PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11356562-B2
Application Number: US-201916568786-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Transferring an active telephone conversation

Abstract:
According to one embodiment, a computing device may conduct an active telephone conversation and a proximity of the computing device to a second computing device may be determined to be within a predetermined distance. Moreover, a determination of a capability of the second computing device to conduct a telephone conversation may be made, and in response to such determinations, the active telephone conversation may be transferred from the computing device to the second computing device. In an example, when a user holding a telephone conversation moves near a smart speaker, the telephone conversation may be transferred to the smart speaker from the user&#39;s mobile device, should the user desire such a transfer. Moreover, as the user moves around, the telephone conversation may move with the user from device to device, enabling a seamless and intuitive telephone conversation experience for the user.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 conducting, by a mobile telephone, an active telephone conversation; 
 detecting, by the mobile telephone, that the mobile telephone is within a predetermined distance to a plurality of smart speakers; 
 determining, by the mobile telephone, that the mobile telephone is closest to a first smart speaker of the plurality of smart speakers; 
 determining, by the mobile telephone, whether that the first smart speaker is configured to conduct a telephone conversation; 
 displaying, by the mobile telephone, a notification on a display of the mobile telephone in response to detecting that the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the first smart speaker, wherein the notification displays a selectable option to transfer the active telephone conversation; and 
 transferring, by the mobile telephone, the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone to the first smart speaker in response to: 
 a) detecting that the first smart speaker is configured to conduct the telephone conversation without aid of the mobile telephone; 
 b) detecting that the mobile telephone is within the predetermined distance to the first smart speaker; 
 c) detecting that the mobile telephone is closest to the first smart speaker than any other smart speaker of the plurality of smart speakers, and 
 d) receiving selection of the option to transfer the active telephone conversation, wherein the first smart speaker conducts the telephone conversation independent of the mobile telephone subsequent to the transferring. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising determining, by the mobile telephone, a distance to the first smart speaker by measuring a strength of a signal transmitted by the first smart speaker, the signal being received via a microphone or a radio frequency receiver of the mobile telephone, wherein the first smart speaker comprises at least one speaker and at least one microphone, wherein the mobile telephone directly transfers the active telephone conversation to the first smart speaker. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 subsequent to transferring the active telephone conversation: detecting, by the mobile telephone, that the first smart speaker is farther than a second predetermined distance from the mobile telephone; and 
 transferring, by the mobile telephone, the active telephone conversation from the first smart speaker back to the mobile telephone in response to detecting that:
 the first smart speaker is farther than the second predetermined distance from the mobile telephone; and 
 the first smart speaker is conducting the active telephone conversation. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 presenting, by the mobile telephone, a notification on a display of the mobile telephone while the mobile telephone is in a locked state in response to detecting that:
 the first smart speaker is farther than the second predetermined distance from the mobile telephone; and 
 the first smart speaker is conducting the active telephone conversation. 
 
 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the notification includes a selectable option to transfer the active telephone conversation, and wherein the transferring the active telephone conversation from the first smart speaker back to the mobile telephone is further in response to receiving selection of the option to transfer the active telephone conversation. 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 automatically transferring, by the mobile telephone, the active telephone conversation from the first smart speaker back to the mobile telephone in response to detecting that a user has placed the mobile telephone in a position normally associated with conducting a telephone call. 
 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting, by the mobile telephone, that the mobile telephone is closer to a second smart speaker of the plurality of smart speakers than it is to the first smart speaker; and 
 sending, by the mobile telephone, a message to the first smart speaker to transfer the active telephone conversation from the first smart speaker to the second smart speaker in response to detecting that the mobile telephone is closer to the second smart speaker than to the first smart speaker. 
 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting, by the mobile telephone, a position of the mobile telephone, 
 wherein the transferring the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone to the first smart speaker is further in response to detecting that a user has placed the mobile telephone in a resting position proximate to the first smart speaker. 
 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 detecting, by a smart speaker, that a mobile telephone is within a predetermined distance and closer to the smart speaker than a second smart speaker, the smart speaker and the second smart speaker each being configured to conduct a telephone conversation, wherein the smart speaker is configured to conduct the telephone conversation without aid of the mobile telephone; 
 determining, by the smart speaker, that an active telephone conversation is being conducted on the mobile telephone; 
 sending, by the smart speaker, a notification to be presented on a display of the mobile telephone in response to detecting that the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the smart speaker, wherein the notification displays a selectable option to transfer the active telephone conversation; 
 transferring, by the smart speaker, the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone to the smart speaker in response to detecting that: 
 a) the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the smart speaker; 
 b) the mobile telephone is closer to the smart speaker than the second smart speaker; and 
 c) the option to transfer the active telephone conversation has been selected; and 
 conducting and continuing, by the smart speaker, the active telephone conversation independently of the mobile telephone. 
 
     
     
       10. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising determining, by the smart speaker, a distance to the mobile telephone by measuring a strength of a signal transmitted by the mobile telephone, the signal being received via a microphone or a radio frequency receiver of the smart speaker, wherein the smart speaker directly transfers the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       11. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 subsequent to transferring the active telephone conversation: detecting, by the smart speaker, that the mobile telephone is farther than a second predetermined distance from the smart speaker; and 
 transferring, by the smart speaker, the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the mobile telephone in response to detecting that:
 the mobile telephone is farther than the second predetermined distance from the smart speaker; and 
 the smart speaker is conducting the active telephone conversation. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 sending, by the smart speaker, a notification to be presented on a display of the mobile telephone in response to detecting that:
 the mobile telephone is farther than the second predetermined distance from the smart speaker; and 
 the smart speaker is conducting the active telephone conversation. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the notification includes a selectable option to transfer the active telephone conversation, and wherein the transferring the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the mobile telephone is further in response to receiving selection of the option to transfer the active telephone conversation. 
     
     
       14. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 automatically transferring, by the smart speaker, the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the mobile telephone in response to detecting that a user has placed the mobile telephone in a position normally associated with conducting a telephone call. 
 
     
     
       15. The method as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the smart speaker, a message indicating that the mobile telephone is closer to the second smart speaker than it is to the smart speaker; and 
 transferring, by the smart speaker, the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the second smart speaker in response to receiving the message indicating that the mobile telephone is closer to the second smart speaker. 
 
     
     
       16. The method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the smart speaker determines a distance to the mobile telephone using near field communication (NFC). 
     
     
       17. A system comprising:
 a processor; and 
 one or more sets of instructions that when executed by the processor, cause: 
 conducting, by a mobile telephone, an active telephone conversation; 
 detecting, by the mobile telephone, that the mobile telephone is within a predetermined distance to a plurality of smart speakers; 
 determining, by the mobile telephone, that the mobile telephone is closest to a first smart speaker of the plurality of smart speakers; 
 determining, by the mobile telephone, whether that the first smart speaker is configured to conduct a telephone conversation; 
 displaying, by the mobile telephone, a notification on a display of the mobile telephone in response to detecting that the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the first smart speaker, wherein the notification displays a selectable option to transfer the active telephone conversation; and 
 transferring, by the mobile telephone, the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone directly to the first smart speaker in response to detecting that: 
 a) detecting that the first smart speaker is configured to conduct the telephone conversation without aid of the mobile telephone; 
 b) detecting that the mobile telephone is within the predetermined distance to the first smart speaker; 
 c) detecting that the mobile telephone is closest to the first smart speaker than any other smart speaker of the plurality of smart speakers, and 
 d) receiving selection of the option to transfer the active telephone conversation, 
 wherein the first smart speaker conducts the telephone conversation independent of the mobile telephone subsequent to the transferring. 
 
     
     
       18. A system comprising:
 a processor; and 
 one or more sets of instructions that when executed by the processor, cause: 
 detecting, by a smart speaker, that a mobile telephone is within a predetermined distance and closer to the smart speaker than a second smart speaker, the smart speaker and the second smart speaker each being configured to conduct a telephone conversation, wherein the smart speaker is configured to conduct the telephone conversation independently of the mobile telephone; 
 determining, by the smart speaker, that an active telephone conversation is being conducted on the mobile telephone; 
 sending, by the smart speaker, a notification to be presented on a display of the mobile telephone in response to detecting that the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the smart speaker, wherein the notification displays a selectable option to transfer the active telephone conversation; 
 transferring, by the smart speaker, the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone directly to the smart speaker in response to detecting that: 
 a) the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the smart speaker; 
 b) the mobile telephone is closer to the smart speaker than the second smart speaker; and 
 c) the option to transfer the active telephone conversation has been selected; and 
 managing and continuing, by the smart speaker, the active telephone conversation independently of the mobile telephone.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure generally relates to managing telephone conversations, and more particularly to transferring an active telephone conversation from one device to another device while continuing the conversation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many people have smart devices that are capable of providing certain functions, that may be complemented with additional functions from online accessible marketplaces. Some smart devices may be capable of responding to commands and providing responses, such as via the use of speakers and microphones. For example, a user of a smart device may purchase goods and services, search for words or phrases, play or stream music, display images, play or stream videos, etc. In addition, these smart devices may be used to communicate with other devices that are configured to share data, messages, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some implementations, a computing device may conduct an active telephone conversation and a proximity of the computing device to a second computing device may be determined to be within a predetermined distance. Moreover, a determination of a capability of the second computing device to conduct a telephone conversation may be made, and in response to such determinations, the active telephone conversation may be transferred from the computing device to the second computing device. 
