Audio playback method, audio playback system, and transmitting speaker

Abstract

An audio playback method includes the steps of: a wireless communication chip sequentially transmitting a plurality of beacons, wherein these beacon transmissions are used to transmit a plurality of corresponding timestamps respectively; in response to these beacon transmissions, a system chip acquires a plurality of corresponding system times corresponding to these beacon transmissions respectively; and based on these corresponding timestamps and these corresponding system times, generating a plurality of corresponding time differences that correspond one-to-one with these beacon transmissions. The steps further include, when each of these beacon transmissions is performed, the wireless communication chip transmits an input / output signal and the currently transmitted corresponding timestamp to the system chip via an input / output interface and a communication interface to trigger a system interrupt; and in response to the interrupt signal, the system chip acquires the current system time as the corresponding system time for the current beacon transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments described in this case relate to an audio technology, and more particularly to a playback method, an audio playback system, and a transmitting speaker. Prior Technology

[0002] Previous methods required multiple speakers to simultaneously play the same audio file to create a surround sound effect. Current technology connects multiple wireless speakers to a transmitting speaker that acts as a wireless access point (AP). This transmitting speaker bridges the gap between the speakers, sending a wireless signal (which could be a beacon signal) containing shared playback time information to each speaker. The speakers then determine their playback times based on this shared playback time information. This unifies the playback times of all wireless speakers.

[0003] However, the transmitting speaker itself should also play audio synchronously with these wireless communication speakers. With the current hardware configuration of transmitting speakers, this requires first transmitting co-play time information to the transmitting speaker's system chip via a bus (e.g., USB 2.0), after which the system chip determines the transmitting speaker's playback time based on the co-play time information. The co-play time information is a timestamp captured when transmitting the wireless signal. In other words, the co-play information uses the wireless signal's timestamp as the time standard, not the system chip's system time. Therefore, the transmitting speaker's system time needs to be aligned with the time marked by the timestamp, i.e., compensating for the difference between the system time and the time marked by the timestamp, so that the transmitting speaker can play audio synchronously with other communication speakers based on the co-play information. The time required for the aforementioned bus transmission is often difficult to estimate and cannot be ignored, making it difficult to align the transmitting speaker's system time with the time marked by the timestamp.

[0004] Therefore, this invention aims to develop an audio playback method that aligns the system time of the transmitting speaker with the time marked by the timestamp, and accordingly provides an audio playback system and a transmitting speaker for each speaker to play corresponding audio at a specified time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Building upon the above, compared to the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention can provide accurate system time and beacon time pairing, enabling speakers to align their beacon time with the system time, allowing each speaker to play audio at a specified time. In various scenarios, the speakers can play the same audio synchronously, or they can each play different audio at a specified time.

[0006] Some embodiments of this invention relate to an audio playback method. The audio playback method includes the following steps: a wireless communication chip sequentially transmits multiple beacons, wherein these beacon transmissions are used to transmit multiple corresponding timestamps respectively; in response to these beacon transmissions, a system chip acquires multiple corresponding system times respectively corresponding to these beacon transmissions; based on these corresponding timestamps and these corresponding system times, generates multiple corresponding time differences that correspond one-to-one with these beacon transmissions; and the system chip determines a system playback time based on these corresponding time differences. In response to these beacon transmissions, the system chip retrieves multiple corresponding system times for each of these beacon transmissions, including: when each of these beacon transmissions is performed, the wireless communication chip transmits the input / output signal and the corresponding timestamp of the current transmission from these corresponding timestamps to the system chip via the input / output interface and the communication interface to trigger a system interrupt, wherein the input / output interface and the communication interface are included in the wireless communication chip; and in response to the interrupt signal triggered by the input / output signal, the system chip retrieves the current system time as the corresponding system time for the current beacon transmission among these beacon transmissions.

[0007] Some embodiments of this invention relate to a transmitting speaker. The transmitting speaker includes a wireless communication chip and a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The wireless communication chip includes a first interrupt service routine, a first input / output interface (I / O interface), and a first communication interface. The first interrupt service routine is used to notify the I / O interface to generate input / output signals. The first I / O interface generates input / output signals in response to the first interrupt service routine. The first communication interface is used to transmit timestamps. The SoC includes a second I / O interface, a second communication interface, an interrupt handler, a wireless communication driver, and an audio playback program. The second I / O interface is electrically connected to the first I / O interface. The second communication interface is electrically connected to the first communication interface. The second I / O interface receives input / output signals and triggers an interrupt signal to notify the interrupt handler, which then initiates the acquisition of system time. The wireless communication driver receives timestamps via the second communication interface. The audio playback program generates a time difference between the system time and the time marked by the timestamp, and plays audio at a system playback time estimated based on the time difference.

