Wireless high-resolution earphone

Abstract

A wireless high resolution headphone device includes a first headphone including a first speaker and a second headphone including a second speaker. The device further comprises a first wireless transceiving unit, and the first wireless transceiving unit works under a first bandwidth to communicate with external user equipment so as to receive control and / or configuration signals from the external user equipment. And the second wireless transceiver unit works under a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth and communicates with a media source far away from the earphone equipment so as to receive the high-resolution audio content from the media source. The processor receives and processes the high resolution audio content to generate an audio output signal. The processor also receives and processes the control and / or configuration signals to control operation and configuration of the headset device. An audio amplifier amplifies the audio output signal to drive the first speaker and the second speaker to present an audio output. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the equipment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 325,892, filed on March 31, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Background

[0002] Consumers have had limited access to high-resolution digital audio (audio files with sampling rates greater than 48kHz or audio bit depths greater than 16 bits). Lenbrook Industries Limited (owner of NAD Electronics and Bluesound music systems and applicant to this application) began developing a new high-resolution media audio playback system in 2004, demonstrating it in 2009. By 2011, the NAD Master Digital Suite Home Sound System enabled consumers to experience music through one or more networked playback devices. With the introduction of the Bluesound brand in 2012, the system's BluOS TM The operating system has expanded to more affordable devices. Through a software control application installed on a controller (e.g., IR remote, wall controller, smartphone, tablet, computer, voice input device), consumers can play the content they wish in any room with a networked playback device. Each room can access high-resolution music files, each with a playback device and a group of rooms for synchronized playback of the same music. BluOS TM The modular software design also allows for the unification of Audio Video Receiver (AVR) devices, reducing software development costs compared to the highly proprietary MCU / DSP software currently used in the AVR industry.

[0003] The present application generally relates to stereo headphones for playing high-resolution audio content from online music streaming services. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to one or more embodiments, a wireless high-resolution headphone device is disclosed. The headphone device includes a first headphone including a first speaker and a second headphone including a second speaker. The device also includes a first wireless transceiver unit, which is used to operate at a first bandwidth to communicate with an external user device to receive control and / or configuration signals from the external user device. The second wireless transceiver unit in the device is used to operate at a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth to communicate with a media source far away from the headphone device to receive high-resolution audio content from the media source. At least one processor in the device is used to receive and process the high-resolution audio content received by the second wireless transceiver unit to generate an audio output signal. The at least one processor is also used to receive and process the control and / or configuration signal received by the second wireless transceiver unit to control the operation and configuration of the headphone device. One or more audio amplifiers in the device amplify the audio output signal to drive the first speaker and the second speaker to present audio output. A rechargeable battery is also included to power the components of the headphone device.

[0005] In various embodiments, the first wireless transceiver unit is a short-range transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the first wireless transceiver unit is a Bluetooth transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the second wireless transceiver unit is a long-range transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the second wireless transceiver unit is a wireless cellular transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the wireless high-resolution headphone device includes a headband connecting the first headphone and the second headphone. In various embodiments, the media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of at least 8 Mbps. In various embodiments, the media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of 8-16 Mbps. In various embodiments, the at least one processor includes an ARM processor. In various embodiments, the wireless high-resolution headphone device includes a headband connecting the first headphone and the second headphone, wherein the first wireless transceiver unit, the second wireless transceiver unit, the one or more audio amplifiers and the at least one processor are mounted on a common circuit board of the first headphone. In various embodiments, the rechargeable battery is mounted in the second headphone. In various embodiments, the wireless high-resolution headphone device includes a flash memory and / or random access memory readable by the at least one processor. In various embodiments, the external user device includes a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer. In various embodiments, the wearable device is a smart watch. In various embodiments, the media source includes a high-resolution audio streaming server. In various embodiments, the high-resolution audio content includes audio content sampled at a rate of at least 48kHz. In various embodiments, the high-resolution audio content includes audio content sampled at a rate of at least 96kHz. In various embodiments, the second wireless transceiver unit has a standardized SDIO digital connection port for directly connecting to a corresponding SDIO digital connection port on the at least one processor.

