Electronic device and method for adaptively changing periodic transmission, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device may comprise: a communication circuit for Bluetooth; at least one processor including a processing circuit; and a memory storing instructions and including one or more pieces of storage media; The electronic device can be interconnected with an external electronic device through Bluetooth. A signal can be provided from the external electronic device to the electronic device when establishing an additional connection to another electronic device through Bluetooth.

Description

Electronic device, method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for adaptively changing periodic transmission

[0001] The following descriptions relate to electronic devices, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for adaptively changing periodic transmissions.

[0002] Compared to legacy Bluetooth® (or classic Bluetooth), BLE (Bluetooth® low energy) offers reduced power consumption and a wider communication range between connected devices. BLE can be provided on the ISM (industrial, scientific, and medical) radio band.

[0003] The above information may be provided as background art to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0004] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device according to claim 1 is provided. The electronic device may include a communication circuit for Bluetooth. The electronic device may include at least one processor including a processing circuit. The electronic device may include a memory storing instructions. The memory may include one or more storage media. When individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to perform a first periodic transmission to an external electronic device, using the communication circuit, for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device, according to a first transmission cycle, via a first communication link between the electronic device and the external electronic device. When executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to receive, from the external electronic device via the first communication link, using the communication circuitry, a signal indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link between the external electronic device and another electronic device is established while the first communication link is established. When executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to perform, based on the signal, a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device via the first communication link, using the communication circuitry, for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device, according to a second transmission period that is longer than the first transmission period.

[0005] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an external electronic device according to claim 7 is provided. The external electronic device may include a communication circuit for Bluetooth. The external electronic device may include at least one processor including a processing circuit. The external electronic device may include a memory storing instructions. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the external electronic device to perform a first periodic transmission to the electronic device using the communication circuit via a first communication link between the external electronic device and the electronic device. The first periodic communication may be for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may cause the external electronic device to provide, to the electronic device, via the first communication link, using the communication circuitry, a signal indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link is established between the external electronic device and another electronic device while the first communication link is established between the external electronic device and the electronic device.

[0006] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method according to claim 8 is provided. The method may be executed in an electronic device including a communication circuit for Bluetooth. The method may include performing a first periodic transmission to an external electronic device, using the communication circuit, over a first communication link between the electronic device and an external electronic device, for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device, according to a first transmission period. The method may include receiving, from the external electronic device, over the first communication link, using the communication circuit, a signal indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link between the external electronic device and another electronic device is established while the first communication link is established. The method may include performing, based on the signal, a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device, using the communication circuit, over the first communication link, for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device, according to a second transmission period that is longer than the first transmission period.

[0007] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method according to claim 14 is provided. The method may be executed by an external electronic device having communication circuitry for Bluetooth. The method may include performing a first periodic transmission to the electronic device via a first communication link between the external electronic device and the electronic device, using the communication circuitry. The first periodic communication may be for outputting audio via a speaker of the external electronic device. The method may include providing, to the electronic device via the first communication link, using the communication circuitry, a signal indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link is established between the external electronic device and another electronic device while the first communication link is established between the external electronic device and the electronic device.

[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of a first alternative of claim 15 is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may store one or more programs. The one or more programs may include instructions that, when executed by an electronic device having communication circuitry for Bluetooth, cause the electronic device to perform a first periodic transmission to an external electronic device, using the communication circuitry, over a first communication link between the electronic device and an external electronic device, according to a first transmission period, for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device. The one or more programs may include instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to receive, using the communication circuitry, over the first communication link from the external electronic device, a signal indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link between the external electronic device and another electronic device is established while the first communication link is established. The one or more programs may include instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device, using the communication circuitry, based on the signal, for outputting the audio through the speaker of the external electronic device, according to a second transmission period that is longer than the first transmission period.

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a second alternative non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 is provided. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may store instructions. The instructions may include instructions that, when executed by an external electronic device having communication circuitry for Bluetooth, cause the external electronic device to perform a first periodic transmission to the electronic device using the communication circuitry over a first communication link between the external electronic device and the electronic device. The first periodic communication may be for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device. The instructions may include instructions that, when individually or collectively executed by the external electronic device, cause the external electronic device to provide, to the electronic device, via the first communication link, using the communication circuitry, a signal indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link is established between the external electronic device and another electronic device while the first communication link is established between the external electronic device and the electronic device.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the signal may indicate that no other external electronic device paired with the external electronic device is being worn.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the one or more programs may include instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to receive, through the communication link, using the communication circuitry, from the external electronic device a signal indicating that another external electronic device paired with the external electronic device is not being worn while performing the first periodic transmission.

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0013] For example, according to an embodiment of the electronic device, the first communication link may be a communication link for a first communication technique. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to establish a third communication link between the electronic device and the external electronic device for a second communication technique different from the first communication technique, using the communication circuit, prior to receiving the signal. The instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to lengthen a connection section of the third communication link, using the communication circuit, based on the signal.

[0014] For example, according to an embodiment of the electronic device, the instructions, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the electronic device to cease the first periodic transmission based on the signal.

[0015] For example, according to an embodiment of the method, the first communication link may be a communication link for a first communication technique. The method may include, prior to receiving the signal, establishing a third communication link between the electronic device and the external electronic device for a second communication technique different from the first communication technique, using the communication circuit. The method may include, based on the signal, extending a connection section of the third communication link, using the communication circuit.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a wireless environment including electronic devices and external electronic devices.

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary electronic device.

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary external electronic device.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively changing (or adjusting) a periodic transmission for outputting audio through a speaker of an external electronic device.

[0020] Figure 5 illustrates an example of stopping the first periodic transmission and performing the second periodic transmission.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a user interface that includes an object for adaptively changing a periodic transmission for outputting audio through a speaker of an external electronic device depending on whether a signal is received from the external electronic device.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of signaling between an electronic device and an external electronic device that is performed to adaptively change the periodic transmission for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device when a communication link between the external electronic device and another electronic device is established.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of signaling between an electronic device and an external electronic device to adaptively change the periodic transmission for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device when another external electronic device that is not being worn is identified.

[0024] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the third periodic transmission.

[0025] Figure 10 illustrates an example of stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the third periodic transmission.

[0026] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed within an electronic device to output audio through a speaker of an external electronic device.

[0027] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of stopping a second periodic transmission and performing a first periodic transmission according to a change in the quality of a communication link that has changed during a second periodic transmission performed before receiving a signal.

[0028] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate examples of timing for stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the first periodic transmission.

[0029] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to various embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a wireless environment including electronic devices and external electronic devices.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a wireless environment (100) may include an electronic device (101), another electronic device (102), an external electronic device (103), and another external electronic device (104).

[0032] An electronic device (101) within a wireless environment (100) may be a device that transmits packets for audio to be output through a speaker of the external electronic device (103) (or each of the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104)) to the external electronic device (103). The electronic device (101) may be a device that provides one or more audio streams to the external electronic device (103). The electronic device (101) may be a device that performs audio streaming to the external electronic device (103). For example, the electronic device (101) may be described as an audio source device. For example, the electronic device (101) may obtain (or generate) an audio signal (or a digital audio signal) through PCM (pulse code modulation). For example, the electronic device (101) may obtain (or generate) audio frames by segmenting the audio signal. For example, the electronic device (101) may provide the audio frames to the external electronic device (103) through the packets transmitted to the external electronic device (103). For example, the electronic device (101) may be a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a television, but is not limited thereto.

[0033] Another electronic device (102) within the wireless environment (100) may be a device capable of transmitting packets for audio to be output through the speaker of the external electronic device (103) (or each of the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104)) to the external electronic device (103). The other electronic device (102) may be a device that provides one or more audio streams to the external electronic device (103). The other electronic device (102) may be a device that performs audio streaming to the external electronic device (103). For example, the other electronic device (102) may be described as another audio source device. For example, the other electronic device (102) may obtain (or generate) an audio signal (or a digital audio signal) through PCM. For example, the other electronic device (102) may obtain (or generate) audio frames by segmenting the audio signal. For example, another electronic device (102) can provide the audio frames to the external electronic device (103) through the packets transmitted to the external electronic device (103).

[0034] In the descriptions below, the electronic device (101) may be described as a device that transmits packets for audio to be output through the speaker of the external electronic device (103) (or each of the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104)) to the external electronic device (103) via a first communication link (e.g., the first communication link (111)). In the descriptions below, the other electronic device (102) may be described as a device that establishes a second communication link (e.g., the second communication link (112)) between the other electronic device (102) and the external electronic device (103) while the electronic device (101) transmits the packets to the external electronic device (103). In the descriptions below, the other electronic device (102) may be described as a device that performs operations to maintain the second communication link (e.g., the second communication link (112)) while the electronic device (101) transmits the packets to the external electronic device (103) to transmit packets for audio to be output through the speaker of the external electronic device (103) (or each of the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104)) based on an event. In some of the embodiments described below, the other electronic device (102) may not be included within the wireless environment (100).

[0035] An external electronic device (103) within a wireless environment (100) may be a device that receives packets for audio to be output through a speaker of the external electronic device (103) (or each of the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104)) from an electronic device (101). The external electronic device (103) may be a device that outputs audio through the speaker of the external electronic device (103) using the received packets. The external electronic device (103) may be a device that obtains one or more audio streams from the electronic device (101). For example, the external electronic device (103) may be described as an audio sink device. For example, the external electronic device (103) may be an earbud, a headset, or a wireless speaker. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0036] Another external electronic device (104) within the wireless environment (100) may be a device that outputs audio through a speaker of the other external electronic device (104) by using one or more of the packets (e.g., for audio to be output through the speakers of each of the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104)) transmitted from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103). For example, the other external electronic device (104) may output audio through the speaker of the other external electronic device (104) by sniffing one or more of the packets transmitted from the electronic device (101) over a first communication link (e.g., the first communication link (111)) between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103). For example, the other external electronic device (104) may be a device that obtains one or more audio streams from the electronic device (101). For example, the other external electronic device (104) may be described as an audio sync device. For example, the other external electronic device (104) may be an earbud, a headset, or a wireless speaker, but is not limited thereto.

