A wireless earphone and a communication method for the wireless earphone

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a wireless earphone and a communication method for the wireless earphone. The wireless earphone comprises a pair of first earphone and second earphone. The first earphone is configured to receive downlink data of a smart device in a downlink frame period of a first Bluetooth connection, send first indication information to the second earphone in a remaining period of the downlink frame period in a case that the downlink data from the smart device is correctly received in the downlink frame period, and send a first forwarding frame to the second earphone in the remaining period of the downlink frame period and / or a next uplink frame period. The second earphone is configured to receive the first forwarding frame in the next uplink frame period in a case that the downlink data from the smart device is not correctly received in the downlink frame period and the first indication information is received. The wireless earphone of the present disclosure makes full use of the downlink frame remaining period and the uplink frame for information transmission, and improves the communication ability and quality between the smart device and the wireless earphone.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of wireless headphone communication technology, and more specifically, to a wireless headphone and a communication method for the wireless headphone. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional wired headphones connect to smart devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets via wires, which restricts the wearer's movement, especially during exercise. Furthermore, tangled and pulling wires, as well as the stethoscope effect, negatively impact the user experience. While ordinary Bluetooth headphones eliminate the wire between the headphones and the smart device, a connection still exists between the left and right ears. True wireless stereo headphones emerged to address this need.

[0003] True wireless stereo earbuds use Bluetooth communication. Bluetooth communication involves sending and receiving information in uplink and downlink frames of varying predetermined durations, with these actions alternating. Currently, true wireless earbuds communicate with smart devices using a monitoring mode. In the downlink frame, the smart device sends audio data to the earbuds for playback. However, in the uplink frame, current true wireless earbuds can only respond to a single request, not fully utilizing the uplink time slot. Therefore, audio data cannot be transmitted between the two earbuds. Consequently, if one earbud fails to receive the information sent by the smart device, the transmission fails, and the smart device must retransmit in the next downlink frame. This results in stuttering and poor sound quality during music playback. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure is provided to address the aforementioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] There is a need for a wireless headset and a communication method for the wireless headset that can make full use of the time slot of the Bluetooth uplink frame to further improve the communication efficiency and quality between the smart device and the wireless headset, making the headset play audio data more smoothly.

[0006] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a wireless headset is provided, comprising a pair of first and second earpieces. The first earpiece can be configured to establish a first Bluetooth connection with a smart device and receive downlink data from the smart device during a downlink frame period of the first Bluetooth connection. The first earpiece can also be configured to establish a second Bluetooth connection with the second earpiece and use the second Bluetooth connection to send relevant parameters of the first Bluetooth connection to the second earpiece. The first earpiece can also be configured to, upon correctly receiving downlink data from the smart device during a downlink frame period, send a first indication message to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period, and send a first forwarding frame to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period, wherein the first indication message indicates that the first earpiece has correctly received downlink data from the smart device, and the first forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data. The second earpiece can be configured to listen to the first Bluetooth connection based on the relevant parameters and receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period. The second earpiece can also be configured to, upon correctly receiving downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period and receiving the first indication message, send an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period. The second earpiece can also be configured to, in the event that it does not correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, not send an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period, and instead receive the first forwarding frame from the first earpiece.

[0007] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a communication method for wireless earphones is provided. The wireless earphones include a pair of first earphones and second earphones. The communication method includes the first earphone establishing a first Bluetooth connection with a smart device and a second Bluetooth connection with the second earphone. The first earphone uses the second Bluetooth connection to send relevant parameters of the first Bluetooth connection to the second earphone, causing the second earphone to listen to the first Bluetooth connection based on the relevant parameters. The first earphone and the second earphone receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period of the first Bluetooth connection. The communication method further includes, when the first earphone correctly receives downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, the first earphone sends a first indication message to the second earphone during the remaining time of the downlink frame period, and sends a first forwarding frame to the second earphone during the remaining time of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period. The first indication message indicates that the first earphone has correctly received the downlink data from the smart device, and the first forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data. The communication method further includes, when the second earphone correctly receives downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period and receives the first indication message, the second earphone sends an ACK to the smart device during the next uplink frame period. The communication method may further include, if the second earpiece fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, the second earpiece does not send an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period and receives the first forwarding frame from the first earpiece.