     Particular implementations provide at least the following advantages. When a user conducting a telephone conversation on a mobile telephone moves to a location where one or more smart speaker devices are located, it is beneficial for the active telephone conversation to be transferred to a closest of the smart speaker devices for continuation on the closest smart speaker device, should the user desire such a transfer. By conducting the telephone conversation on a smart speaker, the user is able to dispose of the mobile telephone, freeing up the user&#39;s hands for other tasks. Moreover, as the user moves around an area, the active telephone conversation may move with the user, enabling a seamless and intuitive telephone conversation experience for the user. Additionally, should the user remove the mobile telephone from the location of the smart speakers, the telephone conversation may be transferred back to the mobile telephone, allowing the conversation to continue to move with the user outside of the location. The transfer of this telephone conversation from device to device may be performed automatically without user interaction in some approaches. 
     Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and potential advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a system for transferring an active telephone conversation between devices, in one example. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show a system for managing an active telephone conversation in several examples. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate example graphical user interfaces for transferring an active telephone conversation from one computing device to another computing device. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an example method for managing an active telephone conversation. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of another example method for managing an active telephone conversation. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of another example method for managing an active telephone conversation. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an example computing device that may implement the features and processes of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Smart speakers are becoming more and more commonly installed in homes, offices, and other familiar places for people. Having these smart speakers installed allows a person to interact with the smart speaker when at the familiar place. Some example interactions include requesting and receiving information through a voice-responsive interface using voice commands, controlling compatible devices with voice commands, receiving audible updates and reminders, etc. Sometimes, a person may arrive at a location where a smart speaker is installed while conducting a telephone conversation on a mobile telephone. It may be convenient for the person to be able to continue the telephone conversation while at the location using the smart speaker, with the smart speaker acting as a speakerphone and microphone for the person to be able to conduct the telephone conversation. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  for managing telephone conversations is shown in one embodiment. In particular, system  100  may be used to transfer an active telephone conversation between computing devices. The system  100  includes a mobile telephone device  102  in electrical communication with a smart speaker device  104 . The system  100  is designed to provide convenience to a user engaged in the active telephone conversation on the mobile telephone device  102  when the telephone device  102  is brought within a predetermined proximity to (e.g., closer than a threshold distance, referred to herein as being “proximate to”) the smart speaker device  104 . The discovery of the mobile telephone device  102  being brought within the predetermined proximity to the smart speaker device  104  may trigger the telephone conversation to be transferred to the smart speaker device  104  from the mobile telephone device  102 . Thereafter, the user may continue the telephone conversation with the smart speaker device  104  without any further interaction with the mobile telephone device  102 . 
     As used herein, a mobile telephone device  102  is a computing device configured to communicate via one or more cellular and/or satellite communication systems (e.g., the mobile communications network  116 ). Although a mobile telephone device  102  is shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  is not restricted to use with mobile telephones, as any computing device capable of communicating via one or more mobile communications networks  116  to conduct a telephone conversation may be used in system  100 , such as a smartphone, a satellite phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, etc. 
     Mobile communication networks  116 , such as cellular and satellite communication systems, are connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to interconnect mobile telephone devices  102  with landline telephone devices. The mobile telephone devices  102  are configured to communicate with other telephone devices, mobile and landline, via one or more mobile communications networks  116  using common protocols, such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN), Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), etc. 
     Moreover, a smart speaker device  104 , as used herein, describes a computing device that includes a speaker  108 , a microphone  110 , a processor  112 , and a memory  114 . The smart speaker device  104  is configured to receive voice commands from a user or audible commands from another computing device, process the received commands, and audibly respond to the commands according to preconfigured routines. Although a smart speaker device  104  is shown in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  is not restricted to use with smart speakers, as any computing device capable of communicating wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.) with the mobile telephone device  102  may be used in system  100 , such as a Bluetooth speaker, a home automation controller, a server device, a router, etc. 
     In some approaches, the smart speaker device  104  may also include an interface for connecting online to a network  106  (e.g., the Internet) and/or to the mobile telephone device  102  to obtain additional resources and information, including downloading additional routines for expanding functionality of the smart speaker device  104 . Moreover, the memory  114  may be used to store the preconfigured routines, and any additional routines, information, and data downloaded to the smart speaker device  104  via network  106  or the mobile telephone device  102 . 
     In one approach, the smart speaker device  104  may also include a display for visually presenting information to a user, such as images, graphics, text, etc., that enable a user to better understand a response to a command or provide information visually that is not easily provided audibly. In a further approach, the display may be touch-sensitive, such that the user may interact with the display to control the smart speaker device  104  and navigate through information presented on the display. 
     The smart speaker device  104  is configured to receive commands and respond to the received commands in a predefined way. For example, when a user asks for the weather, the smart speaker device may relay a current temperature and/or weather, and in some cases future expected temperatures and/or weather patterns. In another example, when a user commands a smart speaker device to turn on a lightbulb using a command that is preconfigured with the smart speaker device, the light bulb may be turned on or instructed to turn on by the smart speaker device. In another example, if the smart speaker device is configured with a touch sensitive display, when the user inputs a command via the display to launch an interactive game application on the smart speaker device, the smart speaker device may launch the interactive game application and proceed to receive input from the user via the touch-sensitive display and/or via voice commands. 
     As used herein, an active telephone conversation describes a telephone conversation that has been started on the mobile telephone device  102 . In one example, the telephone conversation may have been started on the mobile telephone device  102  by placing an outgoing call initiated by dialing a phone number and connecting to another telephone device having the phone number. In another example, the telephone conversation may have been started on another telephone device, and connected with the mobile telephone device  102  via an incoming call that is received and authorized on the mobile telephone device  102  (e.g., the incoming call is not rejected by the mobile telephone device  102 ). In either example, the telephone conversation remains active because neither telephone device has hung up on the call, keeping the connection between the devices operable. 
     In an example, conducting an active telephone conversation may refer to a device (e.g., smartphone, smart speaker, etc.) which is configured to directly or indirectly connect to a mobile communications network  116 , receive voice input from a user, provide audio output to the user, and maintain a connection with a second telecommunications device through the mobile communications network  116  until the call is terminated. 
     In another example, conducting an active telephone conversation may refer to a device (e.g., smartphone, smart speaker, etc.) which is configured to conduct a telephone conversation using Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) to conduct a telephone conversation over IP networks, such as the Internet. In more examples, one or more different types of Internet telephony, broadband telephony, broadband phone service, etc., may be used to provide communications services over the Internet. 
     In one implementation, smart speaker device  104  may be configured to conduct a telephone conversation without aid from any other device. In one example, smart speaker device  104  may utilize VOIP to conduct a telephone conversation over IP networks, such as the Internet. In more examples, one or more different types of Internet telephony, broadband telephony, broadband phone service, etc., may be used to provide communications services over the Internet. 
     In some implementations, the mobile telephone device  102  may transfer an active telephone conversation to the smart speaker device  104  in response to a trigger. For example, the mobile telephone device  102  may receive a wireless signal  118  broadcast from the smart speaker device  104 . The wireless signal  118  may be of any type known in the art, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC), ultra wideband (UWB), a sound wave audible to humans, a sound wave inaudible to humans, etc. For example, the smart speaker device  104  may broadcast a wireless signal  118  so that other devices, such as mobile telephone device  102 , are able to find and connect to the smart speaker device  104 . The wireless signal  118  may be broadcast periodically, or in response to a condition or trigger. 
     Mobile telephone device  102  may determine, based on the wireless signal  118 , that the mobile telephone device  102  is within a predetermined proximity  142  of (e.g., closer than a threshold distance to, proximate to) the smart speaker device  104 . In an example, being within this proximity may indicate that the mobile telephone device  102  is at a same location as the smart speaker device  104 , such as in a same room, within a same structural building (e.g., a home, a business, a store, etc.), or within a same region of a larger structural space (e.g., in a northwest corner of a large auditorium, located centrally in a convention hall, at a specific gate of an airport or bus terminal, etc.), depending on the proximity  142  chosen or selected by a configuration of the smart speaker device  104 . 
