WO2017036524A1 - Système et procédé audio comprenant une fonction de groupement - Google Patents

Système et procédé audio comprenant une fonction de groupement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017036524A1
WO2017036524A1 PCT/EP2015/070069 EP2015070069W WO2017036524A1 WO 2017036524 A1 WO2017036524 A1 WO 2017036524A1 EP 2015070069 W EP2015070069 W EP 2015070069W WO 2017036524 A1 WO2017036524 A1 WO 2017036524A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
audio
audio system
operating
control data
data
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/070069
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Sheung Hing CHENG
Hin Leung Norman CHAN
Sau Yan CHUK
Wai Fung Alfreda Mary YU
Original Assignee
Gibson Innovations Belgium N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Application filed by Gibson Innovations Belgium N.V. filed Critical Gibson Innovations Belgium N.V.
Priority to PCT/EP2015/070069 priority Critical patent/WO2017036524A1/fr
Publication of WO2017036524A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017036524A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/14—Session management
    • H04L67/141—Setup of application sessions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
    • H04L67/104—Peer-to-peer [P2P] networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/12—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
    • H04L67/125—Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks involving control of end-device applications over a network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
    • H04W84/20—Master-slave selection or change arrangements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an audio system that can form an adhoc group with other like audio systems, and also an audio processing method for forming such a group.
  • Traditional sound systems generally comprise of an audio system that receives an audio input signal from an audio source (e.g. a CD, DVD, Blu-ray, digital media content player or Bluetooth audio source) and, based on the audio input signal, generates an audio output signal that is provided to one or more speakers units to generate sound.
  • the audio system can either be a device separate from the speaker units, or it may be provided as a single device with one or more integrated speaker units.
  • Each speaker unit may include one or more drivers.
  • a driver refers to a single electroacoustic transducer for producing sound in response to an electrical audio input signal from an audio source.
  • a source e.g. radio or music
  • an audio source e.g. a mobile phone
  • this approach requires the user to reconfigure the audio source to setup a wireless connection each time the user wishes to playback audio on a different audio system or speaker unit at different locations, which is inconvenient.
  • Applications have also been developed that allow an audio source (e.g. a mobile phone or computer) to stream audio to different audio systems or speaker units at different locations.
  • the task of establishing a connection with a remote audio system or speaker unit often requires the user to enter technical parameters which can be confusing and complicated for ordinary consumers.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method to help address one or more of the above identified problems, for example, by providing an audio system and related audio processing method that offers a simpler way of enabling like audio systems to automatically connect and form an adhoc group without the need for users to provide any connection parameters.
  • an audio system including:
  • an audio input module for receiving an audio input signal from a source
  • a user interface module including one or more input sensors, at least one of said sensors for detecting a single user action associated with a grouping action, and one or more display indicators for displaying information to the user relating to said grouping action;
  • a wireless communications module that, in response to said input sensor detecting said single user action representing said grouping event, wirelessly transmits and receives data including control data with a second said audio system, said control data including data for establishing a wireless communications connection between the audio system and the second said audio system, the wireless communications module then wirelessly transmitting data including audio data representing said audio input signal to the second said audio system over the established wireless communications connection.
  • the audio system includes an enclosure with one or more speakers for generating sound based on said audio input signal.
  • said wireless communications connection between the audio system and the second said audio system is one of: (i) a direct peer-to-peer wireless communications connection; or (ii) a communications connection whereby the audio system and the second said audio system communicate with each other over a wireless network.
  • the audio system in response to said input sensors detecting said single user action associated with said grouping action, the audio system:
  • the predetermined identifier requirements include one or more of the following: the network identifier includes a predetermined string of characters;
  • the network identifier includes characters matching a predetermined pattern
  • the network identifier is contained in a stored list of network identifiers previously accessed by the audio system;
  • the network identifier is contained in a predetermined list of network identifiers.
  • said audio system determines that said network identifier corresponds to a second said audio system, said audio system:
  • said audio system Preferably, if said audio system does not receive any said network identifier within a set period of time, or if said audio system determines that any received said network identifier does not satisfy any of the predetermined identifier requirements, said audio system:
  • the audio system is configured such that:
  • the audio system when the audio system is configured to operate in master mode, the audio system transmits data including audio data representing said audio input signal to one or more other said audio systems operating in slave mode;
  • the audio system when the audio system is configured to operate in slave mode, the audio system receives data including audio data representing said audio input signal transmitted from a second said audio system operating in master mode, and the audio system is adapted to generate an audio output signal based on said audio data.
