Providing hands-free service to multiple devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a microphone;
a speaker;
one or more processors; and
a hands-free module executable by the one or more processors to;
establish a first hands-free service connection to a first wireless device and a second hands-free service connection to a second wireless device, wherein the hands-free module provides hands-free functions, including at least initiating phone calls and answering phone calls via the first hands-free service connection and the second hands-free service connection;
utilize the first hands-free service connection to establish an active audio communication channel with the first wireless device;
disconnect the second hands-free service connection at least partly in response to establishment of the active audio communication channel with the first wireless device, the hands-free module refraining from re-establishing the second hands-free service connection with the second wireless device during a time that the active audio communication channel with the first wireless device is active;
transmit, to the first wireless device and via the active audio communication channel, audio data generated based, at least in part, on input provided by the microphone; and
cause the speaker to produce sound based, at least in part, on audio data received via the active audio communication channel to the first wireless device; and
a hands-free routing module executable by the one or more processors to route the active audio communication channel to another apparatus having a second microphone and a second speaker at least partly in response to receiving an indication from the other apparatus that a first user associated with the first wireless device is closer to the other apparatus than to the apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for providing audio services to multiple devices are described. For instance, connections between a hands-free unit and multiple wireless devices are established. The connections are themselves used to establish active communication channels, such as active audio communication channels, between the hands-free unit and the wireless devices, such as during a phone call. Upon establishment of an active communication channel with one of the wireless devices, the connections to the other wireless devices are disconnected—and/or additional connections refused—for the duration of the active communication channel. Furthermore, a routing module in various embodiments permits multiple hands-free units to route active communication channels to each other depending on user location.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a microphone; a speaker; one or more processors; and a hands-free module executable by the one or more processors to; establish a first hands-free service connection to a first wireless device and a second hands-free service connection to a second wireless device, wherein the hands-free module provides hands-free functions, including at least initiating phone calls and answering phone calls via the first hands-free service connection and the second hands-free service connection; utilize the first hands-free service connection to establish an active audio communication channel with the first wireless device; disconnect the second hands-free service connection at least partly in response to establishment of the active audio communication channel with the first wireless device, the hands-free module refraining from re-establishing the second hands-free service connection with the second wireless device during a time that the active audio communication channel with the first wireless device is active; transmit, to the first wireless device and via the active audio communication channel, audio data generated based, at least in part, on input provided by the microphone; and cause the speaker to produce sound based, at least in part, on audio data received via the active audio communication channel to the first wireless device; and a hands-free routing module executable by the one or more processors to route the active audio communication channel to another apparatus having a second microphone and a second speaker at least partly in response to receiving an indication from the other apparatus that a first user associated with the first wireless device is closer to the other apparatus than to the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method comprising:
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establishing a first connection between a first computing system and a first wireless device and a second connection between the first computing system and a second wireless device, the first connection and the second connection configured to support establishment of an active communication channel with the first wireless device and the second wireless device, respectively; establishing, based at least in part on the first connection, the active communication channel with the first wireless device; disconnecting the second connection at least partly in response to establishment of the active communication channel with the first wireless device; and routing the active communication channel from the first computing system to a second computing system based on at least one of a first proximity of a user associated with the first wireless device to the second computing system or on a second proximity of the first wireless device to the second computing system. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that are executable by one or more processors to:
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establish an active audio communication channel to a first wireless device in response to receipt of a phone call to the first wireless device or initiation of a phone call from the first wireless device; refuse a second control connection to a second wireless device during the active audio communication channel to the first wireless device; and select, based at least in part on a location of the first wireless device or a user associated with the first wireless device, one of a plurality of speakers on which to output sound associated with audio received from the first wireless device via the active audio communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification