• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    "apparatus and method for synchronizing audio playback" synchronously playing electroacoustic speaker devices, audio received from a source. In one embodiment, one speaker acts as the master and the other speaker acts as the slave. The master speaker receives digital audio data from a source, and in addition to playing the digital audio received from the source, the master speaker relays the digital audio to the slave speaker. The master speaker additionally sends synchronization data to the slave speaker, such as data indicating the buffer state or playback position of the master speaker. The slave speaker uses the synchronization data from the master speaker to adjust its buffer status or playback position, for example, so that both speakers play audio synchronously (for example, at thirty milliseconds). In one embodiment, the master speaker uses a connection-oriented protocol such as tcp / ip to transmit stored audio data to the slave speaker and uses a connectionless protocol such as udp or icmp for synchronization data. . In addition, speakers can transition roles as master and slave.
    公开号:BR112012004527B1
    申请号:R112012004527-0
    申请日:2010-09-10
    公开日:2019-02-26
    发明作者:Mihail C. Dinescu；Joseph Mazza；Adam Kujanski；Brian Gaza；Michael Sagan
    申请人:Koss Corporation；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING AUDIO REPRODUCTION” BACKGROUND
    Wireless headphones or headsets are known. For example, the PCT application PCT / US09 / 39754, which is incorporated here as a reference in its entirety, reveals 5 a wireless headset that receives and plays digital streaming audio. When a user uses wireless headphones on both ears, the playback of the digital audio stream is preferably synchronized to reduce or eliminate the Haas effect. The Haas effect is a psychoacoustic effect related to a group of auditory phenomena known as the Precedence Effect or law of the first wavefront. These effects, in combination with 10 sensory reaction (s) to other physical differences (such as different phases) between perceived sounds, are responsible for the ability of listeners with two ears to precisely locate sounds coming around them. When two identical sounds (ie, identical sound waves of the same perceived intensity) originate from two sources at different distances from the listener, the sound created at the nearest location is heard (arrives) first. For the ou15 twenty, this creates the impression that the sound comes from that location alone due to a phenomenon that could be described as "involuntary sensory inhibition" in which a person's perception of later arrivals is suppressed. The Haas effect occurs when sound arrival times differ by more than 30 to 40 milliseconds. As the arrival time (in relation to the listener) of the two audio sources differs more than forty (40) 20 milliseconds, the sounds will begin to be heard as distinct. This is not a desired effect when listening to audio on a pair of headphones.
    SUMMARY
    In a general aspect, the present invention is directed to electroacoustic speaker devices, such as headphones or other types of speakers, which play audio synchronously received from a source. In one embodiment, one speaker (for example, headset) acts as the master and the other speaker (for example, headset) acts as the slave. The master speaker receives digital audio data from a source and, in addition to playing the digital audio received from the source, the master speaker relays digital audio to the slave speaker. The master speaker additionally sends synchronization data 30 to the slave speaker, as data indicating the master speaker storage status or playback position. The slave speaker uses the synchronization data from the master speaker to adjust, for example, its storage status or playback position, so that the two speakers play the audio synchronously (for example, in thirty milliseconds). In one embodiment, the 35 master speaker uses a connection-oriented protocol, such as TCP / IP, to transmit stored audio data to the slave speaker and uses a connectionless protocol, such as UDP, ICMP, or any other protocol low, fast overhead for
    2/12 synchronization data. In addition, the speakers can transition roles as master and slave.
    FIGURES
    Various embodiments of the present invention are described here as an example with respect to the following figures, in which:
    Figure 1 illustrates a pair of wireless headphones according to various embodiments of the present invention;
    Figures 2A-2D illustrate various modalities of a wireless headset in accordance with various modalities of the present invention; and
    Figure 3 is a block diagram of a wireless headset in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.
    DESCRIPTION
    Several embodiments of the present invention are addressed to electro-acoustic speaker devices that exchange synchronization data so that the speaker devices synchronously play audio received from a source. Various embodiments of the present invention are described here with reference to wireless ear sources such as speaker devices, although it should be recognized that the invention is not so limited and that different types of speakers in addition to headphones could be used in other modalities. In addition, headphones (or other types of speakers) do not need to be wireless.
    Figure 1 is a diagram of a user wearing two wireless headphones 10a, 10b - one in each ear. As described here, headphones 10a, 10b can synchronously receive and play digital audio data, such as streaming or non-streaming digital audio. In various embodiments of the present invention, at any given moment during functional operation, one of the headphones can act as a master and the other can act as a slave. In such modalities, the master headset, say headset 10a in this description, receives digital audio data from a digital audio source 12 via a communication link 14. Communication link 14 can be a communication link wireless or wired. Master headset 10a then wirelessly transmits incoming streaming audio to slave headset 10b over a wireless communication link 15. The two headphones 10a, 10b play audio almost synchronously to the that is, preferably with forty (40) milliseconds or less difference in arrival times, and more preferably with thirty (30) milliseconds or less.
    In various modalities, as described in PCT application PCT / US09 / 39754, which is incorporated here as a reference in its entirety, source 12 can be a digital audio player (DAP), such as an mp3 player or an iPod, or any another suitable source of water
    3/12 digital audio, such as a laptop or personal computer, which stores and / or plays digital audio files, and which communicates with the master headset 10a through the data communication link 14. For modalities where the communication link of data 14 is wireless, any appropriate wireless communication protocol can be used. Preferably, the wireless link is a Wi-Fi communication link (for example, IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n), although in other modalities different wireless communication protocols can be used, such as WiMAX (IEEE 802.16), Bluetooth, Zigbee and UWB. For modalities where the data communication link 14 is a wired link, any appropriate communication protocol can be used, such as Ethernet. In addition, source 12 can be a remote server, such as a digital audio content server (streaming or non-streaming) connected to the Internet, which connects to master headset 10a, such as through an access point wireless network or through a wired connection. For modes where the data communication link 14 is wireless, the wireless communication link 15 between master headset 10a and slave headset 10b can use the same network protocol to relay audio from the headset music headset 10a for slave headset 10b as the wireless communication link 14.
    In one mode, during the course of operation, the headphones can exchange roles as master and slave. That is, for example, headphones 10a, 10b can be programmed so that if at any given time headset 10a is acting as the master and headset 10b is acting as the slave at a subsequent time headset 10a can switch to being a slave and headset 10b can assume the role of master. As the transmitting headset (for example, master) typically consumes more energy than the slave headset, switching roles can have the effect of standardizing the consumption of the power source (for example, battery) of the two headphones of ear 10a, 10b.
    Before describing in more detail how audio reproduction synchronization can be achieved, some details regarding exemplary headphones 10a, 10b according to various embodiments of the present invention are first described. Figures 2A and 2B show two different modes of headphones 10. The examples shown in figures 2A and 2B are not limiting and other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. As shown in figures 2A and 2B, the headset 10 may comprise a body 20. The body 20 may comprise an ear canal portion 22 which is inserted into the ear canal of the headset user. In various embodiments, the body 20 may also comprise an outer portion 24 that is not inserted into the user's ear canal. The outer portion 24 may comprise a button 26 or some other user control (such as a dial, a pressure activated switch, lever, etc.) to adjust the shape of the ear canal portion 22. That is, in various embodiments, the ati
    4/12 (e.g., rotation) of button 26 may cause the ear canal portion 22 to reshape, for example, to expand radially to fit snugly against all sides of the user's ear canal. Additional details in relation to such a format-changing headset are described in order PCT / US08 / 88656, filed on December 31, 2008, entitled “Adjustable shape earphone”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Headset 10 may also comprise a transceiver circuit housed in body 20. The transceiver circuit described further below, can transmit and receive wireless signals. The transceiver circuit can be housed in the outer portion 24 of the earphone 10 and / or in the ear canal portion 22.
    Although the example headphones 10 shown in figures 2A and 2B include a button 26 to adjust the shape of the ear canal portion 22, the present invention is not so limited, and in other embodiments, different means in addition to a button 26 can be used to adjust the ear canal portion 22. In addition, in other embodiments, the headset 10 may not comprise an ear canal portion that changes the shape 22.
    In other embodiments, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of figures 2C and 2D, the headset 10 may comprise a suspension bar 17 that allows the headset 10 to attach to, or be suspended from, the user's ear. Figure 2C is a perspective view of the headset and Figure 2D is a side view according to an embodiment. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the headset 10 can comprise dual speaker elements 30, 32. One of the speaker elements (the smallest) 30 is sized to fit into the cup of the listener's ear and the other (largest) element 32 is not. The listener can use the suspension bar to place the headset on the listener's ear. In this regard, the suspension bar may comprise a horizontal section that rests on the upper external curvature of the listener's ear behind the upper portion of the auricle (or pin). The headset can comprise a beaded button that allows the user to precisely adjust the distance between the horizontal section of the suspension bar and the speaker elements, thereby providing, in such modalities, another measure of adjustability for the user . More details regarding such an adjustable, dual-element headset can be found in the PCT patent application PCT / US09 / 44340, which is incorporated here by way of reference in its entirety.
    Figure 3 is a block diagram of one of the headphones 10a, 10b according to various embodiments of the present invention. Since, in various embodiments, headphones 10a, 10b are programmed to have the ability to switch roles as master and slave, the components of headphones 10a, 10b can be the same. In the illustrated embodiment, headset 10 comprises a transceiver circuit 100 and related peripheral components. The peripheral components of the headset 10 may comprise
    5/12 a power source 102, one or more acoustic transducers 106 (for example, speakers), and one or more antennas 108. Transceiver circuit 100 and some of the peripheral components (such as power source 102 and acoustic transducers 106 ) can be housed in the body 12 of the headset 10 (see figures 2A-2D). In other embodiments, the headset may comprise additional peripheral components, such as a microphone, for example.
    In various embodiments, the transceiver circuit 100 can be implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC), such as a system-on-chip (SoC), which is useful for making miniature components of the headset 10, which is advantageous if headset 10 is to be relatively small in size, such as a headset inside the ear (see figures 2A-2B, for example). In alternative modalities, however, the components of the transceiver circuit 100 could be made with two or more discrete ICs, such as separate ICs for processors, memory and Wi-Fi module, for example.
    Power source 102 may comprise, for example, a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery (or batteries). In other embodiments, energy source 102 may comprise one or more ultra capacitors (sometimes referred to as supercapacitors), which are charged by a primary energy source. In modes where the power source 102 comprises a rechargeable battery cell or an ultra capacitor, the battery cell or ultra capacitor, as the case may be charged for use, for example, when the headset 10 is connected to a station dock, in a wired or wireless connection. The docking station can be connected to or part of a computer device, such as a laptop or PC. In addition to charging the rechargeable power source 102, the docking station can facilitate the transfer of data to and / or from the headset 10. In other embodiments, power source 102 may comprise capacitors passively charged with RF radiation, as described in US patent number 7,027,311. the power source 102 can be coupled to a power source control module 103 of the transceiver circuit 100 that controls and monitors the power source 102.
    The acoustic transducer (s) 106 can be the loudspeaker element (s) to carry the sound to the headset user 10. According to various modalities, the headphone 10 may comprise one or more acoustic transducers 106. For embodiments having more than one transducer, one transducer may be larger than the other transducer, and a crossover circuit (not shown) may transmit the higher frequencies to the transducer smaller and can transmit lower frequencies to the larger transducer. More details regarding dual element headphones are provided in US patent 5,333,206, assigned to Koss Corporation, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
    6/12
    In the case of the master headset, antenna 108 can receive wireless signals from source 12 via wireless communication link 14. Antenna 108 can also beam signals to slave headset 106 via the wireless link. wireless communication 15. In other modalities, separate antennas can be used.
    For modalities where the communication links 14, 15 are Wi-Fi links, a Wi-Fi module 110 of the transceiver circuit 100 in communication with the antenna 108 can, among other things, modulate and demodulate the signals transmitted from and received by the antenna 108 The Wi-Fi module 110 communicates with a baseband processor 112, which performs other functions necessary for headset 10 to communicate using Wi-Fi protocol (or other communication).
    The baseband processor 112 may be in communication with a processor unit 114, which may comprise a microprocessor 116 and a digital signal processor (DSP) 118. Microprocessor 116 can control the various components of transceiver circuit 100. DSP 114 for example, it can perform various sound quality improvements to the digital audio signal received by the 112 baseband processor, including noise cancellation and sound equalization. Processor unit 114 can be in communication with a volatile memory unit 120 and a non-volatile memory unit 122. A memory management unit 124 can control the access of the processor unit to memory units 120, 122. The memory volatile 120 may comprise, for example, a random access memory (RAM) circuit. The non-volatile memory unit 122 may comprise a read-only memory (ROM) and / or flash memory circuitry. Memory units 120, 122 can store firmware that is executed by processor unit 114. The execution of firmware by processor unit 114 can provide several features for headset 10, including those described here, including synchronizing audio playback between the pair of headphones.
    A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 125 can convert digital audio signals from processor unit 114 into analog form for coupling to acoustic transducer (s) 106. An l 2 S 126 interface or another appropriate parallel or serial bus interface can provide the interface between processor unit 114 and DAC 125.
    Transceiver circuit 100 may also comprise a USB or other suitable interface 130 that allows headset 10 to be connected to an external device via a USB cable or other appropriate link.
    Headset 10a acting as the master can store digital audio data that enters a buffer 140 before sending it to transducer (s) 106 for playback. Buffer 140 can be part of volatile memory unit 120 as
    7/12 shown in figure 3, or buffer 140 could be separated. In various modalities, data, in bytes, for several seconds of audio value, such as three seconds of value or some other value, can be stored in buffer 140, which can be a circular buffer. The master headset 10a also sends the incoming digital audio to the slave headset 10b via the communication link 15. The data to be sent to the slave headset 10b can be transmitted from a transmission buffer, which can be the same or different from buffer 140.
    In addition, master headset 10a can send synchronization data to the slave headset 10b, such as the current byte position of buffer 140 of master headset 10a, which allows slave headset 10b to synchronize its playback digital audio with digital audio playback from the master headset. The synchronization data may comprise data indicative of the buffer state or playing position of buffer 140 of master headset 10a. The buffer status data can include, for example, index data for the read and / or write buffer counts.
    In one embodiment, the master headset 10a transmits the stored audio data using a connection-oriented protocol and uses a connectionless protocol for the synchronization data. For example, master headset 10a can transmit data packets for stored audio data to slave headset 10b using the TCP / IP protocol. Master headset 10a can transmit data packets for synchronization data to slave headset 10b using the UDP protocol. Master headset 10a can send UDP data packets periodically, such as every 0.5, 1, 3, 5 or 10 seconds or some other period. Processor unit 114 of master headset 10a can be programmed to send TCP / IP audio packets and UDP synchronization data packets to slave headset 10b with code or firmware stored in a headset memory unit master ear 10a, such as non-volatile memory unit 122.
    When acting as the slave, headset 10 can be programmed, based on code or firmware stored in slave headset 10b's non-volatile memory unit 122, to store audio TCP / IP packets received from the headset master 10a in buffer 140 of slave headset 10b. When slave headset 10b receives UDP synchronization data from master headset 10a, slave headset 10b can update or adjust its buffer state, or playback position in buffer 140, to match the state of master headset buffer. After adjusting its buffer position, slave headset 10b plays the audio stored in buffer 140 using the adjusted buffer position.
    As the transmission times for UDP buffer state packets from
    8/12 of the master headset 10a to the slave headset 10b are not always uniform, in various ways, the slave headset 10b can, by executing code or firmware stored in the non-volatile memory unit 122, track the intervals time between receipt of UDP buffer status packets from the headphone mes5 to 10a. the history (or record) of time slots can be stored in the volatile memory unit 120 of slave headset 10b, and processor unit 114 can compute and save continuous statistics about time slots, such as average time slots Rotation and absolute, mean rotation and absolute time intervals, standard deviations of rotation and absolute, etc.
    The slave headset 10b can use time interval statistics to determine how much to adjust its buffer state. For example, if a specific UDP buffer state packet from master headset 10a took significantly longer to receive than the average time interval between UDP buffer state packets, slave headset 10b can adjust its buffer state less than it would have if the UDP buffer state packet had been received close to the average time interval. Alternatively, slave headset 10b can delete the synchronization data from master 10a if it is significantly different from the programmed, or expected, interval.
