Wireless Headphone Device, Smart Device, Wireless Communication System, and Communication Method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless headphone device, a smart device, a wireless communication system, and a communication method. The wireless headphone device includes a first headphone and a second headphone. The first headphone is configured to: receive a first wireless frame from the smart device; after receiving the first wireless frame, send a first ACK frame to the smart device after a first time interval; The second headphone is configured to: receive the first wireless frame from the smart device simultaneously with the first headphone; after receiving the first wireless frame, send a second ACK frame to the smart device after a second time interval, where the second time interval is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period during which the first headphone sends the first ACK frame. In this way, the master and slave headphones can receive data from the smart device simultaneously, while ensuring the reliability of data transmission, it can also improve the data transmission efficiency between the smart device and the wireless headphones, thereby improving the user experience of using the wireless headphones.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an earphone and a communication method of the earphone, and more specifically, to a wireless earphone device, a smart device, a wireless communication system, and a communication method between the wireless earphone device and the smart device. Background Art

[0002] With the progress of society and the improvement of people's living standards, headphones have become an indispensable daily necessity. Traditional wired headphones are connected to smart devices (such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.) through wires, which restricts the wearer's movements, especially in sports. At the same time, the entanglement and pulling of the headphone wires, as well as the stethoscope effect, affect the user experience. Ordinary Bluetooth headphones cancel the connection between the headphones and smart devices, but there is still a connection between the left and right ears.

[0003] True wireless stereo headphones came into being. The current communication method of true wireless headphones is: a smart device establishes a Bluetooth link with the main headphone in the true wireless headphones, first transmits data such as music, voice or other data packets to the main headphone via Bluetooth communication, and then the main headphone forwards the received data to the slave headphone. In such wireless headphones and communication methods, the main headphone needs to transmit complete valid data to the communication device and to the slave headphone respectively. The amount of data transmitted is large, the reliability of Bluetooth transmission is low, and the power consumption of the main headphone is high, and the battery life of the wireless headphones is short.

[0004] Although a series of technologies have been introduced to reduce the amount of data transmitted via Bluetooth between the master and slave earphones, such as the master earphone transmitting the relevant parameters of the Bluetooth link with the smart device to the slave earphone so that the slave earphone can listen to and directly receive the Bluetooth signal from the smart device without relying on the forwarding of the Bluetooth data of the master earphone, the demand for the master and slave earphones to simultaneously receive high-quality music with a higher data transmission rate from the smart device reliably and with low power consumption is still not well met. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present disclosure is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] A wireless headset device, a smart device, a wireless communication system and a communication method are needed, wherein the wireless headset can use wireless transmission with a transmission rate higher than Bluetooth, can support the transmission of high-performance or lossless music, and the transmission process is reliable, which can ensure that the wireless headset correctly receives high-quality music, thereby realizing low-power reliable transmission between the smart device and the wireless headset.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wireless headphone device, including a first headphone and a second headphone. The first headphone is configured to: receive a first wireless frame from a smart device; after receiving the first wireless frame, after a first time interval, send a first ACK frame to the smart device; The second headphone is configured to: receive the first wireless frame from the smart device simultaneously with the first headphone; after receiving the first wireless frame, after a second time interval, send a second ACK frame to the smart device, and the second time interval is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period during which the first headphone sends the first ACK frame.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a smart device, including a first communication unit and a second processor. The second processor is at least configured to: control the smart device to send a first wireless frame to the wireless headphone device in a first frequency band through the first communication unit; within a second time interval after the first wireless frame is sent, receive the first ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device; within a predetermined time period after the second time interval, receive the second ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device; based on the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame, determine whether to retransmit the first wireless frame.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wireless communication system, including the wireless headphone device according to various embodiments of the present invention and the smart device according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication method between a wireless headphone device and a smart device. The wireless headphone device includes a first headphone and a second headphone. The first headphone: receives a first wireless frame from a smart device; after receiving the first wireless frame, after a first time interval, sends a first ACK frame to the smart device; The second headphone: receives the first wireless frame from the smart device simultaneously with the first headphone; after receiving the first wireless frame, after a second time interval, sends a second ACK frame to the smart device, and the second time interval is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period during which the first headphone sends the first ACK frame; The smart device includes a first communication unit and a second processor. The second processor: controls the smart device to send a first wireless frame to the wireless headphone device in a first frequency band through the first communication unit; within a second time interval after the first wireless frame is sent, receives the first ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device; within a predetermined time period after the second time interval, receives the second ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device; based on the determination of the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame, retransmits or does not retransmit the first wireless frame.