     In some implementations, in response to determining that the mobile telephone device  102  is in proximity to the smart speaker device  104 , the mobile telephone device  102  may present a graphical user interface that a user may interact with to initiate a transfer of the active telephone conversation between the mobile telephone device  102  and the smart speaker device  104 , as described in detail below. 
     In some more implementations, in response to determining that the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the smart speaker device  104  and that the mobile telephone device  102  is in a resting position (e.g., on a table, horizontal, not moving, currently charging, etc.), the mobile telephone device  102  may automatically initiate a transfer of the active telephone conversation to the smart speaker device  104 , as described in detail below. 
     In some implementations, other criteria (e.g., other than resting position) may trigger the automatic transfer of the active telephone conversation. For example, the mobile telephone device  102  may automatically transfer the active telephone conversation being conducted on the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  in response to detecting that the mobile telephone device  102  is in proximity to another computing device (e.g., a wireless router, a laptop computer, a server device, a home automation controller, etc.) located at a certain place familiar to the user. The user may pre-configure the mobile telephone device  102  to automatically transfer the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  in response to detecting that the mobile telephone device  102  has received a device identifier corresponding to the other computing device in a broadcast signal and/or when the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the other computing device. For example, the user can configure mobile telephone device  102  to automatically transfer the active telephone conversation to the smart speaker device  104  when the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the user&#39;s wireless router at home or the user&#39;s desktop computer in the user&#39;s office. 
     Similarly, mobile telephone device  102  may automatically transfer the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  in response to wirelessly receiving an identifier of the smart speaker device  104  and detecting that the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the smart speaker device  104 . The user may configure the mobile telephone device  102  to automatically transfer the active telephone conversation to the smart speaker device  104  when the smart speaker device  104  indicates that it is capable of conducting a telephone conversation, such as by broadcasting a device type identifier corresponding to a particular type of smart speaker capable of conducting telephone conversations in a broadcast signal and/or when the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the smart speaker device  104 . For example, the user may configure the mobile telephone device  102  to automatically transfer the active telephone conversation to the smart speaker device  104  in response to returning home where the smart speaker device  104  is located and receiving a broadcast or direct message from the smart speaker device  104  indicating that the smart speaker device  104  is available for conducting a telephone conversation. 
     In some implementations, the mobile telephone device  102  may automatically transfer the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  in response to detecting that the mobile telephone device  102  is right next to the smart speaker device  104 . For example, the mobile telephone device  102  may be configured with a proximity threshold distance, as described above, and a second threshold distance that is less than the proximity threshold distance. The second threshold distance may be used to determine when the mobile telephone device  102  is right next to the smart speaker device  104 , instead of being in a proximity to the smart speaker device. For example, the second threshold distance may be in a range from about 5 centimeters (cm) to about 60 cm, such as 10 cm, 20 cm, 30 cm, etc. For example, the mobile telephone device  102  may automatically transfer the active telephone conversation when the mobile telephone device  102  determines that the mobile telephone device  102  is within 30 cm of the smart speaker device  104 . 
     In one approach, mobile telephone device  102  may automatically transfer the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  based on past behavioral patterns of the user of the mobile telephone device  102 . For example, if a user typically transfers a telephone conversation to the smart speaker when the user returns home and is conducting a telephone conversation, the transfer may be made automatically without requiring user input once a proximity of the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  is less than the proximity threshold distance. In this way, the system  100  may learn from past user behavior to best manage an active telephone conversation when opportunities exist to make conducting the telephone conversation easier for the user. 
     Any of the above described actions may be implemented on the smart speaker device  104 , such as by using wireless signal  120  transmitted by the mobile telephone device  102  to determine a proximity of the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104 . The wireless signal  120  may be of any type known in the art, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, a sound wave audible to humans, a sound wave inaudible to humans, etc. 
     In some implementations, the smart speaker device  104  may request transfer of the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  in response to a trigger. For example, the smart speaker device  104  may receive a wireless signal  120  broadcast from the mobile telephone device  102 . For example, the mobile telephone device  102  may broadcast a wireless signal so that other devices, such as smart speaker device  104 , are able to find and connect to the mobile telephone device  102 . Smart speaker device  104  may determine, based on the wireless signal  120 , that the smart speaker device  104  is within a predetermined proximity of (e.g., closer than a threshold distance to, proximate to) the mobile telephone device  102 . This proximity may indicate that the smart speaker device  104  is at a same location as the mobile telephone device  102 , such as in a same room, within a same structural building, (e.g., a home, a business, a store, etc.), or within a same region of a larger structural space (e.g., in a northwest corner of a large auditorium, located centrally in a convention hall, at a specific gate of an airport or bus terminal, etc.) 
     In some implementations, in response to determining that the mobile telephone device  102  is in proximity to the smart speaker device  104 , the smart speaker device  104  may present a graphical user interface on a display of the smart speaker device  104  that a user may interact with to initiate a transfer of the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104 . In another approach, the smart speaker device  104  may request the mobile telephone device to present a graphical user interface that a user may interact with to initiate a transfer of the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104 . 
     In some implementations, other criteria (e.g., other than proximity) may trigger the automatic transfer of the active telephone conversation. For example, the smart speaker device  104  may automatically transfer the active telephone conversation being conducted on the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  in response to detecting that another computing device (e.g., a smart tag, a laptop computer, a playback device, a tablet computer, etc.) is in proximity to the smart speaker device  104 . The user may pre-configure the smart speaker device  104  to automatically transfer the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  in response to receiving a device identifier corresponding to the other computing device in a broadcast signal and/or when the other computing device is proximate to the smart speaker device  104 . For example, the user can configure the smart speaker device  104  to automatically transfer the active telephone conversation when the smart speaker device  104  is proximate to a smart tag attached to the user&#39;s keychain or the user&#39;s tablet computer is brought into the user&#39;s home proximate to the smart speaker device  104 . 
     In another implementation, in response to determining that the mobile telephone device  102  is in a talking position (e.g., placed to an ear of a user, moved to a vertical position after having been in a horizontal position for an extended period of time, such as greater than about 1 minute, removed from a charging source, gripped by a user&#39;s hand, etc.), the mobile telephone device  102  may automatically initiate a transfer of the active telephone conversation back from the smart speaker device  104 . In another approach, the smart speaker device  104  may automatically initiate a transfer of the active telephone conversation back to the mobile telephone device  102  from the smart speaker device  104 . 
     In some examples, a trigger that leads to a transfer of the telephone conversation from one computing device to another computing device may be based on a proximity of the user to the various computing devices. The location of the user may be determined and/or estimated using any technique known in the art. 
     In one example, a proximity of the user to a computing device may be determined based on a volume (e.g., decibel level) of sound(s) caused by the user. Some example sounds include, but are not limited to, talking, yelling, laughing, coughing, whispering, shuffling feet, stomping, jumping, walking, typing on a keyboard, moving objects (like papers, boxes, furniture, etc.), and interacting with another device (like a television, radio, music player, computer, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.). One or more of the computing devices may determine a decibel level of a detected sound, and the computing device which registers a higher decibel level may be determined to be a closer computing device to the user. If only one computing device detects the sound, then it may assume that it is the closest computing device to the user. In a further approach, a computing device may be configured to distinguish between different sounds, such that sounds from the user are tracked as the user moves through an area, and other sounds unrelated to the user are ignored for the calculations to track the user&#39;s movements. 
     In another example, a user may designate which computing device to conduct a telephone conversation using an audible command which identifies the designated computing device, such as by saying “transfer call to living room speaker,” “move call to bedroom,” “conduct conversation on laptop,” etc. In response to such a command being received by any computing device, an active telephone conversation may be transferred according to the user&#39;s command when the designated computing device is capable of conducting the telephone conversation. 
     In another example, a proximity of the user to a computing device may be determined based on a detectable position of a secondary computing device typically worn or carried by the user (such as a smartwatch, activity tracker, smart tag, mobile telephone, table computer, media player, smartphone, laptop computer, etc.). The position of the secondary computing device may be detected based on use of a common network (such as Wi-Fi), geolocation information, or some other method known in the art. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , a system  200  for managing an active telephone conversation  138  is shown in one example. In particular, system  200  may be used to transfer the active telephone conversation  138  between computing devices. The system  200  includes the mobile telephone device  102  in electrical communication with the smart speaker device  104 . The system  200  also includes a second smart speaker device  122  and a laptop computer  124  in electrical communication with the smart speaker device  104 . The second smart speaker device  122  may be wirelessly connected to the smart speaker device  104  in some examples. 