[0008] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the embodiments of this disclosure are as follows:

[0009] When the first earpiece of this disclosure correctly receives downlink data from the smart device during a downlink frame period, it sends a first indication message to the second earpiece during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame period, and sends a first forwarding frame to the second earpiece during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period. If the second earpiece does not correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, the second earpiece receives the first forwarding frame containing the payload of the downlink data from the first earpiece in the next uplink frame period. This is also considered as the second earpiece correctly receiving the downlink data from the smart device. The smart device does not need to retransmit the downlink data of the current downlink frame period in the next downlink frame period and can continue to transmit new downlink data. In this way, the first and second earpieces make full use of the remaining time slot of the downlink frame period and the time slot of the uplink frame to transmit the indication message and forward the audio data, instead of relying solely on the smart device to retransmit data in the next downlink frame. This greatly improves the communication efficiency between the smart device and the two wireless earpieces, reduces the number of retransmissions by the smart device, and makes the playback of audio data smoother, with better sound quality and less prone to stuttering due to external interference, thus improving the user experience of the earpieces.

[0010] The above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only and are not intended to limit the claimed invention. Attached Figure Description

[0011] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar parts in different views. Similar reference numerals with different letter suffixes may indicate different examples of similar components. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example rather than limitation, and are used together with the specification and claims to illustrate the disclosed embodiments. Such embodiments are illustrative and exemplary, and are not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the method, apparatus, system, or non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions for implementing the method.

[0012] Figure 1 This shows a basic Bluetooth communication timing diagram.

[0013] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the configuration of a wireless headset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0014] Figure 3(a) shows a Bluetooth communication timing diagram of the second earphone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when it replies with a Tx0 ACK to a smart device.

[0015] Figure 3(b) shows a Bluetooth communication timing diagram of the second earphone according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when receiving a first forwarding frame.

[0016] Figure 4 Bluetooth communication timing diagrams are shown according to other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 5 Bluetooth communication timing diagrams are shown according to other embodiments of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the flow of a communication method for a wireless headset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this disclosure, the disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The embodiments of this disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific examples, but this is not intended to limit the disclosure. If there is no necessary sequential relationship between the various steps described herein, the order in which they are described as examples should not be considered a limitation. Those skilled in the art should understand that the order can be adjusted as long as it does not disrupt the logical coherence between them and render the entire process impossible.

[0020] In the various processes described in this article, the order of steps shown in the accompanying figures is merely an example. Without affecting the logical relationship between the steps, the relevant steps can be flexibly executed in a different order than that shown in the figures.

[0021] The terms "first Bluetooth connection" and "second Bluetooth connection" used in this document are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the number of Bluetooth connections. "First Bluetooth connection" and "second Bluetooth connection" can be based on the same Bluetooth protocol or different Bluetooth protocols. Similarly, the terms "first instruction information" and "second instruction information" used in this document are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the number of instruction information. "First instruction information" and "second instruction information" can be the same or different instruction information. Likewise, the terms "first forwarding frame" and "second forwarding frame" used in this document are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the number of forwarding frames. "First forwarding frame" and "second forwarding frame" can be the same or different forwarding frames.