[0006] According to one or more further embodiments, a method for playing high-resolution audio on a wireless headphone device is disclosed. The method includes (a) receiving processing control and / or configuration signals from an external user device of a first wireless transceiver unit in the headphone device to control the operation and configuration of the headphone device, the first wireless transceiver unit being configured to operate at a first bandwidth; (b) processing high-resolution audio content received from an online media source at a second wireless transceiver unit to generate an audio output signal, the second wireless transceiver unit being configured to operate at a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth; and (c) amplifying the audio output signal to drive first and second speakers in the headphone device to present an audio output.

[0007] In various embodiments, the first wireless transceiver unit is a short-range transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the first wireless transceiver unit is a Bluetooth transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the second wireless transceiver unit is a long-range transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the second wireless transceiver unit is a wireless cellular transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of at least 8 Mbps. In various embodiments, the media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of 8-16 Mbps. In various embodiments, the external user device includes a smartphone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a desktop computer. In various embodiments, the wearable device is a smart watch. In various embodiments, the online media source includes a high-resolution audio streaming server. In various embodiments, the high-resolution audio content includes audio content sampled at a rate of at least 96 KHz.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, a wireless high-resolution headset device is disclosed. The headset device includes a first headset including a first speaker and a second headset including a second speaker. An ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless transceiver unit in the first headset or the second headset is used to communicate with an external user device to receive high-resolution audio content and control and / or configuration signals from the external user device. At least one processor in the first headset or the second headset is used to receive and process the high-resolution audio content received by the UWB wireless transceiver unit to generate an audio output signal. The at least one processor is also used to receive and process the control and / or configuration signals received by the UWB wireless transceiver unit to control the operation and configuration of the headset device. The device also includes one or more audio amplifiers in the first headset or the second headset, which are used to amplify the audio output signal to drive the first speaker and the second speaker to present audio output. A rechargeable battery powers the components of the headset device.

[0009] In various embodiments, the external user device is a mobile phone or a computer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 The process of streaming audio content from an online music service to wireless headphones via a mobile phone is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 The process of transferring audio content from an online music server to wireless headphones via a pocket node device is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 An exemplary process for streaming audio content from an online music server to wireless headphones is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating selected components of an exemplary stereo headset in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 5 An exemplary system for streaming audio content from an online music server to wireless headphones according to further embodiments is shown.

[0015] Figure 6 An exemplary method of playing high-resolution audio on a wireless headphone device according to further embodiments is shown.

[0016] Like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a cellular enabled stereo headset for playing high resolution (Hi-Res) audio content from an online media streaming service.

[0018] Figure 1 The process of receiving audio content on the wireless headset 10 from the Internet music server 12 is shown. In various embodiments, the audio content may include music content from one or more databases, libraries, and online streaming services, such as Spotify. TM , iTunes TM , Apple Music TM , Amazon Music TM ,Youtube TM , Google Play TM In various embodiments, the Internet music service 12 may be a subscription or free service. In various embodiments, any audio content described herein may be music and / or broadcast or spoken content. In various embodiments, the audio content may be an audiobook, etc. The audio content from the music server 12 may first be received by a mobile phone 14, such as an iOS device. TM / Android TMThe mobile phone receives via a cellular, WiFi or other network. In various embodiments, the audio content can be received via a first network alone, such as via a cellular network or a WiFi network alone. In various embodiments, the audio content can be received via a first network and a second network, such as simultaneously or in series via a cellular network and a WiFi network. For example, but not limited to, a first portion of the audio content can be received via a first network such as a cellular network, and a second portion of the audio content can be received via a second network such as a WiFi network. In various embodiments, the audio content can be received separately, such as receiving one song at a time. In various embodiments, receiving the audio content can include receiving the audio content continuously. In various embodiments, receiving the audio content can include receiving more than one portion of the audio content at a time, such as receiving more than one song at a time. In these embodiments, a portion of the audio content, such as the first song, can be played immediately, and another portion of the audio content can be temporarily stored in one or more storage media. In various embodiments, the wireless high-resolution headphone device described herein may include flash memory and / or at least one processor-readable random access memory. The audio content can then be transmitted from the mobile phone 14 to the headset 10 via a wireless Bluetooth connection 15 for audio playback. In various embodiments, the Bluetooth connection 15 can connect multiple devices to the mobile phone 14 and the headset 10, for example, connecting one or more speakers to the mobile phone 14 and the headset 10 at the same time. In various embodiments, the Bluetooth connection 15 can connect the headset 10 to one or more external user devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, and / or a desktop. In various embodiments, the Bluetooth connection 15 can connect the headset 10 to one or more external user devices, such as wearable devices, which can include smart watches, heart rate monitors, fitness wearable devices, Apple Watch, etc. TM 、Jawbone TM , Fitbit TM And other equipment.