[0008] Some embodiments of this invention relate to an audio playback system. The audio playback system includes a transmitting speaker and a plurality of receiving speakers communicatively connected to the transmitting speaker, wherein the transmitting speaker transmits a first beacon containing a first timestamp, and the receiving speakers receive the first beacon. The transmitting speaker includes a wireless communication chip and a system-on-a-chip (SoC). The wireless communication chip includes a first interrupt service routine and a first input / output interface. In response to a beacon transmission notification input / output interface, the first input / output interface generates input / output signals. The SoC includes a second input / output interface, a second interrupt service routine, and the audio playback system. The second input / output interface is electrically connected to the first input / output interface to receive input / output signals to trigger an interrupt signal. The second interrupt service routine, in response to the interrupt signal, retrieves the system time of the transmitting speaker. The audio playback system generates a time difference between the system time of the transmitting speaker and the time marked by the first timestamp. The transmitting speaker determines the system playback time at least partially based on the time difference and the first timestamp. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] The content of this case can be better understood by referring to the implementation methods in the following paragraphs and the following diagrams: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an audio playback system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a transmitting speaker according to some embodiments of this case; Figure 3A is a flowchart of an audio playback method according to some embodiments of this case; Figure 3B is a flowchart that further details the steps in Figure 3A according to some embodiments of this case; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the signal transmission method in the transmitting speaker according to some embodiments of this case; and Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a signal transmission method in a transmitting speaker according to other embodiments of this invention. Implementation

[0010] The spirit of this case will be clearly explained below with diagrams and detailed description. Anyone with ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field can make changes and modifications based on the technology taught in this case after understanding the embodiments of this case, without departing from the spirit and scope of this case.

[0011] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this case. Singular forms such as “a,” “this,” “this,” “the,” and “the” as used herein also include plural forms.

[0012] Regarding the words “includes,” “includes,” “has,” “contains,” etc. as used herein are open terms meaning to include but are not limited to.

[0013] As used herein, “approximately,” “approximately,” “approximate,” or “substantially” shall generally mean within 20%, or within 10%, or within 5% of a given value or range. The numerical quantities given herein are approximate, which means that the terms “approximately,” “about,” “approximate,” or “substantially” may be speculative in the absence of express provisions.

[0014] With respect to the terms used herein, unless specifically noted, they usually have the usual meaning of each term used in this area, in the content of the present case and in special content. Certain terms used to describe the case will be discussed below or elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in the description of the case.

[0015] Refer now to Fig. 1 . FIG. As shown in FIG. The transmitting speaker AP is connected to the receiving speaker RX1~RX4 communication. In operation, the receiving speaker RX1~RX4 receives the beacon signal BC transmitted by the transmitting speaker AP, which contains a timestamp TSC associated with the common playback time to further synchronize the transmitting speaker AP and the receiving speaker RX1~RX4. Receive speakers RX1~RX4 continuously listen for wireless signals and actively receive beacon signal BC.

[0016] Refer now to Figure 2 . 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of a transmitting speaker AP according to some embodiments of the present case. As shown in FIG. The wireless communication chip 210 includes an input-output interface 211 as well as a communication interface 212 . The system single chip 220 includes an input and output interface 221 as well as a communication interface 222 . Input-output interface 211 and input-output interface 221 are electrically connected. Communication interface 212 and communication interface 222 are electrically connected. In other words, the wireless communication chip 210 and the system single chip 220 are electrically connected to each other via input and output interfaces 211 , 221 and communication interfaces 212 , 222 .

[0017] In some embodiments, input / output interfaces 211 and 221 are general purpose input / output (GPIO) interfaces. In other words, input / output interface 211 and input / output interface 221 can be a general purpose input / output pin and a general purpose input / output port, respectively. In some embodiments, communication interfaces 212 and 222 are universal serial bus (USB) interfaces. In other words, communication interface 212 and communication interface 222 are a universal serial bus pin and a universal serial bus port, respectively.

[0018] In detail, the wireless communication chip 210 further includes an interrupt service routine (ISR) 213. The system-on-a-chip (SoC) 220 further includes a kernel space KS and a user space US. Components in the kernel space KS can control parts of the hardware in the system-on-a-chip 220 via machine code, a low-level programming language, and can directly extract system information, such as the system time. Furthermore, the kernel space KS includes a wireless communication driver 223 and an interrupt handler 224. The wireless communication driver 223 includes an interrupt service routine D_ISR.

