Abstract: A method for dispensing a beverage from a bottle that includes communicating a dispensing authorization message from a control unit to at least one of a server interface carried by a beverage server and a pour spout secured to a bottle, wherein the dispensing authorization message at least one of includes or initiates a dispensing command, and wherein the pour spout responds to the dispensing command by opening a spout valve through which a beverage flows from the bottle and out of the pour spout.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein disclose techniques for enabling a user device to seamlessly establish a secure, high-bandwidth wireless connection with a vehicle accessory system to enable the user device to wirelessly stream user interface (UI) information to the vehicle accessory system. To implement this technique, a lower-bandwidth wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) is used as an initial means for establishing a Wi-Fi pairing between the user device and the vehicle accessory system. Wi-Fi parameters associated with a Wi-Fi network provided by the vehicle accessory system can be communicated to the user device using the lower-bandwidth wireless technology. A secure Wi-Fi connection can then be established between the user device and the vehicle accessory system using the provided Wi-Fi parameters. The embodiments also disclose a technique for enabling the user device to automatically reconnect with the vehicle accessory system in a seamless manner (e.g., when returning to a vehicle).

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein disclose techniques for enabling a user device to seamlessly establish a secure, high-bandwidth wireless connection with a vehicle accessory system to enable the user device to wirelessly stream user interface (UI) information to the vehicle accessory system. To implement this technique, a lower-bandwidth wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) is used as an initial means for establishing a Wi-Fi pairing between the user device and the vehicle accessory system. Wi-Fi parameters associated with a Wi-Fi network provided by the vehicle accessory system can be communicated to the user device using the lower-bandwidth wireless technology. A secure Wi-Fi connection can then be established between the user device and the vehicle accessory system using the provided Wi-Fi parameters. The embodiments also disclose a technique for enabling the user device to automatically reconnect with the vehicle accessory system in a seamless manner (e.g., when returning to a vehicle).

Abstract: A system and method for routing communication to a common audio output device connected to each of two or more audio signal source devices. For each of the two or more audio signal source devices, a set of inputs are assessed. The set of inputs include: an operational state of the audio signal source device, an activity the audio signal source device, an audio-producing application being executed by the audio signal source device, and a degree of user activity with the audio-producing application being executed by the audio signal source. At a point in time, an audio routing score is generated for each of the two or more audio signal source devices according to a weighted calculation of the set of inputs based on the assessing. Finally, an audio signal routing decision is made, to route an audio signal from one of the two or more audio signal source devices to the audio output device, based on the audio routing score for each of the two or more audio signal source devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reduction of interference between a plurality of wireless interfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, a device having a first (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface and a second (e.g., Bluetooth) interface monitors interference between its interfaces. A reduction in transmit power of the Wi-Fi module causes a disproportionately larger reduction in undesirable interference experienced at the Bluetooth antennas. For example, when the Bluetooth interface detects interference levels above acceptable thresholds, the Wi-Fi interface adjusts operation of one or more of its transmit chains based on various conditions such as duty cycle, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), etc. Various embodiments of the present invention provide simultaneous operation of WLAN and PAN interfaces, without requiring time division coexistence, by reducing power on a subset of interfering antennas.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein disclose techniques for enabling a user device to seamlessly establish a secure, high-bandwidth wireless connection with a vehicle accessory system to enable the user device to wirelessly stream user interface (UI) information to the vehicle accessory system. To implement this technique, a lower-bandwidth wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) is used as an initial means for establishing a Wi-Fi pairing between the user device and the vehicle accessory system. Wi-Fi parameters associated with a Wi-Fi network provided by the vehicle accessory system can be communicated to the user device using the lower-bandwidth wireless technology. A secure Wi-Fi connection can then be established between the user device and the vehicle accessory system using the provided Wi-Fi parameters. The embodiments also disclose a technique for enabling the user device to automatically reconnect with the vehicle accessory system in a seamless manner (e.g., when returning to a vehicle).