[0019] In various embodiments, the headset 10 may include at least one processor, such as a digital signal processor. In various embodiments, the at least one processor may include an ARM processor.

[0020] In various embodiments, the headset 10 may include one or more batteries, such as a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. In various embodiments, the one or more batteries may be installed in one or both of the first headset and the second headset. In various embodiments, the headset 10 may include one or more components for receiving and holding one or more disposable batteries, such as A, AA, AAA, C, D and / or 9V batteries. In various embodiments, the headset 10 may include one or more transceiver units. In various embodiments, the first wireless transceiver unit that the headset 10 may include is a short-range transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the first wireless transceiver unit that may be included in the headset 10 is a Bluetooth transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the second wireless transceiver unit that may be included in the headset 10 is a long-range transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the second wireless transceiver unit that may be included in the headset 10 is a wireless cellular transceiver unit. In various embodiments, the headset 10 may include a headband connecting the first and second headsets.

[0021] In various embodiments, the media source, such as the Internet / music server 12, can communicate with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection having a minimum known transmission speed, such as a transmission speed of at least 8 Mbps. In various embodiments, the media source, such as the Internet / music server 12, can communicate with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection having a known transmission speed range, such as a transmission speed of 8-16 Mbps.

[0022] In various embodiments, the wireless high-resolution headphone device described herein may include a headband connecting the first headphone and the second headphone. In various embodiments, the first wireless transceiver unit, the second wireless transceiver unit, one or more audio amplifiers, and at least one processor described herein may be mounted on a common circuit board in the first headphone. In various embodiments, some or all of the above components may be mounted on multiple independent and different circuit boards and communicate and / or electrically connected. For example, a first portion of the assembly may be mounted on a first circuit board, and a second portion of the assembly may be mounted on a second circuit board.

[0023] Figure 2Another process of receiving audio content on the wireless headset 10 from an Internet music server 12 is shown. In addition to receiving audio content from a mobile phone 14 or any external user device for receiving audio content and including short-range connections, audio content can also be received from a pocket node 16, which receives content from the music server 12 via a cellular, WiFi, or other network. In various embodiments, the audio content received by the pocket node 16 can be received via a first network alone, such as via a cellular network or a WiFi network alone. In various embodiments, the audio content received by the pocket node 16 can be received via a first network and a second network, such as via a cellular and WiFi network simultaneously or in series. For example, but not limited to, a first portion of the audio content can be received by the pocket node 16 via a first network, such as a cellular network, and a second portion of the audio content can be received by the pocket node 16 via a second network, such as a WiFi network. In various embodiments, the pocket node 16 may include one or more operating systems, such as iOS. TM / Android TM and / or BluOS TM . In various embodiments, the pocket node 16 may include one or more cellular / long term evolution (LTE) connectivity modules. In various embodiments, the pocket node 16 may include one or more UWB connectivity modules. In various embodiments, the pocket node 16 may include one or more batteries and / or one or more chargers for charging the battery and / or another portion of the pocket node 16. The audio content may be transmitted to the headset 10 via a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, or UWB connection 15, for headset charging for audio playback.