    In another mode, in addition to tracking time interval statistics, slave headset 10b can track and record the adjustment it has made to its buffer each time. The slave headset 10b can then estimate the amount of adjustment that will need to be made based on the next UDP buffer state package to be received from the master headset 10a, and make adjustments to its buffer position during the period. of time before receiving the next UDP buffer state packet to reduce the amount of adjustment required when the next UDP buffer state packet is received from master headset 10a. For example, if during a period of operation the slave headset 10b needs to continuously adjust its position in its buffer 140 by approximately N units (for example, data bytes) each time the slave headset 10b receives a packet of the UDP buffer state from master headset 10a, slave headset 10b can calculate that on average x seconds between UDP buffer state packets, it could adjust its buffer position by N / x positions per second so that when the next UDP buffer state packet from master headset 10a is received, the amount of adjustment needed to be made by slave headset 10b for its buffer position is reduced.
    In addition to UDP, any appropriate low overhead protocol can be used to transmit synchronization data from the master to the slave. For example, in another mode, instead of transmitting UDP buffer status packets to the
    9/12 slave ear 10b, headphones 10 can exchange noise messages, such as Internet Control Message (ICMP) protocol messages. ICMP messages can be, for example, “Echo request” and “Echo reply” messages. For example, master headset 10a can transmit an ICMP "echo request" message and slave headset 10b can in return transmit an ICMP "echo response" message to master headset 10a. The slave headset 10b can adjust its buffer position based on the ICMP messages to synchronize with the master. In another mode, the headphones can compute adjustments for their internal clocks based on, for the master, the time difference between when they transmitted their message and when they received the response from the slave. The slave can adjust its internal clock based on the time between when it transmitted its response and the next request received from the master.
    As mentioned above, master and slave headphones can transition roles as master and slave during operation. In one embodiment, one of the headsets is programmed to start as the master when switched on, and the other headset, acting as the slave, looks for the address, such as the IP address, of the master headset 10a when switched on. In one embodiment, headphones can transition roles between master and slave after a predetermined period of time, in operation. In such a mode, after the predetermined period of time, the slave headset can assume the role of master and the master headset can assume the role of slave. In another mode, an action by the user of the headphones can trigger the transition. For example, if the user operates a control from one of the headsets to change the source, triggering the control by the user can cause the headphones to transition roles. In another modality, the headphones can comprise a set of circuits that monitor in real time the battery life or battery voltage of the headset power source (for example, battery unit). Headphones 10a, b can transition roles based on the remaining real-time battery life of the headphones. The code or firmware that allows the headphones to transition paper can be stored in the headphones' non-volatile memory units 122 and executed by the processor units 114.
    In another mode, to synchronize the headphones, instead of transmitting buffer state packets from the master to the slaves, the headphones would get synchronized digital audio playback by synchronizing their internal clocks and using the synchronized clocks to get started playback at a common scheduled time. If playback starts at the same time, the headphones will remain in sync because their internal clocks are kept in sync for the duration of the playback. For the purpose of synchronizing digital audio playback, clocks should be considered
    10/12 synchronized if the time difference between them is less than 30 ms, but preferably less than 500 microseconds.
    Clock synchronization can be achieved by using a digital or analog “heartbeat” radio signal or pulse, which must be broadcast at a frequency higher than the desired time difference between the two watches (preferably by a magnitude) - by an external source or by one of the headphones. In one embodiment the heartbeat signal can be transmitted by the same radio module used to transmit audio data between the headphones, but in other modalities each headset can comprise a second radio module - a 10 for the heartbeat and one for digital audio. The radio module for the heartbeat signal is preferably a low-bandwidth, low-power radio module, and is preferably short-range. In the Wi-Fi mode shown above, master headset 10a can send a heartbeat signal to slave headset 10b on the second radio channel provided by the second radio module, which is different from the Wi- Fi.
    According to various embodiments, therefore, the present invention is directed to an apparatus comprising first and second acoustic speaker devices (for example, headphones). The first acoustic speaker device comprises a first acoustic transducer and a first transceiver, in which the first transceiver receives and transmits signals wirelessly. The second acoustic speaker device comprises a second acoustic transducer and a second transceiver, in which the second transceiver receives and transmits signals wirelessly. The first and second speaker devices communicate wirelessly. The first acoustic speaker device wirelessly transmits data that comprises (1) digital audio data and (2) synchronization data wirelessly to the second acoustic speaker device. Digital audio data is transmitted via a connection-oriented communication protocol and synchronization data is transmitted via a connectionless communication protocol.
    According to various implementations, digital audio data sent via the connection-oriented communication protocol comprises data packets of TCP / IP protocol. The synchronization data sent via the connectionless communication protocol can comprise UDP protocol data packets or ICMP messages. The digital audio data transmitted by the first acoustic speaker device to the second acoustic speaker device can comprise received digital audio data that was stored in a first buffer of the first acoustic audio device and received from a digital wireless audio source through a first wireless communication link. The first acoustic speaker device can transmit wirelessly to the second acoustic speaker device via a
    11/12 second wireless communication link. The first wireless communication link can comprise a Wi-Fi communication link and the second wireless communication link can comprise a Wi-Fi communication link. The synchronization data can comprise audio playback data from the first high-end device. - acoustic speaker or clock synchronization data (as a heart beat signal). The synchronization data can comprise buffer state data from the first buffer of the first acoustic speaker device. The second acoustic speaker device may comprise a second buffer for storing digital audio data received from the first acoustic speaker device. The first acoustic speaker device can transmit the synchronization data to the second acoustic speaker device periodically. The second acoustic speaker device can be configured to track time intervals between receiving synchronization data from the first acoustic speaker device. The second acoustic speaker device can be configured to compute a state setting for the second buffer of the second acoustic speaker device based on the time intervals tracked between receiving the synchronization data from the first speaker device. acoustic speaker. The first and second acoustic speaker devices can be configured in such a way that after a period of operation, the second acoustic speaker device wirelessly transmits data to the first acoustic speaker device (1). digital audio via the connection-oriented communication protocol and (2) synchronization data via the connectionless communication protocol.