[0011] Using various wireless headphone devices, smart devices, wireless communication systems, and communication methods of the present disclosure, at least partial data transmission between the headphones and the smart device can be performed using, for example, the WiFi transmission method, enabling the master and slave headphones to simultaneously receive high-quality audio data from the smart device. Moreover, by utilizing data transmission between the master and slave headphones and a sleep mechanism under certain conditions, the retransmission rate of audio data and power consumption can be further reduced, thereby achieving low-power, high-reliability high-speed data transmission between the headphones and the smart device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar components in different views. The same reference numerals with alphabetical suffixes or different alphabetical suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example and not limitation, and are used together with the description and the claims to explain the disclosed embodiments. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the device or method.

[0013] Figure 1 Schematic diagram showing the working principle of a wireless headphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 Timing diagram showing wireless communication between a first headphone, a second headphone, and a smart device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the working principle of a wireless headphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 4 Schematic diagram showing the working principle of a wireless headphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 5 Partial working flow chart of the first headphone of a wireless headphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 6 Partial working flow chart of the second headphone of a wireless headphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 7 Partial working flow chart of the second headphone of a wireless headphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 8 and Figure 9 Hardware schematic diagram of a smart device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 9 Shows a working flowchart of an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 10 Shows a partial working flowchart of an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 11 Shows a partial working flowchart of an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 12 Shows a partial working flowchart of an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0025] Figure 13 Shows a flowchart of a communication method between a wireless headphone device and an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present disclosure, the present disclosure will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners. The embodiments of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this is not a limitation to the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1 Shows a schematic diagram of the working principle of a wireless headphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 1 shown, a wireless headphone device according to the present disclosure includes a first earphone 101 and a second earphone 102. The first earphone 101 is configured to: receive a first wireless frame 104 from an intelligent device 103; after receiving the first wireless frame 104, after a first time interval T0, send a first ACK frame 105 to the intelligent device 103; the second earphone 102 is configured to: receive the first wireless frame 104 from the intelligent device 103 simultaneously with the first earphone 101; after receiving the first wireless frame 104, after a second time interval T1, send a second ACK frame 106 to the intelligent device 103, and the second time interval T1 is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period during which the first earphone sends the first ACK frame. Among them, the intelligent device 103 is specifically a device that can establish information interaction with the first earphone 101 and the second earphone 102, and it is sufficient to satisfy that the intelligent device 103 can perform data transmission with the first earphone 101 and the second earphone 102 respectively (receive signals sent from the first earphone 101 and the second earphone 102 and send signals to the first earphone 101 and the second earphone 102). For example, the intelligent device 103 can be one or a combination of a computer, a mobile phone, a radio, a car player, an MP3, an MP4, an MP5, a smart TV, and the specific type of the intelligent device 103 is not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 The timing diagram of wireless communication between the first earphone, the second earphone and the smart device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 2 shown, when the first earphone 101 and the second earphone 102 are in the receiving state and simultaneously receive the first wireless frame 104 from the smart device 103, after a time interval T0, the first earphone 101 feeds back a first ACK frame 105 to the smart device 103, which is used to indicate that the first earphone 101 has correctly received the first wireless frame 104 signal from the smart device 103. Among them, the function of the first time interval T0 is to separate the frames belonging to one conversation, so that the first earphone 101 can be switched from the receiving state to the transmitting state. After receiving the first wireless frame 104, the second earphone 102 sends a second ACK frame 106 to the smart device 103 after a second time interval T1. The second ACK frame 106 is used to indicate that the second earphone 102 has correctly received the first wireless frame 104 from the smart device 103. The second time interval T1 is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period when the first earphone sends the first ACK frame. The length of the second time interval T1 can ensure that after the second earphone 102 receives the first wireless frame 104, there is enough time to switch to the transmitting state, and it can also ensure that the second earphone 102 starts to send the second ACK frame 106 only after the first earphone 101 sends the first ACK frame 105. This makes the interference between the first ACK frame 105 and the second ACK frame 106 reduced during the transmission process, ensuring that the first ACK frame 105 and the second ACK frame 106 as feedback signals can be accurately acquired by the smart device 103, and increasing the reliability of the system including wireless earphones.

[0029] The first earphone 101 and the second earphone 102 can communicate with the smart device 103 through the WiFi module. When communicating with the smart device 103 through the WiFi module, the first time interval T0 can be the SIFS in the WiFi module. The "SIFS" described in this article is the shortest time segment, which is used to separate the frames that need to be immediately responded, such as control frames (RTS / CTS / ACK), etc. Using the shortest interval between two transmissions in the frame exchange sequence can prevent other stations waiting for the medium from trying to use the medium.

