Seamless connectivity between hearing aid and multiple devices

• US 9,763,276 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2014
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Seymour, Eric T., Fleizach, Christopher B., Fisch, Ian M., Linde, Joakim, Foo, Edwin
• Primary Examiner(s): SANDIFORD, DEVAN A
• Application Number:
  US14/503,186
• Publication Number:
  US 20150351143A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/20 Master-slave selection or change arrangements

Abstract

A method for controlling a peripheral from a group of computing devices is provided. The method sets up a group of computing devices for providing media content and control settings to a peripheral device such as a hearing aid. The computing devices in the group are interconnected by a network and exchange data with each other regarding the peripheral. A master device in the group is directly paired with the peripheral device and can use the pairing connection to provide media content or to apply the control settings to the peripheral device. The peripheral device is paired with only the master devices of the group. A slave device can request to directly pair with the peripheral device and become the master device in order to provide media content to the peripheral.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions which, when executed by a first computing device, cause the first computing device to:

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receive a first request from a second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the first request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, apply the new control setting to the peripheral device;

receive a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

provide pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

cease to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continue to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

2. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the pairing information enables the second computing device to pair with the peripheral device without performing discovery or inquiry with the peripheral device to obtain information that enables pairing with the peripheral device.

3. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the pairing information is associated with a user account authenticated at the first computing device and the second computing device.

4. The computer readable storage medium of claim 3, wherein the first computing device uses the pairing information to pair with the peripheral device to supply media content to the peripheral device for the user account.

5. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is configured to pair with only one of the first computing device and the second computing device at a time.

6. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the second computing device is configured to provide environment specific parameters to the peripheral device.

7. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the second computing device pairs with the peripheral device using a connection record concerning the pairing of the second computing device and the peripheral device, and wherein the connection record is specific to and only usable by the second computing device.

8. The computer readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the pairing information includes at least one of:

a peripheral device name and a peripheral device class.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the one or more programs include instructions which, when executed by the first computing device, cause the first computing device to:

receive a peripheral interest request from the second computing device that includes data indicating that the second computing device is interested in the peripheral device; and

form a wireless network group with the second computing device in response to receiving the peripheral interest request.

10. A method, comprising:

at a first computing device;

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receiving a first request from a second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the second request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, applying the new control setting to the peripheral device;

receiving a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

providing pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

ceasing to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continuing to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pairing information enables the second computing device to pair with the peripheral device without performing discovery or inquiry with the peripheral device to obtain information that enables pairing with the peripheral device.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the pairing information is associated with a user account authenticated at the first computing device and the second computing device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second computing device uses the pairing information to pair with the peripheral device to supply media content to the peripheral device for the user account.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the peripheral device is configured to pair with only one of the first computing device and the second computing device at a time.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first computing device is configured to provide environment specific parameters to the peripheral device.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the second computing device pairs with the peripheral device using a connection record concerning the pairing of the second computing device and the peripheral device, and wherein the connection record is specific to and only usable by the second computing device.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the pairing information includes at least one of:

a peripheral device name and a peripheral device class.

18. A first computing device, comprising:

a display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receiving a first request from a second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the second request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, applying the new control setting to the peripheral device;

receiving a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

providing pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

ceasing to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continuing to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

19. The first computing device of claim 18, wherein the pairing information enables the second computing device to pair with the peripheral device without performing discovery or inquiry with the peripheral device to obtain information that enables pairing with the peripheral device.

20. The first computing device of claim 18, wherein the pairing information is associated with a user account authenticated at the first computing device and the second computing device.

21. The first computing device of claim 20, wherein the second computing device uses the pairing information to pair with the peripheral device to supply media content to the peripheral device for the user account.

22. The first computing device of claim 18, wherein the peripheral device is configured to pair with only one of the first computing device and the second computing device at a time.

23. The first computing device of claim 18, wherein the first computing device is configured to provide environment specific parameters to the peripheral device.

24. The first computing device of claim 18, wherein the second computing device pairs with the peripheral device using a connection record concerning the pairing of the second computing device and the peripheral device, and wherein the connection record is specific to and only usable by the second computing device.

25. The first computing device of claim 18, wherein the pairing information includes at least one of:

a peripheral device name and a peripheral device class.

26. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions which, when executed by a first computing device, cause the first computing device to:

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receive a first request from the second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the first request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, transmit the new control setting to a third computing device associated with the first computing device and the second computing device, the third computing device being separate and distinct from the first computing device and the second computing device;

receive a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

provide pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

cease to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continue to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

27. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions which, when executed by a first computing device, cause the first computing device to:

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receive a first request from the second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the first request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, display the new control setting on a display of the first computing device

receive a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

provide pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

cease to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continue to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

28. A first computing device, comprising:

a display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receiving a first request from the second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the first request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, transmitting the new control setting to a third computing device associated with the first computing device and the second computing device, the third computing device being separate and distinct from the first computing device and the second computing device;

receiving a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

providing pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

ceasing to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continuing to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

29. A method, comprising:

at a first computing device;

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receiving a first request from the second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the first request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, transmitting the new control setting to a third computing device associated with the first computing device and the second computing device, the third computing device being separate and distinct from the first computing device and the second computing device;

receiving a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

providing pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

ceasing to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continuing to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

30. A first computing device, comprising:

a display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receiving a first request from the second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the first request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, displaying the new control setting on a display of the first computing device;

receiving a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

providing pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

ceasing to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continuing to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.

31. A method, comprising:

at a first computing device;

while the first computing device is directly paired with a peripheral device to enable direct wireless transmission of first media content from the first computing device to the peripheral device;

receiving a first request from the second computing device to adjust a control setting of the peripheral device, the first request including a new control setting;

in response to receiving the first request to adjust the control setting of the peripheral device, displaying the new control setting on a display of the first computing device;

receiving a second request from the second computing device to cease direct pairing of the first computing device with the peripheral device;

providing pairing information used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device; and

in response to receiving the second request from the second computing device;

in accordance with a determination that second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a higher priority than first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

ceasing to directly pair with the peripheral device to allow the second computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, using the pairing information that was used by the first computing device to directly pair with the peripheral device, to enable direct wireless transmission of the second media content from the second computing device to the peripheral device; and

in accordance with a determination that the second media content to be transmitted by the second computing device has a lower priority than the first media content being transmitted by the first computing device;

continuing to directly pair with the peripheral device, which prevents the second computing device from directly pairing with the peripheral device.