    In several other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method for synchronizing audio reproduction by first and second acoustic speaker devices (such as headphones), in which the first and second acoustic speaker devices communicate with each other. wireless mode. The method may comprise transmitting wirelessly through the first acoustic speaker device to the second acoustic speaker device, data comprising (1) digital audio data and (2) synchronization data. Digital audio data is transmitted via a connection-oriented communication protocol and synchronization data is transmitted via a connectionless communication protocol.
    According to several implementations, the method can also comprise the steps of: receiving wireless audio data from a digital wireless audio source via a first communication link wirelessly by the first acoustic speaker device. wireless; and storing digital audio data from the digital wireless audio source via the first acoustic speaker device in a first buffer of the first acoustic speaker device. The digital audio data transmitted by the first acoustic speaker device to the second acoustic speaker device can
    12/12 understand digital audio data stored in the first buffer of the first acoustic speaker device. The method may also comprise tracking by the second acoustic speaker device time intervals between receiving the synchronization data from the first acoustic speaker device. The method may also comprise switching by the second acoustic speaker device a state adjustment for the second buffer of the second acoustic speaker device based on the time intervals tracked between receiving the synchronization data from the first loudspeaker device. acoustic speaker. The method may also comprise, after a period of operation, wirelessly transmitting wirelessly through the second acoustic speaker device to the first acoustic speaker device (1) digital audio data via the connection-oriented communication protocol and (2) synchronization data via the connectionless communication protocol.
    The examples presented here are intended to illustrate specific and potential implementations of the modalities. It can be recognized that the examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration for those skilled in the art. No specific aspect or aspects of the examples are intended to limit the scope of the described modalities. The figures and descriptions of the modalities have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant to a clear understanding of the modalities, while eliminating, for the sake of clarity, other elements.
    In the various embodiments disclosed here, a single component can be replaced by multiple components and multiple components can be replaced by a single component to perform a given function or functions. Except where such a substitution would not be operative, such substitution is included in the intended scope of the modalities.
    Although several modalities have been described here, it should be evident that various modifications, alterations, and adaptations to these modalities can occur for people skilled in the art with at least some of the advantages. The revealed modalities are intended, therefore, to include all these modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope of the modalities as explained here.
    权利要求:
    Claims (5)
    [1]
    1. Apparatus FEATURED for understanding:
    a first acoustic speaker device comprising a first acoustic transducer and a first transceiver, wherein the first transceiver receives and transmits wireless signals; and a second acoustic speaker device comprising a second acoustic transducer and a second transceiver, wherein the second transceiver receives and transmits wireless signals, wherein the first and second speaker devices communicate wirelessly, and on what:
    the first and second acoustic speaker devices are for playing audio simultaneously; and the first and second acoustic speaker devices maintain synchronicity through:
    continuously over a period of time in which the first and second acoustic speaker devices output audio simultaneously, the first acoustic speaker device transmits data wirelessly to the second acoustic speaker device that comprises (1) digital audio data and (2) synchronization data; the first acoustic speaker device wirelessly transmits digital audio data to the second acoustic speaker via a connection-oriented communication protocol;
    the first acoustic speaker device wirelessly transmits the synchronization data to the second acoustic speaker via a connectionless communication protocol; and the second acoustic speaker device uses synchronization data to maintain synchronicity with the first acoustic speaker device.
    [2]
    2. Apparatus, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that digital audio data sent through the connection-oriented communication protocol comprises TCP / IP protocol data packets.
    [3]
    3/4 time intervals tracked between receiving synchronization data from the first acoustic speaker device.
    13. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the first and second acoustic loudspeaker devices are configured in such a way that after a period of operation, the second loudspeaker device acoustic transmits wirelessly to the first acoustic speaker device (1) digital audio data via the connection-oriented communication protocol and (2) synchronization data via the connectionless communication protocol.
    14. Method for maintaining audio playback synchronization through first and second acoustic speaker devices, where the first and second acoustic speaker devices communicate wirelessly, the method being CHARACTERIZED by understanding:
    over a period of time when the first and second acoustic speaker devices are simultaneously outputting the audio, wirelessly transmitting through the first acoustic speaker device to the second acoustic speaker device, data comprising (1 ) digital audio data and (2) synchronization data, where:
    the first acoustic speaker device wirelessly transmits digital audio data to the second acoustic speaker via a connection-oriented communication protocol;
    the first acoustic speaker device wirelessly transmits the synchronization data to the second acoustic speaker via a connectionless communication protocol; and the second acoustic speaker device uses synchronization data to maintain synchronicity with the first acoustic speaker device.
    15. Method, according to claim 14, CHARACTERIZED by further comprising:
    wirelessly receive digital audio data from a digital wireless audio source through a first wireless communication link, via the first acoustic speaker device; and store the digital audio data from the digital wireless audio source via the first acoustic speaker device in a first buffer of the first acoustic speaker device, where the digital audio data transmitted by the first loudspeaker device acoustic speaker for the second acoustic speaker device comprises digital audio data stored in the first buffer of the first acoustic speaker device.
