earphone case 400 also includes a battery 430 that can be used to recharge the wireless earphones 405, 410 and a charging interface 435 for connecting the battery 430 to a power source. The wireless earphone case 400 can also include an indicator 440 that indicates a charging status of the wireless earphones 405, 410 and the wireless earphone case 400. The wireless earphone case 400 also includes an input 460, such as a push button, for receiving a manual input that causes the wireless earphones 405, 410 in the wireless earphone case 400 to be paired with each other and / or made discoverable by other devices, such as a companion communication device.

[0041] The wireless earphone case 400 can also include a processor 420, a memory 425, and a communications interface 450, which can be used to create a link 415 between the wireless earphones 405, 410 via the communications interface 450.

[0042] The wireless earphones 405, 410 can be paired with a companion communication device. The companion communication device can receive signals from the pair of wireless earphones 405, 410 that indicate that the wireless earphones 405, 410 are housed in the wireless earphone case 400, charging in the wireless earphone case 400, etc. The companion communication device can determine whether to perform a particular action based on such events, e.g., based at least in part on the wearing status of one or more of the wireless earphones 405, 410, the housing indication for one or more of the wireless earphones 405, 410, and / or the charging status of one or more of the wireless earphones 405, 410.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present technology, the companion communication device may run an operating system that allows customization of operating system settings, application preferences, user interface settings, and the like. As a result, multiple applications having an audio component may run simultaneously on the companion communication device. Thus, the decision to automatically send audio (or more generally media) to a wearable device in response to the occurrence of an event (e.g., when music is output by a music player) is not intuitive. Thus, some embodiments of the present technology include a wearable device that pairs with the companion communication device and causes the companion communication device to provide an indication that audio (or more generally media) is allowed to the wearable device. For example, pairing a wireless earphone with a laptop and subsequently receiving a signal from the wireless earphone indicating that the wireless earphone is worn on the user's ear can cause the laptop to issue an audio transmission route that allows user-selectable control for sending audio from applications (e.g., video chat application, music player application, etc.) running on the laptop to the wearable device. When the companion communication device receives a signal indicating that the wireless earphone is not being worn, e.g., removed from the user's ear, the companion communication device may cancel (e.g., not issue) the wireless earphone as an audio transmission route and may revert to a default audio transmission route or another audio transmission route, such as a previously used audio transmission route.

[0044] In one embodiment, a method performed by the companion communication device includes determining a first wearing state indicating whether a user is wearing the wireless earphones based on a first signal received from the wireless earphones; transmitting audio information of the companion communication device to a first output based on the first wearing state; detecting a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones to a second wearing state based on a second signal received from the wireless earphones; and altering an operation of the companion communication device based at least in part on the change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones.

[0045] In some embodiments, transmitting the audio information of the companion communication device to the first output includes transmitting the audio information of the companion communication device to the wireless earphone via a wireless communication interface of the companion communication device when the first wearing state indicates that the user is wearing the wireless earphone or that the user has placed the wireless earphone at the user's ear. In some embodiments, detecting a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphone to the second wearing state includes detecting when the wireless earphone is removed from the user's ear. In some embodiments, modifying the operation of the companion communication device includes transmitting the audio information of the companion communication device to an alternative output when the user is not wearing the wireless earphone and the wireless earphone is removed from the user's ear. In some embodiments, the alternative output includes an output of the companion communication device that is used for audio playback before transmitting the audio information of the companion communication device to the wireless earphone. In some embodiments, modifying the operation of the companion communication device includes pausing the audio information of the companion communication device when the wireless earphone is removed from the user's ear. In some embodiments, detecting a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphone includes detecting when the wireless earphone is placed at the user's ear. In some embodiments, modifying the operation of the companion communication device includes transmitting audio information of the companion communication device to the wireless earphone via a wireless communication interface of the companion communication device when the wireless earphone is placed at the user's ear. In some embodiments, the audio information of the companion communication device includes audio information associated with a voice application for the voice call, and modifying the operation of the companion communication device includes answering the incoming voice call and transmitting the audio information associated with the voice application for the incoming voice call to the wireless earphone via the wireless communication interface of the companion communication device when the wireless earphone is placed at the user's ear.