[0030] In some embodiments, each of the first earphone and the second earphone has a first communication unit, and the first communication unit is configured to: communicate with the smart device within a first frequency band; and the first communication units of the first earphone and the second earphone use the same MAC address, so as to facilitate the first earphone and the second earphone to simultaneously receive the first wireless frame from the smart device and ensure reliable reception of the first earphone and the second earphone. Especially when using the wireless earphone device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure to listen to audio, the two earphones can accurately receive the audio signal from the smart device at the same time, which can effectively improve the user's listening experience.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first ACK frame includes ACK frame duration setting information, and the ACK duration setting information is set to be greater than or equal to the duration corresponding to the time period from the start of sending the first ACK frame by the first earphone to the end of sending the second ACK frame by the second earphone. In specific implementation, for example, in WiFi communication, when other WiFi devices receive the first ACK frame, according to the duration setting information set in the first ACK frame, no WiFi frame is sent within the duration range set in this frame, so as to reduce mutual interference. Thus, under the ACK frame duration setting of the present disclosure, other WiFi devices will not send WiFi frames during the period when the first earphone transmits the first ACK frame and when the second earphone transmits the second ACK frame, and the second ACK frame transmitted by other WiFi devices will not interfere with each other. Compared with the usual situation where the ACK frame duration is set to the duration of this ACK, the present invention reduces the mutual interference of other WiFi devices on the second ACK frame and improves the communication effect.

[0032] In some embodiments, each of the first earphone and the second earphone further has a second communication unit, and the second communication unit is at least configured to: perform wireless communication between the first earphone and the second earphone within a second frequency band that is separated from the first frequency band by more than a predetermined frequency band.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second communication unit may be a WiFi communication unit, for example, using WiFi communication in the 2.4 GHz frequency band or the 5 GHz frequency band, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0034] Figure 3 The schematic diagram of the working principle of the wireless earphone device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Since each of the first earphone 201 and the second earphone 202 has a second communication unit, the first earphone 201 and the second earphone 202 can communicate with each other. Therefore, the transmission link of each data is not limited to the link as Figure 1 shown. For example, the transmission link of each data may be as Figure 3The link shown. Specifically, the smart device 203 sends out the first wireless frame 204, which is received simultaneously by the first earphone 201 and the second earphone 202. After the first time interval T0, the second earphone 202 sends the first ACK frame 205 to the smart device 203, indicating that the first earphone 201 has correctly received the first wireless frame 204. After the second time interval T1, the second earphone 202 can first send the second ACK frame 206 to the first earphone 201, and then the first earphone 201 sends the second ACK frame 206 to the smart device 203, indicating that the second earphone 202 has correctly received the first wireless frame 204. Moreover, the second communication unit used for wireless communication between the first earphone 201 and the second earphone 202 operates in a second frequency band that is separated from the first frequency band by more than a predetermined frequency band. The above-mentioned predetermined frequency band separation can ensure that even if the first communication unit and the second communication unit work simultaneously, they will not interfere with each other, that is: the first earphone 201 and the second earphone 202 can communicate with each other while receiving audio data from the smart device. Only as an example, for instance, when both the first communication unit and the second communication unit operate in the WiFi 2.4GHz frequency band, two channels that do not overlap in frequency can be selected from 13 available channels, such as two channels from the non-interfering channels 1, 6, and 11, respectively, as the first frequency band and the second frequency band for the first communication unit and the second communication unit to work. In other embodiments, for example, when both the first communication unit and the second communication unit are WiFi communication modules, one communication unit (such as the first communication unit) can operate in the 2.4GHz frequency band, while the other communication unit (such as the second communication unit) operates in the 5G frequency band. In this way, mutual interference can be better avoided.

[0035] Figure 4 The schematic diagram showing the working principle of the wireless earphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Since each of the first earphone 301 and the second earphone 302 has a second communication unit, the first earphone 301 and the second earphone 302 can communicate with each other. Therefore, the transmission link of each data is not limited to just the Figure 1 link shown. For example, the transmission link of each data can also be as Figure 4The link shown. Specifically, the smart device 303 sends out the first wireless frame 304, which is received simultaneously by the first earphone 301 and the second earphone 302. After the first time interval T0, the first earphone 301 can first send the first ACK frame 305 to the second earphone 302, and the second earphone 302 sends the first ACK frame 305 to the smart device 303, which is used to indicate that the first earphone 201 has correctly received the first wireless frame 304. After the second time interval T1, the second earphone sends the second ACK frame 306 to the smart device 303, which is used to indicate that the second earphone 302 has correctly received the first wireless frame 304. Moreover, the first earphone 301 and the second earphone 302 perform wireless communication through the second communication unit within a second frequency band that is separated from the first frequency band by a predetermined frequency band or more. Therefore, after adding the communication link, it does not affect the audio data reception of the first earphone 301 and the second earphone 302 using the first communication unit. In some cases, it is not necessary for the second earphone 302 to send the first ACK frame 305 to the smart device 303, and the second earphone sends the second ACK frame 306 to the smart device 303, which is used to indicate that the first earphone 301 and the second earphone 302 have correctly received the first wireless frame 304.