    Petition 870180138362, of 10/05/2018, p. 33/35
    3. Apparatus according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the synchronization data sent via the connectionless communication protocol comprises UDP protocol data packets.
    [4]
    4/4
    16. Method, according to claim 15, CHARACTERIZED by further comprising tracking by the second acoustic speaker device time intervals between receiving the synchronization data from the first acoustic speaker device.
    4. Apparatus according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the synchronization data sent via the connectionless communication protocol comprises ICMP messages.
    5. Apparatus, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that:
    Petition 870180138362, of 10/05/2018, p. 31/35
    2J4 the digital audio data sent via the connection-oriented communication protocol comprises TCP / IP protocol data packets; and the synchronization data sent via the connectionless communication protocol comprises UDP protocol data packets.
    5
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
    CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the first acoustic speaker device comprises a first headset and the second acoustic speaker device comprises a second headset.
    Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
    10 FEATURED by the fact that:
    the digital audio data transmitted by the first acoustic speaker device to the second acoustic speaker device comprises received digital audio data that was stored in a first buffer of the first acoustic audio device and received from a source of digital wireless audio through a first wireless communication link; and the first wireless acoustic speaker device transmits to the second acoustic speaker device via a second wireless communication link.
    8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the synchronization data comprises data of
    20 audio playback from the first acoustic speaker device.
    9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the synchronization data comprises clock synchronization data.
    10. Apparatus, according to claim 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that 25:
    the synchronization data comprises buffer state data from the first buffer of the first acoustic speaker device; and the second acoustic speaker device comprises a second buffer for storing digital audio data received from the first acoustic speaker device 30.
    11. Apparatus according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the second acoustic speaker device is configured to track time intervals between receiving synchronization data from the first acoustic speaker device.
    35
    12. Apparatus according to claim 11, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the second acoustic speaker device is configured to compute a state setting for the second buffer of the second acoustic speaker device based on the
    Petition 870180138362, of 10/05/2018, p. 32/35
    [5]
    17. Method, according to claim 16, CHARACTERIZED by further comprising computing by the second acoustic speaker device a state adjustment for the second buffer of the second acoustic speaker device based on the time intervals tracked between receipt synchronization data from the first acoustic speaker device.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    BR112012004527B1|2019-02-26|APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONIZING AUDIO PLAYBACK
    US10412494B2|2019-09-10|Operation mode switch of wireless headphones
    EP3205119B1|2020-05-13|Hearing assistance system and method
    EP2456234B1|2016-08-17|Wireless binaural hearing system
    US20130266152A1|2013-10-10|Synchronizing wireless earphones
    US20200396529A1|2020-12-17|Bone conduction headset
    CN112020136B|2021-02-09|Audio system and wireless earphone pair
    CN108271095A|2018-07-10|A kind of major and minor Bluetooth audio equipment and its synchronous playing system and method
    EP2885925B1|2019-04-10|A dynamic hearing aid system and a method for configuring the hearing aid system
    US9143872B2|2015-09-22|Wireless streaming link break-in
    CN212752604U|2021-03-19|Bone conduction TWS earphone
    US20220014295A1|2022-01-13|Systems and methods for synchronizing transmission of wireless data
    CN105100988A|2015-11-25|In-ear earphone shell
    US20170325015A1|2017-11-09|Sound System with Ear Device with Improved Fit and Sound
    CN112423182A|2021-02-26|Improved bone conduction earphone
    WO2021076048A1|2021-04-22|Audio devices and methods of operating an audio device
    EP3881586A1|2021-09-22|Communication device using two wireless protocols
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    EP2476263B1|2014-04-23|
    RU2012113859A|2013-10-20|
    JP2015084568A|2015-04-30|
    SG179553A1|2012-05-30|
    EP2476263A4|2012-12-26|
    JP5961244B2|2016-08-02|
    CN102696240B|2016-02-24|
    AU2010292212B2|2014-05-29|
    WO2011031910A1|2011-03-17|
    UA105805C2|2014-06-25|
    US20120230510A1|2012-09-13|
    KR101680408B1|2016-12-12|
    DK2476263T3|2014-07-21|
    HK1169252A1|2013-01-18|
    RU2551816C2|2015-05-27|
    BR112012004527A2|2018-03-20|
    US9002044B2|2015-04-07|
    AU2010292212A1|2012-02-23|
    EP2476263A1|2012-07-18|
    CA2773825A1|2011-03-17|