[0046] In one embodiment, the wearable device comprises a processor; a sensor configured to determine a first wearing state indicating whether the wearable device is worn; and a communication interface configured to pair the wearable device with a companion communication device and cause the companion communication device to transmit audio information of the companion communication device to a first output based on the first wearing state, where the sensor is further configured to detect a change in the wearing state of the wearable device to a second wearing state, and the communication interface is further configured to transmit a signal to the companion communication device to cause the companion communication device to alter operation of the companion communication device based at least in part on the change in the wearing state of the wearable device.

[0047] In some embodiments, the wearable device further includes a speaker, the communication interface is further configured to receive audio information of the companion communication device, and the processor is configured to play the audio information of the companion communication device through the speaker of the wearable device as a first output. In some embodiments, the sensor is further configured to detect when the wearable device is not worn by a user. In some embodiments, the signal sent to the companion communication device causes the companion communication device to transmit the audio information of the companion communication device to an alternative output when the wearable device is not worn. In some embodiments, the signal causing the companion communication device to modify the operation of the companion communication device includes a signal to pause the audio information when a wearing state of the wearable device changes to indicate that the wearable device is no longer worn. In some embodiments, the sensor is further configured to detect when the wearable device is placed on the ear. In some embodiments, the signal to the companion communication device that causes the companion communication device to modify an operation of the companion communication device causes the companion communication device to transmit audio information of the companion communication device to the wearable device when the wearable device is placed in the ear. In some embodiments, the audio information of the companion communication device includes audio information of a voice application for a voice call, and modifying the operation of the companion communication device includes answering an incoming voice call and transmitting audio information of the voice application for the incoming voice call to the wearable device when the wearable device is placed in the ear.

[0048] In one embodiment, a method performed by the companion communication device includes determining a first wearing state indicating whether a user is wearing the wireless earphones based on a first signal received from the wireless earphones, receiving an incoming voice call at the companion communication device, and when the first wearing state indicates that the user is wearing the wireless earphones, answering the voice call, and transmitting audio information of the voice call to the wireless earphones.

[0049] In some embodiments, the method further includes detecting, when the first wearing state indicates that the user is not wearing the wireless earphones, a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones to a second wearing state indicating that a user has inserted the wireless earphones into the user's ear based on a second signal received from the wireless earphones, and in response to detecting the change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones to the second wearing state, transmitting audio information of the voice call to the wireless earphones. In some embodiments, the method further includes detecting, based on a third signal received from the wireless earphones, a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones to a third wearing state indicating that a user has removed the wireless earphones from the user's ear, and in response to detecting the change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones to the third wearing state, transmitting audio information of the voice call to a speaker of the companion communication device.

[0050] In one embodiment, a method for modifying operation of a companion communication device by a wearable device includes pairing the wearable device with the companion communication device, using a sensor of the wearable device to determine a first wearing state indicating whether a user is wearing the wearable device, sending a signal to the companion communication device that causes a first output to transmit audio information of the companion communication device based on the first wearing state, detecting a change in the wearing state of the wearable device to a second wearing state, and sending a signal to the companion communication device that causes the companion communication device to modify operation of the companion communication device based at least in part on the change in the wearing state of the wearable device.

[0051] In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method including determining a first wearing state indicative of whether a user is wearing the wireless earphones based on a first signal received from the wireless earphones; transmitting audio information of the computing device to a first output based on the first wearing state; detecting a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones to a second wearing state based on a second signal received from the wireless earphones; and altering an operation of the computing device based at least in part on the change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones.

[0052] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes means for determining a first wearing state indicating whether a user is wearing the wireless earphones based on a first signal received from the wireless earphones; means for transmitting audio information of the computing device to a first output based on the first wearing state; means for detecting a change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones to a second wearing state based on a second signal received from the wireless earphones; and means for altering an operation of the computing device based at least in part on the change in the wearing state of the wireless earphones.

