Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can manage the activity of accessories connected to a mobile computing device. A mobile computing device can be connected to any number of accessories through wireless or physical connections. Processing and resource limitations at the mobile computing device limit the number of accessories that can feasibly interoperate with the mobile computing device at any one time. In some embodiments, a threshold value is placed on the number of accessories with which a mobile computing device can interoperate at any one time. This threshold value can depend on the types of accessories, the application(s) executing on the mobile computing device, the processing power, whether media output resource are being used, etc. In response to a threshold number of accessories being connected, the mobile computing device can deactivate accessories.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a touch input device using an accessory communicatively coupled to the device are disclosed. In one aspect, an accessibility framework is launched on the device. An accessory coupled to the device is detected. Receipt of input from the accessory is enabled. An accessibility packet is received from the accessory. The accessibility packet includes an accessibility command and one or more parameters. The accessibility packet is processed to extract the first accessibility command and the one or more parameters. Input is generated for the accessibility framework based on the accessibility command and the one or more parameters. In some implementations, the device also sends accessibility commands to the accessory, either in response to accessibility commands received from the accessory or independent of any received accessibility commands.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating communication between a portable media device (PMD) and an accessory via multiple communication paths. In one set of embodiments, an accessory can be coupled with a PMD via a first connection, thereby establishing a first control communication path. The accessory can send to the PMD, via the first control communication path, an enumeration of the communication paths supported by the accessory. The enumerated communication paths can include control communication paths and data (e.g., audio or video) communication paths. The accessory can further send, to the PMD via the first control communication path, an availability status of each data communication path. In response, the PMD can select, based on a routing policy, one or more of the data communication paths and can notify the accessory of the selected data communication path. The PMD and accessory can then interoperate by exchanging data signals over the selected data communication path.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a touch input device using an accessory communicatively coupled to the device are disclosed. In one aspect, an accessibility framework is launched on the device. An accessory coupled to the device is detected. Receipt of input from the accessory is enabled. An accessibility packet is received from the accessory. The accessibility packet includes an accessibility command and one or more parameters. The accessibility packet is processed to extract the first accessibility command and the one or more parameters. Input is generated for the accessibility framework based on the accessibility command and the one or more parameters. In some implementations, the device also sends accessibility commands to the accessory, either in response to accessibility commands received from the accessory or independent of any received accessibility commands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating interoperation between a portable media device having an RF tuner and an accessory device. In certain embodiments, the portable media device and the accessory can exchange various commands pertaining to the capabilities, state, and/or operation of the tuner. For example, in one set of embodiments the accessory can send one or more commands requesting information about the capabilities of the tuner, and the portable media device can provide the requested capability information. In another set of embodiments, the accessory can send one or more commands requesting execution of a particular action with respect to the tuner, and the portable media device can perform the requested action. In this manner, certain embodiments of the present invention enable a user to control the tuner functionality of the portable media device via the accessory, rather than, e.g., via an input interface located directly on the portable media device.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating communication between a portable media device (PMD) and an accessory via multiple communication paths. In one set of embodiments, an accessory can be coupled with a PMD via a first connection, thereby establishing a first control communication path. The accessory can send to the PMD, via the first control communication path, an enumeration of the communication paths supported by the accessory. The enumerated communication paths can include control communication paths and data (e.g., audio or video) communication paths. The accessory can further send, to the PMD via the first control communication path, an availability status of each data communication path. In response, the PMD can select, based on a routing policy, one or more of the data communication paths and can notify the accessory of the selected data communication path. The PMD and accessory can then interoperate by exchanging data signals over the selected data communication path.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow sports or other equipment, such as gym or other cardio equipment, to write data to a media player. Examples further provide the uploading of this data to a computer and third-party website. To monitor progress, the third-party website can be used to track workout data over time. The third party-website can also collect data from other users, which is particularly useful for providing a competitive environment. This data can then be graphically displayed in various ways to provide encouragement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide various communication techniques for communication between a mobile computing device and an accessory. An accessory protocol that is generic to the mobile computing device can be used for some communication. An application executing at the mobile computing device can communicate with the accessory using an application communication protocol. In some embodiments, the application communication protocol can be different from the accessory communication protocol. In other embodiments the application protocol may only be recognized by the application and the accessory. In some embodiments, messages conforming to an application protocol can be communicated between the application and the accessory by packaging the messages inside a message conforming to the accessory communication protocol.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that allow sports or other equipment, such as gym or other cardio equipment, to write data to a media player. Examples further provide the uploading of this data to a computer and third-party website. To monitor progress, the third-party website can be used to track workout data over time. The third party-website can also collect data from other users, which is particularly useful for providing a competitive environment. This data can then be graphically displayed in various ways to provide encouragement.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling a touch input device using an accessory communicatively coupled to the device are disclosed. In one aspect, an accessibility framework is launched on the device. An accessory coupled to the device is detected. Receipt of input from the accessory is enabled. An accessibility packet is received from the accessory. The accessibility packet includes an accessibility command and one or more parameters. The accessibility packet is processed to extract the first accessibility command and the one or more parameters. Input is generated for the accessibility framework based on the accessibility command and the one or more parameters. In some implementations, the device also sends accessibility commands to the accessory, either in response to accessibility commands received from the accessory or independent of any received accessibility commands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can manage the activity of accessories connected to a mobile computing device. A mobile computing device can be connected to any number of accessories through wireless or physical connections. Processing and resource limitations at the mobile computing device limit the number of accessories that can feasibly interoperate with the mobile computing device at any one time. In some embodiments, a threshold value is placed on the number of accessories with which a mobile computing device can interoperate at any one time. This threshold value can depend on the types of accessories, the application(s) executing on the mobile computing device, the processing power, whether media output resource are being used, etc. In response to a threshold number of accessories being connected, the mobile computing device can deactivate accessories.