[0036] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will illustrate how to select a suitable link during specific implementation to ensure that each earphone and the smart device can quickly and accurately obtain the data they need to obtain.

[0037] Figure 5 The partial working flowchart of the first earphone of the wireless earphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 5 shown, the first earphone is further configured to perform the following steps.

[0038] In step S501, first, obtain the first link quality of the communication connection between the first earphone and the smart device, the second link quality of the communication connection between the second earphone and the smart device, and the third link quality of the communication connection between the first earphone and the second earphone.

[0039] Next, in step S502, it can be determined whether the second link quality is lower than the first link quality, and the second link quality is lower than the first threshold, and whether the third link quality is higher than the second threshold. When it is determined that the second link quality is lower than the first link quality, and the second link quality is lower than the first threshold, and at the same time the third link quality is higher than the second threshold, steps S503 - S505 can be continued.

[0040] In step S503, send the first indication information in the first ACK frame to indicate that the second ACK frame is to be received by the first earphone.

[0041] In step S504, the second ACK frame is received, and it is determined whether the second earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the second ACK frame. When the second earphone does not correctly receive the first wireless frame while the first earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame, step S505 is entered, and the payload of the first wireless frame is forwarded to the second earphone by using the second communication unit.

[0042] When it is determined in step S502 that the second link quality is higher than the first link quality, and the first link quality is lower than the first threshold and the third link quality is higher than the second threshold, step S506 is further executed. In step S506, the first earphone sends a second ACK frame after the second time interval. At the same time, the second earphone with a higher link quality sends the first ACK frame within the second time interval prior to the first earphone.

[0043] It can be understood that when it is determined that the second link quality is lower than the first link quality, and the second link quality is lower than the first threshold and the third link quality is higher than the second threshold, that is, the second link quality of the communication connection between the second earphone and the intelligent device is the worst among the three links. At this time, both the communication rate between the second earphone and the intelligent device and the probability that the second earphone accurately receives the first wireless frame from the intelligent device are the lowest. Therefore, the first indication information can be sent in the first ACK frame to indicate that the second ACK frame is to be received by the first earphone, that is, the second earphone no longer directly sends the second ACK frame to the intelligent device, but the first earphone receives and forwards the second wireless frame. In some embodiments, when the first earphone determines whether the second earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the second ACK frame, if it does not correctly receive the first wireless frame, for example, due to packet loss, weak signal strength, error code, etc. in the second link of the communication connection between the second earphone and the intelligent device, in this case, the first earphone can forward the payload of the first wireless frame to the second earphone through the second communication unit. By using the method described above, a higher-quality link can be selected. The intelligent device only focuses on the reception status of the first wireless frame of the earphone using the high-quality link, and no longer focuses on the reception status of the other earphone with relatively low transmission quality. Instead, the second communication unit is used to ensure that this earphone can also correctly receive the first wireless frame. In this way, even if the link quality of one earphone is poor, it can be ensured that both earphones can correctly receive data, and the data transmission rate between the intelligent device and the earphone can be further improved.

[0044] Figure 6 Shows a partial flowchart of the operation of the second earphone of a wireless earphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 6As shown, when it is determined in step S502 of Figure 5 that the first link quality of the communication connection between the first earphone and the smart device is the worst, the second earphone can be further configured to perform the following steps. Figure 5 When it is determined in step S502 of Figure 5 that the first link quality of the communication connection between the first earphone and the smart device is the worst, the second earphone can be further configured to perform the following steps.

[0045] First, in step S601, send a first ACK frame within the second time interval, and send second indication information in the first ACK frame to indicate that the second ACK frame sent by the first earphone is to be received by the second earphone instead.

[0046] Next, in step S602, receive the second ACK frame after the second time interval, determine whether the first earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the second ACK frame. When the first earphone does not correctly receive the first wireless frame while the second earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame, enter step S603, and in step S603, forward the payload of the first wireless frame to the first earphone by using the second communication unit. It should be noted that the "payload of the first wireless frame" described herein includes, but is not limited to, transmitting the audio data carried in the first wireless frame as the payload according to the standards and protocols adopted by the second communication unit.

