Wireless audio system and wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth low-power audio

Abstract

The invention provides a wireless audio system supporting Bluetooth low-power-consumption audio. The wireless audio system comprises a first audio receiving device and a second audio receiving device. The first audio receiving device is used for establishing a first low-power-consumption synchronous link between the first audio receiving device and an audio source device. The second audio receiving device is configured to establish a second low-power synchronous link between the second audio receiving device and the audio source device. In addition, the first audio receiving device is further configured to establish a first listening link that listens for a plurality of audio data packets transmitted over the second low-power synchronous link; the second audio receiving device is further configured to establish a second listening link that listens for a plurality of audio packets transmitted through the first low-power synchronization link.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to wireless communication, and more particularly to a wireless audio system that supports Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) audio and establishes a snoop link for an audio sink device, and related wireless audio methods. Background Art

[0002] Bluetooth is by far the most recognized wireless standard for audio streaming. Recently, Bluetooth LE Audio has been developed to enhance performance in terms of power consumption, latency, and bandwidth. According to the Bluetooth LE Audio specification, a pair of true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds will only establish a single LE isochronous (ISO) link on each earbud. Therefore, a single earbud obtains mono (L / R) audio data from a content provider such as a smartphone or an audio player. Since each earbud cannot obtain stereophonic audio (e.g., spatial audio), any audio effects related to stereo can only be completed at the content provider. In addition, since each earbud in a pair of TWS earbuds that support Bluetooth LE Audio only listens to an independent LE ISO link, the reception quality of an earbud is limited by its own signal quality, which may cause the user experience to deteriorate due to the lower signal quality on one earbud. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One object of the present invention is to provide a wireless audio system that supports Bluetooth LE audio and establishes a snoop link for an audio sink device, and related wireless audio methods.

[0004] In one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless audio system that supports Bluetooth Low Energy audio is disclosed, which includes a first audio sink device and a second audio sink device. The first audio sink device is used to establish a first low-power synchronous link between the first audio sink device and an audio source device. The second audio sink device is used to establish a second low-power synchronous link between the second audio sink device and the audio source device. The first audio sink device is further used to establish a first snoop link, and the first snoop link will monitor a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the second low-power synchronous link. The second audio sink device is further used to establish a second snoop link, and the second snoop link will monitor a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the first low-power synchronous link.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, a wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) audio is disclosed, comprising: establishing a first low-power synchronization link between a first audio receiving device and an audio source device; establishing a second low-power synchronization link between a second audio receiving device and the audio source device; establishing a first listening link at the first audio receiving device, wherein the first listening link listens for a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the second low-power synchronization link; and establishing a second listening link at the second audio receiving device, wherein the second listening link listens for a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the first low-power synchronization link.

[0006] With the assistance of the listening link of the present invention, the audio receiving device can perform stereo processing / decoding based on the plurality of audio data packets received from the low-power synchronization link and the listening link to create any stereo-related audio effects locally. Additionally, since the listening link allows the audio receiving device to listen for audio data packets transmitted through the low-power synchronization link of another audio receiving device, the audio data packets received by the listening function of the audio receiving device can be used to facilitate packet loss recovery of another audio receiving device. The same concept of packet loss recovery can also be applied to recover the audio data packets lost during the transmission of audio data packets by the listening link. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a wireless audio system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the operation behavior of a pair of TWS earbuds without using the listening link proposed by the present invention.

[0009] Figure 3 Schematic diagram showing the operation behavior of a pair of TWS earbuds when using the listening link proposed by the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of packet loss recovery achieved by audio data packets relayed from one audio receiving device to another according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 Flowchart of a wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth LE audio according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In the specification and the claims, certain terms are used to refer to specific components. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that hardware manufacturers may use different terms to refer to the same component. The specification and the claims do not distinguish components by the difference in names, but by the difference in functions. The terms "comprising" and "including" mentioned throughout the specification and the claims are open-ended terms and should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". In addition, the term "coupled" or "coupling" herein includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means. Therefore, if a first device is described as being coupled to a second device in the text, it means that the first device can be directly electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly electrically connected to the second device through other devices and connection means.

[0013] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic diagram of a wireless audio system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless audio system 100 supports Bluetooth LE audio and includes an audio source device 102 and a plurality of audio receiving devices 104, 106. For example, the audio source device 102 is a content provider (e.g., a smartphone or an audio player), and the audio receiving devices 104, 106 are a pair of TWS earbuds, including a left-channel earbud and a right-channel earbud that are paired with each other. According to the Bluetooth LE audio specification, only a single LE ISO link is established on each earbud of a pair of TWS earbuds. Therefore, the audio receiving device (e.g., the left-channel earbud) 104 is used to establish a single LE ISO link 108 between the audio receiving device 104 and the audio source device (e.g., a smartphone or an audio player) 102, and the audio receiving device (e.g., the right-channel earbud) 106 is used to establish a single LE ISO link 110 between the audio receiving device 106 and the audio source device (e.g., a smartphone or an audio player) 102.