[0022] Figure 1 This shows a basic Bluetooth communication timing diagram. (For example...) Figure 1As shown, Bluetooth communication typically occurs at time intervals of varying predetermined lengths, meaning that information is sent and received within each predetermined time period, with transmission and reception alternating. Such a predetermined time period is simply referred to as a Bluetooth frame. In some embodiments, each predetermined time period can occupy one or more time slots. According to the Bluetooth protocol, a time slot is 625 μs. A Bluetooth frame often occupies multiple time slots when using the Advanced Audio Distribution Framework (A2DP) protocol; however, when using the Hands-Free Framework (HFP) protocol, it generally occupies one time slot. Specifically, in the Bluetooth communication between the headset and the smart device disclosed herein, when using A2DP, the Bluetooth frame sent by the smart device to the headset can occupy one, three, or five time slots (the number of time slots is negotiated and configured by the smart device and the headset), hereinafter referred to as a downlink frame; the Bluetooth frame sent by the headset to the smart device occupies one time slot, hereinafter referred to as an uplink frame. When using HFP, both uplink and downlink frames occupy one time slot. Regardless of the protocol used, uplink and downlink frames alternate.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, downlink frames occupy time period T1, and uplink frames occupy time period T2, with T1 and T2 time periods alternating. Here, RX represents reception, and TX represents transmission. For example, TX00, TX10, and TX20 represent audio data sent from the smart device to the headset in the first, second, and third T1 time periods, respectively. Correspondingly, RX00, RX10, and RX20 represent audio data received by the headset from the smart device in the first, second, and third T1 time periods, respectively. TX01 and TX11 represent ACK (Acknowledge, indicating correct reception) or NAK (Negative Acknowledge, indicating incorrect reception) sent by the headset to the smart device in the first and second T2 time periods, respectively. Correspondingly, RX01 and RX11 represent acknowledgments received by the smart device from the headset in the first and second T2 time periods, respectively. In the wireless headset and communication method for the wireless headset according to embodiments of this disclosure, the lengths and transmission / reception alternations of downlink and uplink frames are... Figure 1 The usage of downlink and uplink frames, as well as the specific content transmitted in downlink and uplink frames, will be explained in detail below.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a wireless headset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2As shown, the wireless earphone 11 communicates with the smart device 22, wherein the wireless earphone 11 consists of a pair of first earphones 111 and second earphones 112. In some embodiments, the first earphone 111 may be configured to establish a first Bluetooth connection with the smart device 22 and receive downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period of the first Bluetooth connection. The first earphone 111 is also configured to establish a second Bluetooth connection with the second earphone 112 and use the second Bluetooth connection to send relevant parameters of the first Bluetooth connection to the second earphone 112. The first earphone 111 is also configured to, if it correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period, send a first indication information to the second earphone 112 during the remaining period of the downlink frame period, and send a first forwarding frame to the second earphone 112 during the remaining period of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period, wherein the first indication information indicates that the first earphone 111 has correctly received downlink data from the smart device 22, and the first forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second earpiece 112 is configured to listen for the first Bluetooth connection based on the relevant parameters and receive downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period. The second earpiece 112 is further configured to send an ACK to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame period if it correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information. In other embodiments, the second earpiece 112 is further configured to not send an ACK to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame period if it does not correctly receive downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, and instead receive the first forwarding frame from the first earpiece 111.

[0026] In this disclosure, if the first earphone 111 correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 during a downlink frame cycle, while the second earphone 112 does not correctly receive downlink data from the smart device 22 during the same downlink frame cycle, the second earphone 112 receives the first forwarded frame from the first earphone 111 in the next uplink frame cycle. The first forwarded frame includes the payload of the downlink data. Thus, the second earphone 112 can correctly receive and play audio data from the first earphone 111 without waiting for the smart device 22 to retransmit a frame in the next downlink frame cycle. This improves the communication capability between the smart device 22 and the wireless earphone 11, making the wireless earphone 11 play audio data more smoothly and less prone to stuttering due to external interference, thereby enhancing the user experience.

[0027] The smart device 22 in this disclosure can be a mobile phone or other terminals, such as an iPad or computer, and is not specifically limited thereto. The mobile phone or other smart device 22 may have suitable applications installed, such as a music player (not shown). Users can play audio data in the wireless headphones 11 by operating the smart device 22 and its audio player, etc.

