Method and apparatus for system comprising plurality of audio devices
By using Bluetooth 5.3 and Auracast technology, the setup and audio parameter sharing of master and auxiliary devices can be achieved among multiple audio devices, solving the problems of sound imbalance and limited communication in stereo groups and achieving efficient stereo effects.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380103030.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-05
AI Technical Summary
In the existing technology, there are problems of sound imbalance and limited communication in the stereo group of multiple audio devices, resulting in poor stereo effect.
It enables bidirectional communication between multiple audio devices through Bluetooth 5.3 protocol and Auracast broadcast technology, sets master and auxiliary devices, shares audio parameters such as volume and audio equalizer settings, and ensures that each audio device plays complementary channel audio.
It enables efficient communication and sound balancing between multiple audio devices, providing excellent stereo sound.
Smart Images
Figure CN121986502A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of speech processing, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for a system comprising multiple audio devices. Background Technology
[0002] Generally, to achieve a stereo effect, two or more audio devices should play audio from at least two different channels that are distinct and complementary to each other. For example, the two different audio channels could be the left and right channels, which can be obtained from full-channel audio. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The following is a brief overview relating to one or more aspects disclosed herein. Therefore, this overview should not be considered a comprehensive summary relating to all aspects considered, nor should it be considered an identification of key or essential elements relating to all aspects considered, or an clarification of the scope associated with any particular aspect. Accordingly, the sole purpose of the following overview is to present, in a simplified form, certain concepts relating to one or more aspects of the mechanisms disclosed herein, for explanation before the detailed descriptions presented below.
[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this disclosure provides a method and apparatus for a system comprising multiple audio devices.
[0005] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for a system comprising a plurality of audio devices, the method being performed by a first audio device among the plurality of audio devices, and comprising: receiving an instruction instructing the first audio device to be configured as a master device of the system and a second audio device to be configured as an auxiliary device of the system; sending a setting instruction to the second audio device, as indicated in the received instruction, to configure the second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system; receiving full-channel audio; and sending the full-channel audio to other audio devices in the system; wherein the master device of the system is configured to play a designated channel among the left and right channels as indicated in the received instruction, and the auxiliary device of the system is configured to play another channel among the left and right channels.
[0006] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the other audio devices in the system include a second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system and one or more third audio devices, and the one or more third audio devices are configured to play the full-channel audio.
[0007] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the received instructions are generated in response to virtual or physical interaction with the plurality of audio devices.
[0008] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the first audio device supports the Bluetooth 5.3 protocol and is able to communicate with the second audio device via Auracast broadcast.
[0009] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the method further includes sharing audio parameters with other audio devices in the system, including either volume or audio equalizer settings.
[0010] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, an audio device is provided, the audio device comprising: a setting module configured to: receive an instruction instructing the audio device to be set as a master device of a system comprising a plurality of audio devices and a second audio device to be set as an auxiliary device of the system, and to send a setting instruction to the second audio device as indicated in the received instruction to set the second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system; and an audio module configured to: receive full-channel audio and send the full-channel audio to other audio devices in the system; wherein the master device of the system is configured to play the channel audio specified in the received instruction, and the auxiliary devices of the system are configured to play complementary channel audio.
[0011] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the received instructions are generated in response to virtual or physical interaction with the plurality of audio devices.
[0012] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the audio device supports the Bluetooth 5.3 protocol and is capable of communicating with the second audio device via Auracast broadcast.
[0013] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the plurality of audio devices are configured to share audio parameters with each other, including either volume or audio equalizer settings.
[0014] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a memory and a processor, the processor being communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to perform a method according to a first aspect of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The accompanying drawings are intended to help illustrate various aspects of this disclosure and are provided only for illustrative purposes, not for limiting them.
[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating stereo grouping behavior in a conventional audio system is shown.
[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating stereo grouping behavior in an audio system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;
[0018] Figure 3A flowchart is shown of a method for a system comprising multiple audio devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an audio device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and
[0020] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The following description of various examples and related drawings provided for illustrative purposes provide various aspects of this disclosure. Alternative aspects may be devised without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, well-known elements of this disclosure will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of this disclosure.
[0022] To achieve high-quality sound, multiple audio devices can be grouped. For example, to obtain a stereo effect, two or more audio devices can be grouped to play at least two different and complementary audio channels, such as left and right channels.
