External Bluetooth Module for Embedded OS Slave Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current embedded operating systems for intelligent devices, such as Android and Linux, do not support Bluetooth slave device functions, limiting their ability to operate as slave devices in profiles like A2DP, HFP, and AVRCP, which is necessary for advanced applications like smart robots.

Innovation Solution

An external Bluetooth module with a control unit, Bluetooth receiving and transmitting unit, and antenna, along with a software interface module, is used to enable mobile terminals to communicate with external master devices in slave mode, implementing a complete Bluetooth slave device protocol stack without modifying the existing operating system, utilizing a single chip with low power consumption and serial interfaces for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the embedded operating system uses the existing Bluetooth Protocol Stack, then the master device function is achieved, but the slave device function is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBluetooth slave device functionVSAvoidProtocol Stack complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The Bluetooth protocol stack is segmented into two independent parts: the upper layer protocol stack remaining in the operating system, and the lower layer protocol stack (LMP, HCI, etc.) moved to the external Bluetooth module. This segmentation allows the embedded operating system to achieve slave device function without modifying its existing upper layer protocol stack, while the external module handles the complex lower layer protocols independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An external Bluetooth module acts as an intermediary between the embedded operating system and the Bluetooth communication protocol. This intermediary contains the complete Bluetooth protocol stack and handles all Bluetooth protocol processing, allowing the operating system to achieve slave device function without directly implementing or modifying Bluetooth protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the embedded operating system adds slave device function, then the Bluetooth profile compatibility is improved, but the operating system source code modification is required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBluetooth profile compatibilityVSAvoidSource code modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The Bluetooth protocol stack functionality is extracted from the embedded operating system and placed in an external Bluetooth module. This extraction eliminates the need to modify the operating system source code, as the external module independently handles all Bluetooth protocol processing while the operating system maintains its original architecture unchanged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the existing operating system to add slave device function, a separate external Bluetooth module is introduced that contains a complete Bluetooth protocol stack implementation. This copying approach allows the system to achieve slave device functionality through an independent component rather than altering the original operating system code.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the external Bluetooth module is used, then the portability across platforms is improved, but the device structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePlatform portabilityVSAvoidSystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The external Bluetooth module is designed as a universal component that can be integrated with different embedded operating systems (Android, Linux, etc.) without modification. It provides multi-functional support for both master and slave device operations across multiple Bluetooth profiles, making the system portable across different platforms while maintaining a consistent hardware interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3247048B1System and method for embedded operating system achieving bluetooth slave device function
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 YUTOU TECH HANGZHOU
  • EP3247048B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247048B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3247048B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention discloses an embedded operating system for achieving Bluetooth slave device function and the method thereof, wherein comprising: a mobile terminal, which provided with an embedded operating system; a Bluetooth module, configured to at least work in a Bluetooth slave device mode; an interface module, connecting the Bluetooth module and the mobile terminal; wherein, the mobile terminal drives the Bluetooth module to operate through the interface module. Using the device described above, achieves the supporting function of adding Bluetooth slave devices to the operating system without modifying the source code of existing embedded operating system, thus the extension of the Bluetooth protocol stack will not be affected by the interface and the service of the operating system any more, improving extensibility and flexibility of the entire system.