     As used herein, a laptop computer  124  is a computing device configured to communicate wirelessly (e.g., via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.) with the smart speaker device  104  and provide input to the smart speaker device  104 . In one example, the laptop computer  124  may also receive data and/or commands from the smart speaker device  104 . Although a laptop computer  124  is shown in  FIG. 2 , the system  200  is not restricted to use with laptop computers, as any computing device capable of connecting wirelessly or via a wired connection to the smart speaker device  104  and communicating with the first smart speaker device  104  may be used in system  200 , such as a smartphone, a satellite phone, a desktop computer, a server device, a tablet computer, a router, etc. 
     System  200  is designed to provide convenience to a user engaged in an telephone conversation  138  on the mobile telephone device  102  when the telephone device  102  is brought within a predetermined proximity to the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122 . The smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  are separated from one another by a distance  140 , such that a distance between the mobile telephone device  102  and the smart speaker device  104  is not necessarily the same as a distance between the mobile telephone device  102  and the second smart speaker device  122 . In other words, the mobile telephone device  102  may be proximate to one of the smart speaker devices without being proximate to the other smart speaker device. 
     The laptop computer  124 , in one example, may be used to configure the smart speaker device  104 . Some example configuration operations include managing user profiles, setting preferences, registering devices for communication with the smart speaker device  104 , setting conditions/triggers for transferring telephone conversations automatically, etc. 
     In some approaches, the laptop computer  124  may also be configured to conduct a telephone conversation. In one example, laptop computer  124  may utilize VOIP or some other type of Internet telephony, broadband telephony, broadband phone service, etc., to conduct a telephone conversation over IP networks, such as the Internet. Such capability may be discovered by the smart speaker device  104  by sending a signal  134  (wirelessly or via a wired connection) to the laptop computer  124 . The laptop computer  124  may process information included in the signal  134 , and in response to processing content of the signal  134 , respond with a signal  136  that describes capabilities of the laptop computer  124 , including whether the laptop computer  124  is configured to conduct a telephone conversation. Wireless signals  134 ,  136  may be of any type known in the art, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, a sound wave audible to humans, a sound wave inaudible to humans, etc. 
     The signal  134  from the smart speaker device  104  may include a device identifier for the smart speaker device  104 , conditions/triggers that dictate when a telephone conversation is transferred to the laptop computer  124 , and/or conditions/triggers that cause the laptop computer  124  to transfer the telephone conversation back to the smart speaker device  104  or the mobile telephone device  102 , or to some other device in system  200 . 
     The signal  136  from the laptop computer  124  may include a device identifier for the laptop computer  124 , an indication that a telephone conversation may be conducted by the laptop computer  124 , and/or conditions/triggers that cause the laptop computer  124  to transfer the telephone conversation back to the smart speaker device  104  or the mobile telephone device  102 , or to some other device in system  200 . 
     If the laptop computer  124  responds with a signal  136  that indicates it cannot conduct a telephone conversation, or does not send a signal  136  back to the smart speaker device  104 , the smart speaker device  104  may determine that the laptop computer  124  is incapable of conducting a telephone conversation and not consider the laptop computer  124  when determining where to transfer an active telephone conversation  138 . 
     In an example, a proximity of the mobile telephone device  102  to the smart speaker device  104  may be determined by the mobile telephone device  102 , at any given time, based on calculation of a signal strength of the signal  118  sent from the smart speaker device  104 , according to well-known processes. 
     In one example, a proximity of the mobile telephone device  102  to the second smart speaker device  122  may be determined by the mobile telephone device  102  based on calculation of a signal strength of the signal  128  sent from the second smart speaker device  122 , according to well-known processes. Wireless signal  128  may be of any type known in the art, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, a sound wave audible to humans, a sound wave inaudible to humans, etc. 
     In an example, a proximity of the mobile telephone device  102  in relation to the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  may be determined by the mobile telephone device  102  based on a comparison of the signal strength of the signal  118  sent from the smart speaker device  104  and the signal strength of the signal  128  sent from the second smart speaker device  122 . 
     In another approach, one or both of the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  may carry out strength of signal calculations to determine which smart speaker device is closer to the mobile telephone device  102  or within a predetermined proximity to the mobile telephone device  102 . The second smart speaker device  122  performs a strength of signal calculation based on the wireless signal  126  sent from the mobile telephone device  102 , while the smart speaker device  104  performs a strength of signal calculation based on the wireless signal  120  sent from the mobile telephone device  102 . Wireless signal  126  may be of any type known in the art, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, a sound wave audible to humans, a sound wave inaudible to humans, etc. After these strength of signal calculations have been performed, each smart speaker device may share its own calculation with one another regarding a proximity to the mobile telephone device  102  to determine which smart speaker device is closer. In another example, one of the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  may determine that it is proximate to the mobile telephone device  102  based on its own strength of signal calculation. 
     In another approach, a time-of-flight (ToF) calculation may be used to determine which of the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  is closest to the mobile telephone device  102  at any given time, according to well-known processes. The ToF calculation may be implemented on the mobile telephone device  102  based on signal  118  and signal  128 , in one approach. 
     In another approach, one or both of the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  may carry out ToF calculations to determine which smart speaker device is closer to the mobile telephone device  102  or within a predetermined proximity to the mobile telephone device  102 . The second smart speaker device  122  performs a ToF calculation based on the wireless signal  126  sent from the mobile telephone device  102 , while the smart speaker device  104  performs a ToF calculation based on the wireless signal  120  sent from the mobile telephone device  102 . After these ToF calculations have been performed, each smart speaker device may share its own calculation with one another regarding a proximity to the mobile telephone device  102  to determine which smart speaker device is closer. In another example, one of the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  may determine that it is proximate to the mobile telephone device  102  based on its own ToF calculation. 
     According to another example, a setting (e.g., a default) may be chosen that dictates which of the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  to transfer an active telephone conversation  138  when both smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  are within a threshold distance to the mobile telephone device  102 . 
     An identification of a transmitting device and preliminary or rudimentary information regarding capabilities of the transmitting device may be discovered by one of the various devices in system  200  using one of the various wireless signals transmitted therebetween. For example, the smart speaker device  104  may include a device identifier in a first message sent in the wireless signal  118  to the mobile telephone device  102 . The mobile telephone device  102  may process the device identifier, recognize that the first message was sent by a smart speaker and, in an example, determine what capabilities the smart speaker device  104  possesses (e.g., configured to conduct a telephone conversation, respond to voice commands, play music, display images and videos, connect to the Internet, etc.). In another example, the mobile telephone device  102  may send a follow-up second message in a wireless signal  120  to prompt the smart speaker device  104  to provide additional and more thorough capability information about the smart speaker device  104 . In one example, a protocol (e.g., a Bluetooth advertisement, Wi-Fi handshake message, NFC initialization, etc.) used for the first message is less robust and more limited than a protocol used for the second message (e.g., a Wi-Fi transmission, UWB, etc.). In this way, the full capabilities of the smart speaker device  104  may be discovered by sending the second message to the mobile telephone device  102 . 
     The capabilities of the smart speaker device  104  may include a device identifier for the smart speaker device  104 , conditions/triggers that dictate when a telephone conversation is transferred to/from the mobile telephone device  102 , conditions/triggers that cause the smart speaker device  104  to transfer the telephone conversation back to the mobile telephone device  102 , or to some other device in system  200 , etc. 
     In one example, the first message may be a Bluetooth advertisement, and may include a Bluetooth device identifier of the smart speaker device  104 . The mobile telephone device  102  may receive the Bluetooth device identifier of the smart speaker device  104  and correlate it to a Wi-Fi identifier or some other common network identifier related to the smart speaker device  104 . With this Wi-Fi identifier or common network identifier, the mobile telephone device  102  may establish a communication channel with the smart speaker device  104  using Wi-Fi or the common network, in addition to learning pertinent device capabilities of the smart speaker device  104 . 
     In another example, the mobile telephone device  102  may send the first message, and the smart speaker device  104  may respond with a second message that includes capabilities of the smart speaker device  104 . 
     In one approach, smart speaker device  104  and second smart speaker device  122  may be in electrical communication with one another. This communication may be initiated based on a signal  130  sent by the smart speaker device  104 , by a signal  132  sent from the second smart speaker device  122 , based on a combination of both signals, based on one signal sent in response to the other signal, etc. Any method of initializing a wired or wireless connection between the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122  may be used, as would be known to one of skill in the art. Wireless signals  130 ,  132  may be of any type known in the art, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, a sound wave audible to humans, a sound wave inaudible to humans, etc. 