[0014] In this embodiment, the audio receiving device 104 is further used to establish a listening link 114, which listens for audio packets transmitted through the dedicated LE ISO link 110 used by the audio receiving device 106, and the audio receiving device 106 is further used to establish a listening link 116, which listens for audio packets transmitted through the dedicated LE ISO link 108 used by the audio receiving device 104. For example, the audio receiving devices 104 and 106 establish the listening links 114 and 116 through a control channel 112 between the two audio receiving devices 104 and 106. Therefore, the audio receiving device 104 is further used to exchange the ISO link information INF_1 of the LE ISO link 108 with the audio receiving device 106 through the control channel 112, where the establishment of the listening link 116 is based on the ISO link information INF_1 of the LE ISO link 108; similarly, the audio receiving device 106 is further used to exchange the ISO link information INF_2 of the LE ISO link 110 with the audio receiving device 104 through the control channel 112, where the establishment of the listening link 114 is based on the ISO link information INF_2 of the LE ISO link 110. Note that the audio source device 102 itself may not be aware of the existence of the listening links 114 and 116 (i.e., the listening functions running on the audio receiving devices 104 and 106).

[0015] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram showing the operating behavior of a pair of TWS earbuds without using the listening link proposed by the present invention. Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram showing the operating behavior of a pair of TWS earbuds when using the listening link proposed by the present invention. With the help of the listening link 114 allowing the audio receiving device (e.g., the left-channel earbud) 104 to listen for the audio packets (e.g., the right-channel audio packets) transmitted through the LE ISO link 110, the audio receiving device 104 can obtain stereo audio from the LE ISO link 108 (which provides the left-channel audio packets) and the listening link 114 (which provides the right-channel audio packets). Similarly, with the help of the listening link 116 allowing the audio receiving device (e.g., the right-channel earbud) 106 to listen for the audio packets (e.g., the left-channel audio packets) transmitted through the LE ISO link 108, the audio receiving device 106 can obtain stereo audio from the LE ISO link 110 (which provides the right-channel audio packets) and the listening link 116 (which provides the left-channel audio packets).

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the audio receiving device 104 may perform stereo processing / decoding based on a plurality of audio data packets received from the LE ISO link 108 and the monitoring link 114 to create any stereo-related audio effects locally. Similarly, the audio receiving device 106 may perform stereo processing / decoding based on a plurality of audio data packets received from the LE ISO link 110 and the monitoring link 116 to create any stereo-related audio effects locally.

[0017] Since the monitoring link 114 allows the audio receiving device (e.g., left-channel earbuds) 104 to monitor the audio data packets (e.g., right-channel audio data packets) transmitted through the LE ISO link 110, the audio data packets received by the monitoring function of the audio receiving device 104 can be used to facilitate packet lost recovery of another audio receiving device (e.g., right-channel earbuds) 106. Similarly, since the monitoring link 116 allows the audio receiving device (e.g., right-channel earbuds) 106 to monitor the audio data packets (e.g., left-channel audio data packets) transmitted through the LE ISO link 108, the audio data packets received by the monitoring function of the audio receiving device 106 can be used to facilitate packet lost recovery of another audio receiving device (e.g., left-channel earbuds) 104. The same packet lost recovery concept can also be applied to recover the audio data packets lost during the transmission of the audio data packets on the monitoring links 114 and 116. For example, the audio data packets received by the audio receiving device 104 through the dedicated LE ISO link 108 can be used to facilitate packet lost recovery of the monitoring function of another audio receiving device 106, and the audio data packets received by the audio receiving device 106 through the dedicated LE ISO link 110 can be used to facilitate packet lost recovery of the monitoring function of another audio receiving device 104. Additional space diversity can be achieved through the monitoring function and relay function proposed in the present invention.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present invention, the audio receiving devices 104 and 106 are further configured to establish an ISO timing-based link 118 between the audio receiving devices 104 and 106 according to the ISO link information INF_1 of the LE ISO link 108 and the ISO link information INF_2 of the LE ISO link 110. After the ISO timing-based link 118 is established, the audio receiving devices 104 and 106 exchange data packets (e.g., control signals, ISO data, and / or sensor data) through the ISO timing-based link 118 during the empty slots when the audio source device 102 is not transmitting. In other words, the relay function required for data packet loss recovery can be implemented by means of the ISO timing-based link 118.