[0019] Unlike the kernel space KS, components in the user space US cannot directly extract system information. They must send a system call to the kernel space KS to request system information. The user space US contains the audio playback program 226. The specific functions and connections of the various components of the wireless communication chip 210 and the system single-chip 220 will be detailed in subsequent paragraphs along with the audio playback method 300 and the signal transmission methods 400 and 500.

[0020] Referring now to Figures 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4. Figure 3A is a flowchart of an audio playback method 300 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3B is a flowchart of further details of step 320 in Figure 3A according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a signal transmission method 400 in a transmitting speaker AP according to some embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that additional operations may be provided before, during, and after the processes shown in Figures 3A and 3B, and some operations described below may be substituted or eliminated for additional embodiments of the method. The order of operations / processes may be interchangeable. In the various figures and illustrative embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same elements. The audio playback method 300 includes the following steps 310, 320, 330, and 340 of the signal transmission method 400, wherein step 320 includes substeps 321 and 322.

[0021] First, in step 310, the wireless communication chip 210 sequentially executes multiple beacon transmission BCTs, whereby these beacon transmission BCTs are used to transmit multiple corresponding timestamps TS1, and these corresponding timestamps TS1 respectively mark multiple transmission times t1, t2, ..., and tn. In other words, the wireless communication chip 210 executes multiple beacon transmission BCTs in chronological order; therefore, these beacon transmission BCTs are executed at different times. Furthermore, similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, these beacon transmission BCTs are received by the receiving speakers RX1~RX4.

[0022] For example, these beacon transmissions BCT include beacon transmissions BCT[1], BCT[2], ..., and BCT[n], which are transmitted at transmission times t1, t2, ..., and tn, respectively. Furthermore, these beacon transmissions BCT correspond one-to-one with their corresponding timestamps TS1. For example, these corresponding timestamps TS1 include corresponding timestamps TS1[1], TS1[2], ..., and TS1[n], where corresponding timestamp TS1[1] corresponds to beacon transmission BCT[1], corresponding timestamp TS1[2] corresponds to beacon transmission BCT[2], ..., and corresponding timestamp TS1[n] corresponds to beacon transmission BCT[n].

[0023] In detail, as shown in Figure 4, in each of these beacon transmission BCTs, the wireless communication chip 210 transmits a beacon signal BC to the outside of the transmitting speaker AP. The beacon signal BC contains a corresponding timestamp TS1[k]. The corresponding timestamp TS1[k] is a timestamp captured from the wireless communication chip 210 at the time of transmitting the beacon signal BC, corresponding to the current transmission time tk. In other words, the corresponding timestamp TS1[k] corresponds to the current beacon transmission BCT[k], where the current beacon transmission BCT[k] is the beacon transmission performed at the current transmission time tk. Furthermore, based on the above, at transmission time t1, the captured corresponding timestamp TS1[k] is the corresponding timestamp TS1[1]; at transmission time t2, the captured corresponding timestamp TS1[k] is the corresponding timestamp TS1[2]; ...; at transmission time tn, the captured corresponding timestamp TS1[k] is the corresponding timestamp TS1[n]. In other words, the transmission times t1, t2, ..., tn are the times marked by the corresponding timestamps TS1[1], TS1[2], ..., TS1[n]. In addition, in some embodiments, the wireless communication chip 210 further includes a timer 214, and the corresponding timestamps TS1[1], TS1[2], ..., TS1[n] are captured from the timer 214.

[0024] In step 320, in response to the BCT transmissions of these beacons, the system chip 220 retrieves a plurality of corresponding system times SysTs corresponding to the BCT transmissions of these beacons. For example, the corresponding system times SysT include corresponding system times SysT[1], SysT[2], ..., and SysT[n], where corresponding system time SysT[1] corresponds to beacon transmission BCT[1], corresponding system time SysT[2] corresponds to beacon transmission BCT[2], ..., and corresponding system time SysT[n] corresponds to beacon transmission BCT[n]. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the system chip 220 further includes a timer 225, and the corresponding system times SysT[1], SysT[2], ..., SysT[n] are retrieved from the timer 225. In addition, more specifically, step 320 includes sub-steps 321 and 322.