    CA2773825C|2017-07-25|
    KR20120068835A|2012-06-27|
    CN102696240A|2012-09-26|
    JP2013504937A|2013-02-07|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    JP3163998B2|1996-12-05|2001-05-08|松下電器産業株式会社|Communications system|
    US8868914B2|1999-07-02|2014-10-21|Steven W. Teppler|System and methods for distributing trusted time|
    US7277692B1|2002-07-10|2007-10-02|Sprint Spectrum L.P.|System and method of collecting audio data for use in establishing surround sound recording|
    CH704101B1|2002-11-06|2012-05-31|Barix Ag|Method and apparatus for synchronized playback of data streams.|
    FI20055590A|2005-11-03|2007-05-04|Wearfone Oy|A method and apparatus for wirelessly generating sound to a user's ear|
    US7539889B2|2005-12-30|2009-05-26|Avega Systems Pty Ltd|Media data synchronization in a wireless network|
    CN101004934A|2006-01-16|2007-07-25|上海乐金广电电子有限公司|Sound source playing back system, and operation method|
    US8155335B2|2007-03-14|2012-04-10|Phillip Rutschman|Headset having wirelessly linked earpieces|
    US20080298606A1|2007-06-01|2008-12-04|Manifold Products, Llc|Wireless digital audio player|
    US7957528B2|2007-08-21|2011-06-07|Sony Corporation|Near field registration of home system audio-video device|
    US8595342B2|2007-10-17|2013-11-26|Reazer Investments L.L.C.|Synchronized media playback using autonomous clients over standard Internet protocols|
    US8180078B2|2007-12-13|2012-05-15|At&T Intellectual Property I, Lp|Systems and methods employing multiple individual wireless earbuds for a common audio source|
    US8768252B2|2010-09-02|2014-07-01|Apple Inc.|Un-tethered wireless audio system|US8429223B2|2006-09-21|2013-04-23|Apple Inc.|Systems and methods for facilitating group activities|
    US8745496B2|2006-09-21|2014-06-03|Apple Inc.|Variable I/O interface for portable media device|
    US9628880B2|2008-04-07|2017-04-18|Koss Corporation|Wooden or other dielectric capacitive touch interface and loudspeaker having same|
    US8768252B2|2010-09-02|2014-07-01|Apple Inc.|Un-tethered wireless audio system|
    JP6019553B2|2011-08-31|2016-11-02|ソニー株式会社|Earphone device|
    JP5919686B2|2011-08-31|2016-05-18|ソニー株式会社|Sound playback device|
    US9401768B2|2011-09-16|2016-07-26|Nokia Technologies Oy|Near field communication apparatus|
    EP2592842A1|2011-11-14|2013-05-15|Accenture Global Services Limited|Computer-implemented method, computer system, and computer program product for synchronizing output of media data across a plurality of devices|
    US20130188803A1|2012-01-20|2013-07-25|Qualcomm Incorporated|Earpiece|
    US9191988B2|2012-05-26|2015-11-17|Qualcomm Incorporated|Smart pairing using bluetooth technology|
    US9949205B2|2012-05-26|2018-04-17|Qualcomm Incorporated|Smart battery wear leveling for audio devices|
    WO2014047884A1|2012-09-28|2014-04-03|Siemens Ltd., China|A dynamic hearing aid system and a method for configuring the hearing aid system|
    EP2926574B1|2012-12-03|2018-11-28|Sonova AG|Wireless streaming of an audio signal to multiple audio receiver devices|
    US9060288B2|2013-03-15|2015-06-16|Koss Corporation|Configuring wireless devices for a wireless infrastructure network|
    US8971555B2|2013-06-13|2015-03-03|Koss Corporation|Multi-mode, wearable, wireless microphone|
    US9723413B2|2013-12-26|2017-08-01|Gn Hearing A/S|Binaural hearing aid system with feedback suppression|
    US9532131B2|2014-02-21|2016-12-27|Apple Inc.|System and method of improving voice quality in a wireless headset with untethered earbuds of a mobile device|
    TWI599240B|2014-04-02|2017-09-11|微晶片科技公司|Speaker apparatus and speaker system|
    CN104092825A|2014-07-07|2014-10-08|深圳市微思客技术有限公司|Bluetooth voice control method and device and intelligent terminal|
    CN104135704A|2014-07-11|2014-11-05|黄天旭|Sound box networking method and sound box network|
    US10224759B2|2014-07-15|2019-03-05|Qorvo Us, Inc.|Radio frequencypower harvesting circuit|
    US10566843B2|2014-07-15|2020-02-18|Qorvo Us, Inc.|Wireless charging circuit|
    US9544689B2|2014-08-28|2017-01-10|Harman International Industries, Inc.|Wireless speaker system|
    WO2014184394A2|2014-09-15|2014-11-20|Phonak Ag|Hearing assistance system and method|
    CN106797518B|2014-09-15|2019-11-12|索诺瓦公司|Hearing assistance system and method|
    US10559970B2|2014-09-16|2020-02-11|Qorvo Us, Inc.|Method for wireless charging power control|
    US10776739B2|2014-09-30|2020-09-15|Apple Inc.|Fitness challenge E-awards|
    US20160219358A1|2015-01-28|2016-07-28|Alpha Audiotronics, Inc.|Wireless earbuds with reciprocating leader and follower configuration|
    DE102015201945A1|2015-02-04|2016-08-04|Sivantos Pte. Ltd.|Hearing device for binaural supply and method of operation|
    CN106211308B|2015-05-08|2019-04-23|瑞昱半导体股份有限公司|Multimedia synchronization system and method|
    CN105049995B|2015-05-27|2021-02-02|广州黑格智能科技有限公司|Ear multimedia playing equipment|
    CN108650594B|2015-11-04|2020-12-15|Oppo广东移动通信有限公司|Sound box management method, user terminal and computer storage medium|
    US9900680B2|2015-11-10|2018-02-20|Skullcandy, Inc.|Wireless earbuds and related methods|
    US20170195466A1|2016-01-02|2017-07-06|EratoHoldings Co., Ltd.|Radiofrequency communication device|
    KR20170082405A|2016-01-06|2017-07-14|삼성전자주식회사|Ear wearable type wireless device and system supporting the same|