  • the audio system when said audio system is configured to operate in slave mode, the audio system: selectively transmits data including control data representing a control change request message to a second said audio system operating in master mode; and
  • the audio system in response to receiving said control data representing said control change acknowledgement message from the second said audio system operating in master mode, the audio system is automatically configured to operate in master mode.
  • the audio system when said audio system is configured to operate in master mode, the audio system: receives data including control data representing a control change request message from a second said audio system operating in slave mode; and
  • the audio system in response to receiving said control data representing said control change request message, the audio system is automatically configured to operate in slave mode, and send control data representing a control change acknowledge message to the second said audio system operating in slave mode.
  • the audio system sends data including control data for controlling a second said audio system operating in master mode to perform at least one of the following: (i) increase a volume level; (ii) decrease a volume level; (iii) enter a power on state; (iv) enter a standby power state; (v) pause audio playback; or (vi) resume audio playback.
  • the audio system when said audio system is configured to operate in operating master mode, in response to receiving data including first control data from a second said audio system operating in slave mode, the audio system:
  • the audio system when said audio system is operating in slave mode, the audio system:
  • connection quality score based on the first score, the second score and the third score
  • the audio system when said audio system is operating in master mode, the audio system:
  • connection quality score receives a connection quality score from a second said audio system operating in slave mode; controls the transmission of said audio data to the second said audio system based on said connection quality score.
  • an audio processing method for use in an audio system including:
  • wireless communications module in response to said input sensor detecting said single user action associated with said grouping action, wirelessly transmittings and receiving data including control data with a second said audio system, said control data including data for establishing a wireless communications connection between the audio system and the second said audio system, the wireless communications module then wirelessly transmitting data including audio data representing said audio input signal to the second said audio system over the established wireless communications connection.
  • the method includes generating an audio output signal representing sound based on said audio input signal.
  • said wireless communications connection between the audio system and the second said audio system is one of:
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed in response to said input sensors detecting said single user action associated with said grouping action:
  • the predetermined identifier requirements include one or more of the following: the network identifier includes a predetermined string of characters;
  • the network identifier includes characters matching a predetermined pattern
  • the network identifier is contained in a stored list of network identifiers previously accessed by the audio system;
  • the network identifier is contained in a predetermined list of network identifiers.
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system determines that said network identifier corresponds to a second said audio system:
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system does not receive any said network identifier within a set period of time, or if said audio system determines that any received said network identifier does not satisfy any of the predetermined identifier requirements:
  • the method comprises the further steps of:
  • the audio system when the audio system is configured to operate in slave mode, receiving data including audio data representing said audio input signal transmitted from a second said audio system operating in master mode, and generating an audio output signal based on said audio data.
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system is configured to operate in slave mode:
  • control data representing a control change request message
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system is configured to operate in master mode:
  • control data representing a control change request message from a second said audio system operating in slave mode
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system is configured to operate in slave mode:
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system is configured to operate in operating master mode, in response to receiving data including first control data from a second said audio system operating in slave mode:
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system is operating in slave mode:
  • connection quality score based on the first score, the second score and the third score
  • the method comprises of the following further steps performed when said audio system is operating in master mode:
  • connection quality score from a second said audio system operating in slave mode; controlling the transmission of said audio data to the second said audio system based on said connection quality score.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the components that may be used to implement one or more of the features of the present invention
  • FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the key modules in the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2B is an example of a user interface provided by the display module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a flowchart of a main control process performed by the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart of an audio input selection process performed by the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5 is a flowchart of a grouping process performed by the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 6 is a flowchart of an audio output control process performed by the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a flowchart of a power control process performed by the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a flowchart of a configuration management process performed by the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 9 is a flowchart of a transmission quality control process performed on a slave device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 10 is a flowchart of a transmission quality control process performed on a master device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the synchronisation communications performed by the audio system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the components that may be used to implement the features of the present invention.
  • an audio device 100 implements one or more of the features of the present invention.
  • the audio device 100 may be an independent audio playback device (e.g. a portable speaker unit), or the audio device 100 may be a sound system with one or more integrated or external speaker units.
  • Each speaker unit may include one or more drivers.
  • a driver refers to a single electroacoustic transducer for producing sound in response to an electrical audio input signal from an audio source.
  • the audio device 100 receives an audio input signal from an integrated or external audio source 102 via a wired or wireless connection 104.
  • the audio device 100 operates in master mode, and controls the speaker units connected to the audio device 100 to generate sound based on the audio input signal.