[0037] Another external electronic device (104) may be paired with the external electronic device (103). For example, the external electronic device (103) may be a device that outputs audio on a first audio channel, and the other external electronic device (104) may be a device that outputs audio on a second audio channel that is different from the first audio channel while the audio on the first audio channel is output from the external electronic device (103). As a non-limiting example, the external electronic device (103) may be a device worn on the user's left ear, and the other external electronic device (104) may be a device worn on the user's right ear. In some of the embodiments described below, the other external electronic device (104) may not be included within the wireless environment (100). In some of the embodiments described below, the other external electronic device (104) may be described as a device that is not worn by the user, unlike the external electronic device (103) which is described as a device that is worn by the user.

[0038] For example, the electronic device (101) may establish a first communication link (111) with an external electronic device (103) and between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103). As a non-limiting example, the first communication link (111) may be a communication link for a first communication technique (e.g., legacy Bluetooth or classic Bluetooth). The first communication link (111) may be usable for packets transmitted from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) for audio to be output through the speaker of the external electronic device (103) (or each of the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104).

[0039] For example, the other electronic device (102) may establish a second communication link (112) with the external electronic device (103), and between the other electronic device (102) and the external electronic device (103). As a non-limiting example, the second communication link (112) may be a communication link for the first communication technique. The second communication link (112) may be usable for packets transmitted from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) for audio to be output through the speaker of the external electronic device (103) (or each of the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104). For example (or as described below), the second communication link (112) may be established after the first communication link (111) is established. For example (or in the descriptions below), a second communication link (112) may be established and maintained while audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to an external electronic device (103) (or an external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104)) is performed via the first communication link (111).

[0040] For example, the external electronic device (103) may establish a third communication link (113) with another external electronic device (104) and between the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104). As a non-limiting example, the third communication link (113) may be a communication link for a second communication technique different from the first communication technique (e.g., BLE (Bluetooth low energy)). As a non-limiting example, the third communication link (113) may be available to notify the other external electronic device (104) of the status of the external electronic device (103). As a non-limiting example, the third communication link (113) may be available to notify the other external electronic device (103) of the status of the other external electronic device (104). As a non-limiting example, the third communication link (113) may be available for sniffing another external electronic device (104), as represented by arrow (191). For example, the third communication link (113) may be available for transmitting information about the first communication link (111), including, for example, a Bluetooth address, a Bluetooth piconet clock, a link key, a used channel map, a logical transport (LT) address, information about a service discovery protocol (SDP), and / or information about supported features, from the external electronic device (103) to the other external electronic device (104). As a non-limiting example, the third communication link (113) may be available for sniffing another external electronic device (104), as represented by arrow (192).For example, the third communication link (113) may be available to transmit information about the second communication link (112) (e.g., including a Bluetooth address, a Bluetooth piconet clock, a link key, a used channel map, a logical transport (LT) address, information about a service discovery protocol (SDP), and / or information about supported features) from the external electronic device (103) to another external electronic device (104).

[0041] For example, the electronic device (101) may establish a fourth communication link (114) with an external electronic device (103) and between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103). As a non-limiting example, the fourth communication link (114) may be a communication link for the second communication technique. For example, the external electronic device (103) may advertise (or broadcast) advertising packets (or advertising signals) based on an event. By way of non-limiting example, the event may include obtaining power from a case device (e.g., a cradle) for housing the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104), identifying that a door of the case device for housing the external electronic device (103) is open, and / or identifying that the external electronic device (103) is worn by a user, identifying an input to a physical button of the external electronic device (103) or a physical button of the case device. The electronic device (101) may establish a fourth communication link (114) with the external electronic device (103) based on receiving one or more of the advertising packets. The electronic device (101) may establish a first communication link (111) with the external electronic device (103) based on receiving one or more of the advertising packets. For example, the first communication link (111), unlike the fourth communication link (114), may be a communication link for one or more audio streams. For example (or as described below), the fourth communication link (114) may be maintained while audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) (or the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104)) is performed via the first communication link (111).

[0042] For example, the electronic device (101) may establish a fifth communication link (115) with another external electronic device (104) and between the electronic device (101) and the other external electronic device (104). As a non-limiting example, the fifth communication link (115) may be a communication link for the second communication technique. For example, the other external electronic device (104) may advertise (or broadcast) advertising packets (or advertising signals) based on the event. The electronic device (101) may establish the fifth communication link (115) with the other external electronic device (104) based on receiving one or more of the advertising packets. As a non-limiting example (or in the descriptions below), the fifth communication link (115) may be maintained while audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) (or the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104)) is performed via the first communication link (111).

[0043] For example, the other electronic device (102) may establish a sixth communication link (116) with the external electronic device (103) and between the other electronic device (102) and the external electronic device (103). As a non-limiting example, the sixth communication link (116) may be a communication link for the second communication technique. For example, the external electronic device (103) may advertise (or broadcast) advertising packets (or advertising signals) based on the event. The other electronic device (102) may establish a sixth communication link (116) with the external electronic device (103) based on receiving one or more of the advertising packets. The other electronic device (102) may establish a second communication link (112) with the external electronic device (103) based on receiving one or more of the advertising packets. For example, the second communication link (112), unlike the sixth communication link (116), may be a communication link for one or more audio streams. For example (or as described below), the sixth communication link (116) may be maintained while audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) (or the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104)) is performed via the first communication link (111).

[0044] For example, the other electronic device (102) may establish a seventh communication link (117) with the other external electronic device (104) and between the other electronic device (102) and the other external electronic device (104). As a non-limiting example, the seventh communication link (117) may be a communication link for the second communication technique. For example, the other external electronic device (104) may advertise (or broadcast) advertising packets (or advertising signals) based on the event. The other electronic device (102) may establish the seventh communication link (117) with the other external electronic device (104) based on receiving one or more of the advertising packets. As a non-limiting example (or in the descriptions below), the seventh communication link (117) may be maintained while audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) (or the external electronic device (103) and another external electronic device (104)) is performed via the first communication link (111).

[0045] For example, while audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) is performed via the first communication link (111), the second communication link (112), the third communication link (113), the fourth communication link (114), and the sixth communication link (116) (or the second communication link (112)) may be maintained. For example, the resources available for the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) performed via the first communication link (111) may be limited due to the resources utilized by maintaining the second communication link (112), the third communication link (113), the fourth communication link (114), and the sixth communication link (116) (or the second communication link (112)). For example, performing audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) using the limited resources may reduce the quality of the audio service. For example, audio output through the speaker of the external electronic device (103) may be interrupted as the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) using the limited resources. For example, sound cutting off may occur within the external electronic device (103) as the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) using the limited resources.For example, to reduce the occurrence of the sound interruption, the electronic device (101) may identify that a second communication link (112) is established based on a signal received from the external electronic device (103), and, based on the identification, adaptively change the periodic transmission of at least one packet for the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) performed via the first communication link (111).

[0046] For example, while audio streaming from an electronic device (101) to an external electronic device (103) is performed via the first communication link (111), the state of another external electronic device (104) may change from a state in which it is worn by the user to a state in which it is not worn by the user. For example, among the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104), a user wearing the external electronic device (103) may not fully (or accurately) perceive the quality of sound provided via the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103), unlike a user wearing both the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104). For example, the electronic device (101) may identify, based on a signal received from the external electronic device (103), that the other external electronic device (104) among the external electronic device (103) and the other external electronic device (104) is not being worn by the user, and may adaptively change the periodic transmission of at least one packet for the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) based on the identification.

[0047] For example, the power consumption of the rechargeable battery of the external electronic device (103) may increase as the quality of the sound provided through the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) increases. To reduce the power consumption of the rechargeable battery, the electronic device (101) may identify a level of the rechargeable battery of the external electronic device (103) that is lower than a reference level based on a signal received from the external electronic device (103), and may adaptively change the periodic transmission of at least one packet for the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) performed through the first communication link (111) based on the identification.

[0048] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an exemplary electronic device.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic device (101) may include at least one processor (210), memory (220), communication circuit (230), and display (240). The electronic device (101) may include at least a portion of the electronic device (1501) of FIG. 15, or may correspond to at least a portion of the electronic device (1501) of FIG. 15.

[0050] At least one processor (210) may include a processing circuit. The at least one processor (210) may include a single processor or multiple processors. For example, the at least one processor (210) may include a central processing unit (CPU) (e.g., including a processing circuit). For example, the at least one processor (210) may further include a display processing unit (DPU) (e.g., including a processing circuit). For example, the at least one processor (210) may further include a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., including a processing circuit). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. When the at least one processor (210) includes multiple processors, the at least one processor (210) may perform processing in a distributed manner. The at least one processor (210) may be configured to individually or collectively execute instructions stored in the memory (220). At least one processor (210) may include at least a portion of the processor (1520) of FIG. 15 or may correspond to at least a portion of the processor (1520) of FIG. 15.

[0051] The memory (220) can store instructions executable by at least one processor (210). The instructions can cause the electronic device (101) to perform operations described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 14. The instructions can be executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor (210). The memory (220) can include one or more storage media. The memory (220) can include at least a portion of the memory (1530) of FIG. 15 or correspond to at least a portion of the memory (1530) of FIG. 15.

[0052] The communication circuit (230) may be used for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to an external electronic device (103). The communication circuit (230) may be available for Bluetooth. The communication circuit (230) may support the first communication technique and the second communication technique described with reference to FIG. 1. As a non-limiting example, the communication circuit (230) may further support a Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) communication technique. The communication circuit (230) may be controlled by at least one processor (210). The communication circuit (230) may include at least a portion of the wireless communication module (1592) of FIG. 15, or may correspond to at least a portion of the wireless communication module (1592) of FIG. 15.

[0053] The display (240) may be used to display visual information (e.g., images, data, information, or a user interface). The display (240) may be controlled by at least one processor (210). The display (240) may include at least a portion of the display module (1560) of FIG. 15 or may correspond to at least a portion of the display module (1560) of FIG. 15.

[0054] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary external electronic device.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, the external electronic device (103) may include at least one processor (310), memory (320), communication circuit (330), and speaker (340). The external electronic device (103) may include at least a portion of the electronic device (102) of FIG. 15, or may correspond to at least a portion of the electronic device (102) of FIG. 15.

[0056] At least one processor (310) may include a processing circuit. The at least one processor (310) may include a single processor or multiple processors. The at least one processor (310) may be configured to individually or collectively execute instructions stored in the memory (320).

[0057] The memory (320) may store instructions executable by at least one processor (310). The instructions may cause the external electronic device (103) to perform operations described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 to 14. The instructions may be executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor (310). The memory (320) may include one or more storage media.