[0028] Figure 3(a) shows a Bluetooth communication timing diagram of the second earpiece responding to the smart device with TX0 ACK according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3(b) shows a Bluetooth communication timing diagram of the second earpiece receiving the first forwarding frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figures 3(a) and 3(b), RX0 OK represents successful reception, and RX0 FAIL represents reception failure. As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), in a downlink frame, when the first earpiece 111 correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22, the first earpiece 111 sends a first indication message to the second earpiece 112 during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame, indicating that the first earpiece 111 has correctly received the downlink data from the smart device 22, and forwards the downlink frame or the downlink frame data payload to the second earpiece 112 during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame and / or the next uplink frame cycle, which is called the first forwarding frame. Specifically, the first earphone 111 can forward the first forwarding frame to the second earphone 112 during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame and the next uplink frame period. Alternatively, when the data load is small, for example, when transmission can be completed within one time slot, the first forwarding frame can be forwarded to the second earphone 112 only during the next uplink frame period. In this way, the first earphone 111 makes full use of the remaining time slot in the downlink frame period when the smart device 22 does not transmit audio data to the wireless earphone 11, as well as the time slot of the next uplink frame period, to forward the first forwarding frame containing the payload of the downlink data to the second earphone 112. This allows the second earphone 112 to use the data in the first forwarding frame for audio playback when it fails to receive the downlink data correctly from the smart device 22 directly. This improves the transmission efficiency between the smart device 22 and the wireless earphone 11, making the earphone audio playback smoother and the user experience better.

[0029] It is important to note that in Figure 3(a), the dashed TX0 box around the first earpiece 111 indicates that it does not send a TX0 ACK to the smart device 22, but instead sends a first forwarding frame to the second earpiece 112 at this time, as shown in Figure 3(b). As long as the first earpiece 111 correctly receives the downlink data from the smart device 22, it sends the first forwarding frame to the second earpiece 112, without needing to know whether the second earpiece 112 correctly receives the downlink data or whether it will receive the first forwarding frame. The second earpiece 112 decides whether to reply with a TX0 ACK to the smart device 22 or not send a TX0 ACK and instead receive the first forwarding frame, based on whether it correctly receives the downlink data from the smart device 22 and whether it receives the first indication information. If the second earphone 112 correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 in the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, although the first earphone 111 sends a first forwarding frame, since the second earphone 112 clearly knows that both earphones have correctly received the downlink data, it does not need to receive the first forwarding frame. It only needs to reply with an ACK to the smart device 22, as shown in Figure 3(a). In this way, when the smart device 22 correctly receives the ACK frame, it knows that both the first earphone 111 and the second earphone 112 have correctly received the current downlink data, so it does not need to retransmit the frame. The subsequent audio data frame will be sent in the next downlink frame period. In some other embodiments, if the second earphone 112 does not correctly receive downlink data from the smart device 22 in the downlink frame period, but receives the first indication information, in the next uplink frame period, the second earphone 112 does not send an ACK to the smart device 22. At the same time, it receives the first forwarding frame from the first earphone 111, as shown in Figure 3(b). Thus, when the second earphone 112 can correctly decode the downlink data through the first forwarded frame, it can be used for audio playback immediately without waiting for retransmitted frames from the smart device 22. Furthermore, regardless of whether the retransmitted frame from the smart device 22 can be correctly received, because the second earphone 112 has already correctly received the frame signal through the first forwarded frame, it can send an ACK to the smart device 22 in the corresponding uplink frame of that retransmitted frame. Therefore, audio frame retransmissions can be reduced, resulting in smoother music playback and minimizing the unpleasant user experience caused by stuttering.

[0030] Figure 4 Bluetooth communication timing diagrams are shown according to other embodiments of this disclosure. For example... Figure 4As shown, the first earpiece 111 can be configured to send a second indication message to the second earpiece 112 during the remaining time of the downlink frame period if the first earpiece 111 fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period. The second indication message indicates that the first earpiece 111 has not correctly received downlink data from the smart device 22. The second earpiece 112 is further configured to send a NAK message to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame period if the second earpiece 112 correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period, but simultaneously receives a second indication message indicating that the first earpiece 111 has not correctly received downlink data, causing the smart device 22 to retransmit the downlink data. In other embodiments, if the second earpiece 112 fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period and simultaneously receives the second indication message, indicating that both earpieces have failed to correctly receive downlink data, it can be understood that the second earpiece 112 will also send a NAK message to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame period. In the above embodiment, as soon as the first earphone 111 fails to receive downlink data correctly, it immediately notifies the smart device 22 to retransmit the data. In this way, both earphones can obtain audio data directly from the smart device 22 as much as possible, reducing data forwarding between the two earphones. Especially in environments with low channel quality and high interference, the above method can reduce protocol overhead and overall latency of earphone audio playback, and provide smoothness.