  • the audio device 100 operating in master mode may connect to one or more other audio device 106, 106' via a wireless communications connection.
  • the audio device 100 communications with each of the other audio devices 106, 106' via a separate, direct, peer-to-peer wireless communications connection 108, 108' (e.g. an IEEE 802.11 adhoc WiFi connection).
  • the audio device 100 can automatically form a direct peer-to- peer wireless communications connection 108, 108' with another audio device 106, 106' by the user simply pressing a button on each of the devices 100, 106, 106' without the need to provide any further input or further configure settings relating to these devices 100, 106, 106'.
  • the audio devices 100, 106, 106' each establishes its own communications connection with a wireless network 110, and communicates with each other by data transmissions over the wireless network 110.
  • FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the key modules of the audio system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • each audio device 100, 106, 106' in Figure 1 implements the audio system 200 in Figure 2A.
  • the audio system 200 includes a user input module 202, display module 204, memory module 206, audio input module 208, audio output module 210, one or more integrated or external speaker units 212, a communications module 214, and an audio processing module 216.
  • the user interface module 202 includes one or more input sensors for detecting different user actions that are each associated with a different control action for controlling the operations performed by the audio processing module 216.
  • an input sensor may be a button for detecting a single user action (e.g. a press of the button) that triggers the audio processing module 216 to perform a corresponding control action.
  • the same input sensor may be adapted to detect different user actions (e.g. a short press of the button as well as a long press of the same button) which can in turn trigger different corresponding control actions to be performed.
  • the display module 204 includes one or more display indicators for displaying information to the user relating to different control actions.
  • a display indicator can comprise of one or more of the following: a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display, and/or a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD).
  • Figure 2B is a diagram of an exemplary user interface 201 of input sensors and display indicators provided by the user interface module 202 and display module 204.
  • the user interface 201 includes: (i) a power control input sensor (or button) 203 for detecting one or more user actions for power control; (ii) a use wireless source input sensor (or button) 205 for detecting one or more user actions relating to a connection with a wireless audio source; (iii) a grouping input sensor (or button) 207 for detecting one or more user actions relating to grouping; (iv) a play/pause input sensor (or button) 209 for detecting one or more user actions for playback control; and/or (v) a volume control input sensor (or dial) 211 for detecting one or more user actions for volume control.
  • a power control input sensor or button 203 for detecting one or more user actions for power control
  • a use wireless source input sensor (or button) 205 for detecting one or more user actions relating to a connection with a wireless audio source
  • a grouping input sensor (or button) 207 for detecting one or more user actions relating to grouping
  • the user interface 201 may also include: (i) a first display indicator 213 for displaying information relating to a connection with a wireless audio source; (ii) a second display indicator 215 for displaying information relating to grouping; (iii) a third display indicator 217 for displaying information relating to volume and/or power control; and/or (iv) a fourth display indicator for display information relating to data transmission/reception quality.
  • the audio input module 208 includes means for selectively receiving an audio input signal from one or more integrated or external audio sources (not shown in Figure 2A) via a wired or wireless connection.
  • the audio source may be a mobile phone, MP3 player, CD player, DVD player, Blu-ray player, digital media content player, external data storage media, or AM/FM radio receiver that is connected to audio input module 208 via a wired connection (e.g. via a RCA, USB, optical input, coaxial input, or internal data communications bus) or a wireless connection (e.g. a Bluetooth connection or other radio connection capable of transmitting data).
  • the audio input module 208 may be selectively configured to enable the reception of audio input signals from any audio source, or a specific audio source selected by the user, or only an audio source via a wired connection, or only an audio source via a wireless connection.
  • the audio input module 208 passes the audio input signal received to the audio processing module 216 for processing.
  • the audio processing module 216 may direct the received audio input signal to the audio output module 210, which may include an analog-to-digital signal converter, digital signal processor and other similar or related circuitry for adjusting or enhancing the quality or a listener's perception of the sound represented by the audio input signal based on predetermined parameters or parameter settings provided and/or adjusted by the user.
  • the audio output module 210 generates an audio output signal based on the audio input signal (or enhanced audio input signal).
  • the audio output signal is passed to one or more integrated or external speaker units 212.
  • the audio output signal is passed to an external headphone unit (e.g. via a RCA or 3.5mm audio jack connection).
  • the audio processing module 216 may also (or alternatively) direct the received audio input signal to the communications module 214, which is then compressed (e.g. using Opus 192kbps compression) before it is transmitted to one or more other slave audio devices 106, 106' for processing and playback via the corresponding audio system 200 in these devices 106, 106'.