[0058] The communication circuit (330) may be used for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to an external electronic device (103). The communication circuit (330) may be available for Bluetooth. The communication circuit (330) may support the first communication technique and the second communication technique described with reference to FIG. 1. The communication circuit (330) may be controlled by at least one processor (310).

[0059] The speaker (340) can be used to output audio according to audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to an external electronic device (103). The speaker (340) can be controlled by at least one processor (310).

[0060] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for adaptively changing (or adjusting) a periodic transmission for outputting audio through a speaker of an external electronic device.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 401, the electronic device (101) (or at least one processor (210)) may perform a first periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) for outputting audio through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111), according to a first transmission cycle. The electronic device (101) may perform the first periodic transmission for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111). While performing the first periodic transmission, the electronic device (101) may transmit, to the external electronic device (103), via the first communication link (111), within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission cycle, at least one packet for the audio streaming. As a non-limiting example, each of the at least one packet transmitted within each of the first time intervals may include audio data for outputting ultra high quality (UHQ) audio. As a non-limiting example, the first periodic transmission may be performed before the second communication link (112) is established. As a non-limiting example, the first periodic transmission may be performed while the third communication link (113), the fourth communication link (114), and the fifth communication link (115) are maintained.

[0062] The above first periodic transmission is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

[0063] Figure 5 illustrates an example of stopping the first periodic transmission and performing the second periodic transmission.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device (101) may perform the first periodic transmission according to the first transmission cycle. For example, while performing the first periodic transmission, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet (510-1) to the external electronic device (103) within a time interval (501-1) (e.g., corresponding to the first transmission cycle) which is one of the first time intervals described with reference to FIG. 4. As a non-limiting example, each of the at least one packet (510-1) transmitted within the time interval (501-1) may include audio data for supporting UHQ. As a non-limiting example, each of the at least one packet (510-1) transmitted within the time interval (501-1) may be a 2-DH5 packet. For example, the size of the audio data may be approximately 600 (bytes). For example, the first transmission period (or length of the time interval (501-1)) may be at most 3 (ms) (milliseconds), at most 6 (ms), at most 9 (ms), at most 12 (ms), or at most 15 (ms). For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet (510-1) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) at a transmission speed of about 584 (kbps) (kilobytes per second) within the time interval (501-1).

[0065] An external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (510-1) from an electronic device (101) within a time interval (501-1). Based on successfully receiving at least one packet (510-1), the external electronic device (103) can transmit an acknowledgement signal (511) to the electronic device (101).

[0066] The electronic device (101) can receive a confirmation signal (511) from an external electronic device (103) within a time interval (501-1).

[0067] Referring again to FIG. 4 , at operation 402, the electronic device (101) may receive a signal from an external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) while performing the first periodic transmission according to the first transmission cycle. The signal may be described as a signal that causes the electronic device (101) to stop the first periodic transmission and perform a second periodic transmission (e.g., operation 403)) to the external electronic device (103). The signal may be described as a signal that causes the electronic device (101) to change the periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) by stopping the first periodic transmission and performing the second periodic transmission.

[0068] The signal may be transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) based on the external electronic device (103) identifying that a condition is satisfied. The satisfied condition may include establishing a second communication link (112) between the external electronic device (103) and another electronic device (102), which is another audio source device, while performing the first periodic transmission. The state of the external electronic device (103) establishing the first communication link (111) and the second communication link (112) may be described as a multi-point state. For example, the external electronic device (103) may operate in the multi-point state while the first communication link (111) and the second communication link (112) are established. For example, the multi-point state of the external electronic device (103) may be described as a state in which a second communication link (112) is established while a first communication link (111) is established. The satisfied condition may include identifying that no other external electronic device (104) is being worn while performing the first periodic transmission. For example, a state in which no other external electronic device (104) is being worn and the external electronic device (103) is being worn may be described as a single wearing state. The satisfied condition may include that the level of the rechargeable battery of the external electronic device (103) is lower than a reference level. The satisfied condition may include that the error rate of the HEC (header error check) of packets (e.g., the at least one packet) received from the electronic device (101) while performing the first periodic transmission is higher than a threshold rate.The satisfied condition may include that the error rate of the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of packets (e.g., the at least one packet) received from the electronic device (101) while performing the first periodic transmission is higher than a threshold rate. The satisfied condition may include that the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of at least some of the packets received from the electronic device (101) while performing the first periodic transmission is lower than a reference value. The satisfied condition may include that the retransmission rate caused while performing the first periodic transmission is higher than a reference value. The satisfied condition may include that the number of communication links related to the external electronic device (103) exceeds a reference number.

[0069] In operation 403, the electronic device (101) may, based on the signal, stop the first periodic transmission and perform a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) for outputting the audio through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) according to a second transmission cycle that is longer than the first transmission cycle. The electronic device (101) may perform the second periodic transmission for the audio streaming. For example, the amount of resources consumed for the second periodic transmission may be less than the amount of resources consumed for the first periodic transmission. While performing the second periodic transmission, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet for the audio streaming to the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second periodic transmission. As a non-limiting example, each of the at least one packet transmitted within each of the second time intervals may include audio data for outputting audio of the UHQ. As a non-limiting example, the second periodic transmission may be performed after the second communication link (112) is established. As a non-limiting example, the second periodic transmission may be performed while the second communication link (112), the third communication link (113), the fourth communication link (114), and the fifth communication link (115) are maintained.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet (510-2) within a time interval (501-2) (e.g., corresponding to the first transmission interval) that is one of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission according to the first transmission interval. As a non-limiting example, each of the at least one packet (510-2) transmitted within the time interval (501-2) may include audio data for supporting UHQ. The size of the audio data included in the at least one packet (510-2) transmitted within the time interval (501-2) may be substantially the same as the size of the audio data included in the at least one packet (510-1) transmitted within the time interval (501-1). As a non-limiting example, each of the at least one packet (510-2) transmitted within the time interval (501-2) may be a 2-DH5 packet. For example, the size of the audio data may be about 600 (bytes). For example, the first transmission period (or the length of the time interval (501-2)) may be at most 3 (ms) (milliseconds), at most 6 (ms), at most 9 (ms), at most 12 (ms), or at most 15 (ms). For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet (510-2) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) at a transmission speed of about 584 (kbps) within the time interval (501-2).

[0071] An external electronic device (103) may receive at least one packet (510-2) from an electronic device (101) within a time interval (501-2). The external electronic device (103) may identify that the condition described with reference to operation 402 of FIG. 4 is satisfied. Based on successfully receiving at least one packet (510-2) and identifying that the condition is satisfied, the external electronic device (103) may transmit a signal (550), which is the signal described with reference to operation 402 of FIG. 4, to the electronic device (101). The signal (550) may further indicate that at least one packet (510-2) has been successfully received. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the signal (550) may be a different signal that is distinct from an acknowledgement signal for at least one packet (510-2). For example, the signal (550) may be transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101) before the confirmation signal for at least one packet (510-2) is transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101). For example, the signal (550) may be transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101) after the confirmation signal for at least one packet (510-2) is transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101).

[0072] The electronic device (101) can receive a signal (550) from an external electronic device (103) within a time interval (501-2).

[0073] The electronic device (101) may, based on the signal (550), stop the first periodic transmission and perform the second periodic transmission. For example, the periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) performed via the first communication link (111) may be changed from the first periodic transmission to the second periodic transmission. For example, the second periodic transmission may be performed according to the second transmission cycle that is longer than the first transmission cycle. For example, the electronic device (101) may refrain from transmitting at least one packet (510-3) within a time interval (501-3), which is one of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission cycle. For example, if a signal (550) is received from an external electronic device (103) within a state in which transmitting at least one packet (510-3) within a time interval (501-3) is scheduled within the electronic device (101), the electronic device (101) may cancel transmitting at least one packet (510-3) within the time interval (501-3). For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet (520) to the external electronic device (103) within a time interval (502) that is one of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period, based on the signal (550). As a non-limiting example, each of the at least one packet (520) transmitted within the time interval (502) may include audio data for supporting UHQ.

[0074] For example, the size of the audio data included in each of at least one packet (520) transmitted within the time interval (502) may be substantially the same as the size of the audio data included in each of at least one packet (510-1) (or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted within the time interval (501-1) (or the time interval (501-2)). For example, the size of the audio data included in each of at least one packet (520) transmitted within the time interval (502) may be different from the size of the audio data included in each of at least one packet (510-1) (or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted within the time interval (501-1) (or the time interval (501-2)).

[0075] For example, the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0076] For example, the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be equal to the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the type (e.g., 2-DH5 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) while performing the first periodic transmission may be the same as the type (e.g., 2-DH5 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission.As a non-limiting example, the size of the audio data in the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time intervals (502)) during the second periodic transmission may be about 600 (bytes). For example, the length of the second transmission period (or time interval (502)) may be at most 6 (ms), at most 12 (ms), at most 18 (ms), at most 24 (ms), or at most 30 (ms). The length of the second transmission period may correspond to the length of the first transmission period multiplied by a factor greater than 1. For example, the factor may be at most 1.5, at most 2, at most 2.5, or at most 3. For example, the electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (520) to an external electronic device (103) via a first communication link (111) at a transmission speed of about 291 (kbps) within a time interval (502).

[0077] For example, the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be equal to the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) while performing the first periodic transmission may be larger than the size of each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the type (e.g., 2-DH5 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) while performing the first periodic transmission may be different from the type (e.g., 2-DH3 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0078] For example, the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) while performing the first periodic transmission may be larger than the size of each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the type (e.g., 2-DH5 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (510-1) or at least one packet (510-2)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (e.g., time interval (501-1) or time interval (501-2)) while performing the first periodic transmission may be different from the type (e.g., 2-DH3 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0079] Referring again to FIG. 4, operation 403 may be executed or performed under a condition that the settings of the electronic device (101) related to audio streaming are activated. The above settings of the electronic device (101) are described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0080] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a user interface that includes an object for adaptively changing a periodic transmission for outputting audio through a speaker of an external electronic device depending on whether a signal is received from the external electronic device.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 6, the electronic device (101) may display a user interface (600) on the display (240). The user interface (600) may include an object (601) and an object (602).