     In an approach, smart speaker device  104  and second smart speaker device  122  may be connected with one another via network  106 . In yet another approach, smart speaker device  104  and second smart speaker device  122  may not be in electrical communication with one another, directly or through a network  106 . In one example, smart speaker device  104  and/or smart speaker device  122  may utilize VOIP or some other type of Internet telephony, broadband telephony, broadband phone service, etc., to conduct a telephone conversation over IP networks, such as the Internet. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the mobile telephone device  102  is in closer proximity to the smart speaker device  104  than to the second smart speaker device  122 . By discovering that the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the smart speaker device  104 , the active telephone conversation  138  may be triggered to be transferred to the smart speaker device  104  from the mobile telephone device  102 , as shown in  FIG. 2A  (or from the second smart speaker device  122  if the active telephone conversation  138  is being conducted on the second smart speaker device  122 ). Thereafter, the user may continue the telephone conversation using the smart speaker device  104  without any further interaction with the mobile telephone device  102 , in some approaches. 
     In one approach, the active telephone conversation  138  being conducted on the mobile telephone device  102  may be automatically transferred to the smart speaker device  104  preferentially over being transferred to the second smart speaker device  122 . In another approach, a message may be presented to the user to cause the transfer of the active telephone conversation  138 , and the transfer may be caused by input of the user. This message may be presented on the smart speaker device  104 , on the mobile telephone device  102 , and/or on the laptop computer  124 , in various approaches. In one example, the message may be played audibly by one of the devices. In another example, the message may be displayed by one of the devices. User input may be received via voice command, touch input, or via some other known input method, in several examples. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2B , the mobile telephone device  102  is in closer proximity to the second smart speaker device  122  than to the smart speaker device  104 . By discovering that the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the second smart speaker device  122 , the active telephone conversation  138  may be triggered to be transferred to the second smart speaker device  122  from the smart speaker device  104 , as shown in  FIG. 2B  (or from the mobile telephone device  102  if the active telephone conversation  138  is being conducted on the mobile telephone device  102 ). Thereafter, the user may continue the telephone conversation  138  using the second smart speaker device  122  without any further interaction with the mobile telephone device  102 , in some approaches. 
     In one approach, the active telephone conversation  138  being conducted on the smart speaker device  104  may be automatically transferred to the second smart speaker device  122  preferentially over being transferred to the mobile telephone device  102 . In another approach, a message may be presented to the user to cause the transfer of the active telephone conversation  138 , and the transfer may be caused by input of the user. This message may be presented on the second smart speaker device  122 , on the smart speaker device  104 , on the mobile telephone device  102 , and/or on the laptop computer  124 , in various approaches. In one example, the message may be played audibly by one of the devices. In another example, the message may be displayed by one of the devices. User input may be received via voice command, touch input, or via some other known input method, in several examples. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , the mobile telephone device  102  is no longer proximate (within the predetermined distance  142 ) with either of the smart speaker devices  104 ,  122 . Upon discovering that the mobile telephone device  102  is no longer proximate to the second smart speaker device  122 , and determining that the mobile telephone device  102  is not proximate to the smart speaker device  104 , the active telephone conversation  138  may be triggered to be transferred to the mobile telephone device  102  from the second smart speaker device  122 , as shown in  FIG. 2C  (or from the smart speaker device  104  if the active telephone conversation  138  is being conducted on the smart speaker device  104 ). Thereafter, the user may continue the telephone conversation  138  using the mobile telephone device  102 , in some approaches. 
     In one approach, the active telephone conversation  138  being conducted on the second smart speaker device  122  may be automatically transferred to the smart speaker device  104  preferentially over being transferred to the mobile telephone device  102  in cases where the mobile telephone device  102  is proximate to the smart speaker device  104 . In another approach, a message may be presented to the user to cause the transfer of the active telephone conversation  138 , and the transfer may be caused by input of the user. This message may be presented on the second smart speaker device  122 , on the smart speaker device  104 , on the mobile telephone device  102 , and/or on the laptop computer  124 , in various approaches. In one example, the message may be played audibly by one of the devices. In another example, the message may be displayed by one of the devices. User input may be received via voice command, touch input, or via some other known input method, in several examples. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3A , a mobile telephone device  306  is shown having an example graphical user interface (GUI)  300  for transferring an active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone device  306  to a second computing device, such as a smart speaker device or some other computing device capable of conducting an active telephone conversation. Moreover, although the GUI  300  is shown displayed on a mobile telephone device  306 , the GUI  300  may be displayed and operate on any computing device capable of conducting an active telephone conversation. For example, GUI  300  may be presented when mobile telephone device  306  determines that an active telephone conversation is being conducted on the mobile telephone device  306 , and the mobile telephone device  306  is proximate to the smart speaker device. In some implementations, GUI  300  may be presented on its own screen, on a lock screen of the mobile telephone device  306 , and/or over a screen or second GUI  304  indicating the active telephone conversation. Thus, a user may manipulate GUI  300  when the mobile telephone device  306  is locked and without unlocking the mobile telephone device  306  (e.g., before entering user&#39;s credentials to unlock the mobile telephone device  306 ). 
     In some implementations, GUI  300  may include graphical element  302 . For example, graphical element  302  may include a prompt informing the user that manipulation of graphical element  302  will cause the mobile telephone device  306  to transfer the active telephone conversation to the detected proximate smart speaker device for continuation thereon. In an example, the prompt may include identification of the smart speaker (in  FIG. 3A , the smart speaker is identified as a smart speaker having a device identifier of “J651RT89,” but may have any suitable label and identifier for the detected proximate device) and/or some other information related to the active telephone conversation or devices available for transferring the active conversation. 
     The user may provide input (e.g., touch input) to move or manipulate graphical element  302  on GUI  300 . For example, the user may provide input in the form of a long touch gesture (e.g., touch and hold for a predetermined period of time), a swipe gesture (e.g., touch and drag) in a predetermined direction (e.g., away from the user, toward the user, left or right, etc.) on the display of the mobile telephone device  306 , or some other known touch input to initiate the transfer of the active telephone conversation between devices. 
     In an example, multiple graphical elements may be displayed simultaneously, one for each device to which the active telephone conversation may be transferred, based on a selection provided by user input. In the absence of user input, a default selection may be made automatically, in one example. An example of one arrangement having multiple devices is described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 3B . 
     In  FIG. 3B , an example GUI  310  is shown for transferring an active telephone conversation from a first computing device (shown as a tablet computer  308 ) to one of a set of second computing devices configure to conduct an active telephone conversation. Although the GUI  310  is shown displayed on a tablet computer  308 , the GUI  310  may be displayed and operate on any computing device capable of conducting an active telephone conversation. For example, GUI  310  may be presented when the tablet computer  308  determines that an active telephone conversation is being conducted on the tablet computer  308 , and the tablet computer  308  is proximate to one of the second computing devices. In some implementations, GUI  310  may be presented on its own screen, on a lock screen of the tablet computer  308 , and/or over a screen or GUI  304  indicating the active telephone conversation. Thus, a user may manipulate GUI  310  when the tablet computer  308  is locked and without unlocking the tablet computer  308  (e.g., before entering user&#39;s credentials to unlock the tablet computer  308  for interaction therewith). 
     In some implementations, GUI  310  may include a set of graphical elements  312 ,  314 , etc., where one graphical element is shown for each computing device capable of conducting an active telephone conversation that is detected to be proximate to the tablet computer  308 . In  FIG. 3B , two graphical elements are shown, but any number of graphical elements may be shown based on a number of detected proximate devices. In one example, the closest one, two, or three proximate devices may be shown, while selectively hiding any other detected proximate devices. In this way, the GUI  310  is more easy to interact with for a majority of the actions that will be taken by the user. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 3B , graphical elements  312 ,  314  each may include a prompt informing the user that manipulation of one of the graphical elements  312 ,  314  will cause the tablet computer  308  to transfer the active telephone conversation to the detected proximate device identified by the selected graphical element  312  or  314  for continuation thereon. In an example, the prompt may include identification of the computing device (in  FIG. 3B , graphical element  312  indicates a laptop computer having a device identifier of “HOME BOB,” while graphical element  314  indicates the smart speaker identified by a device identifier of “J651RT89”) and/or some other information related to the active telephone conversation or devices available for transferring the conversation. 
     The user may provide input (e.g., touch input) to move or manipulate one of the graphical elements  312 ,  314  on GUI  310 . For example, the user may provide input in the form of a long touch gesture (e.g., touch and hold for a predetermined period of time), a swipe gesture (e.g., touch and drag) in a predetermined direction (e.g., away from the user, toward the user, left or right, etc.) on the display of the tablet computer  308 , or some other known touch input to initiate the transfer of the active telephone conversation between the tablet computer  308  and the selected device. 