[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating stereo grouping behavior in a conventional audio system 100 is shown. For example... Figure 1 As shown, system 100 may include player 104 and multiple audio devices 102. Player 104 (e.g., a mobile phone capable of playing music) may be configured to set audio devices 102 (e.g., to set audio devices 102 to play audio from the left channel, right channel, or both, to set the volume, audio equalizer settings, or any other audio parameters of audio devices 102, etc.), and to send full-channel audio, including audio data from both the left and right channels, to any of the audio devices. Audio devices 102 may be configured to receive audio data and settings from player 104 and play the received audio accordingly. Audio devices 102 include, but are not limited to, speakers, headphones, home theater systems, or any other device capable of playing sound. According to embodiments of this disclosure, multiple audio devices 102 may be combined to form a stereo group. Audio devices 102 in a stereo group may be configured to play at least two different and complementary audio channels to achieve a stereo effect.
[0024] In the illustrated conventional audio system 100, audio device 102A in the stereo group can be connected to player 104 (e.g., via Bluetooth) and thus can receive full-channel audio from player 104. Other audio devices 102 in the stereo group (e.g., audio devices 102B, 102C, 102D, and 102E) may not be connected to player 104, but can be connected to audio device 102A after being grouped with it. Therefore, audio devices not connected to player 104 can receive audio data from audio device 102A. For example, if audio device 102A receives full-channel audio from the player and is configured to play only the left channel audio (e.g., configured by player 104), then audio device 102A can play the left channel audio from the received full-channel audio and send the right channel audio to any of the other audio devices 102B through 102E in the stereo group, allowing the audio devices in the stereo group to provide a stereo effect together. In addition, more audio devices can be incorporated into the stereo group, and the incorporated audio devices can be configured to receive and play right channel audio from audio device 102A, similar to audio devices 102B to 102E.
[0025] However, as Figure 1 The stereo grouping behavior shown may have some drawbacks. For example, audio device 102A in the stereo group is the only audio device that can play the left channel audio, while other audio devices 102B to 102E, as well as other merged audio devices (if any), all play the right channel audio. This results in sound imbalance because the audio volume from the right channel in the stereo group is much greater than the audio volume from the left channel. Furthermore, communication between the audio devices in the stereo group can be relatively limited. For example, audio device 102A can only send audio data to other audio devices in the stereo group, but cannot send setting instructions on how to play the audio. Accordingly, other audio devices 102B to 102E in the stereo group can only receive audio data from audio device 102A, but cannot receive instructions from audio device 102A on how to play the audio received from audio device 102A, and therefore can only play the audio received from audio device 102A as is. For example, if other audio devices 102B to 102E receive full-channel audio from audio device 102A, they will typically play the full-channel audio instead of just the left or right channel audio, because they are not explicitly instructed on how to play the audio.
[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating stereo grouping behavior in an audio system 200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 2As shown, system 200 may include player 204 and multiple audio devices 202. Player 204 (e.g., a mobile phone capable of playing music) may be configured to set audio devices 202 (e.g., set audio devices 202 to play audio from the left channel, right channel, or both, set the volume, audio equalizer settings, or any other audio parameters of audio devices 202, etc.), and send full-channel audio, including audio data from both the left and right channels, to any of the audio devices. Audio devices 202 may be configured to receive audio data and settings from player 104 and play the received audio accordingly. Audio devices 202 include, but are not limited to, speakers, headphones, home theater systems, or any other device capable of playing sound. According to embodiments of this disclosure, multiple audio devices 202 may be combined to form a stereo group. Audio devices 202 in a stereo group may be configured to play at least two different and complementary audio channels to achieve a stereo effect.
[0027] In the audio system 200 shown according to an embodiment of this disclosure, audio device 202A in a stereo group can be connected to player 204 (e.g., via Bluetooth) and thus can receive full-channel audio from player 204. Other audio devices 202 in the stereo group (e.g., audio devices 202B, 202C, 202D, and 202E) may not be connected to player 204, but may be connected to audio device 202A after being grouped into the same stereo group as audio device 202A. Therefore, audio devices not connected to player 204 can receive audio data from audio device 202A. For example, if audio device 202A receives full-channel audio from the player and is set to play only the left channel audio (e.g., set by player 204), then audio device 202A can play the left channel audio from the received full-channel audio and send audio to any of the other audio devices 202B to 202E in the stereo group, so that the audio devices in the stereo group can provide a stereo effect together. In addition, more audio devices can be incorporated into the stereo group, and the incorporated audio devices can be configured to also receive audio from audio device 202A.