[0031] Figure 5 Bluetooth communication timing diagrams are shown according to other embodiments of this disclosure. For example... Figure 5As shown, the first earpiece 111 can be configured to, if the first earpiece 111 does not correctly receive downlink data from the smart device 22 during a downlink frame period, send a second indication message to the second earpiece 112 during the remaining time of the downlink frame period. The second indication message indicates that the first earpiece 111 has not correctly received downlink data from the smart device 22. Furthermore, it can wait and receive a second forwarding frame from the second earpiece 112 during the remaining time of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period. Correspondingly, in some embodiments, the second earpiece 112 can be further configured to, if it correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period and receives the second indication message, send a second forwarding frame to the first earpiece 111 during the remaining time of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period. The second forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data. In the above embodiments, when the second earphone 112 correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 but the first earphone 111 does not, the second earphone 112 can forward a second forwarding frame to the first earphone 111 during the remaining time of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period. This allows the first earphone 111 to receive the downlink data and play it promptly without waiting for the retransmission frame from the smart device 22 in the next downlink frame period. Furthermore, when the first earphone 111 correctly receives the second forwarding frame, it can reply with an ACK to the smart device 22 regardless of the retransmission frame in the next downlink frame period. This further improves the communication efficiency between the smart device 22 and the wireless earphone, making music playback smoother and less prone to stuttering due to external interference, thus improving the user experience of the earphone.

[0032] In embodiments according to this disclosure, the first indication information and the first forwarding frame are transmitted in the same frame, and the first indication signal and the first forwarding frame share a common synchronization code and frame header. If the first indication information and the first forwarding frame are not transmitted in the same frame, two synchronization codes and frame headers are required. Transmitting them in the same frame reduces the need for transmitting synchronization codes and frame headers, requiring only one synchronization code and one frame header, allowing more useful information to be contained in the first forwarding frame. Therefore, transmitting the first indication information and the first forwarding frame in the same frame minimizes channel waste, and the saved time can be used to transmit other forwarding frames and other information, improving the poor user experience caused by the backlog of information to be forwarded, such as delays or even data loss. Transmitting the first indication information and the first forwarding frame in the same frame can utilize the remaining time of the downlink frame period and the next uplink frame period.

[0033] In some embodiments, the second earpiece 112 may need to reply with an ACK to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame cycle. In this case, the first indication information and the first forwarding frame sent in the same frame use a different Bluetooth frequency than that used in the next uplink frame cycle. This ensures that the first indication information and the first forwarding frame sent in the same frame will not interfere with the second earpiece 112 replying with an ACK to the smart device 22.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second earpiece 112 may need to reply with an ACK to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame cycle. At this time, the time occupied by the first indication information and the first forwarding frame sent in the same frame during the time period when the second earpiece 112 replies with an ACK to the smart device 22 is greater than the time period when the second earpiece 112 replies with an ACK to the smart device 22. This ensures that the first indication information and the first forwarding frame sent in the same frame will not interfere with the second earpiece 112 replying with an ACK to the smart device 22.

[0035] In some embodiments, the symbol rate of the first forwarding frame can be no less than a first threshold. As an example only, in conventional Bluetooth data transmission, a typical symbol rate of 1 Msym / s is used. In this case, the first threshold can be set to, for example, 2 Msym / s or 3 Msym / s, i.e., higher than the symbol rate used by the smart device 22 to transmit downlink data. In other embodiments, the first threshold can be set according to the actual symbol rate used for downlink data transmission, so that the symbol rate of the first forwarding frame is higher than the symbol rate of downlink data transmission; no specific limitation is made here. Thus, even when the downlink data frame length is relatively long, such as 3 or 5 time slots, by increasing the symbol rate of the first forwarding frame, it is possible to transmit the first indication signal and the first forwarding frame together or transmit as much as possible during the remaining time period of the downlink frame cycle and the next uplink frame cycle.