[0025] In step 321, as shown in Figure 4, when each of these beacon transmission BCTs is performed, the wireless communication chip 210 transmits the input / output signal GPIOS and the corresponding timestamp TS1[k] of the current transmission to the system chip 220 via the input / output interface 211 and the communication interface 212, respectively. In some embodiments, the input / output signal GPIOS is generated by the input / output interface 221 when each of these beacon transmission BCTs is performed.

[0026] Specifically, regarding the interrupt signal, when each of these beacon transmission BCTs is executed, the interrupt service routine 213 of the wireless communication chip 210 first notifies the input / output interface 211, which in turn generates an input / output signal (e.g., the input / output signal GPIOS shown in Figure 4). For example, when the input / output interface 211 is a general-purpose input / output pin, the interrupt service routine 213 notifies the input / output interface 211, and the input / output interface 211 generates a pulse to the general-purpose input / output pin. The pulse is then transmitted from the input / output interface 211 to the input / output interface 221 (see Figure 2), where the input / output interface 221 receives the pulse to trigger an interrupt signal, thereby entering the interrupt handler 224 of the system chip 220.

[0027] For the corresponding timestamp TS1[k], specifically as shown in Figure 4, the corresponding timestamp TS1[k] is included in a client-to-host (C2H) packet. The C2H packet is transmitted via communication interface 212 to communication interface 222 (see Figure 2), thereby entering the wireless communication driver 223 of the system chip 220. The C2H packet has a different packet structure than a typical Wi-Fi packet. The C2H packet is transmitted unidirectionally from the wireless communication chip 210 to the system chip 220, while Wi-Fi packets are transmitted between the wireless communication chips 210. Through the transmission of the C2H packet, the corresponding timestamp TS1[k] is transmitted to the wireless communication driver 223.

[0028] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the transmission of the corresponding timestamp TS1[k] using C2H packets is performed when the pulse-driven general-purpose input / output interface 211, which serves as an input / output signal (IOS), is activated. In other words, in response to an interrupt signal triggered by each of these beacon transmission BCTs, the generation of the input / output signal by the input / output interface 211 and the transmission of the corresponding timestamp TS1[k] to the system chip 220 via the communication interface 212 occur simultaneously.

[0029] In step 322, in response to the interrupt signal, the system chip 220 retrieves the current system time SysT[k] as the corresponding system time for the current beacon transmission BCT[k] in these beacon transmission BCTs. In other words, the current system time is the system time of the system chip 220 retrieved in response to the current beacon transmission BCT[k] performed by the wireless communication chip 210 at the current transmission time tk.

[0030] In detail, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, after receiving an interrupt signal, the interrupt handler 224 executes the interrupt service routine D_ISR registered by the wireless communication driver 223 of the system chip 220 (see Figure 2). Then, the interrupt service routine D_ISR retrieves the current system time SysT[k] as the corresponding system time for the current beacon transmission BCT[k]. In some embodiments, the wireless communication driver 223 has registered the interrupt service routine D_ISR with the interrupt handler 224 before starting the time synchronization operation. Therefore, after receiving the interrupt signal, the interrupt handler 224 directly executes the interrupt service routine D_ISR registered by the wireless communication driver 223.

[0031] Next, in step 330, based on these corresponding timestamps TS1 and these corresponding system times Sys_T, multiple corresponding time differences TD are generated that correspond one-to-one with the BCTs transmitted by these beacons. For example, these corresponding time differences TD include corresponding time differences TD[1], TD[2], ..., and TD[n], where corresponding time difference TD[1] = corresponding system time Sys_T[1] - transmission time t1, corresponding time difference TD[2] = corresponding system time Sys_T[2] - transmission time t2, ..., and corresponding time difference TD[n] = corresponding system time Sys_T[n] - transmission time tn.

[0032] In detail, the wireless communication driver 223 further pairs these corresponding system times Sys_T with these corresponding timestamps TS1 to generate multiple time pairs TP. In other words, Sys_T[1] and TS1[1] form a time pair TP[1]; Sys_T[2] and TS1[2] form a time pair TP[1]; ...; Sys_T[n] and TS1[n] form a time pair TP[n].

[0033] Next, the audio playback program 226 extracts these time pairs TP through the wireless communication driver 223, wherein these time pairs TP include time pairs TP[1], TP[2], ..., and TP[n]. Specifically, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 4, the audio playback program 226 sends a time pair request TPR to the wireless communication driver 223, wherein the audio playback program 226 can send the time pair request TPR at any time. In response to the time pair request TPR, the wireless communication driver 223 provides the current time pair TP[k] corresponding to the current beacon transmission BCT[k] to the audio playback program 226. For each of these beacon transmission BCTs, the current time pair TP[k] is provided to the audio playback program 226 in the same manner. In this way, the audio playback program 226 obtains time pairs TP[1], TP[2], ..., and TP[n].

