Patent ID: 8179802

Claim:
A method for managing audio contention, comprising: receiving a request by a device, wherein the device comprises a feature module; entering into a first state by the device, wherein the first state allows the device to use an audio channel in an upstream direction, wherein the device in the first state determines an outcome selected from one of: a failure outcome for the request, a success outcome for the request, and a continue outcome for the request; forwarding the request in a downstream direction if the continue outcome is determined by the device; entering into a third state, wherein the third state causes the device to enter into an audio-transparent state, wherein the audio-transparent state is a state in which the device does not contend for the audio channel; and causing the device to enter into a fourth state upon detecting a success event, wherein the fourth state allows the device to use the audio channel in the upstream direction, wherein the fourth state allows the device to use the audio channel in the downstream direction, wherein the fourth state disallows the device from connecting an upstream channel to a downstream channel.