[0053] 5A and 5B show exemplary possible system embodiments. FIG. 5A shows a conventional system bus computing system architecture 500 in which the components of the system communicate with each other electrically using a bus 505. The exemplary system 500 includes a processor (CPU or processor) 510 and a system bus 505 that couples various system components to the processor 510, including a system memory 515 such as a read only memory (ROM) 520 and a random access memory (RAM) 525. The system 500 can include a cache of high speed memory directly coupled, nearby, or integrated as part of the processor 510. The system 500 can replicate data from the memory 515 and / or storage device 530 to the cache 512 for quick access by the processor 510. In this manner, the cache can provide a performance boost and avoid delays to the processor 510 while waiting for data. These and other modules can be, or can be configured to control the processor 510 to perform various actions. Other system memories 515 can be available for use as well. The memory 515 may include multiple different types of memory with different performance characteristics. The processor 510 may include any general purpose processor as well as hardware or software modules such as module 1 532, module 2 534, and module 3 536 stored in the storage device 530 and configured to control the processor 510 as well as special purpose processors where the software instructions are embedded in the actual processor design. The processor 510 may essentially be a fully self-contained computing system including multiple cores or processors, buses, memory controllers, caches, etc. Multi-core processors may be symmetric or asymmetric.

[0054] To allow user interaction with the computing device 500, the input device 545 can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as a microphone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphic input, a keyboard, a mouse, motion input, speech, etc. The output device 535 can also be one or more of many output mechanisms known to those skilled in the art. In some examples, a multi-modal system allows a user to provide multiple types of inputs to communicate with the computing device 500. The communication interface 540 can generally govern and manage the user inputs and system outputs. There is no restriction to operating on any particular hardware configuration, and therefore the basic features herein can be easily substituted for improved hardware or firmware configurations as they are developed.

[0055] The storage device 530 is a non-volatile memory and may be a hard disk or other type of computer-readable medium capable of storing data accessible by a computer, such as a magnetic cassette, a flash memory card, a solid-state memory device, a digital versatile disk, a cartridge, a random access memory (RAM) 525, a read-only memory (ROM) 520, and hybrids thereof.

[0056] The storage device 530 may include software modules 532, 534, 536 for controlling the processor 510. Other hardware or software modules are also contemplated. The storage device 530 may be connected to the system bus 505. In one aspect, a hardware module performing a particular function may include a software component stored in a computer readable medium associated with the necessary hardware elements, such as the processor 510, the bus 505, the output device 535, etc., to perform that function.

[0057] FIG. 5B illustrates a computer system 550 having a chipset architecture that can be used to perform the described methods and generate and display a graphical user interface (GUI). The computer system 550 is an example of computer hardware, software, and firmware that can be used to implement the disclosed techniques. The system 550 can include a processor 555, which represents any number of physically and / or logically distinct resources capable of executing software, firmware, and hardware configured to perform the identified computations. The processor 555 can communicate with a chipset 560, which can control input to and output from the processor 555. In this example, the chipset 560 can output information to an output 565, such as a display, and can read and write information to a storage device 570, which can include magnetic and solid media. The chipset 560 can also read data from and write data to a RAM 575. To interface with the chipset 560, a bridge 580 can be provided for interfacing with various user interface components 585. Such user interface components 585 can include a keyboard, a microphone, touch detection and processing circuitry, a pointing device such as a mouse, and the like. In general, inputs to the system 550 may come from any of a variety of machine-generated and / or human-generated sources.

[0058] The chipset 560 may also interface with one or more communication interfaces 590, which may have different physical interfaces. Such communication interfaces may include interfaces for wired and wireless local area networks, broadband wireless networks, and personal area networks. Some applications of the methods of generating, displaying, and using GUIs disclosed herein may include receiving an ordered data set via a physical interface, or may be generated by the machine itself by the processor 555 analyzing data stored in the storage device 570. Additionally, the machine may receive inputs from a user via the user interface component 585 and perform appropriate functions, such as browsing functions, by interpreting these inputs using the processor 555.