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein disclose techniques for enabling a user device to seamlessly establish a secure, high-bandwidth wireless connection with a vehicle accessory system to enable the user device to wirelessly stream user interface (UI) information to the vehicle accessory system. To implement this technique, a lower-bandwidth wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) is used as an initial means for establishing a Wi-Fi pairing between the user device and the vehicle accessory system. Wi-Fi parameters associated with a Wi-Fi network provided by the vehicle accessory system can be communicated to the user device using the lower-bandwidth wireless technology. A secure Wi-Fi connection can then be established between the user device and the vehicle accessory system using the provided Wi-Fi parameters. The embodiments also disclose a technique for enabling the user device to automatically reconnect with the vehicle accessory system in a seamless manner (e.g., when returning to a vehicle).

Abstract: In order to reduce the power consumption of a receiving electronic device, received advertising beacons may be filtered so that the receiving electronic device selectively transitions from a power-saving mode to a normal operating mode. For example, the receiving electronic device may receive a beacon with advertising information for a transmitting electronic device. If the advertising information is changed relative to a previous version of the advertising information for the transmitting electronic device, the receiving electronic device may transition from the power-saving mode to the normal operating mode. In this way, the receiving electronic device may ‘wake up’ if it receives an advertisement that it wants to act on, such as advertisements for: file sharing, wireless streaming of information, proximity pairing and/or continuity of a user experience with an application when the user transitions from the transmitting electronic device to the receiving electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques for coalescing alert notifications for applications and/or services to a primary user device of a set of multiple associated user devices within proximity of each other. When a user device is not in proximity to other associated user devices, the user device functions as a primary user device and provides alert notifications based on a default configuration and/or a user configurable setting. When the user device is within proximity of one or more other associated user devices, the user devices exchange relevant capability information and information for applications that are synchronized via network-based services. The user devices negotiate to determine a user device that serves as the primary user device to provide alert notifications for a set of applications and services common to a set of user devices. The other user devices are configured to reduce and/or suppress the alert notifications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reduction of interference between a plurality of wireless interfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, a device having a first (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface and a second (e.g., Bluetooth) interface monitors interference between its interfaces. A reduction in transmit power of the Wi-Fi module causes a disproportionately larger reduction in undesirable interference experienced at the Bluetooth antennas. For example, when the Bluetooth interface detects interference levels above acceptable thresholds, the Wi-Fi interface adjusts operation of one or more of its transmit chains based on various conditions such as duty cycle, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), etc. Various embodiments of the present invention provide simultaneous operation of WLAN and PAN interfaces, without requiring time division coexistence, by reducing power on a subset of interfering antennas.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein disclose techniques for enabling a user device to seamlessly establish a secure, high-bandwidth wireless connection with a vehicle accessory system to enable the user device to wirelessly stream user interface (UI) information to the vehicle accessory system. To implement this technique, a lower-bandwidth wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) is used as an initial means for establishing a Wi-Fi pairing between the user device and the vehicle accessory system. Wi-Fi parameters associated with a Wi-Fi network provided by the vehicle accessory system can be communicated to the user device using the lower-bandwidth wireless technology. A secure Wi-Fi connection can then be established between the user device and the vehicle accessory system using the provided Wi-Fi parameters. The embodiments also disclose a technique for enabling the user device to automatically reconnect with the vehicle accessory system in a seamless manner (e.g., when returning to a vehicle).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reduction of interference between a plurality of wireless interfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, a device having a first (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface and a second (e.g., Bluetooth) interface monitors interference between its interfaces. A reduction in transmit power of the Wi-Fi module causes a disproportionately larger reduction in undesirable interference experienced at the Bluetooth antennas. For example, when the Bluetooth interface detects interference levels above acceptable thresholds, the Wi-Fi interface adjusts operation of one or more of its transmit chains based on various conditions such as duty cycle, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), etc. Various embodiments of the present invention provide simultaneous operation of WLAN and PAN interfaces, without requiring time division coexistence, by reducing power on a subset of interfering antennas.

Abstract: In order to reduce latency and overhead during the device discovery process, operations involved in pairing of two electronic devices may be predefined. In particular, when a user specifies a new electronic device in a list of their electronic devices, a computer provides a notification to these electronic devices. In response to the notification, a given one of the electronic devices generates encryption information and identification information for the given electronic device, and provides this encryption information and identification information to the new electronic device via a network (such as the Internet). Then, the new electronic device generates encryption information and identification information for the new electronic device, and provides this encryption information and identification information to the given electronic device via the network. This pairing information may subsequently facilitate secure wireless communication between the two electronic devices.