[0034] In some embodiments, the audio playback program 226 issues Time Requests (TPRs) at multiple predetermined times to extract these time pairs (TPs). In some embodiments, there is a constant time interval delt_t1 between any two adjacent times among these predetermined times tp_1, tp_2, ..., tp_n. In other words, the time differences (tp_2-tp_1), (tp_3-tp_2), ..., and (tp_n-tp_n-1) are the same. In other words, the audio playback program 226 periodically performs extraction of the current time pair TP[k]. In some embodiments, there is a time interval delta_t2 between any two adjacent times among the transmission times t1, t2, ..., tn of the beacon transmission BCT. In other words, the beacon signal BC is transmitted periodically. In some embodiments, the time interval delta_t1 is equal to the time interval delta_t2.

[0035] Furthermore, in more detail, in some embodiments, the wireless communication driver 223 further includes an application interface D_API (see Figure 2). A time pair request TPR is sent to the application interface D_API, which then provides the current time pair TP[k] to the audio playback program 226.

[0036] In some embodiments, the wireless communication driver 223 does not include an application interface D_API but includes a file system D_FS (see Figure 2), such as a proc entry. The time pair request TPR is sent to the file system D_FS, which then provides the current time pair TP[k] to the audio playback program 226.

[0037] In some embodiments, the wireless communication driver 223 further includes an application interface D_API. The kernel space KS includes a file system D_FS (see Figure 2). A time pair request TPR is optionally sent to the application interface D_API or the file system D_FS, which then provides the current time pair TP[k] to the audio player 226. The application interface D_API is provided by the wireless communication driver 223 itself, while the file system D_FS is registered by the wireless communication driver 223 from the operating system.

[0038] After the above operations, the audio playback program 226 finally generates multiple corresponding time differences TD based on these corresponding timestamps TS1 and these corresponding system times Sys_T, thus completing step 330.

[0039] In step 340, the system single-chip 220 determines the system playback time tp_sys based at least in part on these corresponding time differences TD. Specifically, based on these corresponding time differences TD, the audio playback program 226 can calculate the time difference TD_f between the correct system time and the transmission time marked by the timestamp. For example, if most of these corresponding time differences TD are approximately a single value, that value can be used as the time difference TD_f. In some embodiments, the number of beacon transmissions (BCTs) prior to performing the operation to generate the corresponding time differences is 20 or more to ensure that the time difference TD_f has sufficient accuracy.

[0040] Furthermore, after the audio playback program 226 generates a time difference TD_f using these corresponding time differences TD, audio playback begins. For a period of time after obtaining the time difference TD_f, the audio playback system 100 does not need to perform time synchronization with the beacon BC's timestamp TSC. The transmitting speaker AP actively sends the beacon BC at regular intervals (approximately 102.4 milliseconds). The beacon BC contains the timestamp TSC. In some embodiments, the transmitting speaker AP continuously sends the beacon BC regardless of whether time synchronization is performed, allowing the audio playback system 100 to perform time synchronization via this mechanism. When audio playback is performed, as shown in Figure 1, the transmitting speaker AP transmits the audio AD (not shown) to be played to the receiving speakers RX1~RX4. The audio AD contains a common playback time t_tsc.

[0041] Next, the audio playback program 226 determines the system playback time tp_sys for playing the audio AD based on the common playback time t_tsc and the time difference TD_f. Specifically, the time difference TD_f is subtracted from the common playback time t_tsc to obtain the system playback time tp_sys. Finally, the transmitting speaker AP plays the audio AD at the system playback time tp_sys. Furthermore, the receiving speakers RX1~RX4 also determine their respective audio AD playback times based on the common playback time t_tsc.

[0042] Referring now to Figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a signal transmission method 500 in a transmitting speaker AP according to other embodiments of this invention. The audio playback method 300 can also be implemented via signal transmission method 500. The difference between the audio playback method 300 implemented via signal transmission method 400 and the audio playback method 300 implemented via signal transmission method 500 lies in that, instead of the wireless communication driver 223, the interrupt handler 224 performs the operation of retrieving the corresponding system time Sys_T in step 322, and the audio playback program 226 must obtain the corresponding timestamp TS1 from the wireless driver 223 and the system time Sys_T from the interrupt handler 224, respectively. Other operations of the audio playback method 300 implemented via signal transmission method 400 are no different from those implemented via signal transmission method 500, and will not be described further. The operation of acquiring the corresponding system time in step 322 implemented in signal transmission mode 500 and the operation of pairing time with TP in step 330 implemented in signal transmission mode 500 are described in detail below.