[0059] It will be appreciated that the exemplary systems 500 and 550 may have more than one processor 510, or may be part of a group or cluster of computing devices networked together to provide greater processing power.

[0060] For clarity of explanation, in some examples, the technology may be presented as including individual functional blocks, which may include devices, device components, steps or routines in a method implemented in software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0061] In some embodiments, computer readable storage devices, media, and memories may include cables or wireless signals containing bit streams, etc. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer readable storage media explicitly excludes media such as energy, carrier signals, electromagnetic waves, and the signals themselves.

[0062] The methods according to the above examples may be performed using computer-executable instructions stored or otherwise available from a computer-readable medium. Such instructions may include, for example, instructions and data that cause or otherwise configure a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or a special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Some of the computer resources used may be accessible over a network. The computer-executable instructions may be, for example, binary, assembly language, firmware, or intermediate format instructions such as source code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store instructions, information used, and / or information created during the methods according to the described examples include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory, Universal Serial Bus (USB) with non-volatile memory, network storage devices, and the like.

[0063] Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures may include hardware, firmware, and / or software and may take any of a variety of form factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops, smartphones, small form factor personal computers, personal digital assistants, etc. The functionality described herein may also be incorporated into peripheral devices or add-in cards. Such functionality may also be implemented on a circuit board among different chips or on different processes executed within a single device, as another example.

[0064] The instructions, media for carrying such instructions, computing resources for executing them, and other structures for supporting such computing resources are means for providing the functionality described in these disclosures.

[0065] Although various examples and other information have been used to describe aspects within the appended claims, no limitations of the claims should be implied based on the specific features or arrangements of such examples, as one skilled in the art can use these examples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Moreover, while some subject matter may be described in language specific to example structural features and / or method steps, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to those described features or acts. For example, such functionality may be distributed differently or performed by components other than those identified herein. Rather, the described features and steps are disclosed as example components of systems and methods within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Companion communication devices allow determining a first wearing state indicating whether the wireless earphone is worn based on a first signal received from the wireless earphone; receiving a text message on the companion communication device; When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, generating audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the text message; transmitting the generated audio data to the wireless earphone; in response to detecting a change in a wear state of the wireless earphone from the first wear state to a second wear state in which the wireless earphone is worn, within a threshold time period of receiving the text message when the first wear state indicates that the wireless earphone is not worn; generating audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the text message; transmitting the generated audio data to the wireless earphone; A method comprising:

2. receiving an incoming voice call on the companion communication device; when the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphones are not worn after receipt of the incoming voice call at the companion communication device; detect a change in a wear state of the wireless earphone to a second wear state indicating the wireless earphone is worn based on a second signal received from the wireless earphone after the first signal; in response to detecting the change in the wearing state to the second wearing state, transmitting audio information associated with the voice call to the wireless earphone. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. detect a further change in a wear state of the wireless earphone to a third wear state indicating the wireless earphone is no longer worn based on a third signal received from the wireless earphone after the second signal; and in response to detecting a further change in the wearing state, transmitting the audio information of the voice call to a speaker of the companion communication device; The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

4. receiving an incoming voice call on the companion communication device; upon receipt of the incoming voice call at the companion communication device; When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, transmitting audio information associated with the voice call to the wireless earphone upon answering the voice call; in response to receiving an input via an on-screen call answer control of the companion communication device when the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is not worn, Answering the voice call; transmitting the audio information associated with the voice call to an alternative audio output; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

5. receiving audio data via a microphone of the wireless earphone; converting the voice data into a reply text message; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

6. When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, publishing within an operating system of the companion communication device availability of an audio route enabling user selectable control for routing audio data from an application to the wireless earphone; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

7. in response to receiving, after the first signal, a signal indicating that the wireless earphone is not being worn, depublishing the availability of the audio route within an operating system of the companion communication device; The method of claim 6 further comprising:

8. 1. A companion communication device, comprising: a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with the wireless earphone; a speaker for outputting audio; a processor coupled to the wireless communication interface; a memory that, when executed by the processor, causes the companion communication device to: determining a first wearing state indicating whether the wireless earphone is worn based on a first signal received from the wireless earphone; receiving a text message on the companion communication device; When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, generating audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the text message; transmitting the generated audio data to the wireless earphone; in response to detecting a change in a wear state of the wireless earphone from the first wear state to a second wear state in which the wireless earphone is worn, within a threshold time period of receiving the text message when the first wear state indicates that the wireless earphone is not worn; generating audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the text message; transmitting the generated audio data to the wireless earphone; a memory for storing instructions for performing operations including A companion communication device comprising:

9. The operation includes: receiving an incoming voice call on the companion communication device; when the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphones are not worn after receipt of the incoming voice call at the companion communication device; detect a change to a second wear state indicating that the wireless earphone is worn based on a second signal received from the wireless earphone after the first signal; automatically transmitting audio information associated with the voice call to the wireless earphone in response to detecting the change to the second wearing state. The companion communication device of claim 8 further comprising:

10. The operation includes: detect a further change to a third wear state based on a third signal received from the wireless earphone, the third signal indicating the wireless earphone is no longer worn; and automatically transmitting audio information associated with the voice call to the speaker of the companion communication device in response to detecting a further change in the wearing state; 10. The companion communication device of claim 9, further comprising:

11. The operation includes: receiving an incoming voice call on the companion communication device; upon receipt of the incoming voice call at the companion communication device; When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, transmitting audio information associated with the voice call to the wireless earphone upon answering the voice call; in response to receiving an input via an on-screen call answer control of the companion communication device when the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is not worn, Answering the voice call; transmitting the audio information associated with the voice call to an alternative audio output; The companion communication device of claim 8 further comprising:

12. The operation includes: receiving audio data captured via a microphone of the wireless earphone; converting at least a portion of the received voice data into a reply text message; The companion communication device of claim 8 further comprising:

13. The operation includes: When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, publishing within an operating system of the companion communication device availability of an audio route enabling user selectable control for routing audio data from an application to the wireless earphone; The companion communication device of claim 8 further comprising:

14. The operation includes: in response to receiving a signal indicating that the wireless earphone is no longer being worn, depublishing the availability of the audio route within an operating system of the companion communication device; The companion communication device of claim 13 further comprising:

15. An apparatus for operation in a companion communication device, the apparatus comprising: a processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform: determining a first wearing state indicating whether the wireless earphone is worn based on a first signal received from the wireless earphone; receiving a text message on the companion communication device; When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, generating audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the text message; transmitting the generated audio data to the wireless earphone; in response to detecting a change in a wear state of the wireless earphone from the first wear state to a second wear state in which the wireless earphone is worn, within a threshold time period of receiving the text message when the first wear state indicates that the wireless earphone is not worn; generating audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the text message; transmitting the generated audio data to the wireless earphone; configuring the companion communication device to perform actions including: Device.

16. The action is: receiving an incoming voice call on the companion communication device; when the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphones are not worn after receipt of the incoming voice call at the companion communication device; detect a change in the wear state to a second wear state indicating that the wireless earphone is worn based on a second signal subsequently received from the wireless earphone; in response to detecting the change to the second wearing state, transmitting audio information associated with the voice call to the wireless earphone; The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

17. The action is: When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, presenting, at the companion communications device, a user selectable audio route enabling routing of audio data from an application to the wireless earphone; The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

18. The action is: In response to receiving a signal indicating that the wireless earphone is not being worn, removing the user selectable audio route; 20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

19. The action is: receiving an incoming voice call on the companion communication device; upon receipt of the incoming voice call at the companion communication device; When the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is worn, transmitting audio information associated with the voice call to the wireless earphone upon answering the voice call; in response to receiving an input via an on-screen call answer control of the companion communication device when the first wearing state indicates that the wireless earphone is not worn, Answering the voice call; transmitting the audio information associated with the voice call to an alternative audio output; The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

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