[0047] Since the second link quality is higher than the first link quality, the first ACK frame is sent at the first opportunity for sending an ACK frame within the second time interval by the second earphone, and second indication information is sent in the first ACK frame to indicate that the subsequent second ACK frame is to be received by the second earphone instead. The smart device does not need to pay attention to the second ACK frame anymore and only determines whether the earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the first ACK frame. In this case, the second earphone will receive the second ACK frame sent by the first earphone and determine whether the first earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the second ACK frame. If the first earphone does not correctly receive the first wireless frame, generally it is due to reasons such as packet loss, weak signal strength, and error codes in the first link of the communication connection between the first earphone and the smart device. At this time, the second earphone can forward the payload of the first wireless frame to the first earphone through the second communication unit. As described above, although the first earphone and the second earphone still receive data from the smart device simultaneously, due to the above mechanism, the smart device only needs to determine whether the earphone with better link quality correctly receives according to the first ACK frame and does not need to wait for the second ACK frame. On the one hand, the cycle of one data transmission is shortened, and on the other hand, the success rate of data transmission is improved. Therefore, comprehensively, the data transmission efficiency between the earphone and the smart device is improved.

[0048] Therefore, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, by establishing a new data transmission link between the first earphone and the second earphone through the second communication unit, combined with the reasonable configuration of the first earphone and the second earphone, it is possible to ensure that each earphone quickly and accurately obtains the first wireless frame from the smart device, effectively improving the transmission efficiency, and avoiding the problem that the smart device repeatedly retransmits the audio signal frame due to poor link quality of one of the earphones when using the wireless earphones, greatly enhancing the user's listening experience.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first link quality, the second link quality, and the third link quality are obtained based on one or a combination of the received signal strength indication, packet loss rate, packet error rate, bit error rate, signal-to-noise ratio, and retransmission rate of the communication connection between the first earphone, the second earphone, and the smart device. Moreover, the first threshold and the second threshold can also be determined based on one or a combination of the received signal strength indication, packet loss rate, packet error rate, bit error rate, signal-to-noise ratio, and retransmission rate of the communication connection between the first earphone, the second earphone, and the smart device. For example, the first threshold and the second threshold can be specifically determined through artificial ear simulation experiments before the earphones leave the factory. It should be noted that the first threshold and the second threshold can be a specific value or a range value, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0050] Figure 7 Shows a partial flowchart of the operation of the second earphone of the wireless earphone device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 7 shown, at least one of the first earphone and the second earphone further includes a buffer and a first processor, and the first processor is configured to perform the following steps.

[0051] First, in step S701, when the at least one earphone uses the first communication unit to receive the audio data to be played, the audio data that has been received but not yet played can be cached in the buffer. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a buffer is provided in at least one of the first earphone and the second earphone to temporarily store the audio data to be played, so as to ensure that the audio data can be played simultaneously and synchronously through the two earphones.

[0052] Next, in step S702, the data volume of the cached audio data is determined.

[0053] Then, in step S703, it can be determined whether the determined data volume of the cached audio data is greater than the first cache threshold. When the judgment result of step S703 is "yes", step S704 is executed. When the judgment result of step S703 is "no", step S705 is executed.

[0054] In step S704, the first processor controls the first communication unit of the at least one earphone to send a first flag frame to the smart device and enter the sleep state, where the first flag frame indicates that the first communication unit of the at least one earphone is to enter the sleep state or a state of temporarily not receiving audio data.

[0055] In step S705, when the first processor determines that the amount of buffered audio data is less than the second buffer threshold, it controls the first communication unit of the at least one earphone to send a second flag frame to the smart device and exit the sleep state, where the second flag frame indicates that the first communication unit of the at least one earphone is to exit the sleep state or resume receiving audio data.

[0056] As described above, when the determined amount of buffered audio data is greater than the first buffer threshold, it indicates that the amount of audio data stored in the buffer can at least ensure continuous and stable playback of the wireless earphones for a period of time. At this time, in order to reduce the power consumption of the wireless earphones, the first communication unit of the at least one earphone is controlled to send a first flag frame to the smart device and enter the sleep state, where the first flag frame indicates that the first communication unit of the at least one earphone is to enter the sleep state or temporarily not receive audio data.

[0057] The state that the first communication unit of the at least one earphone described herein is to enter the sleep state or temporarily not receive audio data can be specifically determined according to the working state of the wireless earphones of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, when the wireless earphone device works in the process as Figure 1 shown, the first communication units of the first earphone and the second earphone can enter the sleep state or the state of temporarily not receiving audio data at the same time. When the wireless earphone device works in the process as Figure 5 shown, the first communication unit of the first earphone can enter the sleep state or the state of temporarily not receiving audio data. When the wireless earphone device works in the process as Figure 6 shown, the first communication unit of the second earphone can enter the sleep state or the state of temporarily not receiving audio data.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first buffer threshold can be the storage size of music data corresponding to music playback durations such as 500ms, 300ms, 200ms, 100ms, etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not specifically limit the size of the first buffer threshold.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first buffer threshold should be greater than the second buffer threshold. And the second buffer threshold can be the storage size of music data corresponding to music playback durations such as 150ms, 100ms, 50ms, 20ms, 10ms, etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not specifically limit the size of the second buffer threshold.

