Smart battery wear leveling for audio devices

• US 9,949,205 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2012
• Issued: 04/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Newham, Adam E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dean, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US13/481,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20130316642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,152 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/03 Aspects of the reduction of energy consumption in hearing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0206 in access points, e.g. base stations access point devices per se H04W88/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Various embodiments may provide systems and methods among wireless nodes in a wireless communication network that enable balancing the batteries in the wireless nodes to be depleted at approximately the same rate. Various embodiments intelligently and dynamically swap master/slave roles among wireless nodes (e.g., wireless earpieces) coupled to a wireless source device to optimize battery life in both wireless nodes. The various embodiments may provide methods and systems for swapping master-slave roles so that there is reduced impact on the user experience.

Claims

1. A method of balancing power consumption among wireless nodes, comprising:

establishing a first communication link between a first wireless node and a second wireless node, wherein the first wireless node assumes a master role and the second wireless node assumes a slave role;

establishing a second communication link between the first wireless node and a source wireless device;

receiving a first data transmission of a plurality of data transmissions from the source wireless device on the first wireless node over the second communication link and relaying at least a portion of the received first data transmission from the first wireless node to the second wireless node over the first communication link;

determining, by the first wireless node, whether the source wireless device is currently controllable;

sending a pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable;

identifying a media break in response to determining that the source wireless device is not currently controllable; and

causing the source wireless device, during the identified media break or a pause resulting from the pause request, to send a second data transmission of the plurality of data transmissions to the second wireless node over the second communication link by exchanging master-slave roles between the first wireless node and the second wireless node without informing the source wireless device of the master-slave role change and without terminating the second communication link, the exchanging of master-slave roles comprising swapping of addresses in link key fields associated with the first and second wireless nodes.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring battery states of the first and second wireless nodes; and

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on a battery state of one or both of the first and second wireless nodes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first wireless node, the second wireless node, and the source wireless device are nodes in a piconet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein exchanging master-slave roles further comprises:

controlling a media source on the source wireless device so that master-slave roles are exchanged without disruption of data transmissions from the source wireless device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether an audio signal is currently a monaural sound directed to a particular ear; and

directing the audio signal to the one of the first wireless node and the second wireless node that is positioned in the particular ear after exchanging master-slave roles between the first wireless node and the second wireless node.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request, and

wherein sending the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable further comprises transmitting the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that master-slave roles should be exchanged and determining that the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request, and

wherein exchanging master-slave roles between the first wireless node and the second wireless node is accomplished in response to the source wireless device pausing data transmissions.

7. A communication system, comprising:

a first wireless node;

a second wireless node;

a source wireless device;

means for establishing a first communication link between the first wireless node and the second wireless node, the first wireless node assuming a master role and the second wireless node assuming a slave role;

means for establishing a second communication link between the first wireless node and the source wireless device;

means for receiving a first data transmission of a plurality of data transmissions from the source wireless device on the first wireless node over the second communication link and relaying at least a portion of the received first data transmission from the first wireless node to the second wireless node over the first communication link;

means for determining, by the first wireless node, whether the source wireless device is currently controllable;

means for sending a pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable;

means for identifying a media break in response to determining that the source wireless device is not currently controllable; and

means for causing the source wireless device, during the identified media break or a pause resulting from the pause request, to send a second data transmission of the plurality of data transmissions to the second wireless node over the second communication link by exchanging master-slave roles between the first wireless node and the second wireless node without informing the source wireless device of the master-slave role change and without terminating the second communication link, the exchanging of master-slave roles comprising means for swapping of addresses in link key fields associated with the first and second wireless nodes.

8. The communication system of claim 7, further comprising:

means for monitoring battery states of the first and second wireless nodes; and

means for determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on a battery state of one or both of the first and second wireless nodes.

9. The communication system of claim 7, wherein means for establishing the first communication link and means for establishing the second communication link comprise means for linking the first wireless node, the second wireless node, and the source wireless device together in a piconet configuration.

10. The communication system of claim 7, wherein exchanging master-slave roles comprises controlling a media source on the source wireless device so that master-slave roles are exchanged without disruption of data transmissions from the source wireless device.

11. The communication system of claim 7, further comprising:

means for determining whether an audio signal is currently a monaural sound directed to a particular ear; and

means for directing the audio signal to the one of the first wireless node and the second wireless node that is positioned in the particular ear after exchanging master-slave roles between the first wireless node and the second wireless node.