  • the communications module 214 which is then compressed (e.g. using Opus 192kbps compression) before it is transmitted to one or more other slave audio devices 106, 106' for processing and playback via the corresponding audio system 200 in these devices 106, 106'.
  • the communications module 214 is responsible for establishing and managing the separate wireless communications connections with each of the one or more other slave audio devices 106, 106'.
  • the audio devices 100, 106, 106' can communicate with each other and are treated as belonging to the same group, and for example, each of the audio devices 100, 106, 106' are associated with the same group identifier that is generated and/or provided by the master audio device 100.
  • the communications module 214 of a master audio device 100 can send control data to one or more of the slave audio devices 106, 106' to control the operations performed by the slave audio devices 106, 106' (e.g. including the playback status, volume level, power state, grouping etc.).
  • the communications module 214 of a master audio device 100 can also receive control data from a slave audio device 106, 106' (e.g. including requests for changing the playback status, volume level, power state of all devices 100, 106, 106' in the group, and/or the grouping and master/slave status for that specific slave audio device 106, 106').
  • control data e.g. including requests for changing the playback status, volume level, power state of all devices 100, 106, 106' in the group, and/or the grouping and master/slave status for that specific slave audio device 106, 106').
  • the communications module 214 communicates with the master audio device 100 to establish is mainly responsible for establishing a wireless communications connection with the master audio device 100, listening for audio data from the master audio device 100 (which is passed to the audio processing module 216 for processing and playback via the audio output module 210), and receive control data from the master audio device 100 (which is passed to the audio processing module 216 to implement the corresponding control operations specified in the control data).
  • the audio processing module 216 is a microprocessor that operates under the control of computer readable code, signals and/or instructions stored in the memory module 206 to perform the operations and functions of each of the audio input selection module 218, grouping module 220, audio control module 222, configuration management module 224, transmission quality control module 226 and related sub-modules (as described with references to Figures 3-10 below).
  • the audio processing module 216 may also access and update settings data stored in the memory module 206.
  • the memory module 206 can comprise of any electronically accessible data storage means, and for example, can comprise of one or more of the following: Random Access Memory (RAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and magnetic data storage devices (e.g. a hard disk).
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • ROM Read-Only Memory
  • EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
  • flash memory e.g. a hard disk
  • magnetic data storage devices e.g. a hard disk
  • the audio processing module 216 will update or replace the existing code, signals and/or instructions stored in the memory module 206 (in whole or in part) with the new code, signals and/or instructions received.
  • the audio processor 216 In the event that the an error is encountered during the update or replacement process, and/or where it is detected that a feature of the audio system 100 is unable to function normally (as described herein) as a result of the update or replacement of code, signals and/or instructions in the memory module 206, the audio processor 216 generates an audio prompt or play a predetermined audio file (or voice prompt) to let the user know of the issue.
  • any of the features (in whole or in part) provided by any one or more of the modules described with reference to Figure2A, and any one or more of the steps (in whole or in part) as described with reference to Figures 3-10, can be implemented using hardware (e.g. by one or more discrete circuits, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and/or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)), or using software (e.g. the relevant features are performed by a digital processor module operating under the control of code, signals and/or instructions accessed from memory), or using a combination of hardware and software as described above. Selecting whether to implement the invention in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software is merely a matter of implementation choice, and presents no technical difficulty to a person skilled in the art.
  • ASICs Application Specific Integrated Circuits
  • FPGAs Field Programmable Gate Arrays
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a main control process 300 performed by the audio processing module 216 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the main control process 300 starts when the power control input sensor 203 detects a single user action corresponding to a power on action/event (e.g. a single press of the power control input sensor 203).
  • the display module 204 and audio output module 210 generate an audio and/or visual effect corresponding to the power on action/event under the control of the audio processing module 216.
  • the audio effect may be one beep
  • the visual effect may involve the third display indicator 217 lighting up.
  • the main control process 300 then performs an audio input process 306 (as described with reference to Figure 4), a grouping process 308 (as described with reference to Figure 5), an audio output control process 310 (as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7), and a configuration management process (as described with reference to Figure 8) in sequence until the power control input sensor 203 detects a user action corresponding to a power off action/event, or power is disconnected from the audio device 100, 106, 106'.
  • Figure 4 is a flowchart of an audio input selection process 400 performed by the audio processing module 216 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Step 402 determines whether the audio system 200 is currently set to operate in master mode and is connected to an audio source, and if so, process 400 ends.