[0024] There may be a fundamental limitation in the digital bandwidth provided by the Bluetooth wireless connection standard. The digital bandwidth for stereo audio transmission is approximately 1 to 2 Mbps. While this may be sufficient bandwidth for transmitting standard definition stereo audio data compressed by standard codec software (e.g., AAC, SBC, or aptX), this compression often introduces acoustic artifacts that degrade the perceived audio quality presented by the headphones. In addition, higher codec compression ratios may be required for new Hi-Res audio formats in order to provide audio quality beyond traditional standard definition or "CD quality" audio. Higher codec compression ratios produce more acoustic artifacts, eliminating any advantage provided by the higher audio sampling rates and bit depths of Hi-Res audio source formats. The impact of this fundamental bandwidth limitation has been well known in the headphone industry as consumers are preparing to purchase premium headphones to enjoy the audio quality provided by popular music servers such as Amazon. TM , Apple TM , Tidel TM and Qobuz TM) provided by high-quality wireless digital connections between headphones and music sources.

[0025] Figure 3 Operation of a cellular-enabled high-resolution headset 30 is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments. The headset 30 does not require a mobile phone 14 or other device as an intermediate wireless connection between the headset 30 and a music server 12 on the Internet. Modern wireless cellular transceiver technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, or 5G transceivers) can be integrated directly into the headset 30. This can overcome the digital bandwidth limitations imposed by, for example, using Bluetooth to carry audio from a mobile phone 14 to the headset 30. The significantly higher bandwidth provided by a cellular connection rather than Bluetooth eliminates the necessity for an audio data compression codec, allowing the user to enjoy full digital bandwidth and Hi-Res music quality. Although a Bluetooth connection may still be used between the mobile phone 14 and the headset 30, the Bluetooth connection may only be used to support audio from BluOS installed on the mobile phone. TM A low bandwidth connection for control and configuration settings of the cellular-enabled headset 30 by software applications and / or other audio applications that have implemented control functions compatible with the headset 14. The actual audio streaming data can be delivered directly from the online Hi-Res music server 12 to the headset 30 via a wireless cellular connection. In various embodiments, the headset 30 can be an in-ear headset, a supra-aural headset, a headset that is wired together, for example, in a configuration where each headset is connected together by a wire, a strap, or a device that may include one or more circuit boards described herein, or a headset integrated into a garment, such as a hat, or a headset integrated into a body device, such as a helmet.

[0026] Figure 4is a simplified block diagram showing selected components of an exemplary cellular-enabled headset 30 according to one or more embodiments. The headset 30 may include a long-range connection module, such as a wireless cellular connection module (e.g., a 3G, 4G, or 5G transceiver) 32, a short-range connection module (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver) 34, a microprocessor (e.g., an ARM processor) 36, a flash memory 38, a RAM memory 40, and a high-quality digital audio power amplifier 42 for driving speakers 44, 46. In one or more embodiments, these components may be mounted on a common circuit board in the headset assembly (including the speaker 44) on one side of the headset 30. In various embodiments, some or all of the above components may be mounted on multiple independent and different circuit boards and communicated and / or electrically connected. For example, a first portion of the assembly, such as the long-range transceiver unit 32 and the short-range transceiver unit 34, may be mounted on a first circuit board, and a second portion of the assembly may be mounted on a second circuit board. In these embodiments, the circuit boards may be stacked and mounted on each other. The headset assembly includes a second speaker 46, and the other side of the headset may include a rechargeable battery and / or charger circuit 48, such as a lithium battery and charger circuit. In various embodiments, each earphone component may include a unique battery for powering the components of the earphone 30 alternately or simultaneously. In various embodiments, any one or a combination of the components described herein may be provided in either of the two earphones. For example, the first earphone may include a long-range connection module 32 and the second earphone may include a short-range connection module 34, but is not limited thereto. In various embodiments, the earphone 30 may be an in-ear earphone, an over-ear earphone, an earphone connected together by wire, for example, in a configuration in which each earphone is connected together by a wire, a strap, or a device that may include one or more circuit boards described herein, or an earphone integrated into clothing, such as a hat, or an earphone integrated into a body device, such as a helmet.

