Abstract: The technology relates to establishing wireless communication links, or connections, between a first audio accessory device, a second audio accessory device, and a client computing device. After receiving signals from the client computing device to initiate audio output, the first audio accessory device and the second audio accessory device may both perform a series of steps in parallel to establish connections with the client computing device and with each other. The series of steps may include relaying one or more acknowledgement (ACK) signals between the audio accessory devices in order to confirm proper receipt of the signals from the client computing device at both audio accessory devices. Alternatively, the series of steps may include transmitting a jamming signal from one of the audio accessory devices in order to prevent an ACK signal from the other audio accessory device from reaching the client computing device and initiating audio output.

Abstract: Role switch between wirelessly paired master/slave devices may be performed without perceived glitches in audio. The devices negotiate an anchor point, such as a point in time or a point in relation to other events, for performing the role switch. To prepare for the role switch prior to the anchor point, the devices communicate a variety of information, such as information for communicating with the host device after the role switch and information for bit processing after the role switch. The slave device may use such information to serve in the master role, without the host knowing that a role switch occurred.

Abstract: Embodiments help to provide a cross-device security schema for an audio device and a master device to which it is tethered (e.g., a smartphone). An example security scheme provides flexible mechanisms for locking and unlocking the audio device and the device to which it is tethered. For instance, an example security scheme may include: (a) an unlock sync feature that unlocks the audio device and keeps the audio device unlocked whenever the master device is unlocked, (b) a separate audio device unlock process that unlocks the audio device only (without unlocking the master device, and (c) an on-head detection process that, in at least some scenarios, locks the audio device in response to a determination that the audio device is not being worn.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for detection of conditions, and triggering role switch between wirelessly paired devices in response to detection of particular conditions. In response to detection of particular conditions, a primary device may switch roles with a secondary device. Such conditions may include battery level of each device, signal strength of each device, audio buffer levels, whether the devices are being worn by a user, whether a microphone is active, historic data, or any combination of these or other conditions.

Abstract: The technology relates to establishing wireless communication links, or connections, between a first audio accessory device, a second audio accessory device, and a client computing device. After receiving signals from the client computing device to initiate audio output, the first audio accessory device and the second audio accessory device may both perform a series of steps in parallel to establish connections with the client computing device and with each other. The series of steps may include relaying one or more acknowledgement (ACK) signals between the audio accessory devices in order to confirm proper receipt of the signals from the client computing device at both audio accessory devices. Alternatively, the series of steps may include transmitting a jamming signal from one of the audio accessory devices in order to prevent an ACK signal from the other audio accessory device from reaching the client computing device and initiating audio output.

Abstract: The technology relates to establishing wireless communication links, or connections, between a first audio accessory device, a second audio accessory device, and a client computing device. After receiving signals from the client computing device to initiate audio output, the first audio accessory device and the second audio accessory device may both perform a series of steps in parallel to establish connections with the client computing device and with each other. The series of steps may include relaying one or more acknowledgement (ACK) signals between the audio accessory devices in order to confirm proper receipt of the signals from the client computing device at both audio accessory devices. Alternatively, the series of steps may include transmitting a jamming signal from one of the audio accessory devices in order to prevent an ACK signal from the other audio accessory device from reaching the client computing device and initiating audio output.

Abstract: Local wireless networking is used to establish a multi-language translation group between users that speak more than two different languages such that when one user speaks into his or her computing device, that user's computing device may perform automated speech recognition, and in some instances, translation to a different language, to generate non-audio data for communication to the computing devices of other users in the group. The other users' computing devices then generate spoken audio outputs suitable for their respective users using the received non-audio data. The generation of the spoken audio outputs on the other users' computing devices may also include performing a translation, thereby enabling each user to receive spoken audio output in their desired language in response to speech input from another user, and irrespective of the original language of the speech input.

Abstract: A buffer size of an electronic media accessory, such as a wireless audio or video player, is dynamically adjusted based on machine learning optimizations balancing low latency and high media quality. A host device that is wirelessly paired with the electronic media accessory may detect various environmental conditions, and communicate a recommended buffer size to the electronic accessory based on such conditions. The electronic accessory adjusts its buffer in accordance with the recommended size, thereby achieving a latency of approximately 100 ms or less in good RF conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.