[0082] The object (601) may be used (or usable) to enable or disable outputting audio of the UHQ through a speaker of the electronic device (101) or a speaker (e.g., speaker (340)) of an external electronic device (e.g., external electronic device (103)). For example, an object (601) in a first state included in the user interface (600) may indicate that outputting audio of the UHQ is enabled. For example, while the object (601) is in the first state, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 401. For example, while the object (601) is in the second state, the electronic device (101) may refrain from performing operation 401.

[0083] The object (602) may be used (or may be available) to enable or disable adaptively changing the periodic transmission to an external electronic device (external electronic device (103)) while activating the audio of the UHQ. For example, since the object (602) is used to enable or disable adaptively changing the periodic transmission while activating the audio of the UHQ, a change in the state of the object (602) may be disabled while the object (601) is within the second state.

[0084] For example, an object (602) within the second state included in the user interface (600) may indicate that adaptively changing the periodic transmission is disabled. For example, while the object (601) is within the first state and the object (602) is within the second state, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 401. For example, while the electronic device (101) performs the first periodic transmission according to operation 401, the electronic device (101) may receive the signal from the external electronic device (103) as in operation 402. For example, the electronic device (101) may refrain from performing operation 403 independently of receiving the signal based on the object (602) being within the second state.

[0085] For example, the state of the object (602) may be changed from the second state to the first state based on the input (603). For example, the object (602) within the first state included in the user interface (600) may indicate that the adaptive changing of the periodic transmission is activated. For example, while the object (601) is within the first state and the object (602) is within the first state, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 401. For example, while the electronic device (101) performs the first periodic transmission according to operation 401, the electronic device (101) may receive the signal from the external electronic device (103), as in operation 402. For example, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 403 based on the object (602) being within the first state and the signal. For example, the electronic device (101) can adaptively change the periodic transmission by stopping (or terminating) the first periodic transmission and performing the second periodic transmission according to operation 403.

[0086] As described above, the electronic device (101) can adaptively change the periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) performed to output audio of the UHQ through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) from the first periodic transmission to the second periodic transmission. For example, the second periodic transmission has something in common with the first periodic transmission in that it is a periodic transmission for outputting audio of the UHQ, but the amount of resources (e.g., time resources and / or frequency resources) for the second periodic transmission may be less than the amount of resources (e.g., time resources and / or frequency resources) for the first periodic transmission. For example, the electronic device (101) can reduce the amount of resources for outputting audio of the UHQ based on a state related to the external electronic device (103).

[0087] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of signaling between an electronic device and an external electronic device that is performed to adaptively change the periodic transmission for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device when a communication link between the external electronic device and another electronic device is established.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 701, the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103) may establish a first communication link (111). For example, the first communication link (111) may be established through the operations described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0089] In operation 702, the electronic device (101) may perform the first periodic transmission, as in operation 401 of FIG. 4. For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within each of the first time intervals described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to the first transmission period.

[0090] In operation 703, the other electronic device (102) and the external electronic device (103) may establish a second communication link (112) while the first periodic transmission is performed by the electronic device (101). For example, the second communication link (112) may be established through the operations described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0091] In operation 704, the external electronic device (103) may transmit, to the electronic device (101), the signal described with reference to operation 402 of FIG. 4, via the first communication link (111), based on the second communication link (112) established while performing the first periodic transmission. As a non-limiting example, the signal may indicate that the external electronic device (103) is operating within the multi-point state. As a non-limiting example, the signal may include information indicating that the second communication link (112) is established. As a non-limiting example, the signal may correspond to the signal (550) described with reference to FIG. 5. The electronic device (101) may receive the signal from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) while performing the first periodic transmission.

[0092] In operation 705, the electronic device (101) may stop (or terminate) the first periodic transmission and perform the second periodic transmission based on the signal received from the external electronic device (103). As a non-limiting example, resources for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) may be limited due to resources for the second communication link (112) (or resources for maintaining the second communication link (112). Since the limited resources for the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) may reduce the quality of the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103), the electronic device (101) may change the periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) based on the signal received from the external electronic device (103) to the second periodic transmission performed using a smaller amount of resources than the amount of resources for the first periodic transmission.

[0093] For example, referring back to FIG. 5, the other electronic device (102) and the external electronic device (103) can establish a second communication link (112) while the electronic device (101) performs the first periodic transmission. For example, the external electronic device (103) can transmit a signal (550) to the electronic device (101) based on establishing the second communication link (112), as indicated by arrow (551). For example, the signal (550) can cause the electronic device (101) to cease the first periodic transmission and perform the second periodic transmission.

[0094] As a non-limiting example, the second communication link (112) established while the electronic device (101) is performing the first periodic transmission may not be used for audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103). For example, the audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) may not start after the second communication link (112) is established. For example, although the audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) has not started, the other electronic device (102) may transmit a packet (530) to the external electronic device (103) via the second communication link (112) to maintain the second communication link (112) for the audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103). For example, the packet (530) for maintaining the second communication link (112) may be a packet that does not have a pair load. For example, the packet (530) may be a POLL packet. For example, the packet (530) may be a packet requesting confirmation of the external electronic device (103). The external electronic device (103) may receive the packet (530) from another electronic device (102) via the second communication link (112). For example, based on receiving the packet (530), the external electronic device (103) may transmit a confirmation signal (531) to the other electronic device (102) via the second communication link (112). For example, the other electronic device (102) may receive the confirmation signal (531) from the external electronic device (103) via the second communication link (112).

[0095] For example, since the electronic device (101) stops the first periodic transmission based on the signal (550), the electronic device (101) may refrain from transmitting at least one packet (510-3) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (501-3). For example, the time interval (501-3) overlaps with the first time at which the packet (530) is transmitted from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) and the second time at which the confirmation signal (531) is transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the other electronic device (102), but since the first periodic transmission within the time interval (501-3) is interrupted based on the signal (550), the electronic device (101) can reduce the probability that operations for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) and operations for audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) will collide with each other. For example, the electronic device (101) may stop the first periodic transmission and perform the second periodic transmission based on the signal (550) to robustly perform the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) and to robustly maintain the second communication link (112).

[0096] For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet (520) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (502) according to the second periodic transmission. For example, the external electronic device (103) may receive at least one packet (520) from the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (502). For example, the external electronic device (103) may transmit an acknowledgement signal (521) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (502). As a non-limiting example, the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet (520) may be greater than the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet (510-1) transmitted within the time interval (501-1). As a non-limiting example, the number of audio frames included in each of at least one packet (520) may be greater than the number of at least one audio frame included in each of at least one packet (510-2) transmitted within the time interval (501-2). For example, because the number of audio frames in each of at least one packet (520) is greater than the number of at least one audio frame in each of at least one packet (510-1) and the number of at least one audio frame in each of at least one packet (510-2), the playback time of audio output through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) upon successfully receiving at least one packet (520) may be longer than the playback time of audio output through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) upon successfully receiving at least one packet (510-1) and the playback time of audio output through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) upon successfully receiving at least one packet (510-2), respectively.For example, the electronic device (101) can provide robust audio streaming by establishing a second communication link (112) by stopping the first periodic transmission and performing the second periodic transmission based on the signal (550).

[0097] The other electronic device (102) can transmit a packet (532) to the external electronic device (103) via the second communication link (112) to maintain a second communication link (112) for audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103). For example, the packet (532) for maintaining the second communication link (112) can be a packet that does not have a pair load. For example, the packet (532) can be a POLL packet. For example, the packet (532) can be a packet requesting confirmation from the external electronic device (103). The external electronic device (103) can receive the packet (532) from the other electronic device (102) via the second communication link (112). For example, the external electronic device (103) may transmit a confirmation signal (533) to another electronic device (102) via the second communication link (112) based on receiving the packet (532). For example, the other electronic device (102) may receive the confirmation signal (533) from the external electronic device (103) via the second communication link (112).

[0098] For example, based on the second periodic transmission performed based on the signal (550), the time at which the packet (532) is transmitted from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) and the time at which the confirmation signal (533) is transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the other electronic device (102) may not overlap with the time at which at least one packet (520) is transmitted from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) within the time interval (502) and the time at which the confirmation signal (521) is transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101) within the time interval (502). For example, the electronic device (101) may assist in maintaining the second communication link (112) by performing the second periodic transmission based on the signal (550).

[0099] As a non-limiting example, in operation 706, the external electronic device (103) may, based on establishing the second communication link (112), transmit another signal to the other electronic device (102) via the second communication link (112). For example, audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) is being performed via the first communication link (111), and the external electronic device (103) may transmit the other signal to the other electronic device (102) for changing the mode for the second communication link (112). For example, the other signal may be a signal requesting that a sniff mode be applied with respect to the second communication link (112). For example, the external electronic device (103) can transmit the other signal to the other electronic device (102) so that audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) is performed robustly.

[0100] Although not illustrated in FIG. 7, for example, the external electronic device (103) may transmit a signal to another external electronic device (104) via the third communication link (113) to lengthen the connection interval of the third communication link (113) so that audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) is robustly performed based on establishing the second communication link (112). For example, the amount of resources for maintaining the third communication link (113) may decrease according to the lengthened connection interval of the third communication link (113). For example, since the amount of resources for maintaining the third communication link (113) decreases according to the lengthened connection interval of the third communication link (113), the electronic device (101) may allocate additional resources for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103). For example, the external electronic device (103) may transmit a signal to another electronic device (102) via the sixth communication link (116) to lengthen the connection period of the sixth communication link (116) so that audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) is robustly performed based on establishing the second communication link (112). The lengthening of the connection period of the sixth communication link (116) may, according to embodiments, be caused by the other signal of operation 706, but is not limited thereto. For example, the amount of resources for maintaining the sixth communication link (116) may be reduced according to the lengthened connection period of the sixth communication link (116). For example, since the amount of resources for maintaining the sixth communication link (116) decreases with the lengthened connection period of the sixth communication link (116), the electronic device (101) may allocate additional resources for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103).

[0101] Although not illustrated in FIG. 7, as an example, if the first communication link (111) is used for audio streaming to the external electronic device (103) and the second communication link (112) is not used for audio streaming to the external electronic device (103), the external electronic device (103) may ignore packets received from another electronic device (102) via the second communication link (112) in order to receive at least one packet received from the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111). However, this is not limited thereto.