[0043] Regarding the operation of retrieving the corresponding system time in step 322 and the operation of pairing time pairs TP in step 330, in some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5, after receiving the interrupt signal, the interrupt handler 224 retrieves the current system time SysT[k] as the corresponding system time for the current beacon transmission BCT[k]. Then, the audio player 226 sends a timestamp request TSR to the application interface D_API or file system D_FS of the wireless communication driver 223. In response to the timestamp request TSR, the application interface D_API or file system D_FS transmits these corresponding timestamps TS1 to the audio player 226. Then, the audio player 226 reads the system time Sys_T obtained by the interrupt handler 224 and pairs it with these corresponding timestamps TS1 to generate multiple time pairs TP. In some embodiments, the audio player 226 requests the timestamp TS1 from the wireless driver 223, and then performs pairing itself after accessing the system time SysT captured by the interrupt handler 224.

[0044] Now refer to Figure 2. Based on the above operations, the specific functions and connections of each component of the wireless communication chip 210 and each component of the system single chip 220 are listed below. Interrupt service routine 213 is used to notify the input / output interface 211. Input / output interface 211 is used to generate input / output signal GPIOS. Communication interface 212 is used to transmit timestamps TS1[1], TS1[2], ..., or TS1[n]. Interrupt handler 224 is used to receive the interrupt signal triggered by the input / output signal GPIOS received through input / output interface 221 and start the acquisition of system time. Wireless communication driver 223 is used to receive timestamps TS1[1], TS1[2], ..., or TS1[n] through communication interface 212. The interrupt service routine D_ISR is used to retrieve the system time in response to a call from the interrupt handler 224, and to pair the system times SysT[1], SysT[2], ..., SysT[n] with the timestamps TS1[1], TS1[2], ..., TS1[n]. The application interface D_API and the file system D_FS are used to provide the paired system timestamps to the audio player 226. The audio player 226 is used to generate the time difference between the system times SysT[1], SysT[2], ..., SysT[n] and the timestamps TS1[1], TS1[2], ..., TS1[n] marked with the timestamps t1, t2, ..., tn, and to play the audio AD at the system playback time tp_sys estimated based on the time difference.

[0045] In some embodiments, when each of the beacon transmission BCTs is performed, the wireless communication chip 210 transmits the input / output signal GPIOS and the currently transmitted corresponding timestamp TS1 from the plurality of corresponding timestamps TS1 to the system single chip 220 via the input / output interface 211 and the communication interface 212 respectively. When the system single chip 220 receives the input / output signal GPIOS, it triggers a system interrupt.

[0046] In some embodiments, in response to an interrupt signal triggered by the input / output signal GPIOS, the system chip 220 extracts a current system time as the corresponding system time SysT of a current beacon transmission BCT[k] in the corresponding beacon transmission BCT.

[0047] In some embodiments, the interrupt service routine 213 of the wireless communication chip 210 notifies the input / output interface 211 to generate an input / output signal GPIOs to the input / output interface 221. In response to the input / output signal GPIOs, the system single chip 220 is triggered to generate an interrupt signal.

[0048] In some embodiments, interrupt service routine 213 is used to notify input / output interface 211.

[0049] In some embodiments, in response to an interrupt signal, the system chip 220 retrieves the current system time SysT[k] as the corresponding system time for transmitting BCT[k] for the current beacon, including: the interrupt handler 224 executes the interrupt service routine D_ISR registered by the wireless driver 223 of the system chip 220, and retrieves the current system time SysT[k] from the interrupt service routine D_ISR as the corresponding system time for transmitting BCT[k] for the current beacon.

[0050] In some embodiments, the corresponding timestamp TS1 is transmitted to the audio playback program 226 of the system chip 210.

[0051] In some embodiments, the audio player 226 requests the corresponding timestamp TS1 from the wireless communication driver 223, retrieves the corresponding system time SysT from the interrupt handler 224, and pairs them to generate multiple time pairs TP.

[0052] In some embodiments, the audio playback program 226 extracts the corresponding timestamp TS1 through the wireless communication driver 223, and generates a corresponding time difference TD for TP based on the time.