[0060] Figure 8 And Figure 9 respectively show a hardware schematic diagram and a working flowchart of an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 8 shown, an embodiment of the present invention also provides an intelligent device. The intelligent device 800 may at least include a first communication unit 801 and a second processor 802. As Figure 9 shown, the second processor 802 is at least configured to perform the following steps.

[0061] First, in step S901, control the intelligent device to send a first wireless frame to the wireless headphone device in a first frequency band through the first communication unit. The first wireless frame should at least include audio data to be played.

[0062] Next, in step S902, within a second time interval after the first wireless frame is sent, receive a first ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device.

[0063] Exemplarily, the manner in which the wireless headphone device sends the first ACK frame may specifically be any one of the manners such as Figure 1 Or Figure 3 Or Figure 4 Or Figure 6 Or Figure 7 The specific process principle of the sending has been described in the foregoing, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0064] Then, in step S903, within a predetermined time period after the second time interval, receive a second ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device.

[0065] Exemplarily, the working process of the wireless headphone device sending the second ACK frame may specifically be any one of the working processes such as Figure 1 Or Figures 3 - 6 shown. The specific process principle of the sending has been described in the foregoing, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0066] Finally, in step S904, based on the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame, determine whether to retransmit the first wireless frame.

[0067] The second processor 802 may be a processing device including more than one general-purpose processing device, such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), etc. More specifically, the second processor 402 may be a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor running other instruction sets, or a processor running a combination of instruction sets. The second processor 402 may also be more than one dedicated processing device, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), a system on a chip (SoC), etc.

[0068] The second processor 802 may be communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored thereon to perform the workflow of the smart device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] In some embodiments, determining whether to retransmit the first wireless frame based on the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame may specifically include:

[0070] In the case where the first ACK frame indicates that the first wireless frame is not correctly received, and / or the second ACK frame indicates that the first wireless frame is not correctly received, retransmit the first wireless frame;

[0071] In the case where at least one first ACK frame indicating correct reception of the first wireless frame or the retransmitted first wireless frame is received, and at least one second ACK frame indicating correct reception of the first wireless frame or the retransmitted first wireless frame is received, stop retransmitting the first wireless frame.

[0072] Figure 10 A partial workflow diagram of a smart device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 10 shown, during specific operation, first, step S1001 is executed, and the smart device sends a first wireless frame to the wireless headphone device on a first frequency band through the first communication unit.

[0073] Moreover, the smart device may receive a first ACK frame and a second ACK frame through the first communication unit, and execute step S1002 to determine whether the first ACK frame indicates correct reception of the first wireless frame. That is, it is determined whether the first earphone in the wireless headphone device fails to correctly receive the first wireless frame sent by the smart device:

[0074] If so, return to step S1001, and control the first communication unit to retransmit the first wireless frame;

[0075] If not, then perform step S1003 to determine whether the second ACK frame indicates that the first wireless frame has not been correctly received:

[0076] If not, then perform step S1004 to stop sending the first wireless frame;

[0077] If so, then return to step S1001, control the first communication unit to retransmit the first wireless frame, and repeat the above judgment process until it is determined that both the first earphone and the second earphone can correctly receive the first wireless frame. When the intelligent device operates through the above steps, it ensures that both the first earphone and the second earphone of the wireless earphone device can reliably receive the first wireless frame (such as a WiFi frame) from the intelligent device. If one of the left and right earphones does not correctly receive it, the intelligent device will retransmit the first wireless frame (such as a WiFi frame). Moreover, the intelligent device can determine whether the wireless earphone device can correctly receive only by receiving the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame, achieving reliable reception of the left and right earphones (the first earphone and the second earphone) at a very small cost.

[0078] In some embodiments, the second processor is further configured to:

[0079] Parse the first ACK frame sent by the wireless earphone device. When the first ACK frame contains the first indication information, stop receiving the second ACK frame.

[0080] Exemplarily, the working process of how the wireless earphone device sends the first ACK frame containing the first indication information is as Figure 5 shown. The specific working principle of the transmission has been described in the foregoing and will not be elaborated here.

[0081] Determine whether the wireless earphone device correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the first ACK frame; in the case where the wireless earphone device fails to correctly receive the first wireless frame, retransmit the first wireless frame.

[0082] Figure 11 Shows a partial working flowchart of an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 11 shown, when the intelligent device is working, it first performs step S1101 to parse the first ACK frame sent by the wireless earphone device. When the first ACK frame contains the first indication information, stop receiving the second ACK frame.

[0083] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first ACK frame contains the first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that the second ACK frame is to be received by the first earphone. Therefore, the second earphone no longer directly sends the second ACK frame to the intelligent device, so the intelligent device no longer receives the second ACK frame. When the first ACK frame does not contain the first indication information, then asFigure 9 and Figure 10 Continue to work according to any one of the work processes. The specific work processes have been described in the foregoing text and will not be elaborated herein.