[0102] As a non-limiting example, in operation 707, the electronic device (101) may perform lengthening of the connection period of the fourth communication link (114) based on the signal received in operation 704. For example, operation 707 may be performed so that audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) is performed robustly. For example, the amount of resources for maintaining the fourth communication link (114) may decrease according to the lengthened connection period of the fourth communication link (114). For example, since the amount of resources for maintaining the fourth communication link (114) decreases according to the lengthened connection period of the fourth communication link (114), the electronic device (101) may allocate additional resources for audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103).

[0103] Although not illustrated in FIG. 7, when audio streaming from another electronic device (102) to an external electronic device (103) begins, audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) may be interrupted. For example, the electronic device (101) may resume audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) when audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) is interrupted. For example, the electronic device (101) may perform (or resume) the second periodic transmission according to the second transmission cycle when the second communication link (112) is maintained after audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) is interrupted.

[0104] As described above, the electronic device (101) can robustly perform providing one or more audio streams to the external electronic device (103) by stopping the first periodic transmission and performing the second periodic transmission based on the second communication link (112) that is (additionally) established while providing one or more audio streams to the external electronic device (103).

[0105] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of signaling between an electronic device and an external electronic device to adaptively change the periodic transmission for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device when another external electronic device that is not being worn is identified.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 8, in operation 801, the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103) may establish a first communication link (111). For example, the first communication link (111) may be established through the operations described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0107] In operation 802, the electronic device (101) may perform the first periodic transmission, as in operation 401 of FIG. 4. For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within each of the first time intervals described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to the first transmission period.

[0108] In operation 803, the external electronic device (103) may identify that another external electronic device (104) is not being worn. For example, the external electronic device (103) may perform operation 803 based on receiving information about a changed state of the other external electronic device (104) (e.g., changed from a worn state to an unworn state) from the other external electronic device (104) via the third communication link (113). For example, the external electronic device (103) may perform operation 803 based on receiving information from the case device described with reference to FIG. 1 indicating that another external electronic device (104) is stored within the case device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0109] In operation 804, the external electronic device (103) may transmit the signal described with reference to operation 402 of FIG. 4 to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111), based on the identification in operation 803. As a non-limiting example, the signal may include information indicating that no other external electronic device (104) is being worn. The electronic device (101) may receive the signal from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) while performing the first periodic transmission.

[0110] In operation 805, the electronic device (101) may stop (or terminate) the first periodic transmission based on the signal received from the external electronic device (103) and perform the second periodic transmission according to the second transmission cycle. For example, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 805 because reducing the quality of audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) may be unnoticeable (or transparent) to a user wearing the external electronic device (103) among the external electronic device (103) and other external electronic devices (104). For example, the quality of the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) may be reduced according to operation 805, but the power consumed by the audio streaming from the electronic device (101) to the external electronic device (103) may be reduced according to operation 805.

[0111] For example, the quality of the first communication link (111) may be reduced while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the electronic device (101) may, based on the reduced quality of the first communication link (111), stop the second periodic transmission and perform a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103). Stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the third periodic transmission is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 9.

[0112] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the third periodic transmission.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 901, the electronic device (101) may perform the second periodic transmission. As a non-limiting example, the second periodic transmission may be performed based on the signal received in operation 402. The electronic device (101) may identify the quality of the first communication link (111) while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0114] In operation 902, the electronic device (101) may identify the quality of the first communication link (111) as being lower than a reference quality. The reference quality may be a parameter used within the electronic device (101) to stop the second periodic transmission and perform the third periodic transmission. For example, the reference quality used while performing the second periodic transmission may be lower than the reference quality used while performing the first periodic transmission. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0115] In operation 903, the electronic device (101) may stop the second periodic transmission based on the quality of the first communication link (111) being lower than the reference quality, and perform a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) for outputting audio through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) according to the second transmission cycle. The third periodic transmission is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10.

[0116] Figure 10 illustrates an example of stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the third periodic transmission.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device (101) can perform the second periodic transmission by transmitting at least one packet (520) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (502) corresponding to the second transmission cycle described above. The external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (520). For example, after transmitting at least one packet (520), the electronic device (101) can identify the quality of the first communication link (111). For example, at a time point (1000) (or timing (1000)) (or time (1000)) after transmitting at least one packet (520), the electronic device (101) can identify the quality of the first communication link (111) as being lower than the reference quality.

[0118] For example, the external electronic device (103) may transmit a confirmation signal (521) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) based on successfully receiving at least one packet (520). The electronic device (101) may receive the confirmation signal (521) from the external electronic device (103).

[0119] For example, the electronic device (101) may stop the second periodic transmission and perform a third periodic transmission based on identifying the quality of the first communication link (111) as being lower than the reference quality at time point (1000), as indicated by arrow (1090). For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet (1010) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1001) corresponding to the second transmission period. As a non-limiting example, the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (1010)) transmitted within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (1001)) corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the third periodic transmission may be equal to the number of at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. As a non-limiting example, a type (e.g., a 2-DH3 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (1010)) transmitted within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (1001)) while performing the third periodic transmission may be different from a type (e.g., a 2-DH5 packet) of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission.For example, the size of audio data in each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (1010)) transmitted within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (1001)) while performing the third periodic transmission may be smaller than the size of audio data in each of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (520)) transmitted within each of the second time intervals (e.g., time interval (502)) while performing the second periodic transmission. As a non-limiting example, the electronic device (101) may transmit, to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111), at a transmission speed of about 152 (kbps) within the time interval (1001).

[0120] For example, the external electronic device (103) may transmit a confirmation packet (1011) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1001) based on successfully receiving at least one packet (1010). The electronic device (101) may receive the confirmation packet (1011) from the external electronic device (103).

[0121] As described above, the electronic device (101) can provide audio streaming to the external electronic device (103) that is robust to a decrease in the quality of the first communication link (111) by changing the periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) based on the quality of the first communication link (111).

[0122] Changing the second periodic transmission to the third periodic transmission is merely exemplary. For example, the electronic device (101) may change the first periodic transmission to the third periodic transmission based on the signal received in operation 704 of FIG. 7. For example, the electronic device (101) may directly switch the first periodic transmission to the third periodic transmission under the condition that the second communication link (112) is established and the audio streaming from the other electronic device (102) to the external electronic device (103) is an audio streaming that requires relatively high (or higher) responsiveness.

[0123] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed within an electronic device to output audio through a speaker of an external electronic device.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 11, in operation 1101, an electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (103) may establish a first communication link (111). For example, the first communication link (111) may be established through the operations described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0125] In operation 1102, the electronic device (101) may perform the first periodic transmission, as in operation 401 of FIG. 4. For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit at least one packet to the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) within each of the first time intervals described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 according to the first transmission period. For example, the electronic device (101) may identify the quality of the first communication link (111) while performing the first periodic transmission. For example, the electronic device (101) may identify the quality of the first communication link (111) according to the error rate of HEC of packets related to the first periodic transmission, the error rate of CRC of the packets, the RSSI of the packets, and / or the retransmission rate of the packets.

[0126] In operation 1103, the electronic device (101) may determine whether the quality of the first communication link (111) is higher than a reference quality. For example, the electronic device (101) may compare the quality of the first communication link (111) with a reference quality. Based on the quality of the first communication link (111) being higher than the reference quality, the electronic device (101) may perform operation 1105, and based on the quality of the first communication link (111) being lower than the reference quality (or the quality of the first communication link (111) being lower than or equal to the reference quality), the electronic device (101) may perform operation 1104.

[0127] In operation 1104, the electronic device (101) may perform the second periodic transmission according to the second transmission cycle under the condition that the quality of the first communication link (111) is lower than the reference quality. For example, the first periodic transmission may be interrupted, terminated, or refrained from under the condition that the quality of the first communication link (111) is lower than the reference quality.

[0128] In operation 1105, the electronic device (101) can maintain the first periodic transmission under the condition that the quality of the first communication link (111) is higher than the reference quality. For example, since the quality of the first communication link (111) being higher than the reference quality indicates that audio streaming to the external electronic device (103) via the first periodic transmission is available, the first periodic transmission can be maintained, as in operation 1105.

[0129] In operation 1106, the electronic device (101) may identify whether, while performing the first periodic transmission, it receives a signal (e.g., the signal described in operation 402 of FIG. 4) from an external electronic device (103). For example, the electronic device (101) may continue performing operations 1105 and 1106 until the signal is received.

[0130] In operation 1107, the electronic device (101) may perform the second periodic transmission based on the signal received from the external electronic device (103) while performing the first periodic transmission. For example, the first periodic transmission may be interrupted, terminated, or refrained from based on the signal received from the external electronic device (103).

[0131] In operation 1108, the electronic device (101) may identify whether, while performing the second periodic transmission, it receives another signal from the external electronic device (103). The other signal may be a signal transmitted based on the external electronic device (103) identifying that the state of the external electronic device (103) that triggered the external electronic device (103) to transmit the signal to the electronic device (101) in operation 1106 is released. For example, the other signal may be transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101) on a condition that the second communication link (112) is released. For example, the other signal may be transmitted from the external electronic device (103) to the electronic device (101) on a condition that another external electronic device (104) is identified as being worn. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device (101) may continue performing operations 1107 and 1108 until another signal is received from the external electronic device (103).

[0132] In operation 1109, the electronic device (101) may perform the first periodic transmission based on the other signal received from the external electronic device (103) while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the second periodic transmission may be interrupted, terminated, or refrained from based on the other signal received from the external electronic device (103).

[0133] Although not illustrated in FIG. 11, the quality of the first communication link (111) may change from a first quality lower than a reference quality to a second quality higher than the reference quality while the second periodic transmission is performed in operation 1107. For example, the electronic device (101) may maintain the second periodic transmission independently of the change from the first quality to the second quality identified during the second periodic transmission. For example, the second periodic transmission performed based on the signal may be maintained independently of the quality of the first communication link (111) being increased. As a non-limiting example, the electronic device (101) may maintain the second periodic transmission independently of the quality of the first communication link (111) being increased in order to provide robust audio streaming to an external electronic device (103) over a second communication link (112) additionally established after the first periodic transmission.

[0134] The second periodic transmission may be performed, as in operation 1104, prior to receiving the signal from the external electronic device (103). For example, while the second periodic transmission is performed in operation 1104, the quality of the first communication link (111) may change from a first quality lower than a reference quality to a second quality higher than the reference quality. The operation of the electronic device (101) according to the change from the first quality to the second quality caused during operation 1104 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 12.