     Example Processes 
     To enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the technological concepts described herein, the following processes describe specific steps performed in a specific order. However, one or more of the steps of a particular process may be rearranged and/or omitted while remaining within the contemplated scope of the technology disclosed herein. Moreover, different processes, and/or steps thereof, may be combined, recombined, rearranged, omitted, and/or executed in parallel to create different process flows that are also within the contemplated scope of the technology disclosed herein. Additionally, while the processes below may omit or briefly summarize some of the details of the technologies disclosed herein for clarity, the details described in the paragraphs above may be combined with the process steps described below to get a more complete and comprehensive understanding of these processes and the technologies disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example method  400  for managing an active telephone conversation. In operation  402 , an active telephone conversation is conducted by a mobile telephone. Any other type of computing device capable of conducting a telephone conversation may be used in method  400  in various examples, such as a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. 
     In operation  404 , the mobile telephone detects that it is within a predetermined distance to a smart speaker, e.g., proximate to the smart speaker. In an example, the predetermined distance may be a distance which ensures that voice commands and/or a conversation held by a user of the mobile telephone is able to be heard by the smart speaker, and that audio played by the smart speaker is able to be heard by the user, such that the active telephone conversation may be conducted by the smart speaker (possibly in place of the mobile telephone conducting the active telephone conversation). In several examples, the predetermined distance may be 10 meters, 6 meters, 5 meters, 3 meters, 1 meter, etc. 
     As shown in operation  406 , the mobile telephone determines that the smart speaker is configured to conduct a telephone conversation. The determination may be made according to any of the methods described previously, or according to some method not specifically described herein. 
     In an example, the mobile telephone may receive a message or advertisement from the smart speaker identifying the smart speaker (the message may include basic or thorough information regarding capabilities of the smart speaker, including an ability to conduct a telephone conversation, either independently or in conjunction with the mobile telephone or some other device capable of connecting to a telephone communications network). The mobile telephone may learn of the smart speaker&#39;s capabilities from this first message, or if additional information is needed to ascertain the smart speaker&#39;s capabilities, the mobile telephone may send a follow-up message to the smart speaker to prompt a more thorough response that includes capabilities of the smart speaker, including an ability to conduct a telephone conversation. 
     In response to detecting that the smart speaker is configured to conduct the telephone conversation and the mobile telephone is within the predetermined distance to the smart speaker, in operation  408 , the active telephone conversation is transferred from the mobile telephone to the smart speaker. 
     In one approach, a notification is presented on a display of the mobile telephone in response to detecting that the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the smart speaker. This notification is presented prior to transferring the telephone conversation to the smart speaker. The notification displays a selectable option for a user to select that causes the active telephone conversation to be transferred to the smart speaker. 
     Moreover, in one approach, operation  408  is performed in response to the mobile telephone receiving selection of the option to transfer the active telephone conversation to the smart speaker. If the user does not select the option to transfer the telephone conversation, it will continue to be conducted by the mobile telephone. 
     In an example, the notification may include identification of the smart speaker (such as a name and device identifier) and/or other information related to the active telephone conversation or the smart speaker. 
     In a further example, method  400  may include the mobile telephone determining a distance to the smart speaker. In an approach, the distance may be determined by measuring a strength of a signal transmitted by the smart speaker and received by the mobile telephone. In various approaches, the signal may be received via a microphone or a radio frequency (RF) channel of the mobile telephone. 
     In a case where the signal is an audible signal received by the microphone of the mobile telephone, the audible signal may be inaudible to humans in one approach, to avoid distracting the user conducting the telephone conversation on the mobile telephone. In a case where the signal is a RF signal received by the RF channel of the mobile telephone, the RF signal may adhere to a known protocol, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, etc. 
     In another example, method  400  may include the mobile telephone detecting that the smart speaker is farther than a second predetermined distance from the mobile telephone. In a situation where such a determination is made, the mobile telephone may transfer the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker back to the mobile telephone. The decision of whether to transfer the telephone conversation back to the mobile telephone may depend on detecting that the smart speaker is farther than the second predetermined distance from the mobile telephone and the smart speaker is still conducting the active telephone conversation (e.g., the call has not been disconnected). 
     Further, in an example, method  400  may include the mobile telephone presenting a notification on a display of the mobile telephone in response to detecting that the smart speaker is farther than the second predetermined distance from the mobile telephone and the smart speaker is still conducting the active telephone conversation. In this example, the notification may include a selectable option to transfer the active telephone conversation. In response to user input selecting the option to transfer the telephone conversation, the mobile telephone may transfer the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker back to the mobile telephone. If the user does not select the option to transfer the telephone conversation, it will continue to be conducted by the smart speaker. 
     In another approach, method  400  may include the mobile telephone automatically transferring the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker back to the mobile telephone in response to detecting that a user has placed the mobile telephone in a position normally associated with conducting a telephone call. For example, the user may raise the mobile telephone to an ear of the user, disconnect the mobile telephone from a charging source, or perform some other action detectable by the mobile telephone that indicates that the user has chosen to continue the active conversation on the mobile telephone. 
     In an example, the mobile telephone may be moved around an area where multiple smart speakers are located. In this example, the mobile telephone may detect that the mobile telephone is closer to a second smart speaker than it is to the smart speaker. In response to this positional detection that the mobile telephone is closer to the second smart speaker, the mobile telephone may send a message to the smart speaker to transfer the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the second smart speaker. In another approach, the mobile telephone may transfer the active conversation from the smart speaker to the second smart speaker without requesting action or involvement of the smart speaker. 
     In an example, a mobile telephone may respond to detection of a new computing device different from how the mobile telephone responds to detection of a computing device that has already been detected by the mobile telephone. For example, if a user takes his mobile telephone into his home, where he has a smart speaker installed in the living room, it is probable that the mobile telephone has already recognized the smart speaker through previous interactions. 
     In this example, the mobile telephone, the smart speaker, or both devices may register relevant information about the other device (e.g., device identifier, device name, device address, network(s) on which the device is capable of communicating, capability to conduct a telephone conversation with or without assistance of another device, etc.), so that when one of the devices detects the presence of the other device, a seamless transfer of an active telephone conversation may be made that does not rely on user interaction with either device. This relevant information may be stored to a memory of the computing device for use in future interactions with the other known computing device. 
     Further, should the mobile telephone not recognize the smart speaker as having been previously registered, then the mobile telephone may proceed in accordance with method  400  to transfer the telephone conversation, if possible, to the smart speaker. 
     In a further approach, an online or cloud service or storage may be utilized to determine whether a new computing device should be allowed to receive a transferred telephone conversation. Such a computing device may be referred to as a “trusted” device, as the computing device has proven to be safe for exchanges of information in previous interactions. The online service may provide information on such trusted devices upon request by the mobile telephone when a new computing device is detected by the mobile telephone. 
     In another example, a friend may visit the user&#39;s home and may be talking on his smartphone. The smartphone may not be registered with the user&#39;s mobile telephone (as the friend may have never visited the user&#39;s home in the past, it may be a new smartphone for the friend, settings have changed on the smartphone since a last visit, etc.) When the smartphone is detected as being a new computing device, a guest or temporary token may be provided to the smartphone, which allows the smartphone to have a telephone conversation transferred for a limited amount of time (e.g., 1 hour, 30 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, etc.) before user input is requested (though some interface of the smart speaker or the smartphone) to continue conducting the telephone conversation on the current device. When the token expires, the smartphone is no longer allowed to have a telephone conversation automatically transferred. The transfer may include, but is not limited to, an active telephone conversation being transferred to the smartphone from the mobile telephone, an active telephone conversation being transferred from the smartphone to a smart speaker installed at the user&#39;s home, an active telephone conversation being transferred to the smartphone from the smart speaker, an active telephone conversation being transferred from the smartphone to the user&#39;s mobile telephone, etc. 
       FIG. 5  shows an example method  500  for managing an active telephone conversation. In operation  502 , a smart speaker detects that a mobile telephone is within a predetermined distance (“proximate”) to the smart speaker. In this approach, the smart speaker is configured to conduct a telephone conversation. Any other type of computing device capable of conducting a telephone conversation may be used in method  500  in various examples, such as a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. 
     In operation  504 , the smart speaker determines that an active telephone conversation is being conducted on the mobile telephone. The determination may be made according to any of the methods described previously, or according to some method not specifically described herein. 
     In an example, the smart speaker may receive a message or advertisement from the mobile telephone identifying the mobile telephone (the message may include basic or thorough information regarding capabilities of the mobile telephone, including an ability to conduct a telephone conversation, either independently or in conjunction with some other device capable of connecting to a telephone communications network). The smart speaker may learn of the mobile telephone&#39;s capabilities from this first message, or if additional information is needed to ascertain the mobile telephone&#39;s capabilities, the smart speaker may send a follow-up message to the mobile telephone to prompt a more thorough response that includes capabilities of the mobile telephone, including an ability to conduct a telephone conversation. 