[0027] The cellular connection module 32 may include a dedicated digital radio frequency transceiver for connecting to a cellular network. At its "baseband" connection port, the cellular connection module 32 may include a standardized SDIO digital connection port for directly connecting to a corresponding SDIO digital connection port on the ARM microprocessor 36. In one or more embodiments, the ARM microprocessor 36, RAM 40, and flash memory 38 may support an operating system such as BluOS provided by Lenbrook. TM Booting and execution of the operating system. BluOS TM Includes a software driver for initializing the cellular connectivity module with the user account information required to authenticate the headset system over the local cellular network. BluOS TM It also supports decoding music streaming services such as MQA TM 、OraStream TMand Apple TM ) provides a real-time Hi-Res audio decoder software component for the latest Hi-Res audio formats provided by BluOS. Although cellular wireless transceivers are associated with high power consumption, requiring larger batteries than are typically associated with headsets, recent silicon chipsets implementing 3G, 4G, and 5G cellular standards have been designed to significantly reduce the power and size of the battery required to support mobile headset applications. The Bluetooth transceiver 34 can also be powered by BluOS TM Software hosting. This allows Bluetooth "pairing" between the phone 14 and the headset 30 to achieve a low bandwidth connection, thereby enabling the BluOS installed on the customer's phone 14 TM The control and configuration channels are realized between the applications. Bluetooth can also be paired with other user devices (including wearable devices, such as smart watches) to provide a convenient user control and configuration interface for the headset 30.

[0028] Figure 5 Operation of an exemplary cellular-enabled high-resolution headset device 60 is shown in accordance with one or more further alternative embodiments.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the headset device 60 may include an integrated remote connection module, such as a wireless cellular transceiver 32, to provide a music server 12 on the Internet to the cellular connection 61. In various embodiments, the cellular connection 61 may include an LTE connection for transmitting high-resolution (hires) audio content. A Bluetooth connection 63 may be used between the mobile phone 14, any external user device described herein, or a combination thereof, a personal computer 62, and the headset device 60 to support the control and configuration settings of the headset device 60 by software applications installed on the mobile phone 14, any external user device described herein, or a personal computer 62. The headset device 60 may include a remote connection module, such as a wireless cellular connection module (e.g., a 3G, 4G, or 5G transceiver) 32, a short-range connection module (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver) 34, a microprocessor (e.g., an ARM processor) 36, a flash memory 38, a RAM memory 40, and a high-quality digital audio power amplifier 42, 46 for driving a speaker 44. In one or more embodiments, these components may be mounted on a common circuit board in the headset assembly (including the speaker 44) on one side of the headset device 60. In various embodiments, the flash memory 38 may be NOR or NAND flash memory, such as eMMC and / or SSD flash memory. In various embodiments, the RAM memory 40 may be dynamic RAM, static RAM and / or synchronous dynamic RAM memory.

[0030] In various embodiments, the headphone device 60 may include a power management PMIC unit. In various embodiments, the headphone device 60 may include one or more adaptive noise cancellation devices disposed therein. In various embodiments, the adaptive noise cancellation device may include one or more microphones and speakers for analyzing external noise and generating sound to destructively interfere with the external noise. In various embodiments, the headphone device 60 may include one or more head tracking accelerometers disposed therein. In various embodiments, the head tracking accelerometer may be used to detect and measure the position of the headphone device 60 relative to or attached to the user's head. In various embodiments, the head tracking accelerometer may provide detection and / or measurement of the head position to one or more other components to adjust at least one parameter of the audio playback or another aspect of the operation of the headphone device 60 based on the head position. In various embodiments, the headphone device 60 may include one or more immersive audio processors. The immersive audio processor may spatially adjust the output of the headphone speaker of the headphone device 60. The immersive audio processor may be electrically connected and / or communicatively connected to each of the other components described herein.

[0031] In one or more further embodiments, the headphone device 60 may also optionally connect to the cell phone 14 or personal computer 62 via a high bandwidth wired analog stereo connection 64 to receive high resolution audio content. In various embodiments, the headphone device 60 may include an opening or port for facilitating the wired analog stereo connection 64.