[0028] With Figure 1 The audio device 102 in the system 100 shown is different, such as Figure 2The audio devices 202 in the illustrated system 200 can communicate with each other to send and receive audio data and setting instructions. For example, the audio devices 202 in system 200 can support the Bluetooth 5.3 protocol and can communicate with each other via Auracast broadcast. Auracast broadcast can advantageously share audio with an unlimited number of audio devices. Therefore, audio sent by the system's master device can be received by an unlimited number of audio devices, including other audio devices already included in the system and audio devices to be incorporated into the stereo group in the future. It should be understood that the communication protocols supported by the audio devices are not limited to Bluetooth 5.3, and any other communication protocol that supports bidirectional communication between audio devices can be utilized in this disclosure. Through bidirectional communication, the audio devices 202 can send and receive audio data and other information, such as the settings of the audio devices.
[0029] Figure 3 A flowchart of a method 300 for a system comprising multiple audio devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 The method 300 shown can be derived from, for example Figure 2 Any of the audio devices 202 shown may be used.
[0030] At step 310, the first audio device in the audio apparatus can receive an instruction to set the first audio device as the main device of the system and the second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system. The first audio device can be as follows: Figure 2 The audio device 202A is shown. It should be understood that the first audio device may be any of the other audio devices 202B to 202E.
[0031] The system's master device can refer to any audio device within a stereo group. It receives audio data and settings from the system's player and communicates with other audio devices already included in the stereo group or any audio devices to be added to the stereo group in the future. For example, the system's player can select the master device from multiple audio devices and specify that the master device should play either the left or right channel. Figure 2 As shown, audio device 202A can be the main device of the system and is configured to receive full-channel audio from player 204, play audio of the left channel as set by player 204, and send the received audio data and settings to other audio devices in the stereo group.
[0032] A system's auxiliary device can refer to an audio device in a stereo group. It receives audio data and settings from the system's main device and works with the main device to provide a stereo effect. For example, the system's player can select an auxiliary device from multiple audio devices and specify that the auxiliary device should play one of the left and right channels, and the main device can forward settings to the auxiliary device. Figure 2 As shown, audio device 202B can be an auxiliary device of the system and is configured to receive full-channel audio and settings from the main device of the system (i.e., audio device 202A) and accordingly play the right channel audio as set by player 204.
[0033] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the instructions received by the first audio device may be generated in response to physical or virtual interaction with multiple audio devices. For example, a user of the system may interact with, for instance, a user of ... Figure 2 The player 204 shown interacts with the system to provide virtual interaction with any of a plurality of audio devices, such as by pressing a physical button on the player 204 or by performing an operation on a mobile application installed on the player 204. For example, the system's user can interact with, for instance, a mobile application installed on the player 204. Figure 2 Any of the audio devices 202 shown can be interacted with to provide physical interaction with any of the plurality of audio devices, such as through physical contact between the user and any of the audio devices 202 or through physical contact between the audio devices performed by the user. The player 204 or any of the audio devices touched by the user can transmit the user-performed interaction to the player 204 or the first device 202A, allowing the first audio device 202A to receive instructions. These instructions may be generated by the player 204 in response to physical or virtual interaction and sent by the player 204 to the audio device 202A.
[0034] The instructions received by the first audio device can be as follows Figure 2 The player 204 shown can be sent by any device that can provide setup instructions to the audio device. The received instructions can instruct the main and auxiliary devices of the system. For example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the instructions received by audio device 202A from player 204 can indicate that the main device is audio device 202A itself, and the auxiliary device is audio device 202B. The received instructions can instruct the audio devices how to play audio. For example, the received instructions can instruct the main device to play the left channel, right channel, or both (in other words, play full-channel audio), and instruct the auxiliary device to play the left channel, right channel, or both. Figure 2 The stereo grouping behavior shown illustrates that the main device 202A is configured to play the left channel audio, and the auxiliary device 202B is configured to play the right channel audio, wherein the left and right channel audio can be determined based on the full-channel audio received by the audio devices 202A and 202B. Those skilled in the art will understand that the auxiliary device can be configured to play audio complementary to the audio played by the main device based on received instructions. For example, the instruction could instruct... Figure 2The first audio device 202A shown plays the right channel audio and instructs the second device 202B to simultaneously play the left channel audio. Additionally, received instructions can specify audio parameters for the audio devices, including but not limited to volume and audio equalizer settings.