[0036] Similarly, in some embodiments, the symbol rate of the second forwarding frame can be set to be no less than a second threshold. Since the second forwarding frame is a data frame that forwards the payload of downlink data from the smart device 22 from the second earpiece 112 to the first earpiece 111, when the amount of downlink data is large, for example, occupying 3 or 5 time slots, increasing the symbol rate of the second forwarding frame can compress the data forwarding time. This allows the downlink data payload to be transmitted in the second forwarding frame within the remaining time period of the downlink frame cycle and the next uplink frame cycle, or to be transmitted as much as possible. The second threshold can be any value higher than the symbol rate at which the smart device 22 sends downlink data. For example, when the symbol rate of the downlink data is 1 Msym / s, the second threshold can be set to 2 Msym / s or 3 Msym / s, etc., without specific limitation here.

[0037] Since a complete Bluetooth communication cycle is fixed and consists of alternating downlink and uplink frames in terms of timing, in some embodiments, the length of downlink data transmitted by the smart device 22 in the first Bluetooth connection during the downlink frame cycle can be configured to be less than the maximum frame length that the downlink frame cycle can accommodate. This allows a certain period of time to be reserved in the downlink frame cycle for the first earphone 111 to transmit the first forwarding frame and the second earphone 112 to transmit the second forwarding frame. Taking a downlink frame occupying 3 time slots as an example, the total duration of the downlink frame is 625μs*3=1875μs. For example, the length of downlink data transmitted in the downlink frame cycle can be set to 625μs*2.6=1625μs, so that the remaining time slot period of the downlink frame is 625μs*0.4=250μs. That is, each downlink frame will have 250μs of duration that can be used to transmit the first indication signal and the first forwarding frame, or to transmit the second forwarding frame. Therefore, by configuring an appropriate downlink data length, a relative balance can be achieved between the downlink data length and the remaining time period of the downlink frame cycle. That is, while ensuring the downlink data is as long as possible, the first indication signal plus the first forwarding frame, or the second forwarding frame, can be transmitted as much as possible during the remaining time period of the downlink frame cycle and the time period of the next uplink frame cycle, minimizing the backlog of unforwarded data and avoiding audio data delays or stuttering. Thus, by appropriately setting the length of the downlink data sent by the smart device within the downlink frame cycle, the communication efficiency between the headphones and the smart device can be improved, mitigating the unpleasant audio playback experience caused by delays or stuttering.

[0038] In other embodiments, the first earpiece 111 and the second earpiece 112 may be further configured such that the frequency used by the first earpiece 111 to send the first forwarding frame is different from the frequency used by the second earpiece 112 to send an ACK to the smart device 22. If the second earpiece 112 correctly receives downlink data from the smart device 22 during the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, the first earpiece 111 sends the first forwarding frame, but the second earpiece 112 does not receive the first forwarding frame; instead, it replies with an ACK to the smart device 22. In this case, since the first earpiece 111 uses the next uplink frame period to forward the first forwarding frame to the second earpiece 112, there is a partial overlap in time between the first earpiece 111 sending the first forwarding frame and the second earpiece 112 replying with an ACK to the smart device 22. Therefore, the frequency used by the first earpiece 111 to send the first forwarding frame can be set to be different from the frequency used by the second earpiece 112 to reply with an ACK to the smart device 22 via Bluetooth connection to avoid mutual interference.