Abstract: Local wireless networking is used to establish a multi-language translation group between users that speak more than two different languages such that when one user speaks into his or her computing device, that user's computing device may perform automated speech recognition, and in some instances, translation to a different language, to generate non-audio data for communication to the computing devices of other users in the group. The other users' computing devices then generate spoken audio outputs suitable for their respective users using the received non-audio data. The generation of the spoken audio outputs on the other users' computing devices may also include performing a translation, thereby enabling each user to receive spoken audio output in their desired language in response to speech input from another user, and irrespective of the original language of the speech input.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for detection of conditions, and triggering role switch between wirelessly paired devices in response to detection of particular conditions. In response to detection of particular conditions, a primary device may switch roles with a secondary device. Such conditions may include battery level of each device, signal strength of each device, audio buffer levels, whether the devices are being worn by a user, whether a microphone is active, historic data, or any combination of these or other conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for role switch with perceptible continuity of audio streaming during the role switch. The role switch occurs in two stages, with a first stage including a host link role switch and a second stage including a relay link role switch. For example, the host link role switch concerns the relationship of each audio receiver device to the host device, where the master device receives audio directly from the host for relay to the slave. The relay link role switch concerns a relationship between the audio receiver devices. For example, the communication master controls timing, such as when to send packets between the master and slave devices. Each stage of the two stage procedure may take approximately 100 ms or less. Between each stage, the audio buffers of the master and slave devices have an opportunity to refill.

Abstract: The technology relates to establishing wireless communication links, or connections, between a first audio accessory device, a second audio accessory device, and a client computing device. After receiving signals from the client computing device to initiate audio output, the first audio accessory device and the second audio accessory device may both perform a series of steps in parallel to establish connections with the client computing device and with each other. The series of steps may include relaying one or more acknowledgement (ACK) signals between the audio accessory devices in order to confirm proper receipt of the signals from the client computing device at both audio accessory devices. Alternatively, the series of steps may include transmitting a jamming signal from one of the audio accessory devices in order to prevent an ACK signal from the other audio accessory device from reaching the client computing device and initiating audio output.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve driving an audio output module of a wearable device with a first audio signal and then receiving, via at least one microphone of wearable device, a second audio signal comprising first ambient noise. The device may determine that the first ambient noise is indicative of user speech and responsively duck the first audio signal. While the first audio signal is ducked, the device may detect, in a subsequent portion of the second audio signal, second ambient noise, and determine that the second ambient noise is indicative of ambient speech. Responsive to the determination that the second ambient noise is indicative of ambient speech, the device may continue the ducking of the first audio signal.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve driving an audio output module of a wearable device with a first audio signal and then receiving, via at least one microphone of wearable device, a second audio signal comprising first ambient noise. The device may determine that the first ambient noise is indicative of user speech and responsively duck the first audio signal. While the first audio signal is ducked, the device may detect, in a subsequent portion of the second audio signal, second ambient noise, and determine that the second ambient noise is indicative of ambient speech. Responsive to the determination that the second ambient noise is indicative of ambient speech, the device may continue the ducking of the first audio signal.

Abstract: Embodiments help to provide a cross-device security schema for an audio device and a master device to which it is tethered (e.g., a smartphone). An example security scheme provides flexible mechanisms for locking and unlocking the audio device and the device to which it is tethered. For instance, an example security scheme may include: (a) an unlock sync feature that unlocks the audio device and keeps the audio device unlocked whenever the master device is unlocked, (b) a separate audio device unlock process that unlocks the audio device only (without unlocking the master device, and (c) an on-head detection process that, in at least some scenarios, locks the audio device in response to a determination that the audio device is not being worn.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve driving an audio output module of a wearable device with a first audio signal and then receiving, via at least one microphone of wearable device, a second audio signal comprising first ambient noise. The device may determine that the first ambient noise is indicative of user speech and responsively duck the first audio signal. While the first audio signal is ducked, the device may detect, in a subsequent portion of the second audio signal, second ambient noise, and determine that the second ambient noise is indicative of ambient speech. Responsive to the determination that the second ambient noise is indicative of ambient speech, the device may continue the ducking of the first audio signal.

Abstract: Embodiments help to provide a cross-device security schema for an audio device and a master device to which it is tethered (e.g., a smartphone). An example security scheme provides flexible mechanisms for locking and unlocking the audio device and the device to which it is tethered. For instance, an example security scheme may include: (a) an unlock sync feature that unlocks the audio device and keeps the audio device unlocked whenever the master device is unlocked, (b) a separate audio device unlock process that unlocks the audio device only (without unlocking the master device, and (c) an on-head detection process that, in at least some scenarios, locks the audio device in response to a determination that the audio device is not being worn.