[0035] The first audio device can communicate with any wired or wireless connection and command-transmitting device (including, but not limited to, the player described herein). For example, such as Figure 2 The first audio device 202A and player 204 shown can communicate with each other via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
[0036] Return to Figure 3 In step 320, the first audio device may send a setting instruction to the second audio device as indicated in the received instruction, to set the second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the setting instruction sent by the first audio device may be based on an instruction received by the first audio device. The setting instruction sent by the first audio device may include settings for setting the audio device receiving the setting instruction to act as an auxiliary device of the system. Furthermore, according to embodiments of this disclosure, the setting instruction sent by the first audio device may include audio parameters derived from the instruction received by the first audio device, enabling the sharing of said audio parameters between audio devices.
[0037] Next, in step 330, the first audio device can receive full-channel audio for playback. Full-channel audio can be received from player 204, such as... Figure 2 As shown. For example, as Figure 2 As shown, the first audio device 202A can receive full-channel audio from the player 204 and play the left-channel audio because the player 204 sets the first audio device 202A as the master device for the left channel. The left-channel audio played by the audio device 202A can be determined based on the full-channel audio received from the player 204.
[0038] After receiving the full-channel audio, at step 340, the first audio device can send the full-channel audio to other audio devices in the system. Because the setting command has been sent to the other audio devices in the system, the second audio device can play the left channel, right channel, or both audio based on the setting command sent by the first audio device.
[0039] According to embodiments of this disclosure, other audio devices capable of transmitting full-channel audio from the first audio device may include a second audio device and one or more third audio devices. The third audio device may refer to any audio device in a stereo group other than the first audio device (as the primary device) and the second audio device (as an auxiliary device). For example, the third audio device may refer to... Figure 2 Any of the audio devices 202C to 202E shown. In order to balance the audio from the left and right channels provided by the stereo group, one or more third audio devices already included in the stereo group, as well as other audio devices to be incorporated into the stereo group in the future, can be configured to play the received full-channel audio, rather than playing only the left channel audio or only the right channel audio.
[0040] It should be understood that, such as Figure 3 The steps shown are merely exemplary, and method 300 performed by the first audio device may perform more or fewer steps than those shown. As a non-limiting example, method 300 may also include step 350 (not shown): sharing audio parameters, including volume, audio equalizer settings, etc., with other audio devices in the system. Furthermore, step 350 of sharing audio parameters with other audio devices in the system may be incorporated into step 320 of sending a setting command to a second audio device. In other words, the audio parameters may be received from the first audio device (e.g., such as...) along with the setting command. Figure 2 The audio device 202A shown sends data to the second audio device (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 The audio device 202B shown) and other audio devices (e.g., any of the audio devices 202C to 202E).
[0041] Furthermore, the steps of method 300 do not necessarily have to be performed in the order shown. For example, step 320 can be performed simultaneously with either step 330 or step 340.
[0042] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an audio device 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. (As shown) Figure 4 As shown, the audio device 400 may include a setting module 402 and an audio module 404. Specifically, the setting module 402 may be configured to receive an instruction instructing the audio device to be set as the main device of a system including multiple audio devices and a second audio device to be set as an auxiliary device of the system, and to send a setting instruction to the second audio device as indicated in the received instruction to set the second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system. The audio module 404 may be configured to receive full-channel audio and transmit the full-channel audio to other audio devices in the system.
[0043] like Figure 4 The audio device shown can be the first audio device connected to the player as described above (e.g., such as...). Figure 2 The audio device 202A shown is also mentioned. Figure 4 The audio device shown can also be either a second or third audio device not connected to the player (e.g., such as...). Figure 2(Any of the audio devices 202B to 202E shown).