[0019] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic diagram of data packet loss recovery achieved by relaying audio data packets from one audio receiving device 104 (or 106) to another audio receiving device 106 (or 104) in an embodiment of the present invention. Regarding data packet loss recovery, multiple data packets exchanged through the ISO timing-based link 118 (which serves as a relay link) may include audio data packets 502_1 and 502_2 transmitted from the audio receiving device 104 to the audio receiving device 106, and audio data packets 504_1, 504_2, 504_3, and 504_4 transmitted from the audio receiving device 106 to the audio receiving device 104.

[0020] Since the audio data packet 502_1 transmitted by the audio source device 102 through the dedicated LE ISO link 108 is received by the audio receiving device 104 and not received by the audio receiving device 106 through the listening link 116, the audio data packet 502_1 can be relayed from the audio receiving device 104 to the audio receiving device 106 through the ISO timing-based link 118. In this way, the audio data packet 502_1 can be used by the audio receiving device 106 to recover the audio data packets lost during the transmission of the audio data packets on the listening link 116.

[0021] Since the audio data packet 502_2 transmitted by the audio source device 102 via the dedicated LE ISO link 110 is not received by the audio receiving device 106 and is received by the audio receiving device 104 via the monitoring link 114, the audio data packet 502_2 can be relayed from the audio receiving device 104 to the audio receiving device 106 via the ISO timing-based link 118. In this way, the audio data packet 502_1 can be used by the audio receiving device 106 to recover the audio data packets lost during the transmission of the audio data packets on the dedicated LE ISO link 110.

[0022] Since the audio data packet 504_1 transmitted by the audio source device 102 via the dedicated LE ISO link 110 is received by the audio receiving device 106 and is not received by the audio receiving device 104 via the monitoring link 114, the audio data packet 504_1 can be relayed from the audio receiving device 106 to the audio receiving device 104 via the ISO timing-based link 118. Similarly, since the audio data packet 504_2 transmitted by the audio source device 102 via the dedicated LE ISO link 110 is received by the audio receiving device 106 and is not received by the audio receiving device 104 via the monitoring link 114, the audio data packet 504_2 can be relayed from the audio receiving device 106 to the audio receiving device 104 via the ISO timing-based link 118. In this way, the audio data packets 504_1 and 504_2 can be used by the audio receiving device 104 to recover the audio data packets lost during the transmission of the audio data packets on the monitoring link 114.

[0023] Since the audio data packet 504_3 transmitted by the audio source device 102 via the dedicated LE ISO link 108 is not received by the audio receiving device 104 and is received by the audio receiving device 106 via the monitoring link 116, the audio data packet 504_3 can be relayed from the audio receiving device 106 to the audio receiving device 104 via the ISO timing-based link 118. Similarly, since the audio data packet 504_4 transmitted by the audio source device 102 via the dedicated LE ISO link 108 is not received by the audio receiving device 104 and is received by the audio receiving device 106 via the monitoring link 116, the audio data packet 504_4 can be relayed from the audio receiving device 106 to the audio receiving device 104 via the ISO timing-based link 118. In this way, the audio data packets 504_3 and 504_4 can be used by the audio receiving device 104 to recover the audio data packets lost during the transmission of the audio data packets on the dedicated LE ISO link 108.

[0024] Figure 5is a flowchart of a wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth LE Audio according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, Figure 1 the wireless audio system 100 shown in Figure 5 can adopt the wireless audio method of the present invention. The steps do not necessarily have to be executed in the order shown

[0025] if substantially the same result can be obtained. At step S502, an LE ISO link 108, 110 is established between the audio source device 102 and the audio receiving devices 104, 106. At step S504, the ISO link information INF_1, INF_2 is exchanged between the audio receiving devices 104, 106. At step S506, listening links 114, 116 are established for the audio receiving devices 104, 106 according to the ISO link information INF_1, INF_2. At step S508, an ISO timing-based link (which can be used as a relay link) 118 is established between the audio receiving devices 104, 106 according to the ISO link information INF_1, INF_2. At step S510, the audio receiving devices 104, 106 enable the listening function and / or the relay function. At step S512, the audio receiving devices 104, 106 perform local stereo processing / decoding according to a plurality of audio data packets obtained from the LE ISO links 108, 110 and the listening links 114, 116, and / or share data packets (such as control signals, ISO data, and / or sensor data) through the ISO timing-based link 118. Since those skilled in the art can easily understand the details of each step after reading the above paragraphs regarding the wireless audio system 100, further description is omitted here for the sake of brevity.

[0025] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope covered by the present invention.