12. The communication system of claim 7, further comprising means for determining whether the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request,

wherein means for sending the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless is currently controllable further comprises means for transmitting the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that master-slave roles should be exchanged and determining that the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request, and

wherein means for exchanging master-slave roles between the first wireless node and the second wireless node comprises means for exchanging master-slave roles between the first wireless node and the second wireless node in response to the source wireless device pausing data transmissions.

13. A system, comprising:

a first wireless device comprising a first transceiver, a first memory and a first processor coupled to the first transceiver and the first memory;

a second wireless device comprising a second transceiver, a second memory and a second processor coupled to the second transceiver and the second memory; and

a source wireless device comprising a source transceiver, a source memory and a source processor coupled to the source transceiver and the source memory,

wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

establishing a first communication link with the second wireless device and assuming a master role while the second wireless device assumes a slave role;

establishing a second communication link between the first wireless device and the source wireless device;

receiving a first data transmission of a plurality of data transmissions from the source wireless device over the second communication link and relaying at least a portion of the received first data transmission to the second wireless device over the first communication link;

determining, by the first wireless device, whether the source wireless device is currently controllable;

sending a pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable;

identifying a media break in response to determining that the source wireless device is not currently controllable; and

causing the source wireless device, during the identified media break or a pause resulting from the pause request, to send a second data transmission of the plurality of data transmissions to the second wireless device over the second communication link by exchanging master-slave roles with the second wireless device without informing the source wireless device of the master-slave role change and without terminating the second communication link, the exchanging of master-slave roles with the second wireless device comprising swapping of addresses in link key fields associated with the first and second wireless devices by replacing a current address in a link key field with a new address associated with the second wireless device, and

wherein the second processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

exchanging master-slave roles with the first wireless device; and

receiving the second data transmission of the plurality of data transmissions from the source wireless device over the second communication link in response to exchanging master-slave roles.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

monitoring a battery state; and

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on the battery state.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that establishing the first and second communication links comprises linking the first wireless device to the second wireless device and the source wireless device in a piconet configuration.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on information received from the source wireless device indicating a time that master-slave roles may be exchanged without disruption of data transmissions from the source wireless device.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether an audio signal is currently a monaural sound directed to a particular ear;

determining if the first wireless device is configured for use in the particular ear; and

directing the audio signal to the second wireless device after exchanging master-slave roles with the second wireless device in response to determining that the first wireless device is not configured for use in the particular ear.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising determining whether the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request,

wherein sending the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable further comprises transmitting the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that master-slave roles should be exchanged and determining that the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request, and

wherein the first processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that exchanging master-slave roles with the second wireless device is accomplished in response to the source wireless device pausing data transmissions.

19. A computing device, comprising:

means for establishing a first communication link with a second computing device;

means for establishing a second communication link with a source wireless device;

means for receiving a first data transmission of a plurality of data transmissions from the source wireless device over the second communication link and relaying at least a portion of the received first data transmission to the second computing device over the first communication link;

means for determining, by the computing device, whether the source wireless device is currently controllable;

means for sending a pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable;

means for identifying a media break in response to determining that the source wireless device is not currently controllable; and

means for causing the source wireless device, during the identified media break or a pause resulting from the pause request, to send a second data transmission of the plurality of data transmissions to the second computing device over the second communication link by exchanging master-slave roles with the second computing device without informing the source wireless device of the master-slave role change and without terminating the second communication link, the exchanging of master-slave roles comprising swapping of addresses in link key fields associated with the first and second computing devices by replacing a current address in a link key field with a new address associated with the second computing device.

20. The computing device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for monitoring a battery state of the computing device; and

means for determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on the battery state.

21. The computing device of claim 19, wherein means for establishing the first communication link and means for establishing the second communication link comprise means for linking the computing device to the second computing device and the source wireless device in a piconet configuration.

22. The computing device of claim 19, further comprising:

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on information received from the source wireless device indicating a time that master-slave roles may be exchanged without disruption of data transmissions from the source wireless device.

23. The computing device of claim 19, further comprising:

means for determining whether an audio signal is currently a monaural sound directed to a particular ear;

means for determining if the computing device is configured for use in the particular ear; and

means for directing the audio signal to the second computing device after exchanging master-slave roles with the second computing device in response to determining that the computing device is not configured for use in the particular ear.