  • step 404 determines whether the audio system 200 is current set to operate in slave mode and is connected to a master audio device 100, and if so, processing continues at step 408. Otherwise, step 406 determines whether the use wireless source input sensor 205 has detected a single user action corresponding to a use wireless source action/event, and if no such user action is detected, process 400 ends. Otherwise, processing continues at step 408.
  • the audio processing module 216 saves the user's currently selected enabled and disabled audio source settings in the memory module 206, and then enables all audio sources at step 410 to see what type of audio sources are connected to the audio input module 208. If step 412 determines that the audio input module 208 is connected to a wired audio source, then all wireless audio source inputs are disabled at step 414, and the audio input module 208 receives an audio input signal from the wired audio source. If step 412 determines that the audio input module 208 is not connected to a wired audio source, it determines whether there are identifiers (e.g.
  • the audio input module 208 attempts to connect to the last wireless audio source based on the identifier. If step 416 determines that there are no such identifiers in the memory module 206, the audio input module 208 attempts to connect to a new wireless audio source (e.g. by waiting for a connection request).
  • the display module 204 and audio output module 210 generate an audio and/or visual effect corresponding to the wireless source connecting action/event under the control of the audio processing module 216. For example, there may be no audio effect, and the visual effect may involve the first display indicator 213 flashing at set periodic intervals.
  • step 424 determines that no connection has been made, then processing continues at step 416 until step 426 determines that a timeout event has occurred.
  • a timeout event may include one or more of the following events: (i) exceeding a predetermined number of unsuccessful attempts; (ii) exceeding a predetermined period of time starting from the first attempt to retry the relevant action. If step 426 detects a timeout event, then if step 428 determines that the audio system 200 is currently set to operate in master mode, process 400 ends while keeping all audio sources enabled (to allow the master audio device 100 to connect to any type of audio source when it becomes available). If step 428 determines that the audio system 200 is currently set to operate to slave mode, then step 430 restores the audio source settings saved at step 408, and process 400 ends.
  • step 424 determines that a connection has been successfully made, then the identifier of the wireless audio source is stored in the memory module 206 at step 432, all wired audio sources are disabled at step 434, and then at step 436, the display module 204 and audio output module 210 generate an audio and/or visual effect corresponding to successfully connecting to a wireless audio source action/event.
  • the audio effect may be two beeps, and the visual effect may involve the first display indicator 213 being permanently lit until the wireless connection is lost.
  • the audio input module 208 then received an audio input signal from the wireless audio source. If step 440 determines that the audio system 200 is currently set to operate in master mode, or the mode of operation is not set at all (e.g.
  • step 400 determines that the audio system 200 is currently set to operate in slave mode, but that (at step 444) it is not connected to a master audio device 100, then the audio system 200 is set to operate in master mode at step 442, and then process 400 ends. If step 440 determines that the audio system 200 is current set to operate in slave mode, and that (at step 44) it is connected to a master audio device 100, then because the audio system 200 has connected to an audio source, it performs the following steps to substitute itself to be the new master audio device 100 in the group.
  • the audio processing module 216 controls the communications module 214 to send a master change request message to the current master audio device 100 in the group. The communications module 214 then waits for a master change acknowledgement message (at step 448) until step 450 detects a timeout event, where process 400 ends without making any change to the operating mode of the audio system 200.
  • step 448 determines that a master change acknowledgement message has been received, then the audio system 200 is set to operate in master mode (at step 452), the communications module 214 is configured to serve as a wireless access point for other slave audio devices 106, 106' to connect to (at step 454), and the identifier of the audio system 200 (e.g. the Service Set Identifier (SSID)) is broadcasted at step 456 to invite other slave audio devices 106, 106' in the group to connect to the audio system 200 serving as the new master audio device 100.
  • SSID Service Set Identifier
  • Step 502 determines the operating mode of the audio system 200. If there is no operating mode has yet been set for the audio system 200 (e.g. when the audio system 200 first starts up and it is not connected to an audio source), step 542 controls the communications module 214 to listen for a broadcast of a network identifier (e.g. an SSID), and then determine whether any of the received network identifiers corresponds to another audio system 200 on the basis that the received network identifier satisfies one or more predetermined identifier requirements.
  • the predetermined identifier requirements may include one or more of the following:
  • the received network identifier including a predetermined string of characters (e.g. including a predetermined name);
  • the received network identifier includes characters matching a predetermined pattern made up of one or more characters, numbers and/or other symbols; (ill) the received network identifier is contained in a stored list of network identifiers (e.g. SSIDs) previously accessed by the audio system 200; and
  • the received network identifier is contained in a predetermined list of approved network identifiers.