[0039] In other embodiments, the first indication signal includes an error correction code, and the second earphone 112 is further configured to send an ACK to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame period if the second earphone 112 fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device 22 in a downlink frame period, receives the first indication information, and can correct the error in the received downlink data using the error correction code in the first indication information. When the first earphone 111 correctly receives downlink data, it can generate an error correction code based on the downlink data and put the error correction code into a first indication signal. The first earphone 111 sends a first indication message including the error correction code to the second earphone 112 during the remaining period of the downlink frame period. If there is a bit error in the downlink frame received by the second earphone 112, but the error bit in the downlink data received by the second earphone 112 can be corrected by using the error correction code in the first indication message, it can be considered that the second earphone 112 has also correctly received the downlink data through the received downlink data and the error correction code. In this case, the second earphone 112 replies with an ACK to the smart device 22 in the next uplink frame, and the smart device 22 does not need to retransmit the downlink frame. This can improve the communication quality between the smart device 22 and the earphone, reduce the number of retransmission frames, improve communication efficiency and audio playback smoothness.

[0040] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating the flow of a communication method for a wireless headset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6The communication method for wireless earphones according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The wireless earphones include a pair of first earphones and second earphones. The communication method begins at step S61, in which the first earphones establish a first Bluetooth connection with a smart device and establish a second Bluetooth connection with the second earphones. The second Bluetooth connection is used to send relevant parameters of the first Bluetooth connection to the second earphones, so that the second earphones listen to the first Bluetooth connection based on the relevant parameters. The first earphones and the second earphones receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period of the first Bluetooth connection.

[0041] Step S62: If the first earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, the first earpiece sends a first indication message to the second earpiece during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame period, and sends a first forwarding frame to the second earpiece during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame period and / or the next uplink frame period. The first indication message indicates that the first earpiece has correctly received the downlink data from the smart device, and the first forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data. The first earpiece can forward the first forwarding frame to the second earpiece during the remaining time slot of the downlink frame period and the next uplink frame period, or it can forward the first forwarding frame to the second earpiece only during the next uplink frame period. This way, the first earpiece not only makes full use of the remaining time slot of the downlink frame period, but also makes full use of the next uplink frame period to forward the first forwarding frame including the payload of the downlink data to the second earpiece.

[0042] Step S63: The second earphone determines whether it has correctly received downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period. If yes (step S63 outputs an affirmative judgment result) and the first indication information has been received, proceed to step S64; if no (step S63 outputs a negative judgment result) and the first indication information has been received, proceed to step S65.

[0043] In step S64, the second earpiece correctly received downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and received the first indication information. In the next uplink frame period, the second earpiece sent an ACK to the smart device to inform the smart device that it does not need to retransmit the downlink data.

[0044] In step S65, if the second earphone fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, the second earphone will not send an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period and will receive the first forwarded frame from the first earphone. If the first forwarded frame is correctly received, the second earphone can play audio data based on the correctly received audio data without waiting for the smart device to retransmit the frame in the next downlink frame period. This improves the communication capability between the smart device and the wireless earphone, making the wireless earphone play audio data more smoothly and less prone to stuttering due to external interference, thus improving the user experience.

[0045] In some other embodiments, if the first earpiece does not correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during a downlink frame period, a second indication message is sent to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period. The second indication message indicates that the first earpiece has not correctly received downlink data from the smart device.

[0046] If the second earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the second indication information, it sends a NAK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period, causing the smart device to retransmit the downlink data. That is, if the first earpiece fails to receive downlink data correctly, it immediately notifies the smart device to retransmit the data. This maximizes the ability of both earpieces to directly obtain audio data from the smart device, reducing data forwarding between the two earpieces. Especially in environments with low channel quality and significant interference, this method can reduce protocol overhead and overall latency of earpiece audio playback, providing smoother playback.

[0047] Various modifications and alterations can be made to the methods and apparatus disclosed herein. In view of the description and practice of the disclosed systems and related methods, other embodiments can be derived by those skilled in the art. Each claim of this disclosure is to be understood as an independent embodiment, and any combination thereof is also used as an embodiment of this disclosure, and such embodiments are considered to be included in this disclosure.