24. The computing device of claim 19, further comprising means for determining whether the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request,

wherein means for sending the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable further comprises means for transmitting the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that master-slave roles should be exchanged and determining that the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request, and

wherein means for exchanging master-slave roles comprises means for exchanging master-slave roles in response to the source wireless device pausing data transmissions.

25. A computing device, comprising:

a transceiver;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the transceiver and the memory, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

establishing a first communication link with a second computing device;

establishing a second communication link with a source wireless device;

receiving a first data transmission of a plurality of data transmissions from the source wireless device over the second communication link and relaying at least a portion of the received first data transmission to the second computing device over the first communication link;

determining, by the computing device, whether the source wireless device is currently controllable;

sending a pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable;

identifying a media break in response to determining that the source wireless device is not currently controllable; and

causing the source wireless device, during the identified media break or a pause resulting from the pause request, to send a second data transmission of the plurality of data transmissions to the second computing device over the second communication link by exchanging master-slave roles with the second computing device without informing the source wireless device of the master-slave role change and without terminating the second communication link, the exchanging of master-slave roles comprising, the exchanging of master-slave roles comprising swapping of addresses in link key fields associated with the first and second computing devices by replacing a current address in a link key field with a new address associated with the second computing device.

26. The computing device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

monitoring a battery state of the computing device; and

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on the battery state of the computing device.

27. The computing device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that establishing the first and second communication links comprises linking the computing device to the second computing device and the source wireless device in a piconet configuration.

28. The computing device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on information received from the source wireless device indicating a time that master-slave roles may be exchanged without disruption of data transmissions from the source wireless device.

29. The computing device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether an audio signal is currently a monaural sound directed to a particular ear;

determining if the computing device is configured for use in the particular ear; and

directing the audio signal to the second computing device after exchanging master-slave roles with the second computing device in response to determining that the computing device is not configured for use in the particular ear.

30. The computing device of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising determining whether the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request,

wherein sending the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable further comprises transmitting the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that master-slave roles should be exchanged and determining that the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request, and

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions such that exchanging master-slave roles comprises exchanging master-slave roles in response to the source wireless device pausing data transmissions.

31. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor of a first wireless device to perform operations for balancing power consumption among wireless devices, the operations comprising:

establishing a first communication link with a second wireless device;

establishing a second communication link with a source wireless device;

receiving a first data transmission of a plurality of data transmissions from the source wireless device over the second communication link and relaying at least a portion of the received first data transmission to the second wireless device over the first communication link;

determining, by the first wireless device, whether the source wireless device is currently controllable;

sending a pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable;

identifying a media break in response to determining that the source wireless device is not currently controllable; and

causing the source wireless device, during the identified media break or a pause resulting from the pause request, to send a second data transmission of the plurality of data transmissions to the second wireless device over the second communication link by exchanging master-slave roles with the second wireless device without informing the source wireless device of the master-slave role change and without terminating the second communication link, the exchanging of master-slave roles comprising, the exchanging of master-slave roles comprising swapping of addresses in link key fields associated with the first and second wireless devices by replacing a current address in a link key field with a new address associated with the second wireless device.

32. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein:

the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor of the first wireless device to perform operations further comprising;

monitoring a battery state; and

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on the battery state.

33. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor of the first wireless device to perform operations such that the establishing the first and second communication links comprises linking the first wireless device to the second wireless device and the source wireless device in a piconet configuration.

34. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor of the first wireless device to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether to exchange master-slave roles based on information received from the source wireless device indicating a time that master-slave roles may be exchanged without disruption of data transmissions from the source wireless device.

35. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor of the first wireless device to perform operations further comprising:

determining whether an audio signal is currently a monaural sound directed to a particular ear;

determining if the first wireless device is configured for use in the particular ear; and

directing the audio signal to the second wireless device after exchanging master-slave roles with the second wireless device in response to determining that the first wireless device is not configured for use in the particular ear.

36. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 31, wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor of the first wireless device to perform operations further comprising determining whether the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request,

wherein sending the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that the source wireless device is currently controllable further comprises transmitting the pause request to the source wireless device in response to determining that master-slave roles should be exchanged and determining that the source wireless device is currently able to receive the pause request, and

wherein the stored processor-executable software instructions are configured to cause a processor of the first wireless device to perform operations such that exchanging master-slave roles comprises exchanging master-slave roles in response to the source wireless device pausing data transmissions.