[0135] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of stopping a second periodic transmission and performing a first periodic transmission according to a change in the quality of a communication link that has changed during a second periodic transmission performed before receiving a signal.

[0136] Referring to FIG. 12, in operation 1201, the electronic device (101) may perform the second periodic transmission, as in operation 1104 of FIG. 11. For example, the second periodic transmission may be performed before receiving the signal described with reference to operation 402 of FIG. 4 from an external electronic device (103).

[0137] In operation 1202, the electronic device (101) can identify whether the quality of the first communication link (111) changes from a first quality lower than a reference quality to a second quality higher than the reference quality while performing the second periodic transmission as in operation 1201. As a non-limiting example, the reference quality may be the same as the reference quality described with reference to operation 1103 of FIG. 11.

[0138] The electronic device (101) may perform operation 1203 based on the quality of the first communication link (111) that is higher than the reference quality, and may perform operation 1204 based on the quality of the first communication link (111) that is lower than the reference quality (or the quality of the first communication link (111) that is lower than or equal to the reference quality).

[0139] In operation 1203, the electronic device (101) may stop the second periodic transmission and perform the first periodic transmission under the condition that the quality of the first communication link (111) is higher than the reference quality. For example, the first periodic transmission may be performed according to the first transmission cycle. For example, the timing (or point in time) (or time) for stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the first periodic transmission may be defined in various ways. The timing is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 .

[0140] Figures 13 and 14 illustrate examples of timing for stopping the second periodic transmission and performing the first periodic transmission.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 13, the electronic device (101) can perform the second periodic transmission within a time period (1303) corresponding to the second transmission cycle. For example, the electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (1310) to an external electronic device (103) via a first communication link (111) within the time period (1303). The external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (1310) from the electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving at least one packet (1310), the external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1311) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time period (1303). The electronic device (101) can receive a confirmation signal (1311) from an external electronic device (103) via a first communication link (111) within a time period (1303).

[0142] The electronic device (101) may identify, at timing (1300), that the quality of the first communication link (111) is higher than the reference quality. For example, the length of the time interval from the start timing of transmission of at least one packet (1310) to timing (1300) may be shorter than the length of the time period (1301). For example, the electronic device (101) may identify, at timing (1300) at which the identification is performed, that the first periodic transmission can be performed before the end of the time period (1303) allocated for the second periodic transmission. For example, the electronic device (101), in response to the identification, may perform the first periodic transmission within the time period (1302) corresponding to the first transmission period. For example, the electronic device (101), in response to the identification at timing (1300), determines that a time period (1302) prior to the end of a time period (1303) can be allocated for the first periodic transmission, and, according to the determination, can perform the first periodic transmission within the time period (1302). For example, the electronic device (101), in response to the identification, can transmit, to the external electronic device (103), via the first communication link (111), at least one packet (1320) within the (newly) scheduled time period (1302). For example, the electronic device (101) can schedule transmission of at least one packet according to the second periodic transmission within a time interval corresponding to the second transmission cycle after the time period (1303) prior to the identification at timing (1300). For example, the electronic device (101) may, in response to the identification at timing (1300), cancel transmission of the scheduled at least one packet and schedule transmission of at least one packet (1320) within a time period (1302) corresponding to the first transmission cycle.For example, if the length of the time period (1303) is at most 6 (ms), at most 12 (ms), at most 18 (ms), at most 24 (ms), or at most 30 (ms), and the length of the time period (1302) is at most 3 (ms), at most 6 (ms), at most 9 (ms), at most 12 (ms), or at most 15 (ms), the time period (1302) may start at a timing after the time period (1301) corresponding to the first transmission cycle from the start timing of the time period (1303).

[0143] As a non-limiting example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of at least one packet (1320) transmitted according to the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of at least one packet (1310) transmitted according to the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of at least one packet (1320) transmitted according to the first periodic transmission may be (substantially) the same as the size of each of at least one packet (1310) transmitted according to the second periodic transmission. The external electronic device (103) may receive at least one packet (1320) from the electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving the at least one packet (1320), the external electronic device (103) may transmit an acknowledgement signal (1321) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within a time period (1302). The electronic device (101) can receive a confirmation signal (1321) from an external electronic device (103) via a first communication link (111) within a time period (1302).

[0144] The electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (1330) according to the first periodic transmission within a time interval (1332) following a time period (1302) (corresponding to the first transmission cycle). The external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (1330) from the electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving the at least one packet (1330), the external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1331) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1332). The electronic device (101) can receive the confirmation signal (1331) from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1332).

[0145] The electronic device (101) may, unlike FIG. 13, maintain the transmission of the at least one packet scheduled before the identification at the timing (1300). For example, the electronic device (101) may maintain the transmission of the at least one packet scheduled before the other timing based on identifying the quality of the first communication link (111) as higher than the reference quality at another timing after the timing (1300) (e.g., timing (1400) to be described with reference to FIG. 14).

[0146] Referring to FIG. 14, the electronic device (101) can perform the second periodic transmission within a time period (1303) corresponding to the second transmission cycle. For example, the electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (1310) to an external electronic device (103) via a first communication link (111) within the time period (1303). The external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (1310) from the electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving at least one packet (1310), the external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1311) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time period (1303). The electronic device (101) can receive a confirmation signal (1311) from an external electronic device (103) via a first communication link (111) within a time period (1303).

[0147] The electronic device (101) may identify, at timing (1300), that the quality of the first communication link (111) is higher than the reference quality. Based on the identification, the electronic device (101) may refrain from transmitting at least one packet (1320) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within a time period (1302), as shown in FIG. 13, as in state (1490). For example, since canceling the transmission of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (1410)) scheduled before the identification at timing (1300) and transmitting the at least one packet (1320) within the time period (1302) causes a rapid change in the rate of transmission to the external electronic device (103), the electronic device (101) may maintain the transmission of the at least one packet (e.g., at least one packet (1410)) scheduled before the identification at timing (1300) independently of the identification.

[0148] For example, the electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (1410) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) at a timing (e.g., a start timing of the time section (1402)) after a time period corresponding to the second transmission period from the timing of transmission of at least one packet (1310). For example, the at least one packet (1410) can be a packet generated according to the second periodic transmission (or stored in the memory (220) of the electronic device (101) according to the second periodic transmission), unlike the at least one packet (1320). The external electronic device (103) can receive the at least one packet (1410) from the electronic device (101). The external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1411) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1402) based on successfully receiving at least one packet (1410). The electronic device (101) can receive the confirmation signal (1411) from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1402).

[0149] For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit, to the external electronic device (103), via the first communication link (111), at least one packet (1420), within a time interval (1403) corresponding to the first transmission period, based on the identification in the transmission and timing (1300) of at least one packet (1410). For example, the at least one packet (1420) may be a packet generated according to the first periodic transmission (or stored in the memory (220) according to the first periodic transmission), unlike the at least one packet (1310) and the at least one packet (1410). As a non-limiting example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet (1420) transmitted according to the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet (1410) (or the at least one packet (1310)) transmitted according to the second periodic transmission. An external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (1420) from an electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving at least one packet (1420), the external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1421) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1403). The electronic device (101) can receive the confirmation signal (1421) from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1403).

[0150] The electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (1430) according to the first periodic transmission within a time interval (1433) following the time interval (1403) (corresponding to the first transmission cycle). The external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (1430) from the electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving the at least one packet (1430), the external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1431) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1433). The electronic device (101) can receive the confirmation signal (1431) from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1433).

[0151] The electronic device (101) may identify, at timing (1400), that the quality of the first communication link (111) is higher than the reference quality. For example, the length of the time interval from the start timing of transmission of at least one packet (1310) to timing (1400) may be longer than the length of the time period (1301). For example, the electronic device (101) may identify, at timing (1400) at which the identification is performed, that the first periodic transmission cannot be performed before the end of the time period (1303) allocated for the second periodic transmission. For example, the electronic device (101) may maintain the transmission of the at least one packet (e.g., the at least one packet (1410)) scheduled before the identification at timing (1400) based on the identification.

[0152] For example, the electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (1410) to the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) at a timing (e.g., a start timing of the time section (1402)) after a time period corresponding to the second transmission period from a start timing of transmission of at least one packet (1310). For example, the at least one packet (1410) can be a packet generated according to the second periodic transmission (or stored in the memory (220) of the electronic device (101) according to the second periodic transmission), unlike the at least one packet (1320). The external electronic device (103) can receive the at least one packet (1410) from the electronic device (101). The external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1411) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1402) based on successfully receiving at least one packet (1410). The electronic device (101) can receive the confirmation signal (1411) from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within a time interval (1402).

[0153] For example, the electronic device (101) may transmit, to the external electronic device (103), via the first communication link (111), at least one packet (1420), within a time interval (1403) corresponding to the first transmission period, based on the identification in the transmission and timing (1400) of at least one packet (1410). For example, the at least one packet (1420) may be a packet generated according to the first periodic transmission (or stored in the memory (220) according to the first periodic transmission), unlike the at least one packet (1310) and the at least one packet (1410). As a non-limiting example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet (1420) transmitted according to the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet (1410) (or the at least one packet (1310)) transmitted according to the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of at least one packet (1420) transmitted according to the first periodic transmission may be (substantially) the same as the size of each of at least one packet (1410) transmitted according to the second periodic transmission. The external electronic device (103) may receive at least one packet (1420) from the electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving the at least one packet (1420), the external electronic device (103) may transmit an acknowledgement signal (1421) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1403). The electronic device (101) may receive the acknowledgement signal (1421) from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1403).

[0154] The electronic device (101) can transmit at least one packet (1430) according to the first periodic transmission within a time interval (1433) following the time interval (1403) (corresponding to the first transmission cycle). The external electronic device (103) can receive at least one packet (1430) from the electronic device (101). Based on successfully receiving the at least one packet (1430), the external electronic device (103) can transmit a confirmation signal (1431) to the electronic device (101) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1433). The electronic device (101) can receive the confirmation signal (1431) from the external electronic device (103) via the first communication link (111) within the time interval (1433).

[0155] Referring again to FIG. 12, in operation 1204, the electronic device (101) may maintain the second periodic transmission under the condition that the quality of the first communication link (111) is lower than the reference quality.