[0048] The descriptions and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope is indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A wireless earphone, comprising a pair of first and second earphones, characterized in that, The first earphone is configured as follows: The first earphone establishes a first Bluetooth connection with the smart device and receives downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period of the first Bluetooth connection. The first earphone establishes a second Bluetooth connection with the second earphone, and uses the second Bluetooth connection to send the relevant parameters of the first Bluetooth connection to the second earphone; If the first earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, a first indication message is sent to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period, and a first forwarding frame is sent to the second earpiece in the next uplink frame period. The first indication message indicates that the first earpiece has correctly received downlink data from the smart device, and the first forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data. If the first earpiece fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, a second indication message is sent to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period. This second indication message indicates that the first earpiece has not correctly received downlink data from the smart device. Receive the second relay frame from the second earpiece in the next uplink frame cycle; The second earphone configuration is as follows: Based on the relevant parameters, the system listens for the first Bluetooth connection and receives downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period. If the second earphone correctly receives downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, it sends an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period. If the second earpiece fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, it will not send an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period and will receive the first forwarding frame from the first earpiece. If the second earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the second indication information, it sends the second forwarding frame to the first earpiece in the next uplink frame period. The second forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data.

2. The wireless earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first earpiece is further configured to: when the first earpiece fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, send a second indication message to the second earpiece during the remaining period of the downlink frame period, the second indication message indicating that the first earpiece has failed to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device; The second earpiece is further configured to: when the second earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the second indication information, send NAK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period, causing the smart device to retransmit the downlink data.

3. The wireless earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information and the first forwarding frame are sent in the same frame, and the first indication information and the first forwarding frame have the same synchronization code and frame header.

4. The wireless earphone according to any one of claims 1, characterized in that, The symbol rate of the first forwarded frame is not lower than the first threshold.

5. The wireless earphone according to claim 2, characterized in that, The symbol rate of the second forwarded frame is not lower than the second threshold.

6. The wireless earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the downlink data transmitted by the smart device in the downlink frame period of the first Bluetooth connection is less than the maximum frame length that the downlink frame period can accommodate.

7. The wireless earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second earpieces are further configured such that the frequency used by the first earpiece to send the first forwarding frame is different from the frequency used by the second earpiece to send the ACK to the smart device.

8. The wireless earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information includes an error correction code, and the second earphone is further configured as follows: If the second earphone fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during a downlink frame period, receives the first indication information, and can correct the error in the received downlink data using the error correction code in the first indication information, it sends an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period.

9. The wireless earphone according to claim 1, characterized in that, The downlink frame period is 1, 3, or 5 time slots, and the uplink frame period is 1 time slot.

10. A communication method for wireless earphones, the wireless earphones comprising a pair of first earphones and second earphones, characterized in that, The communication method includes: The first earphone establishes a first Bluetooth connection with the smart device and a second Bluetooth connection with the second earphone. It uses the second Bluetooth connection to send relevant parameters of the first Bluetooth connection to the second earphone, so that the second earphone listens to the first Bluetooth connection based on the relevant parameters. The first earphone and the second earphone receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period of the first Bluetooth connection. If the first earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, the first earpiece sends a first indication message to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period, and sends a first forwarding frame to the second earpiece in the next uplink frame period, wherein the first indication message indicates that the first earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device, and the first forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data; If the first earpiece fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during the downlink frame period, a second indication message is sent to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period. This second indication message indicates that the first earpiece has not correctly received downlink data from the smart device. Receive the second relay frame from the second earpiece in the next uplink frame cycle; If the second earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, the second earpiece sends an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period. If the second earpiece fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the first indication information, the second earpiece will not send an ACK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period and will receive the first forwarding frame from the first earpiece. If the second earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the second indication information, it sends the second forwarding frame to the first earpiece in the next uplink frame period. The second forwarding frame includes the payload of the downlink data.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The communication method further includes: If the first earpiece fails to correctly receive downlink data from the smart device during a downlink frame period, a second indication message is sent to the second earpiece during the remaining time of the downlink frame period. This second indication message indicates that the first earpiece has not correctly received downlink data from the smart device. If the second earpiece correctly receives downlink data from the smart device in the downlink frame period and receives the second indication information, it sends NAK to the smart device in the next uplink frame period, causing the smart device to retransmit the downlink data.

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