    US9794677B2|2016-01-12|2017-10-17|Bose Corporation|Headphone|
    US10142750B2|2016-04-22|2018-11-27|Apple Inc.|Swapping roles between untethered wirelessly connected devices|
    TWI669923B|2016-05-05|2019-08-21|美律實業股份有限公司|Method of choosing master wireless earphone in wireless earphone set, electronic apparatus and wireless earphone|
    US9949014B2|2016-06-13|2018-04-17|Peag, LLC|Wireless pair of earbuds|
    WO2018026201A1|2016-08-03|2018-02-08|에잇비트 주식회사|System for determining attributes and state of wireless stereo headset element|
    JP6835093B2|2016-09-15|2021-02-24|ヤマハ株式会社|Earplugs and ear sets|
    CN112839282A|2016-09-23|2021-05-25|苹果公司|Earphone set|
    JP6304336B2|2016-09-30|2018-04-04|ソニー株式会社|Earphone device|
    KR20180050890A|2016-11-07|2018-05-16|삼성전자주식회사|Speaker apparatus, connected electronic apparatus therewith and controlling method thereof|
    CN106714021A|2016-11-30|2017-05-24|捷开通讯有限公司|Earphones and electronic assembly|
    CN106851450A|2016-12-26|2017-06-13|歌尔科技有限公司|A kind of wireless headset pair and electronic equipment|
    CN106878921B|2017-01-04|2020-06-05|佳禾智能科技股份有限公司|Earphone, method and device for connecting earphone and sound signal emitting equipment|
    US10715898B2|2017-05-11|2020-07-14|BestechnicCo., Ltd.|Dual-band wireless headphones|
    CN107318062B|2017-05-11|2019-10-11|恒玄科技（上海）有限公司|A kind of low-power consumption one drag two bluetooth headset|
    CN107333339B|2017-05-16|2020-09-01|恒玄科技股份有限公司|Audio data transmission method between double wireless earphones and double wireless earphones|
    KR102275040B1|2017-05-19|2021-07-08|삼성전자주식회사|Electronic apparatus and current consumption control method thereof|
    KR102336612B1|2017-08-09|2021-12-07|삼성전자주식회사|Electronic device and method for receiving audio signal using communication configuration information of external electronic device|
    CN107708014B|2017-11-08|2020-07-28|深圳市沃特沃德股份有限公司|Method and device for automatically switching master-slave relation of wireless earphone and wireless earphone|
    CN111836153A|2017-11-20|2020-10-27|苹果公司|Earphone and earphone|
    CN109391876A|2018-01-10|2019-02-26|展讯通信（上海）有限公司|Audio frequency apparatus and its data receiver method|
    CN109388364A|2018-01-10|2019-02-26|展讯通信（上海）有限公司|A kind of the voice messaging acquisition method for controlling reporting and system of audio frequency apparatus|
    CN108271090A|2018-01-10|2018-07-10|深圳市沃特沃德股份有限公司|Bluetooth headset master-slave switching method and device|
    TWI668972B|2018-02-13|2019-08-11|絡達科技股份有限公司|Wireless audio output device|
    US10419853B2|2018-02-21|2019-09-17|Apple Inc.|Binaural audio capture using untethered wireless headset|
    EP3790291A4|2018-04-28|2021-03-24|1More Inc.|Wireless earphones communication method, master earphone, slave earphone, and earphones system|
    US10455312B1|2018-05-11|2019-10-22|Bose Corporation|Acoustic transducer as a near-field magnetic induction coil|
    CN108429966A|2018-05-21|2018-08-21|深圳市沃特沃德股份有限公司|Wireless headset automatically switches the method and its device of playing task|
    CN110545151B|2018-05-28|2021-08-03|北京小米松果电子有限公司|Method for synchronizing states between audio ends and sending audio data packets and audio equipment|
    CN108848163A|2018-06-15|2018-11-20|歌尔科技有限公司|The upgrade method and TWS earphone of TWS earphone|
    CN108833542A|2018-06-15|2018-11-16|歌尔科技有限公司|The upgrade method and TWS earphone of TWS earphone|
    CN109040887B|2018-07-02|2020-05-19|Oppo广东移动通信有限公司|Master-slave earphone switching control method and related product|
    CN108958696A|2018-07-02|2018-12-07|Oppo广东移动通信有限公司|Principal and subordinate's earphone method for handover control and Related product|
    CN108415685B|2018-07-12|2018-12-14|恒玄科技（上海）有限公司|Wireless Bluetooth headsets realize the method being precisely played simultaneously|
    US20200059504A1|2018-08-19|2020-02-20|Pixart Imaging Inc.|Schemes capable of synchronizing native clocks and audio codec clocks of audio playing for bluetooth wireless devices|
    WO2020105197A1|2018-11-25|2020-05-28|株式会社メイ|Earphones|
    US10394521B1|2018-12-06|2019-08-27|Peag, LLC|Speaker device with equalization tool|
    US11115885B2|2019-04-19|2021-09-07|Qualcomm Incorporated|Audio synchronization during handover|
    WO2020220181A1|2019-04-29|2020-11-05|Harman International Industries, Incorporated|A speaker with broadcasting mode and broadcasting method thereof|
    CN112218197A|2019-07-12|2021-01-12|络达科技股份有限公司|Audio compensation method and wireless audio output device using same|
    CN110503984A|2019-08-12|2019-11-26|成都法兰特科技有限公司|Playback method, equipment and the system of wireless audio playback equipment|
    CN110505563B|2019-09-11|2020-12-01|歌尔科技有限公司|Synchronous detection method and device of wireless earphone, wireless earphone and storage medium|
    CN111629299A|2020-06-05|2020-09-04|歌尔科技有限公司|TWS earphone, and battery replacement method, device and medium thereof|
    法律状态:
    2018-12-26| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|
    2019-02-26| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 10/09/2010, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US27626609P| true| 2009-09-10|2009-09-10|
    US61/276,266|2009-09-10|
    PCT/US2010/048337|WO2011031910A1|2009-09-10|2010-09-10|Synchronizing wireless earphones|
    [返回顶部]