IP Library Granted Patent US 11,196,853
Granted Patent B2
US 11,196,853 · App. 16/383,395 · Granted Dec 7, 2021

Connection and disconnection of shared audio endpoint

Inventor: Brent John Thorington (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
H04M1/72412H04R3/00H04W4/80H04W76/15H04W76/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,196,853
App. No.
16/383,395
Granted
Dec 7, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for connection and disconnection of a shared audio endpoint. One method includes monitoring a connection between a first user mobile device and a shared audio endpoint. The method also includes making, while monitoring, a first determination that a signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than a disconnection threshold. Further, the method includes making, while monitoring, a second determination that an active communication stream does not exist between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint. Still further, the method includes closing the connection between the shared audio endpoint and the first user mobile device in response to both the first determination and the second determination.

Claims (64)

1. A method comprising:

monitoring a connection between a first user mobile device and a shared audio endpoint;

making, while monitoring, a first determination that a signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than a disconnection threshold;

making, while monitoring, a second determination that an active communication stream does not exist between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint; and

closing the connection between the shared audio endpoint and the first user mobile device in response to both the first determination and the second determination.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

broadcasting a beacon information comprising a name; and

accepting a connection request from the first user mobile device as an audio endpoint for the first user mobile device.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

pairing with the first user mobile device prior to accepting the connection request.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein broadcasting the beacon information uses Bluetooth Low Energy.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

making, while monitoring, a third determination that the signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than the disconnection threshold;

making, while monitoring, a fourth determination that the active communication stream exists between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint; and

continuing monitoring the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint based on the fourth determination despite the third determination.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

listening for a beacon comprising a token;

in response to the beacon being received, making a third determination that a signal strength of the beacon is greater than a connection threshold; and

connecting the shared audio endpoint to the first user mobile device in response to the third determination.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

listening for a beacon comprising a token;

in response to a first beacon from the first user mobile device and a second beacon from a second user mobile device being concurrently received, making a third determination that a signal strength of the first beacon and a signal strength of the second beacon are both greater than a connection threshold;

in response to the third determination, making a fourth determination that the signal strength of the first beacon is greater than the signal strength of the second beacon; and

connecting the shared audio endpoint to the first user mobile device in response to the fourth determination.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a charging event of the first user mobile device being connected to a charger of the shared audio endpoint; and

in response to detecting the charging event, connecting the first user mobile device to the shared audio endpoint.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

selecting, in response to detecting the charging event and from a plurality of user mobile devices, the first user mobile device according to a signal strength of a received signal from each of the plurality of user mobile devices,

wherein connecting the first user mobile device is further in response to the selecting.

10. A device comprising:

memory; and

processing circuitry connected to memory, and configured to:

monitor a connection between a first user mobile device and a shared audio endpoint,

make, while monitoring, a first determination that a signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than a disconnection threshold,

make, while monitoring, a second determination that an active communication stream does not exist between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint, and

close the connection between the shared audio endpoint and the first user mobile device in response to both the first determination and the second determination.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

broadcast a beacon information comprising a name; and

accept a connection request from the first user mobile device as an audio endpoint for the first user mobile device.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the device is the shared audio endpoint.

13. The device of claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

make, while monitoring, a third determination that the signal strength of the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint is less than the disconnection threshold;

make, while monitoring, a fourth determination that the active communication stream exists between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint; and

continue monitoring the connection between the first user mobile device and the shared audio endpoint based on the fourth determination despite the third determination.

14. The device of claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

listen for a beacon comprising a token;

in response to the beacon being received, make a third determination that a signal strength of the beacon is greater than a connection threshold; and

connect the shared audio endpoint to the first user mobile device in response to the third determination.

15. The device of claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

listen for a beacon comprising a token;

in response to a first beacon from the first user mobile device and a second beacon from a second user mobile device being concurrently received, make a third determination that a signal strength of the first beacon and a signal strength of the second beacon are both greater than a connection threshold;

in response to the third determination, make a fourth determination that the signal strength of the first beacon is greater than the signal strength of the second beacon; and

connect the shared audio endpoint to the first user mobile device in response to the fourth determination.

16. The device of claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

detect a charging event of the first user mobile device being connected to a charger of the shared audio endpoint; and

in response to detecting the charging event, connect the first user mobile device to the shared audio endpoint.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

select, in response to detecting the charging event and from a plurality of user mobile devices, the first user mobile device according to a signal strength of a received signal from each of the plurality of user mobile devices,

wherein connecting the first user mobile device is further in response to the selecting.

18. The device of claim 10 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:

listen for a beacon comprising a token;

in response to the beacon being received, make a third determination that a signal strength of the beacon is greater than a connection threshold; and

connect the shared audio endpoint to the first user mobile device in response to the third determination.

Assignments (4)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2023
From: PLANTRONICS, INC.
To: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Reel/Frame 065549/0065 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Aug 30, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: PLANTRONICS, INC.; POLYCOM, INC.
Reel/Frame 061356/0366 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 16, 2020
From: PLANTRONICS, INC.; POLYCOM, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054090/0467 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2019
From: THORINGTON, BRENT JOHN
To: PLANTRONICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 048876/0013 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62657627 · Apr 13, 2018
Related Publication 20190320054A1 · Oct 17, 2019