[0084] Next, execute step SS1102 to determine whether the wireless headset device correctly receives the first wireless frame:

[0085] If so, it means that the first headset correctly receives the first wireless frame, and execute step S1103 to stop retransmitting the first wireless frame.

[0086] If not, it means that the first headset does not correctly receive the first wireless frame, and execute step S1104 to retransmit the first wireless frame to the first headset until the first headset correctly receives the first wireless frame.

[0087] Figure 12 shows a partial work flow chart of an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 12 shown, the second processor is further configured to execute the following steps.

[0088] In step S1201, when receiving a first flag frame sent by the first communication unit of at least one headset in the wireless headset device indicating that the first communication unit of the at least one headset is to enter a sleep state or a state of temporarily not receiving audio data, suspend sending wireless frames to the wireless headset device.

[0089] Exemplarily, the first communication unit of at least one headset in the wireless headset device may send a first flag frame to the intelligent device through a work process as Figure 7 shown. The specific working principle of the sending has been described in the foregoing text and will not be elaborated herein.

[0090] In step S1202, when receiving a second flag frame sent by the first communication unit of at least one headset in the wireless headset device indicating that the first communication unit of the at least one headset is to exit the sleep state or to resume receiving audio data, restart sending wireless frames to the wireless headset device.

[0091] Exemplarily, the first communication unit of at least one headset in the wireless headset device may send a second flag frame to the intelligent device through a work process as Figure 7 shown. The specific working principle of the sending has been described in the foregoing text and will not be elaborated herein.

[0092] In some embodiments, the intelligent device may be a device with both data processing and wireless communication functions. For example, the intelligent device includes but is not limited to at least one of a computer, a mobile phone, a radio, a car player, an MP3, an MP4, an MP5, and a smart TV. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not make specific limitations thereto.

[0093] An embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a wireless communication system, including the wireless headphone device described in each embodiment of the present disclosure and the intelligent device described in each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Figure 13 The flowchart of a communication method between a wireless headphone device and an intelligent device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 13 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a communication method between a wireless headphone device 1301 and an intelligent device 1302. The wireless headphone device 1301 includes a first earphone 13011 and a second earphone 13012.

[0095] The following steps are performed by the first earphone 13011:

[0096] In step S130111, receive a first wireless frame from the intelligent device;

[0097] In step S130112, after receiving the first wireless frame, after a first time interval, send a first ACK frame to the intelligent device.

[0098] The following steps are performed by the second earphone 13012:

[0099] In step S130121, receive the first wireless frame from the intelligent device simultaneously with the first earphone;

[0100] In step S130122, after receiving the first wireless frame, after a second time interval, send a second ACK frame to the intelligent device, where the second time interval is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period during which the first earphone sends the first ACK frame.

[0101] The intelligent device 1302 includes a first communication unit and a second processor. The following steps are performed by the second processor:

[0102] In step 13021, control the intelligent device to send a first wireless frame to the wireless headphone device on a first frequency band through the first communication unit;

[0103] In step 13022, within a second time interval after the first wireless frame is sent, receive the first ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device;

[0104] In step 13023, within a predetermined time period after the second time interval, receive the second ACK frame sent by the wireless headphone device;

[0105] In step 13024, based on the determination of the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame, the first wireless frame is retransmitted or not retransmitted.

[0106] Moreover, although exemplary embodiments have been described herein, the scope includes any and all embodiments based on the present disclosure having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., schemes that cross various embodiments), adaptations, or alterations. The elements in the claims will be broadly interpreted based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the implementation of this application, and the examples will be construed as non-exclusive. Thus, this specification and the examples are intended to be considered only as examples, and the true scope and spirit are indicated by the following claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

[0107] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more of them) can be used in combination with each other. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art can use other embodiments when reading the above description. Additionally, in the above detailed description, various features can be grouped together to simplify the present disclosure. This should not be construed as an intention that a disclosed feature not claimed is necessary for any claim. On the contrary, the subject matter of the present invention can be less than all the features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are incorporated herein as examples or embodiments into the detailed description, where each claim independently serves as a separate embodiment, and these embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the present invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and the full scope of the equivalent forms empowered by these claims.

Claims

1. A wireless headphone device, comprising a first headphone and a second headphone, characterized in that: The first headphone is configured to: Receive a first wireless frame from a smart device; After receiving the first wireless frame, after a first time interval, send a first ACK frame to the smart device; The second headphone is configured to: Receive the first wireless frame from the smart device simultaneously with the first headphone; After receiving the first wireless frame, after a second time interval, send a second ACK frame to the smart device, and the second time interval is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period during which the first headphone sends the first ACK frame; Wherein, the smart device determines whether to retransmit the first wireless frame based on the determination of the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame.