     In an example, the predetermined distance may be a distance which ensures that voice commands and/or a conversation held by a user of the smart speaker is able to be heard by a microphone of the mobile telephone, and that audio played by the mobile telephone&#39;s speaker is able to be heard by the user, such that an active telephone conversation may be conducted by the mobile telephone (possibly in place of the smart speaker conducting the active telephone conversation). In several examples, the predetermined distance may be 10 meters, 6 meters, 5 meters, 3 meters, 1 meter, etc. 
     The smart speaker transfers the active telephone conversation from the mobile telephone to the smart speaker in operation  506 . The transfer may be performed in response to detecting that the mobile telephone is conducting the active telephone conversation within the predetermined distance to the smart speaker, in an example. 
     In operation  508 , the smart speaker continues the active telephone conversation, after having been transferred to the smart speaker from the mobile telephone. 
     In a further example, method  500  may include the smart speaker determining a distance to the mobile telephone. In an approach, the distance may be determined by measuring a strength of a signal transmitted by the mobile telephone and received by the smart speaker. In various approaches, the signal may be received via a microphone or a RF channel of the smart speaker. 
     In a case where the signal is an audible signal received by the microphone of the smart speaker, the audible signal may be inaudible to humans in one approach, to avoid distracting the user conducting the telephone conversation on the smart speaker or mobile telephone. In a case where the signal is a RF signal received by the RF channel of the smart speaker, the RF signal may adhere to a known protocol, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, etc. 
     In another example, method  500  may include the smart speaker detecting that the mobile telephone is farther than a second predetermined distance from the smart speaker. In a situation where such a determination is made, the smart speaker may transfer the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker back to the mobile telephone. The decision of whether to transfer the telephone conversation back to the mobile telephone may depend on detecting that the mobile telephone is farther than the second predetermined distance from the smart speaker and the smart speaker is still conducting the active telephone conversation (e.g., the call has not been disconnected). 
     In one approach, a notification is presented to the user with a selectable option to cause the telephone conversation to be transferred in response to detecting that the smart speaker is conducting the active telephone conversation and the mobile telephone is farther than the second predetermined distance from the smart speaker. In an example, the smart speaker may send a notification to the mobile telephone to be presented on a display of the mobile telephone. In an example, the smart speaker may request that the mobile telephone present a display which is resident on the mobile telephone. This notification is presented prior to transferring the telephone conversation back to the mobile telephone. The notification displays a selectable option for a user to select that causes the active telephone conversation to be transferred to the mobile telephone. 
     Moreover, in one approach, the active telephone conversation may be transferred from the smart speaker to the mobile telephone in response to receiving selection of the option to transfer the active telephone conversation. If the user does not select the option to transfer the telephone conversation, it will continue to be conducted by the smart speaker. 
     In another approach, method  500  may include the smart speaker automatically transferring the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker back to the mobile telephone in response to detecting that a user has placed the mobile telephone in a position normally associated with conducting a telephone call. For example, the user may raise the mobile telephone to an ear of the user, disconnect the mobile telephone from a charging source, or perform some other action detectable by the mobile telephone that indicates that the user has chosen to continue the active conversation on the mobile telephone. 
     In an example, the mobile telephone may be moved around an area where multiple smart speakers are located. In this example, the smart speaker may receive a message indicating that the mobile telephone is closer to a second smart speaker than the smart speaker. Further, the smart speaker may transfer the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the second smart speaker. In an approach, this transfer may be performed in response to receiving the message indicating that the mobile telephone is closer to the second smart speaker. In another approach, the smart speaker may detect a location of the mobile telephone, and perform the transfer to the second smart speaker without input from the mobile telephone. 
     In an example, a smart speaker may respond to detection of a new computing device different from how the smart speaker responds to detection of a computing device that has already been detected by the smart speaker. For example, if a user takes a mobile telephone into his home, where he has the smart speaker installed in a room of the home, it is probable that the smart speaker has already recognized the mobile telephone through previous interactions. 
     In this example, the mobile telephone, the smart speaker, or both devices may register relevant information about the other device (e.g., device identifier, device name, device address, network(s) on which the device is capable of communicating, capability to conduct a telephone conversation with or without assistance of another device, etc.), so that when one of the devices detects the presence of the other device, a seamless transfer of an active telephone conversation may be made that does not rely on user interaction with either device. This relevant information may be stored to a memory of the computing device for use in future interactions with the other known computing device. 
     Further, should the smart speaker not recognize the mobile telephone as having been previously registered, then the smart speaker may proceed in accordance with method  500  to pull the telephone conversation, if possible, from the mobile telephone to the smart speaker. 
     In a further approach, an online or cloud service or storage may be utilized to determine whether a new computing device should be allowed to receive a transferred telephone conversation. Such a computing device may be referred to as a “trusted” device, as the computing device has proven to be safe for exchanges of information in previous interactions. The online service may provide information on such trusted devices upon request by the smart speaker when a new computing device is detected by the smart speaker. 
     In another example, a friend may visit the user&#39;s home and may be talking on his smartphone. The smartphone may not be registered with the user&#39;s smart speaker (as the friend may have never visited the user&#39;s home in the past, it may be a new smartphone for the friend, settings have changed on the smartphone since a last visit, etc.) When the smartphone is detected as being a new computing device, a guest or temporary token may be provided to the smartphone, which allows the smartphone to have a telephone conversation transferred thereto from the smart speaker, or to transfer an active telephone conversation to the smart speaker, for a limited amount of time (e.g., 1 hour, 30 minutes, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, etc.) before user input is requested (though some interface of the smart speaker or the smartphone) to continue conducting the telephone conversation on the current device. When the token expires, the smartphone is no longer allowed to have a telephone conversation automatically transferred. 
       FIG. 6  shows an example method  600  for managing an active telephone conversation. In operation  602 , a smart speaker conducts an active telephone conversation. The smart speaker is configured to conduct a telephone conversation alone or with the aid of another device in electrical communication with the smart speaker, such as a mobile telephone, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. 
     Method  600  may be used in conjunction with methods  400  and/or  500  as described in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , respectively, to initially transfer a telephone conversation to the smart speaker, in one approach. In another approach, the smart speaker may originate the active telephone conversation or receive the active telephone conversation through some other method. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , in operation  604 , the smart speaker detects a trigger that indicates that a second user device is available for conducting the active telephone conversation. Some example triggers include, but are not limited to, a message being received by the smart speaker from the second user device, movement of the user through an area where the second user device is located, user input indicating a desire for the user to continue the active telephone conversation on another device, e.g., the second user device, etc. 
     Any type of second user device may be used in method  600  including, but not limited to, a mobile telephone, a laptop computer, a second smart speaker, a car audio system, a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. 
     In an example, the smart speaker may receive a message or advertisement from the second user device identifying the second user device (the message may include basic or thorough information regarding capabilities of the second user device, including an ability to conduct a telephone conversation, either independently or in conjunction with some other device capable of connecting to a telephone communications network). The smart speaker may learn of the second user device&#39;s capabilities from this first message, or if additional information is needed to ascertain the second user device&#39;s capabilities, the smart speaker may send a follow-up message to the second user device to prompt a more thorough response that includes capabilities of the second user device, including an ability to conduct a telephone conversation. 
     In an example, the trigger may include moving a first user device typically carried or worn by the user, e.g., a mobile telephone, smartwatch, fitness tracker, etc., to within a predetermined distance from the second user device. The predetermined distance may be a distance which ensures that voice commands and/or a conversation held by a user of the smart speaker is able to be heard by a microphone of the second user device, and that audio played by the second user device&#39;s speaker is able to be heard by the user, such that an active telephone conversation may be conducted by the second user device (possibly in place of the smart speaker conducting the active telephone conversation). In several examples, the predetermined distance may be 10 meters, 6 meters, 6 meters, 3 meters, 1 meter, etc. 
     In operation  606 , the smart speaker determines that the second user device is configured to conduct a telephone conversation. This determination is made prior to the smart speaker attempting to transfer the active telephone conversation to the second user device. The determination may be made using an exchange of one or more messages to and/or from the second user device and the smart speaker, identification of the second user device by the smart speaker as being a recognized device previously used to conduct a telephone conversation, active polling of the second user device by the smart speaker for capabilities of the second user device, etc. 
     In operation  608 , the smart speaker transfers the active telephone conversation to the second user device. The transfer may be performed in response to detecting that the second user device is capable of conducting the active telephone conversation and that the trigger condition has been met, such as the user being within the predetermined distance to the second user device, in an example. 