[0044] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a device 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. (As shown) Figure 5 As shown, device 500 may include processor 502 and memory 504. Specifically, processor 502 may be coupled to memory 504 and configured to perform the methods described herein, for example, as... Figure 3 The method 300 is shown. Processor 502 can be any device having processing capabilities capable of implementing the functions of embodiments of this disclosure, such as a general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Memory 504 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and / or cache memory, as well as other removable or non-removable, volatile or non-volatile memories, such as hard disk drives, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, or any other optical storage media.
[0045] According to embodiments of this disclosure, memory 504 may store computer program instructions, and processor 502 may execute the computer program instructions stored in memory 504. When the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, the processor performs a method for a system including multiple audio devices according to embodiments of this disclosure. The method for a system including multiple audio devices may be referenced... Figures 2 to 3 The method described is omitted here for the sake of brevity.
[0046] Unless otherwise expressly stated, expressions such as “according to,” “based on,” and “dependent on” as used in this disclosure do not mean “according to only,” “based on only,” or “dependent on only.” In other words, such expressions generally mean “at least according to,” “at least based on,” or “at least dependent on.”
[0047] Any use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., in this disclosure is not intended to restrict the number or order of such elements. These expressions can be used as a convenient way to distinguish two or more units in this disclosure. Therefore, referring to a first unit and a second unit does not imply that only two units can be used, nor does it imply that the first unit must precede the second unit in some form.
[0048] As used in this disclosure, the term "determine" can encompass a variety of operations. For example, "determine" includes calculation, operation, processing, derivation, investigation, search (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), confirmation, and so on. Additionally, "determine" includes receiving (e.g., receiving information), sending (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and so on. Furthermore, "determine" can also include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, and so on. In other words, several actions can be considered as "determining."
[0049] As used in this disclosure, terms such as “connection,” “coupling,” or variations thereof refer to any direct or indirect connection or combination between two or more units, which may include situations where one or more intermediate units exist between two units that are “connected” or “coupled” to each other. The coupling or connection between units may be physical, logical, or a combination of both. As used in this disclosure, two units may be considered as electrically connected by one or more wires, cables, and / or printed matter, and as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, they may be “connected” or “coupled” to each other by using electromagnetic energy with wavelengths in the radio frequency region, microwave region, and / or light (visible and invisible light) region, etc.
[0050] When the terms “including,” “comprising,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure or claims, these terms are as open-ended as the term “having.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure or claims is not an exclusive “or.”
[0051] The present disclosure has been described in detail above, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure may be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A method for a system comprising a plurality of audio devices, the method being performed by a first audio device among the plurality of audio devices, and comprising: Receive an instruction to set the first audio device as the main device of the system and the second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system; As indicated in the received instruction, a setting instruction is sent to the second audio device to set the second audio device as the auxiliary device of the system; Receives full-channel audio; as well as Send the full-channel audio to other audio devices in the system; The main device of the system is configured to play a designated channel in the left and right channels as indicated in the received instructions, and the auxiliary device of the system is configured to play another channel in the left and right channels.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the other audio devices in the system include a second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system and one or more third audio devices, and wherein the one or more third audio devices are configured to play the full-channel audio.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the received instruction is generated in response to virtual or physical interaction with the plurality of audio devices.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first audio device supports the Bluetooth 5.3 protocol and is capable of communicating with the second audio device via Auracast broadcast.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: It shares audio parameters with other audio devices in the system, including either volume or audio equalizer settings.
6. An audio device comprising: The settings module is configured as follows: The system receives instructions to configure the audio device as the master device of a system comprising multiple audio devices and to configure the second audio device as an auxiliary device of the system. As indicated in the received instruction, a setting instruction is sent to the second audio device to set the second audio device as the auxiliary device of the system; as well as The audio module is configured as follows: Receives full-channel audio, and Send the full-channel audio to other audio devices in the system; The main device of the system is configured to play the audio channel specified in the received instruction, and the auxiliary device of the system is configured to play complementary audio channel audio.
7. The audio device of claim 6, wherein the received instruction is generated in response to virtual or physical interaction with the plurality of audio devices.
8. The audio device of claim 6, wherein the audio device supports the Bluetooth 5.3 protocol and is capable of communicating with the second audio device via Auracast broadcast.
9. The audio device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of audio devices are configured to share audio parameters with each other, including either volume or audio equalizer settings.
10. An apparatus comprising: Memory, and A processor, which is communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5.