[0053] In some embodiments, the audio player 226 sends a timestamp request TSR to the application interface D_API or file system D_FS of the wireless communication driver 223, and in response to the timestamp request TSR, the application interface D_API or file system D_FS transmits the corresponding timestamp TS1 to the audio player 226.

[0054] In some embodiments, interrupt service routine 213 is used to notify input / output interface 211 to generate input / output signal GPIOS. Input / output interface 211 generates input / output signal GPIOS in response to interrupt service routine 213.

[0055] In some embodiments, the input / output interface 221 receives the input / output signal GPIOS and triggers an interrupt signal, and the interrupt handler 224 starts the acquisition of the system time SysT.

[0056] In some embodiments, the interrupt service routine D_ISR is used to retrieve the system time SysT in response to a call from the interrupt handler 224, and to pair the system time SysT with the time stamp TS1.

[0057] In some embodiments, interrupt service routine 213 responds to a beacon sending a BCT notification to input / output interface 211. Input / output interface 211 generates an input / output signal GPIOS. Input / output interface 221 is electrically connected to input / output interface 211 to receive the input / output signal GPIOS to trigger an interrupt signal.

[0058] In summary, this invention adds input / output interfaces 211 and 221 to the transmitting speaker AP to provide a channel between the wireless communication chip 210 and the system chip 220, in addition to communication interfaces 212 and 222. With this configuration, the wireless communication chip 210 can transmit input / output signals GPIOS to input / output interface 221 via input / output interface 211, triggering an interrupt signal to notify the system chip 220 to retrieve the system time. This eliminates the need to retrieve the system time only after the timestamp is transmitted to the wireless communication driver 223 via communication interfaces 212 and 222, thus solving the problem of misalignment between the transmitting speaker's system time and the time marked by the timestamp in previous technologies. In this way, the audio playback system 100 can use the input / output signal GPIOS to provide accurate system time SysT and beacon time for pairing, achieving optimal alignment. This allows the speaker AP to play audio AD at specified times.

[0059] Although this case discloses detailed embodiments as described above, it does not exclude other possible implementations. Therefore, the scope of protection of this case shall be determined by the appended claims and not by the foregoing embodiments.

[0060] For those skilled in the art, various modifications and refinements can be made to this case without departing from its spirit and scope. Based on the foregoing embodiments, all modifications and refinements made to this case are also covered within the protection scope of this case.

[0061] 100: Audio playback system 210: Wireless communication chip 211: Input / Output Interface 212: Communication Interface 213: Interruption Service Norms 214: Timer 220: System-on-a-Chip 221: Input / Output Interface 222: Communication Interface 223: Wireless Communication Driver 224: Interrupt handler 225: Timer 226: Audio playback program 300: Audio playback method 310~340: Steps Steps 321-322: 400: Signal transmission method 500: Signal transmission method AP: Transmitter BC: Beacon Signal D_API: Application Interface D_FS: Archive System D_ISR: Interrupt Service Routine KS: Kernel Space RX1~RX4: Receiver speakers TP: Time Pair TPR: Time to Request TS1[k]: timestamp TSR: Timestamp Request US: User Space GPIOS: Input / Output Signals

[0062] Domestic storage information (please note in order of storage institution, date, and number) none Overseas storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) none

Claims

1. An audio playback method, comprising: sequentially executing a plurality of beacon transmissions by a wireless communication chip, wherein the beacon transmissions are used to transmit a plurality of corresponding timestamps respectively; in response to the beacon transmissions, a system chip acquiring a plurality of corresponding system times corresponding to the beacon transmissions respectively, wherein the step of acquiring each of the corresponding system times comprises: when executing each of the beacon transmissions, the wireless communication chip transmitting an input / output signal and a corresponding timestamp currently being transmitted from the corresponding timestamps to the system chip via a first input / output interface and a communication interface, wherein the system chip triggers a system interrupt when it receives the input / output signal. The first input / output interface and the communication interface are included in the wireless communication chip; and in response to an interrupt signal triggered by the input / output signal, the system chip retrieves a current system time as a corresponding system time among the corresponding system times, wherein the corresponding system time corresponds to a current beacon transmission among the beacon transmissions, and wherein the step of retrieving the current system time as the corresponding system time corresponding to the current beacon transmission in response to the interrupt signal further includes: retrieving the current system time as the corresponding system time corresponding to the current beacon transmission by an interrupt handler; generating a plurality of corresponding time differences one-to-one with the beacon transmissions based on the corresponding timestamps and the corresponding system times; and determining a system playback time by the system chip at least in part based on the corresponding time differences.

