Communication between a host device and an accessory via an intermediate device

• US 8,239,605 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2011
• Issued: 08/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lydon, Gregory T., Laefer, Jay S., Ananny, John, Tikalsky, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): Myers, Paul R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Trisha
• Application Number:
  US13/230,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20120003934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 710/305, 710/306, 710/315, 710104-106
• US Class Current: 710/315
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/387 for adaptation of different data processing systems to different peripheral devices, e.g. protocol converters for incompatible systems, open system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/3814 Wireless link with a computer system port
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/2871 Implementation details of single intermediate entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals;

an interface configured to communicate with an intermediate device via a first wired signal path using a first protocol, the first protocol including a first plurality of commands, wherein the intermediate device is further configured to communicate with an accessory via a second wired signal path using a second protocol, the second protocol including a second plurality of commands; and

a processor communicably coupled to the wireless transceiver and the interface, the processor being configured to generate commands to be sent to the accessory via the intermediate device and to interpret and respond to commands received from the accessory via the intermediate device,

wherein the processor is further configured to;

obtain from the accessory via the intermediate device information pertaining to a wireless communication capability of the accessory, the information including a wireless address of the accessory, wherein the information is included in a converted command that conforms to the first protocol, the converted command generated by the intermediate device in response to receiving another command originating from the accessory that conforms to the second protocol; and

provide to the accessory via the intermediate device a particular command instructing the accessory to establish a wireless link with the portable electronic device, the particular command including a wireless address of the wireless transceiver of the portable electronic device.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to send and receive wireless signals conforming to a Bluetooth standard.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 2 wherein the processor is further configured to provide to the accessory via the intermediate device a Bluetooth link key associated with the wireless link.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1 further comprising:

a mobile telephone transceiver coupled to the processor; and

a user interface configured to allow a user to place and receive telephone calls.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1 further comprising:

a storage device configured to store media assets; and

a user interface configured to allow a user to access media assets stored in the storage device.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein the wireless link is established in response to the accessory receiving the particular command.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein obtaining the information pertaining to the wireless communication capability of the accessory comprises:

receiving from the intermediate device a tunneling command conforming to the first protocol, wherein the tunneling command contains a tunneled command from the accessory that includes the information pertaining to the wireless communication capability of the accessory; and

extracting the information from the tunneling command.

8. An electronic device comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals;

an interface configured to communicate with an intermediate device via a first wired signal path using a first protocol, wherein the intermediate device is further configured to communicate with an accessory via a second wired signal path using a second protocol distinct from the first protocol; and

a processor communicatively coupled with the wireless transceiver and the interface, the processor being configured to generate commands to be sent to the accessory via the intermediate device and to interpret and respond to commands received from the accessory via the intermediate device,

wherein the processor is further configured to;

obtain, from the accessory via the intermediate device, information pertaining to a wireless communication capability of the accessory, wherein the information is included in a converted command that conforms to the first protocol, the converted command generated by the intermediate device in response to receiving another command originating from the accessory that conforms to the second protocol; and

provide, to the accessory via the intermediate device, a particular command instructing the accessory to establish a wireless link with the electronic device.

9. The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the particular command includes a wireless address of the wireless transceiver of the electronic device.

10. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon program code executable by an electronic device, the electronic device being communicatively coupled with an intermediate device via a first wired signal path, the intermediate device being communicatively coupled with an accessory via a second wired signal path, the program code comprising:

code that causes the electronic device to obtain, from the accessory via the intermediate device, information pertaining to a wireless communication capability of the accessory, the information including a wireless address of the accessory, wherein the information is included in a converted command that conforms to a first protocol, the converted command generated by the intermediate device in response to receiving another command originating from the accessory and that conforms to a second protocol; and

code that causes the electronic device to provide, to the accessory via the intermediate device, a particular command instructing the accessory to establish a wireless link with the electronic device, the particular command including a wireless address of the electronic device.

11. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the wireless link comprises a Bluetooth pairing.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein the program code further comprises code that causes the electronic device to provide, to the accessory via the intermediate device, a Bluetooth link key associated with the wireless link.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the wireless link is established in response to the accessory receiving the particular command.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the electronic device is configured to communicate with the intermediate device via the first wired signal path using the first protocol, and wherein the intermediate device is configured to communicate with the accessory via the second wired signal path using the second protocol distinct from the first protocol.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14 wherein the code that causes the electronic device to obtain the information pertaining to the wireless communication capability of the accessory comprises:

code that causes the electronic device to receive, from the intermediate device, a tunneling command conforming to the first protocol, wherein the tunneling command contains a tunneled command from the accessory that includes the information pertaining to the wireless communication capability of the accessory; and

code that causes the electronic device to extract the information from the tunneling command.