Abstract: Intelligent handoff across different content modalities during streaming of content is discussed herein. Content modalities represent different mechanisms by which content may be streamed to a playback device and include transport modality, source modality, and playback modality. Electronic devices may detect, a change in an operating condition of the streaming content and may make a determination as to whether the change triggers a hand-off involving one or more of these modalities.

Abstract: The embodiments set forth herein disclose techniques for enabling a user device to seamlessly establish a secure, high-bandwidth wireless connection with a vehicle accessory system to enable the user device to wirelessly stream user interface (UI) information to the vehicle accessory system. To implement this technique, a lower-bandwidth wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth) is used as an initial means for establishing a Wi-Fi pairing between the user device and the vehicle accessory system. Wi-Fi parameters associated with a Wi-Fi network provided by the vehicle accessory system can be communicated to the user device using the lower-bandwidth wireless technology. A secure Wi-Fi connection can then be established between the user device and the vehicle accessory system using the provided Wi-Fi parameters. The embodiments also disclose a technique for enabling the user device to automatically reconnect with the vehicle accessory system in a seamless manner (e.g., when returning to a vehicle).

Abstract: An interface circuit in a computing device may communicate with user-interface devices using shared slots during time intervals. In particular, the computing device may transmit outgoing messages to the user-interface devices at a first predefined time during sequential time intervals when the user-interface devices transition from a sleep mode to a normal mode. In response, the computing device may receive incoming messages from one or more of the user-interface devices at a second predefined time following the first predefined time during the sequential time intervals. Then, the computing device may transmit a multicast message to the user-interface devices at a third predefined time during the sequential time intervals. In response to the given multicast message, one of the user-interface devices may communicate data to the computing device. Note that, in some instances, a multicast time slot may instead be used to communicate data to one of the user-interface devices.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates communication with a first electronic device from a second electronic device. During operation, the system establishes a peer-to-peer connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device on a first physical network interface. Next, the system uses the peer-to-peer connection to obtain, on the second electronic device, a first set of network-interface capabilities for the first electronic device. Finally, the system switches the peer-to-peer connection to a second physical network interface based on at least one of the first set of network-interface capabilities and one or more characteristics associated with the peer-to-peer connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering from a low power state in a computing system is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method, the computing system enters the low power state from a standard power state after an activity detector indicates a user controlled peripheral device connected to the computer system has been inactive for a period of time. To enter the low power state, the method disconnects the user controlled peripheral device from a host controller, while continuing to supply power to the user controlled peripheral device and shutting off power to the host controller. The method returns the computer system to the standard power state when the activity detector indicates the user controlled peripheral device has become active. To return to the standard power state, power is restored to the host controller and the user controlled peripheral device is reconnected to the host controller.

Abstract: In order to reduce the power consumption of a receiving electronic device, received advertising beacons may be filtered so that the receiving electronic device selectively transitions from a power-saving mode to a normal operating mode. For example, the receiving electronic device may receive a beacon with advertising information for a transmitting electronic device. If the advertising information is changed relative to a previous version of the advertising information for the transmitting electronic device, the receiving electronic device may transition from the power-saving mode to the normal operating mode. In this way, the receiving electronic device may ‘wake up’ if it receives an advertisement that it wants to act on, such as advertisements for: file sharing, wireless streaming of information, proximity pairing and/or continuity of a user experience with an application when the user transitions from the transmitting electronic device to the receiving electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques for coalescing alert notifications for applications and/or services to a primary user device of a set of multiple associated user devices within proximity of each other. When a user device is not in proximity to other associated user devices, the user device functions as a primary user device and provides alert notifications based on a default configuration and/or a user configurable setting. When the user device is within proximity of one or more other associated user devices, the user devices exchange relevant capability information and information for applications that are synchronized via network-based services. The user devices negotiate to determine a user device that serves as the primary user device to provide alert notifications for a set of applications and services common to a set of user devices. The other user devices are configured to reduce and/or suppress the alert notifications.