2. The audio playback method as described in claim 1 further includes: when each of the beacon transmissions is performed, the wireless communication chip generates the input / output signal, including: notifying the first input / output interface to generate the input / output signal to a second input / output interface via an interrupt service routine of the wireless communication chip; and triggering the system chip to generate the interrupt signal in response to the input / output signal.

3. The audio playback method as described in claim 2, wherein the interrupt service routine is used to notify the first input / output interface.

4. The audio playback method as described in claim 1, wherein in response to the interrupt signal, the system chip retrieves the current system time as the corresponding system time sent by the current beacon, comprising: the interrupt handler executing an interrupt service routine registered by a wireless communication driver of the system chip, and the interrupt service routine retrieving the current system time as the corresponding system time sent by the current beacon.

5. The audio playback method as described in claim 1, wherein the corresponding timestamps are transmitted to an audio playback program of the system single chip, and the audio playback method further includes: the audio playback program requesting the corresponding timestamps from a wireless communication driver, obtaining the corresponding system time from the interrupt handler, and pairing them to generate a plurality of time pairs, wherein generating corresponding time differences corresponding to the beacon transmissions one-to-one based on the corresponding timestamps and the corresponding system time includes: the audio playback program extracting the corresponding timestamps through the wireless communication driver, and generating corresponding time differences based on the time pairs, wherein the audio playback method further includes: the wireless communication driver pairing the corresponding system time with the corresponding timestamps to generate a plurality of time pairs, wherein generating corresponding time differences corresponding to the beacon transmissions one-to-one based on the corresponding timestamps and the corresponding system time includes: The audio playback program extracts the time pairs through the wireless communication driver and generates the corresponding time differences based on the time pairs. The audio playback program extracts the time pairs through the wireless communication driver and executes them at a plurality of predetermined times, and there is a first time interval between any two adjacent times in the predetermined times.

6. A transmitting speaker, comprising: a wireless communication chip, including: a first interrupt service routine for notifying a first input / output interface to generate an input / output signal; the first input / output interface generating the input / output signal in response to the first interrupt service routine; and a first communication interface for performing a beacon transmission to transmit a timestamp; and a system-on-a-chip (SoC), including: a second input / output interface electrically connected to the first input / output interface; a second communication interface electrically connected to the first communication interface; and an interrupt handler, wherein the second input / output interface receives the input / output signal and triggers an interrupt signal by the input / output signal, and the SoC, in response to the interrupt signal triggered by the input / output signal, acquires a current system time as a corresponding system time for the beacon transmission, and includes: being started by the interrupt handler and acquiring the current system time as the corresponding system time for the beacon transmission; A wireless communication driver for receiving the timestamp via the second communication interface; and an audio playback program for generating a time difference between the corresponding system time and the time marked by the timestamp, and playing an audio message at a system playback time estimated based on the time difference.

7. The transmitting speaker as described in claim 6, wherein the wireless communication driver includes: a second interrupt service routine for retrieving the corresponding system time in response to a call from the interrupt handler, and pairing the corresponding system time with the timestamp.

8. An audio playback system, comprising: a transmitting speaker for transmitting a plurality of first beacon signals, wherein each of the first beacon signals includes a first timestamp; and the transmitting speaker includes: a wireless communication chip including: a first interrupt service routine, responding to a beacon transmission notification to a first input / output interface; and the first input / output interface generating an input / output signal; and a system-on-a-chip including: a second input / output interface electrically connected to the first input / output interface to receive the input / output signal to trigger an interrupt signal; An interrupt handler and a second interrupt service routine, the interrupt handler responding to an interrupt signal triggered by the input / output signal, initiating and acquiring a current system time of the transmitting speaker as a corresponding system time for the beacon transmission, wherein the second interrupt service routine is used to acquire the current system time of the transmitting speaker in response to a call from the interrupt handler; an audio playback system for generating a time difference between the current system time of the transmitting speaker and the time marked by the first timestamp; and a plurality of receiving speakers, each communicatively connected to the transmitting speaker, for receiving the first beacon signals, wherein the transmitting speaker determines a system playback time at least in part based on the time difference.

9. The audio playback system as claimed in claim 8, wherein when performing an audio playback, the transmitting speaker is further configured to transmit a plurality of second beacon signals and an audio message to the receiving speakers, wherein each of the second beacon signals includes a second timestamp, wherein the transmitting speaker plays the audio message at a system playback time estimated based on the time difference and the second timestamp.

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