[0156] As described above, the electronic device (101) can adaptively change the timing for performing the first periodic transmission (or the timing for stopping the second periodic transmission) based on the quality of the first communication link (111) that has changed while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0157] The above descriptions can be executed by the electronic device (1501) of FIG. 15.

[0158] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an electronic device (1501) within a network environment (1500) according to various embodiments. Referring to FIG. 15 , in the network environment (1500), the electronic device (1501) may communicate with the electronic device (1502) via a first network (1598) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with at least one of the electronic device (1504) or the server (1508) via a second network (1599) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). In one embodiment, the electronic device (1501) may communicate with the electronic device (1504) via the server (1508). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (1501) may include a processor (1520), a memory (1530), an input module (1550), an audio output module (1555), a display module (1560), an audio module (1570), a sensor module (1576), an interface (1577), a connection terminal (1578), a haptic module (1579), a camera module (1580), a power management module (1588), a battery (1589), a communication module (1590), a subscriber identification module (1596), or an antenna module (1597). In some embodiments, the electronic device (1501) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (1578)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., sensor module (1576), camera module (1580), or antenna module (1597)) may be integrated into a single component (e.g., display module (1560)).

[0159] The processor (1520) may, for example, execute software (e.g., a program (1540)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (1501) connected to the processor (1520) and perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or operations, the processor (1520) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (1576) or a communication module (1590)) in a volatile memory (1532), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (1532), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (1534). According to one embodiment, the processor (1520) may include a main processor (1521) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (1523) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with the main processor (1521). For example, when the electronic device (1501) includes the main processor (1521) and the auxiliary processor (1523), the auxiliary processor (1523) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (1521) or to be specialized for a given function. The auxiliary processor (1523) may be implemented separately from the main processor (1521) or as a part thereof.

[0160] The auxiliary processor (1523) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., the display module (1560), the sensor module (1576), or the communication module (1590)) of the electronic device (1501), for example, on behalf of the main processor (1521) while the main processor (1521) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (1521) while the main processor (1521) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (1523) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (1580) or a communication module (1590)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (1523) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, on the electronic device (1501) where the artificial intelligence model is executed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (1508)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0161] The memory (1530) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor (1520) or the sensor module (1576)) of the electronic device (1501). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., the program (1540)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (1530) can include volatile memory (1532) or non-volatile memory (1534).

[0162] The program (1540) may be stored as software in memory (1530) and may include, for example, an operating system (1542), middleware (1544), or an application (1546).

[0163] The input module (1550) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (1501) (e.g., a processor (1520)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (1501). The input module (1550) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0164] The audio output module (1555) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (1501). The audio output module (1555) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. In one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0165] The display module (1560) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (1501). The display module (1560) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector, and a control circuit for controlling the device. In one embodiment, the display module (1560) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0166] The audio module (1570) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa. According to one embodiment, the audio module (1570) can acquire sound through the input module (1550), output sound through the sound output module (1555), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (1502)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (1501).

[0167] The sensor module (1576) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (1501) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (1576) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0168] The interface (1577) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (1501) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (1502)). In one embodiment, the interface (1577) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0169] The connection terminal (1578) may include a connector through which the electronic device (1501) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (1502)). In one embodiment, the connection terminal (1578) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0170] The haptic module (1579) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. In one embodiment, the haptic module (1579) may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0171] The camera module (1580) can capture still images and videos. In one embodiment, the camera module (1580) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0172] The power management module (1588) can manage the power supplied to the electronic device (1501). According to one embodiment, the power management module (1588) can be implemented as at least a part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0173] A battery (1589) may power at least one component of the electronic device (1501). In one embodiment, the battery (1589) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0174] The communication module (1590) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (1501) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (1502), electronic device (1504), or server (1508)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (1590) may operate independently from the processor (1520) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (1590) may include a wireless communication module (1592) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (1594) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Any of these communication modules may communicate with an external electronic device (1504) via a first network (1598) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (1599) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a local area network or a wide area network)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (1592) may use subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (1596) to verify or authenticate the electronic device (1501) within a communication network such as the first network (1598) or the second network (1599).

[0175] The wireless communication module (1592) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimizing terminal power and connecting multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency communications (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (1592) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (1592) may support various technologies for securing performance in high-frequency bands, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (1592) may support various requirements specified in the electronic device (1501), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (1504)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (1599)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (1592) may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB implementation, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC implementation, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC implementation.

[0176] The antenna module (1597) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). In one embodiment, the antenna module (1597) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). In one embodiment, the antenna module (1597) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (1598) or the second network (1599), may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module (1590). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (1590) and the external electronic device via the at least one selected antenna. In some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (1597).

[0177] According to various embodiments, the antenna module (1597) may form a mmWave antenna module. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high frequency band.

[0178] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0179] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (1501) and an external electronic device (1504) via a server (1508) connected to a second network (1599). Each of the external electronic devices (1502 or 1504) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (1501). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (1501) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (1502, 1504, or 1508). For example, when the electronic device (1501) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (1501) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (1501). The electronic device (1501) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (1501) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In one embodiment, the external electronic device (1504) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (1508) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network.According to one embodiment, an external electronic device (1504) or server (1508) may be included within the second network (1599). The electronic device (1501) may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart homes, smart cities, smart cars, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0180] As described above, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) may include a communication circuit for Bluetooth (e.g., communication circuit (230)), at least one processor including a processing circuit (e.g., at least one processor (210)), and a memory (e.g., memory (220)) that stores instructions. The memory may include one or more storage media. When executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to perform, using the communication circuitry, a first periodic transmission to an external electronic device over a first communication link between the electronic device and an external electronic device, for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device, according to a first transmission period; receive, using the communication circuitry, a signal from the external electronic device over the first communication link, for indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link between the external electronic device and another electronic device is established while the first communication link is established; and based on the signal, perform, using the communication circuitry, a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device over the first communication link, for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device, according to a second transmission period that is longer than the first transmission period.

[0181] For example, the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0182] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period during the first periodic transmission may be the same as the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period during the second periodic transmission. For example, the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals during the first periodic transmission may be the same as the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals during the second periodic transmission. For example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals during the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals during the second periodic transmission.

[0183] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be the same as the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be larger than the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0184] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of packets transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be greater than the size of each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0185] For example, the first communication link may be a communication link for a first communication technique. For example, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to, prior to receiving the signal, establish a third communication link between the electronic device and the external electronic device using the communication circuitry for a second communication technique different from the first communication technique, and, based on the signal, lengthen a connection interval of the third communication link using the communication circuitry.

[0186] For example, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to, while performing the second periodic transmission, identify a quality of the first communication link, and based on the quality being lower than a reference quality, discontinue the second periodic transmission, and perform, using the communication circuitry, a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device, according to the second transmission cycle, for outputting the audio through the speaker of the external electronic device via the first communication link. For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission cycle while performing the first periodic transmission may be equal to the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission cycle while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be the same as the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.For example, the number of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission may be the same as the number of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the third periodic transmission. For example, the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission may be different from the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the third periodic transmission.

[0187] For example, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to identify a quality of the first communication link while performing the second periodic transmission, and based on the quality being lower than a reference quality, to stop the second periodic transmission, and to perform, using the communication circuitry, a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device, according to the second transmission cycle, for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device via the first communication link. For example, a size of data transmitted to the external electronic device per unit time according to the third periodic transmission may be smaller than a size of data transmitted to the external electronic device per unit time according to the second periodic transmission.

[0188] For example, when executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to identify, while performing the second periodic transmission, that the quality of the first communication link has changed from a first quality lower than a reference quality to a second quality higher than the reference quality, and to maintain the second periodic transmission independently of the change from the first quality to the second quality.

[0189] For example, the signal may include information indicating that the second communication link is established.

[0190] For example, when executed individually or collectively by at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to cease the first periodic transmission based on the signal.

[0191] As described above, an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101)) may include a communication circuit for Bluetooth (e.g., communication circuit (230)), at least one processor including a processing circuit (e.g., at least one processor (210)), and a memory (e.g., memory (220)) for storing instructions. The memory may include one or more storage media. When executed individually or collectively by the at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to perform, using the communication circuitry, a first periodic transmission to an external electronic device over a communication link between the electronic device and the external electronic device for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device, according to a first transmission period; receive, using the communication circuitry, a signal from the external electronic device over the communication link while performing the first periodic transmission, indicating that another external electronic device paired with the external electronic device is not being worn; and perform, based on the signal, using the communication circuitry, a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device over the first communication link for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device, according to a second transmission period that is longer than the first transmission period.

[0192] For example, the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0193] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period during the first periodic transmission may be the same as the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period during the second periodic transmission. For example, the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals during the first periodic transmission may be the same as the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals during the second periodic transmission. For example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals during the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals during the second periodic transmission.

[0194] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be the same as the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be larger than the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0195] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of packets transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be greater than the size of each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0196] As described above, the method can be executed in an electronic device including a communication circuit for Bluetooth. The method can include performing, using the communication circuit, a first periodic transmission to an external electronic device through a first communication link between the electronic device and an external electronic device, according to a first transmission cycle, for outputting audio through a speaker of the external electronic device; receiving, using the communication circuit, a signal from the external electronic device through the first communication link, indicating that the external electronic device is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link between the external electronic device and another electronic device is established while the first communication link is established; and performing, based on the signal, using the communication circuit, a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device through the first communication link, according to a second transmission cycle, for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device.

[0197] For example, the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0198] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period during the first periodic transmission may be the same as the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period during the second periodic transmission. For example, the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals during the first periodic transmission may be the same as the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals during the second periodic transmission. For example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals during the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals during the second periodic transmission.

[0199] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be the same as the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be larger than the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0200] For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission period while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of packets transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission period while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the size of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be greater than the size of each of the packets transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.

[0201] For example, the first communication link may be a communication link for a first communication technique. For example, the method may include, before receiving the signal, using the communication circuit, establishing a third communication link between the electronic device and the external electronic device for a second communication technique different from the first communication technique, and, based on the signal, using the communication circuit, lengthening a connection interval of the third communication link.