[0032] In one or more further embodiments, the headphone device 60 may also optionally be connected to a personal computer 62 via a high-bandwidth wired USB Audio Class 2.0 connection 68 to receive high-resolution audio content.

[0033] In one or more further embodiments, the personal computer 62 may be connected to a USB adapter 66, which may be used to wirelessly transmit high-resolution audio content to the headphone device 60 using a high-bandwidth ultra-wideband (UWB) connection 70. The USB adapter 66 may include a USB audio class (UAC) bridge and / or an ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver disposed therein. In various embodiments, the USB audio class (UAC) bridge and / or the ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver may be mounted on one or more circuit boards that communicate and / or are electrically connected thereto. The audio content may be received at the headphone device 60 that integrates the UWB transceiver 72. UWB is a short-range wireless communication method that is capable of operating at wireless frequencies above the 5 GHz spectrum reserved for WiFi. UWB's radio frequency modulation scheme periodically distributes encoded digital information over the radio frequency spectrum. UWB technology has advantages in battery-powered devices because it consumes less energy than other short-range technologies (such as Bluetooth), while it can support at least twice the data transmission bandwidth as Bluetooth.

[0034] In one or more further embodiments, the cell phone 14 or computer 62 may include an integrated UWB module for wirelessly transmitting high-resolution audio content to the headphone device 60 via a UWB connection.

[0035] In various embodiments, any component or combination of components of the headphone device 60 described herein can be disposed in either the right ear or the left ear. For example, without limitation, the right ear can include some of the components and the left ear can include the remaining components. In various embodiments, the left ear and the right ear are used to house different types of components, for example, but not limited to, the left ear is used to house each transceiver and memory, and the right ear is used to house each processor, accelerometer, and battery / charging circuit. In various embodiments, as Figure 5 As shown, the left earphone can accommodate a transceiver, a memory, a power management device, an amplifier, a processor, etc., and the right earphone can be used to accommodate a rechargeable lithium battery. In various embodiments, each of the right and left earphones of the headphone device 60 can be connected by one or more headbands configured to accommodate at least one component described herein. For example, the headband can be used to accommodate the transceiver, for example, to position the transceiver at the highest relative point of the headphone device 60. In various embodiments, the headphone device 60 can have any openings disposed therein to accommodate a port or connector for forming a wired connection, for example, with a charger connected to a wall outlet. In various embodiments, the headphone device 60 can be integrated into clothing, such as a hat, or the earphones are integrated into a body device, such as a helmet.

[0036] Figure 6An exemplary method for playing high-resolution audio on a wireless headphone device according to a further embodiment is shown. In step 605, method 600 includes receiving processing control and / or configuration signals from an external user device of a first wireless transceiver unit in the headphone device to control the operation and configuration of the headphone device, the first wireless transceiver unit being configured to operate at a first bandwidth.

[0037] In step 610 , method 600 includes processing, at a second wireless transceiver unit, high-resolution audio content received from an online media source to generate an audio output signal, the second wireless transceiver unit being configured to operate at a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth.

[0038] In step 615, method 600 includes amplifying the audio output signal to drive first and second speakers in the headphone device to present the audio output. Each method step described herein may be performed in a different time sequence and / or any number of iterations or steps simultaneously.

[0039] After several illustrative embodiments have been described in this way, it will be appreciated that various changes, modifications and improvements will occur easily to those skilled in the art. Such changes, modifications and improvements are intended to constitute a part of the present invention and are intended to belong to the spirit and scope of the present invention. Although some examples given herein relate to specific combinations of functions or structural elements, it will be appreciated that, according to the present invention, these functions and elements may be combined in other ways to achieve the same or different goals. In particular, the actions, elements and features discussed in conjunction with an embodiment are not intended to be excluded from similar or other roles in other embodiments. In addition, the elements and assemblies described herein may also be divided into additional elements or combined together to form fewer elements for performing the same function.