[0026] Reference numerals

[0027] 100: Wireless audio system

[0028] 102: Audio source device

[0029] 104, 106: Audio receiving devices

[0030] 108, 110: LE ISO links

[0031] 112: Control channel

[0032] 114, 116: Listening links

[0033] INF_1, INF_2: ISO link information

[0034] S502, S504, S506, S508, S510: Steps

Claims

1. A wireless audio system supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, comprising: A first audio receiving device for establishing a first low-power synchronization link between the first audio receiving device and an audio source device; and A second audio receiving device for establishing a second low-power synchronization link between the second audio receiving device and the audio source device; Wherein the first audio receiving device is further configured to establish a first listening link, and the first listening link listens to a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the second low-power synchronization link; And the second audio receiving device is further configured to establish a second listening link, and the second listening link listens to a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the first low-power synchronization link.

2. The wireless audio system supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 1, wherein the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device are true wireless stereo earbud headphones.

3. The wireless audio system supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 1, wherein the first audio receiving device is further configured to perform stereo processing based on a plurality of audio data packets received from the first low-power synchronization link and the first listening link, and the second audio receiving device is further configured to perform stereo processing based on a plurality of audio data packets received from the second low-power synchronization link and the second listening link.

4. The wireless audio system supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 1, wherein the first audio receiving device is further configured to exchange synchronization link information of the first low-power synchronization link with the second audio receiving device through a control channel between the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device, wherein the establishment of the second listening link is based on the synchronization link information of the first low-power synchronization link; and the second audio receiving device is further configured to exchange synchronization link information of the second low-power synchronization link with the first audio receiving device through the control channel between the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device, wherein the establishment of the first listening link is based on the synchronization link information of the second low-power synchronization link.

5. The wireless audio system supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 1, wherein the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device are further configured to establish a synchronization timing-based link between the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device based on the synchronization link information of the first low-power synchronization link and the synchronization link information of the second low-power synchronization link; and the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device exchange a plurality of data packets through the synchronization timing-based link in an empty time slot when the audio source device is not transmitting.

6. The wireless audio system supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of data packets exchanged through the link based on synchronous timing include at least one first audio data packet transmitted from the first audio receiving device to the second audio receiving device and at least one second audio data packet transmitted from the second audio receiving device to the first audio receiving device, wherein the at least one first audio data packet is received by the first audio receiving device through the first listening link and not received by the second audio receiving device through the second low-power synchronization link, the at least one second audio data packet is received by the second audio receiving device through the second listening link and not received by the first audio receiving device through the first low-power synchronization link, the at least one first audio data packet is received by the first audio receiving device through the first low-power synchronization link and not received by the second audio receiving device through the second listening link, or the at least one second audio data packet is received by the second audio receiving device through the second low-power synchronization link and not received by the first audio receiving device through the first listening link.

7. A wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, comprising: establishing a first low-power synchronization link between a first audio receiving device and an audio source device; establishing a second low-power synchronization link between a second audio receiving device and the audio source device; establishing a first listening link at the first audio receiving device, wherein the first listening link listens for a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the second low-power synchronization link; and establishing a second listening link at the second audio receiving device, wherein the second listening link listens for a plurality of audio data packets transmitted through the first low-power synchronization link.

8. The wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 7, wherein the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device are true wireless stereo earbuds.

9. The wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 7, further comprising: performing stereo processing based on the plurality of audio data packets received from the first low-power synchronization link and the first listening link; and performing stereo processing based on the plurality of audio data packets received from the second low-power synchronization link and the second listening link.

10. The wireless audio method supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 7, further comprising: exchanging synchronization link information of the first low-power synchronization link with the second audio receiving device through a control channel between the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device, wherein the establishment of the second listening link is based on the synchronization link information of the first low-power synchronization link; and exchanging synchronization link information of the second low-power synchronization link with the first audio receiving device through the control channel between the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device, wherein the establishment of the first listening link is based on the synchronization link information of the second low-power synchronization link.

11. The wireless audio method for supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 10 further includes: Based on the synchronization link information of the first Low Energy synchronization link and the synchronization link information of the second Low Energy synchronization link, establishing a synchronization-timing-based link between the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device; and During an empty time slot when the audio source device is not transmitting, exchanging a plurality of data packets between the first audio receiving device and the second audio receiving device through the synchronization-timing-based link.

12. The wireless audio method for supporting Bluetooth Low Energy Audio according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of data packets exchanged through the synchronization-timing-based link include at least one first audio data packet transmitted from the first audio receiving device to the second audio receiving device and at least one second audio data packet transmitted from the second audio receiving device to the first audio receiving device, wherein the at least one first audio data packet is received by the first audio receiving device through the first listening link and not received by the second audio receiving device through the second Low Energy synchronization link, the at least one second audio data packet is received by the second audio receiving device through the second listening link and not received by the first audio receiving device through the first Low Energy synchronization link, the at least one first audio data packet is received by the first audio receiving device through the first Low Energy synchronization link and not received by the second audio receiving device through the second listening link, or the at least one second audio data packet is received by the second audio receiving device through the second Low Energy synchronization link and not received by the first audio receiving device through the first listening link.

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