[0202] For example, the method may include, while performing the second periodic transmission, identifying a quality of the first communication link; and, based on the quality being lower than a reference quality, stopping the second periodic transmission; and, using the communication circuit, performing a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device, according to the second transmission cycle, for outputting the audio through the speaker of the external electronic device via the first communication link. For example, the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals corresponding to the first transmission cycle while performing the first periodic transmission may be equal to the number of at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals corresponding to the second transmission cycle while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be the same as the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission. For example, the number of at least one audio frame included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the first time intervals while performing the first periodic transmission may be less than the number of audio frames included in each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission.For example, the number of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission may be the same as the number of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the third periodic transmission. For example, the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the second periodic transmission may be different from the type of each of the at least one packet transmitted to the external electronic device within each of the second time intervals while performing the third periodic transmission.

[0203] For example, the method may include, while performing the second periodic transmission, an operation of identifying a quality of the first communication link, and, based on the quality being lower than a reference quality, an operation of stopping the second periodic transmission, and, using the communication circuit, performing a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device, according to the second transmission cycle, for outputting audio through the speaker of the external electronic device via the first communication link. For example, a size of data transmitted to the external electronic device per unit time according to the third periodic transmission may be smaller than a size of data transmitted to the external electronic device per unit time according to the second periodic transmission.

[0204] For example, the method may include an operation of identifying, while performing the second periodic transmission, that the quality of the first communication link has changed from a first quality lower than a reference quality to a second quality higher than the reference quality, and an operation of maintaining the second periodic transmission independently of the change from the first quality to the second quality.

[0205] For example, the signal may include information indicating that the second communication link is established.

[0206] For example, the method may include an action of stopping the first periodic transmission based on the signal.

[0207] Electronic devices according to the various embodiments disclosed in this document may take various forms. Electronic devices may include, for example, portable communication devices (e.g., smartphones), computer devices, portable multimedia devices, portable medical devices, cameras, wearable devices, or home appliances. Electronic devices according to the embodiments of this document are not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0208] The various embodiments of this document and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0209] The term "module" used in various embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0210] Various embodiments of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (1540)) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (1536) or an external memory (1538)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (1501)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (1520)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (1501)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0211] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0212] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0213] Additionally, the following is part of the present disclosure:

[0214] The external electronic device may be an accessory electronic device for audio output, such as, for example, a speaker, a pair of headphones, or in-ear headphones.

[0215] Bluetooth is a standard for wireless communication. Versions of the standard, applicable to the devices and methods of the present disclosure, allow a device, for example, an external device, to simultaneously connect to a first other device via a first communication link and a second communication link to a second other electronic device via a second communication link. The second link may be established while the first link is already established or potentially established. Such point-to-multipoint connections may be referred to as mesh networks, and some versions of the standard support mesh networks. Mesh networks are specified, for example, within the Bluetooth Mesh standard. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is standardized to provide Bluetooth-like communications at low power, and is part of version 5.0 of the standard, for example. BLE also allows point-to-multipoint connections and / or mesh networks. Bluetooth that does not support BLE may be designated as Classic Bluetooth. Within the context of the present disclosure, the term Bluetooth may refer to either Classic Bluetooth or BLE.

[0216] The signal may be output after or immediately after a communication link is established between the external electronic device and the other electronic device. The signal may be output to indicate that a second communication link is established in addition to the first communication link. The signal may indicate the establishment of the communication link between the external electronic device and the other electronic device. The signal may indicate a state change of the external electronic device from a first state to a second state, wherein the first state is when the external electronic device is solely connected to the electronic device, and the second state is when the external electronic device is connected to an electronic device other than the electronic device.

[0217] In the context of the present disclosure, a program may include or consist of instructions, and / or instructions may form a program.

Claims

1. In an electronic device (101), Communication circuit for Bluetooth (230); At least one processor (210) comprising a processing circuit; and A memory (220) for storing instructions, the instructions comprising: When executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (210), the instructions: Using the above communication circuit (230), a first periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) is performed according to a first transmission cycle, for outputting audio through a speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103, 104) through a first communication link (111) between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103, 104); A signal (704) indicating that the external electronic device (103) is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link (112) is established between the external electronic device (103) and another electronic device (102) while the first communication link (111) is established between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103) is received from the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) using the communication circuit (230); and Based on the signal (704), using the communication circuit (230), perform a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) for outputting audio through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111), according to a second transmission cycle longer than the first transmission cycle. causing the above electronic device (101), Electronic devices.

2. In claim 1, the number of audio frames included in each of the packets (530, 532) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) while performing the first periodic transmission is Less than the number of audio frames contained in each of the packets (530, 532) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) while performing the second periodic transmission. Electronic devices.

3. In claim 1 or 2, the number of at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) corresponding to the first transmission cycle while performing the first periodic transmission is The number of at least one packet (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) corresponding to the second transmission cycle while performing the second periodic transmission is equal to that of the second periodic transmission, and The size of each of the at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (!03, 104) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) while performing the first periodic transmission is While performing the second periodic transmission, the size of each of the at least one packet (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) is greater than that of each of the at least one packet (520). Electronic devices.

4. In claim 1 or 2, the number of at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (103, 104) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) corresponding to the first transmission cycle while performing the first periodic transmission is The number of packets (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) is less than the number of packets (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) corresponding to the second transmission cycle while performing the second periodic transmission, and The size of each of the at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) while performing the first periodic transmission is While performing the second periodic transmission, the size of each of the at least one packet (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) is greater than that of each of the at least one packet (520). Electronic devices.

5. In any one of claims 1 to 4, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (210), the instructions: While performing the second periodic transmission, the quality of the first communication link (111) is identified; and Based on the above quality being lower than the reference quality: Stop the above second periodic transmission, and Using the above communication circuit (230), to perform a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) for outputting audio through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111), according to the second transmission cycle. Further causing the above electronic device (101), The size of data transmitted to the external electronic device (103) per unit time according to the third periodic transmission is Smaller than the size of data transmitted to the external electronic device (103) per unit time according to the second periodic transmission. Electronic devices.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 5, when individually or collectively executed by the at least one processor (210), the instructions: While performing the second periodic transmission, it is identified that the quality of the first communication link (111) changes from a first quality lower than a reference quality to a second quality higher than the reference quality; and To maintain the second periodic transmission independently of the change from the first quality to the second quality, Further causing the above electronic device (101), Electronic devices.

7. In the external electronic device (103), Communication circuit for Bluetooth (330); At least one processor (310) comprising a processing circuit; and A memory (32) for storing instructions, wherein the instructions are executed individually or collectively by at least one processor (310). Using the above communication circuit (330), a first periodic transmission to the electronic device (101) for outputting audio through a speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) is performed according to a first period through a first communication link (111) between the external electronic device (103) and the electronic device (101). Using the above communication circuit (330), to provide a signal (704) to the electronic device (101) through the first communication link (111), indicating that the external electronic device (103) operates in a multi-point state in which a second communication link (112) is established between the external electronic device (103) and another electronic device (102) while the first communication link (111) is established between the external electronic device (103) and the electronic device (101). causing the above external electronic device (103), External electronic devices.

8. A method for executing within an electronic device (101) including a communication circuit (230) for Bluetooth, An operation (401) of performing a first periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) according to a first transmission cycle, for outputting audio through a speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103), through a first communication link (111) between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103), using the communication circuit (230); An operation (402) of receiving, from the external electronic device (103), via the first communication link (111), using the communication circuit (230), a signal (704) indicating that the external electronic device (103) is operating in a multi-point state in which a second communication link (112) is established between the external electronic device (103) and another electronic device (102) while the first communication link (111) is established between the electronic device (101) and the external electronic device (103); and An operation including performing a second periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) for outputting audio through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) using the communication circuit (230) based on the signal (704), according to a second transmission cycle longer than the first transmission cycle. method.

9. In claim 8, the number of audio frames included in each of the packets (530, 532) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) while performing the first periodic transmission is Less than the number of audio frames contained in each of the packets (530, 532) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) while performing the second periodic transmission. method.

10. In claim 8 or 9, the number of at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) corresponding to the first transmission cycle while performing the first periodic transmission is The number of at least one packet (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) corresponding to the second transmission cycle while performing the second periodic transmission is the same, and The size of each of the at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) while performing the first periodic transmission is While performing the second periodic transmission, the size of each of the at least one packet (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) is greater than that of each of the at least one packet (520). method.

11. In claim 8 or 9, the number of at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) corresponding to the first transmission cycle while performing the first periodic transmission is The number of packets (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) is less than the number of packets (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) corresponding to the second transmission cycle while performing the second periodic transmission, and The size of each of the at least one packet (510-1, 510-2, 510-3) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the first time intervals (501-1, 501-2, 501-3) while performing the first periodic transmission is While performing the second periodic transmission, the size of each of the at least one packet (520) transmitted to the external electronic device (103) within each of the second time intervals (502) is greater than that of each of the at least one packet (520). method.

12. In any one of claims 8 to 11, An operation of identifying the quality of the first communication link (111) while performing the second periodic transmission; and Based on the above quality being lower than the reference quality: an operation of stopping the second periodic transmission, and Further comprising an operation of performing a third periodic transmission to the external electronic device (103) according to the second transmission cycle, for outputting audio through the speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) through the first communication link (111) using the communication circuit (230), The size of data transmitted to the external electronic device (103) per unit time according to the third periodic transmission is Smaller than the size of data transmitted to the external electronic device (103) per unit time according to the second periodic transmission. method.

13. In any one of claims 8 to 12, An operation for identifying that the quality of the first communication link (111) changes from a first quality lower than a reference quality to a second quality higher than the reference quality while performing the second periodic transmission; and Further comprising an operation of maintaining the second periodic transmission independently of the change from the first quality to the second quality. method.

14. A method for executing within an external electronic device (103) including a communication circuit (330) for Bluetooth, An operation of performing a first periodic transmission to the electronic device (101) for outputting audio through a speaker (340) of the external electronic device (103) through a first communication link (111) between the external electronic device (103) and the electronic device (101) using the above communication circuit (330), according to a first period; An operation of providing a signal (704) indicating that the external electronic device (103) operates in a multi-point state in which a second communication link (112) is established between the external electronic device (103) and another electronic device (102) while the first communication link (111) is established between the external electronic device (103) and the electronic device (101) using the communication circuit (330). including, method.

15. In a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, The above instructions, when executed by at least one processor (210) of an electronic device (101) including a communication circuit (230) for Bluetooth, cause the at least one processor (210) to execute any one of the methods of claims 8 to 12, or The above instructions, when executed by at least one processor (310) of an electronic device (103) including a communication circuit (330) for Bluetooth, cause the at least one processor (310) to execute the method of claim 14. Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

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