[0040] Accordingly, the above description and drawings are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting.

Claims

1. A wireless high-resolution headphone device, characterized in that: include: a first earphone including a first speaker; a second earphone including a second speaker; A first wireless transceiver unit is configured to operate at a first bandwidth and communicate with an external user device to receive a control and / or configuration signal from the external user device; A second wireless transceiver unit is configured to operate at a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth to communicate with a media source far away from the headphone device to receive high-resolution audio content from the media source; at least one processor configured to receive and process the high-resolution audio content received by the second wireless transceiver unit to generate an audio output signal, the at least one processor further configured to receive and process the control and / or configuration signal received by the second wireless transceiver unit to control the operation and configuration of the headphone device; one or more audio amplifiers for amplifying the audio output signal to drive the first speaker and the second speaker to present an audio output; and A rechargeable battery for powering the components of the headphone device.

2. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first wireless transceiver unit is a short-range transceiver unit.

3. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first wireless transceiver unit is a Bluetooth transceiver unit.

4. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second wireless transceiver unit is a wireless cellular transceiver unit.

5. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a headband connecting the first earphone and the second earphone.

6. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of at least 8 Mbps.

7. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of 8-16 Mbps.

8. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The at least one processor comprises an ARM processor.

9. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a headband connecting the first earphone and the second earphone, and the first wireless transceiver unit, the second wireless transceiver unit, the one or more audio amplifiers and the at least one processor are installed on a common circuit board of the first earphone.

10. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The rechargeable battery is installed in the second earphone.

11. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is said at least one processor-readable flash memory and / or random access memory.

12. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The external user device includes a smart phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a desktop computer.

13. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The wearable device is a smart watch.

14. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The media source comprises a high-resolution audio streaming server.

15. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-resolution audio content includes audio content sampled at a rate of at least 48 kHz.

16. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-resolution audio content includes audio content sampled at a rate of at least 96 kHz.

17. The wireless high-resolution headphone device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second wireless transceiver unit has a standardized SDIO digital connection port, which is used to directly connect to a corresponding SDIO digital connection port on the at least one processor.

18. A method for playing high-resolution audio on a wireless headphone device, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Processing, at a first wireless transceiver unit in the headset device, a control and / or configuration signal received from an external user device to control operation and configuration of the headset device, the first wireless transceiver unit being configured to operate at a first bandwidth; processing high-resolution audio content received from an online media source at a second wireless transceiver unit to generate an audio output signal, the second wireless transceiver unit being configured to operate at a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth; and The audio output signal is amplified to drive first and second speakers in the headphone device to present an audio output.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first wireless transceiver unit is a short-range transceiver unit.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first wireless transceiver unit is a Bluetooth transceiver unit.

21. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second wireless transceiver unit is a wireless cellular transceiver unit.

22. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of at least 8 Mbps.

23. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The media source communicates with the second wireless transceiver unit via a cellular connection with a transmission speed of 8-16 Mbps.

24. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The external user device includes a smart phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a desktop computer.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The wearable device is a smart watch.

26. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The online media source comprises a high-resolution audio streaming server.

27. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The high-resolution audio content includes audio content sampled at a rate of at least 96 KHz.

28. A wireless high-resolution headphone device, characterized in that: include: a first earphone including a first speaker; a second earphone including a second speaker; An ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless transceiver unit in the first earphone or the second earphone is configured to communicate with the external user device to receive high-resolution audio content and control and / or configuration signals from the external user device; At least one processor in the first headset or the second headset is configured to receive and process high-resolution audio content received by the UWB wireless transceiver unit to generate an audio output signal, and the at least one processor is further configured to receive and process control and / or configuration signals received by the UWB wireless transceiver unit to control the operation and configuration of the headset device; One or more audio amplifiers in the first earphone or the second earphone, used to amplify the audio output signal to drive the first speaker and the second speaker to present audio output; and A rechargeable battery for powering the components of the headphone device.

29. The wireless high-resolution headset device according to claim 28, characterized in that The external user equipment is a mobile phone or a computer.

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