     After transferring the active telephone conversation, the second user device may continue the active telephone conversation, alone or with the aid of another electronic device capable of conducting a telephone conversation, such as the smart speaker, a mobile telephone, etc. 
     In a further example, the smart speaker may determine a distance to the second user device. In an approach, the distance may be determined by measuring a strength of a signal transmitted by the second user device and received by the smart speaker. In various approaches, the signal may be received via a microphone or a RF channel of the smart speaker. 
     In a case where the signal is an audible signal received by the microphone of the smart speaker, the audible signal may be inaudible to humans in one approach, to avoid distracting the user conducting the telephone conversation on the smart speaker or mobile telephone. In a case where the signal is a RF signal received by the RF channel of the smart speaker, the RF signal may adhere to a known protocol, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, UWB, etc. 
     In another example, method  600  may include the smart speaker detecting that the second user device is farther than a second predetermined distance from the smart speaker. In a situation where such a determination is made, the smart speaker may transfer the active telephone conversation from the second user device back to the smart speaker. The decision of whether to transfer the telephone conversation back to the smart speaker may depend on detecting that the second user device is farther than the second predetermined distance from the smart speaker, the user is closer to the smart speaker, and the second user device is still conducting the active telephone conversation (e.g., the call has not been disconnected). 
     In one approach, a notification is presented to the user with a selectable option to cause the telephone conversation to be transferred. In an example, the smart speaker may send a notification to a mobile telephone or some other device typically carried or worn by the user, to be presented on a display of the mobile telephone. In an example, the smart speaker may request that the mobile telephone present a display which is resident on the mobile telephone. This notification is presented prior to transferring the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the second user device or to the mobile telephone. The notification displays a selectable option for a user to select that causes the active telephone conversation to be transferred. 
     In another approach, method  600  may include the smart speaker automatically transferring the active telephone conversation from the smart speaker to the second user device. For example, the user may move into another room that includes the second user device, and the smart speaker may detect the user being in the other room (using any available information or data source, such as a motion sensor, speaker of devices to detect noise levels, user input to the second user device, movement of a first user device, etc.). In response to detecting this movement of the user, the smart speaker may automatically transfer the active telephone conversation to the second user device to continue the conversation. 
     Graphical User Interfaces 
     This disclosure above describes various Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for implementing various features, processes or workflows. These GUIs can be presented on a variety of electronic devices including but not limited to laptop computers, desktop computers, computer terminals, television systems, tablet computers, eBook readers, and smart phones. One or more of these electronic devices can include a touch-sensitive surface. The touch-sensitive surface can process multiple simultaneous points of input, including processing data related to the pressure, degree or position of each point of input. Such processing can facilitate gestures with multiple fingers, including pinching and swiping. 
     When the disclosure refers to “select” or “selecting” user interface elements in a GUI, these terms are understood to include clicking, lingering, and/or hovering with a mouse, trackpad, touchscreen, or other input device over a user interface element, or touching, tapping or gesturing with one or more fingers or stylus on a user interface element. User interface elements can be virtual buttons, menus, selectors, switches, sliders, scrubbers, knobs, toggles, thumbnails, links, icons, radio buttons, checkboxes and any other mechanism for receiving input from, or providing feedback to a user. 
     Privacy 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from various sources to transfer an active telephone conversation between computing devices. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, social media identifiers, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to determine how a user wants media content to be delivered, and a personal setting for how and when to transfer an active telephone conversation between computing devices. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, for media content advertising purposes, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an application that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, an active telephone conversation may still be transferred between computing devices by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the device, or publicly available information. 
     Example System Architecture 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an example computing device  700  that can implement the features and processes of  FIGS. 1-6 . Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the computing device  700  can include a memory interface  702 , one or more data processors, image processors and/or central processing units  704 , and a peripherals interface  706 . The memory interface  702 , the one or more processors  704  and/or the peripherals interface  706  can be separate components or can be integrated in one or more integrated circuits. The various components in the computing device  700  can be coupled by one or more communication buses or signal lines. 
     Sensors, devices, and subsystems can be coupled to the peripherals interface  706  to facilitate multiple functionalities. For example, a motion sensor  710 , a light sensor  712 , and a proximity sensor  714  can be coupled to the peripherals interface  706  to facilitate orientation, lighting, and proximity functions. Other sensors  716  can also be connected to the peripherals interface  706 , such as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) (e.g., GPS receiver), a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, magnetometer or other sensing device, to facilitate related functionalities. 
     A camera subsystem  720  and an optical sensor  722 , e.g., a charged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor, can be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such as recording photographs and video clips. The camera subsystem  720  and the optical sensor  722  can be used to collect images of a user to be used during authentication of a user, e.g., by performing facial recognition analysis. 
     Communication functions can be facilitated through one or more wireless communication subsystems  724 , which can include radio frequency receivers and transmitters and/or optical (e.g., infrared) receivers and transmitters. The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem  724  can depend on the communication network(s) over which the computing device  700  is intended to operate. For example, the computing device  700  can include communication subsystems  724  designed to operate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a Wi-Fi or WiMax network, and a Bluetooth™ network. In particular, the wireless communication subsystems  724  can include hosting protocols such that the device  100  can be configured as a base station for other wireless devices. 
     An audio subsystem  726  can be coupled to a speaker  728  and a microphone  730  to facilitate voice-enabled functions, such as speaker recognition, voice replication, digital recording, and telephony functions. The audio subsystem  726  can be configured to facilitate processing voice commands, voiceprinting and voice authentication, for example. 
     The I/O subsystem  740  can include a touch-surface controller  742  and/or other input controller(s)  744 . The touch-surface controller  742  can be coupled to a touch surface  746 . The touch surface  746  and touch-surface controller  742  can, for example, detect contact and movement or break thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensitivity technologies, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with the touch surface  746 . 
     The other input controller(s)  744  can be coupled to other input/control devices  748 , such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb-wheel, infrared port, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus. The one or more buttons (not shown) can include an up/down button for volume control of the speaker  728  and/or the microphone  730 . 
     In one implementation, a pressing of the button for a first duration can disengage a lock of the touch surface  746 ; and a pressing of the button for a second duration that is longer than the first duration can turn power to the computing device  700  on or off. Pressing the button for a third duration can activate a voice control, or voice command, module that enables the user to speak commands into the microphone  730  to cause the device to execute the spoken command. The user can customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons. The touch surface  746  can, for example, also be used to implement virtual or soft buttons and/or a keyboard. 
     In some implementations, the computing device  700  can present recorded audio and/or video files, such as MP3, AAC, and MPEG files. In some implementations, the computing device  700  can include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod™. 
     The memory interface  702  can be coupled to memory  750 . The memory  750  can include high-speed random-access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). The memory  750  can store an operating system  752 , such as Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. 
     The operating system  752  can include instructions for handling basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks. In some implementations, the operating system  752  can be a kernel (e.g., UNIX kernel). In some implementations, the operating system  752  can include instructions for performing voice authentication. For example, operating system  752  can implement the active telephone conversation transfer, as described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the memory  750  can also store communication instructions  754  to facilitate communicating with one or more additional devices, one or more computers and/or one or more servers. The memory  750  can include graphical user interface instructions  756  to facilitate graphic user interface processing; sensor processing instructions  758  to facilitate sensor-related processing and functions; phone instructions  760  to facilitate phone-related processes and functions; electronic messaging instructions  762  to facilitate electronic-messaging related processes and functions; web browsing instructions  764  to facilitate web browsing-related processes and functions; media processing instructions  766  to facilitate media processing-related processes and functions; GNSS/Navigation instructions  768  to facilitate GNSS and navigation-related processes and instructions; and/or camera instructions  770  to facilitate camera-related processes and functions. 
     The memory  750  can store software instructions  772  to facilitate other processes and functions, such as the transfer of an active telephone conversation between devices as described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the memory  750  can also store other software instructions  764 , such as web video instructions to facilitate web video-related processes and functions; and/or web shopping instructions to facilitate web shopping-related processes and functions. In some implementations, the media processing instructions  766  are divided into audio processing instructions and video processing instructions to facilitate audio processing-related processes and functions and video processing-related processes and functions, respectively. 
     Each of the above identified instructions and applications can correspond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functions described above. These instructions need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules. The memory  750  can include additional instructions or fewer instructions. Furthermore, various functions of the computing device  700  can be implemented in hardware and/or in software, including in one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190912
Publication Date: 20220607
Grant Date: 20220607
Priority Date: 20190531
Inventors: KROCHMAL, MARC J.
IAROCCI, John J.
SANCIANGCO, ALEX D.
COFFMAN, PATRICK L.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04M3/42263", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M3/58", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M3/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2207/18", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2203/2094", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2203/6009", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M3/58", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M3/58", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M3/42263", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M3/54", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 73550429