Abstract: Apparatus and methods to communicate audio data from either an active wireless device or a requesting wireless device to one or more audio reproduction devices that are simultaneously communicatively coupled to both the active wireless device and to the requesting wireless device are disclosed. Responsive to a request from the requesting wireless device to transmit audio data to the one or more audio reproduction devices, the active wireless device determines whether to transmit audio data from the requesting wireless device based at least in part on an audio status of the active wireless device and a set of predetermined arbitration criteria that prioritizes among applications and operating system processes that generate the audio data.

Abstract: This is directed to controlling the output of audio based on the mode of an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to an electronic device having a sound mode, silent mode, and mute mode controlling the output of audio along different audio output routes. In the sound mode, all audio can be output, while only registered or authorized audio can be output in the silent mode. In the mute mode, no audio can be output. The sound and silent modes can be enabled using an interface of the device (e.g., a switch having two possible states), while the mute mode can be enabled using an accessory coupled to the device. To disengage the mute mode, a user can provide a corresponding instruction using the accessory, or providing an instruction on the device related to volume control. For example, a user can change the device volume using an on-device interface, or toggle a sound/silent switch to a sound mode.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to communicate audio data from either an active wireless device or a requesting wireless device to one or more audio reproduction devices that are simultaneously communicatively coupled to both the active wireless device and to the requesting wireless device are disclosed. Responsive to a request from the requesting wireless device to transmit audio data to the one or more audio reproduction devices, the active wireless device determines whether to transmit audio data from the requesting wireless device based at least in part on an audio status of the active wireless device and a set of predetermined arbitration criteria that prioritizes among applications and operating system processes that generate the audio data.

Abstract: An operating system of a device receives, from an application executing on that device, data that identifies a category of hardware resources that the application needs to use in order to function. That category is mapped to a specified set of hardware resources of the device. The operating system also receives, from the application, data that identifies a mode. The mode corresponds to an intended use of a set of hardware resources and is mapped to a group of hardware resource settings that are consistent with the intended use. The operating system allocates, to the application, a particular set of hardware resources that are mapped to the category. The operating system configures one or more hardware resources in the particular set of hardware resources in conformity with a particular group of settings that are mapped to the mode.

Abstract: This is directed to controlling the output of audio based on the mode of an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to an electronic device having a sound mode, silent mode, and mute mode controlling the output of audio along different audio output routes. In the sound mode, all audio can be output, while only registered or authorized audio can be output in the silent mode. In the mute mode, no audio can be output. The sound and silent modes can be enabled using an interface of the device (e.g., a switch having two possible states), while the mute mode can be enabled using an accessory coupled to the device. To disengage the mute mode, a user can provide a corresponding instruction using the accessory, or providing an instruction on the device related to volume control. For example, a user can change the device volume using an on-device interface, or toggle a sound/silent switch to a sound mode.

Abstract: An operating system of a device receives, from an application executing on that device, data that identifies a category of hardware resources that the application needs to use in order to function. That category is mapped to a specified set of hardware resources of the device. The operating system also receives, from the application, data that identifies a mode. The mode corresponds to an intended use of a set of hardware resources and is mapped to a group of hardware resource settings that are consistent with the intended use. The operating system allocates, to the application, a particular set of hardware resources that are mapped to the category. The operating system configures one or more hardware resources in the particular set of hardware resources in conformity with a particular group of settings that are mapped to the mode.

Abstract: This is directed to controlling the output of audio based on the mode of an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to an electronic device having a sound mode, silent mode, and mute mode controlling the output of audio along different audio output routes. In the sound mode, all audio can be output, while only registered or authorized audio can be output in the silent mode. In the mute mode, no audio can be output. The sound and silent modes can be enabled using an interface of the device (e.g., a switch having two possible states), while the mute mode can be enabled using an accessory coupled to the device. To disengage the mute mode, a user can provide a corresponding instruction using the accessory, or providing an instruction on the device related to volume control. For example, a user can change the device volume using an on-device interface, or toggle a sound/silent switch to a sound mode.

Abstract: An operating system of a device receives, from an application executing on that device, data that identifies a category of hardware resources that the application needs to use in order to function. That category is mapped to a specified set of hardware resources of the device. The operating system also receives, from the application, data that identifies a mode. The mode corresponds to an intended use of a set of hardware resources and is mapped to a group of hardware resource settings that are consistent with the intended use. The operating system allocates, to the application, a particular set of hardware resources that are mapped to the category. The operating system configures one or more hardware resources in the particular set of hardware resources in conformity with a particular group of settings that are mapped to the mode.

Abstract: An operating system of a device receives, from an application executing on that device, data that identifies a category of hardware resources that the application needs to use in order to function. That category is mapped to a specified set of hardware resources of the device. The operating system also receives, from the application, data that identifies a mode. The mode corresponds to an intended use of a set of hardware resources and is mapped to a group of hardware resource settings that are consistent with the intended use. The operating system allocates, to the application, a particular set of hardware resources that are mapped to the category. The operating system configures one or more hardware resources in the particular set of hardware resources in conformity with a particular group of settings that are mapped to the mode.

Abstract: This is directed to controlling the output of audio based on the mode of an electronic device. In particular, this is directed to an electronic device having a sound mode, silent mode, and mute mode controlling the output of audio along different audio output routes. In the sound mode, all audio can be output, while only registered or authorized audio can be output in the silent mode. In the mute mode, no audio can be output. The sound and silent modes can be enabled using an interface of the device (e.g., a switch having two possible states), while the mute mode can be enabled using an accessory coupled to the device. To disengage the mute mode, a user can provide a corresponding instruction using the accessory, or providing an instruction on the device related to volume control. For example, a user can change the device volume using an on-device interface, or toggle a sound/silent switch to a sound mode.