2. The wireless headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the first headphone and the second headphone has a first communication unit, and the first communication unit is configured to: Communicate with the smart device within a first frequency band; and The first communication unit of the first headphone and the first communication unit of the second headphone use the same MAC address.

3. The wireless headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first ACK frame contains ACK duration setting information, and the ACK frame duration setting information is set to be greater than or equal to the duration corresponding to the time period from the start of sending the first ACK frame by the first headphone to the end of sending the second ACK frame by the second headphone.

4. The wireless headphone device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the first headphone and the second headphone further has a second communication unit, and the second communication unit is at least configured to: Perform wireless communication between the first headphone and the second headphone within a second frequency band that is separated from the first frequency band by a predetermined frequency band or more.

5. The wireless headphone device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first headphone is further configured to: Obtain a first link quality of the communication connection between the first headphone and the smart device, a second link quality of the communication connection between the second headphone and the smart device, and a third link quality of the communication connection between the first headphone and the second headphone; When it is determined that the second link quality is lower than the first link quality, and the second link quality is lower than a first threshold and the third link quality is higher than a second threshold: Send first indication information in the first ACK frame to indicate that the second ACK frame is to be received by the first headphone; Receive the second ACK frame, and determine whether the second headphone correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the second ACK frame; In the case where the second headphone does not correctly receive the first wireless frame while the first headphone correctly receives the first wireless frame, forward the payload of the first wireless frame to the second headphone by using the second communication unit; When it is determined that the second link quality is higher than the first link quality, and the first link quality is lower than the first threshold and the third link quality is higher than the second threshold: The first earphone sends a second ACK frame after the second time interval; The second earphone is further configured to: Send a first ACK frame within the second time interval, and send second indication information in the first ACK frame to indicate that the second ACK frame is to be received by the second earphone; Receive the second ACK frame after the second time interval, and determine whether the first earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame according to the second ACK frame; In the case where the first earphone does not correctly receive the first wireless frame while the second earphone correctly receives the first wireless frame, forward the payload of the first wireless frame to the first earphone by using the second communication unit.

6. The wireless earphone device according to claim 5, wherein, The first link quality, the second link quality, and the third link quality are obtained based on one or a combination of a received signal strength indication, a packet loss rate, a wrong packet rate, a bit error rate, a signal-to-noise ratio, and a retransmission rate of the communication connection between the first earphone, the second earphone, and the smart device.

7. The wireless earphone device according to claim 2, wherein, At least one of the first earphone and the second earphone further includes a buffer and a first processor, and the first processor is configured to: When the at least one earphone uses the first communication unit to receive audio data to be played, cause the audio data that has been received but not yet played to be cached in the buffer; Determine the data amount of the cached audio data; In the case where the determined data amount of the cached audio data is greater than a first buffer threshold, control the first communication unit of the at least one earphone to send a first flag frame to the smart device and enter a sleep state, and the first flag frame indicates that the first communication unit of the at least one earphone is to enter a sleep state or a state of not receiving audio data temporarily.

8. The wireless earphone device according to claim 7, wherein, The first processor is further configured to: In the case where the determined data amount of the cached audio data is less than a second buffer threshold, control the first communication unit of the at least one earphone to send a second flag frame to the smart device and exit the sleep state, and the second flag frame indicates that the first communication unit of the at least one earphone is to exit the sleep state or to resume receiving audio data.

9. The wireless earphone device according to claim 8, wherein, The first buffer threshold is greater than the second buffer threshold.

10. The wireless earphone device according to claim 4, wherein, The second communication unit is a WiFi communication unit.

11. A wireless communication system, wherein, It includes the wireless earphone device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a smart device connected to the wireless earphone device.

12. A communication method between a wireless earphone device and a smart device, wherein: The wireless earphone device includes a first earphone and a second earphone, By the first earphone: Receive a first wireless frame from a smart device; After receiving the first wireless frame, send a first ACK frame to the intelligent device after a first time interval; By the second earphone: Receive the first wireless frame from the intelligent device simultaneously with the first earphone; After receiving the first wireless frame, send a second ACK frame to the intelligent device after a second time interval, where the second time interval is greater than the sum of the first time interval and the time period during which the first earphone sends the first ACK frame; The intelligent device includes a first communication unit and a second processor. By the second processor: Control the intelligent device to send a first wireless frame to the wireless earphone device on a first frequency band through the first communication unit; Receive the first ACK frame sent by the wireless earphone device within a second time interval after the first wireless frame is sent; Receive the second ACK frame sent by the wireless earphone device within a predetermined time period after the second time interval; Based on the determination of the first ACK frame and the second ACK frame, retransmit or not retransmit the first wireless frame.

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