  • Step 542 keeps listening for a network identifier that satisfies one or more of the predetermined identifier requirements until step 546 detects a timeout event. If step 542 determines that is has received a network identifier that satisfies one or more of the predetermined identifier requirements, then the audio system 200 is configured to operate in slave mode at step 544 and processing continues from step 510 to send control data to attempt to connect to the other audio system. Otherwise, step 546 detects a timeout event, then it is assumed that there is no other audio system who wishes to become a new master audio device 100, and the audio system 200 therefore configures itself to operate in master mode at step 548 to become the new master audio device 100 in the group, and processing continues from step 524.
  • step 504 performs the same detection as step 542, and keeps listening for a network identifier that satisfies one or more of the predetermined identifier requirements until step 506 detects a timeout event. In that event, it is assumed that there is no other audio system who wishes to become a new master audio device 100, and the audio system 200 therefore configures itself to operate in master mode at step 5088 to become the new master audio device 100 in the group, and process 500 ends.
  • step 504 detects a network identifier that satisfies one or more of the predetermined identifier requirements, then at step 510, the display module 204 and audio output module 210 generate an audio and/or visual effect corresponding to the grouping action/event under the control of the audio processing module 216.
  • the audio event may be one beep
  • the visual effect may involve the second display indicator 215 flashing at set periodic intervals.
  • the audio system 200 operating in slave mode sends control data representing a connection request message to the master audio device 100 in the group.
  • step 514 the audio system 200 waits for control data representing a connection acknowledgement message until step 516 detects a timeout event.
  • the audio system 200 retrieves the group identifier from (and preferably generated by) the master audio device 100 (at step 518), stores the group identifier and network identifier of the master audio device 100 in the memory module 206 (at step 520), and then at step 522, the display module 204 and audio output module 210 generate an audio and/or visual effect corresponding the successfully grouping action/event under the control of the audio processing module 216.
  • the audio event may be two beeps, and the visual effect may involve the second display indicator 215 being permanently lit until the grouping connection is lost.
  • Process 500 then ends, and control returns to the main control process 300.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an audio output control process 600 performed by the audio processing module 216 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Step 602 determines whether the audio system 200 is configured to operate in master or slave mode. If the audio system 200 is operating in master mode, then at step 606 the audio processing module 216 controls the communications module 214 to transmit audio data representing the audio input signal received from the audio input module 208. At step 608, the audio processing module 216 controls the audio output module 210 to generate an audio output signal based on the audio input signal received (which the one or more speaker units 212 or headphone unit uses to generate sound).
  • the audio processing module 216 controls the communications module 214 to listen for audio data from the master audio device 100 in the group, and then at step 608, controls the audio output module 210 to generate audio output signals based on the received audio data (which the one or more speaker units 212 or headphone unit uses to generate sound).
  • Step 610 determines whether the volume control input sensor 211 has detected a volume increase action/event (e.g. by turning the sensor dial 211 in a volume increasing direction). If so, step 612 increases the current playback volume of the audio system 200 by a predetermined value corresponding to the degree to which the sensor dial 211 has been adjusted in the volume increasing direction. Step 614 then stores the new volume level in the memory module 206. At step 615, the audio system 200 operating as a master audio device 100 sends the updated volume level to all slave audio devices 106, 106' in the group (which is automatically implemented by the slave audio devices 106, 106').
  • a volume increase action/event e.g. by turning the sensor dial 211 in a volume increasing direction.
  • the audio system 200 operating as a slave audio device 106, 106' automatically implements the new volume level received as part of the control data from the master audio device 100.
  • the display module 204 and audio output module 210 generate an audio and/or visual effect corresponding to the volume increase adjustment action/event. For example, there may be no audio effect, and the visual effect may be a gradual increase in the proportion of the third display indicator 217 being lit, where the entire third display indicator 217 being lit represents a greatest volume level, and a minimum proportion of the third display indicator 217 being lit represents a smallest volume level.
  • Step 618 determines whether the volume control input sensor 211 has detected a volume decrease action/event (e.g. by turning the sensor dial 211 in a volume decreasing direction). If so, step 620 decreases the current playback volume of the audio system 200 by a predetermined value corresponding to the degree to which the sensor dial 211 has been adjusted in the volume decreasing direction. Steps 614 and 615 are performed in the same way as described above.
  • the display module 204 and audio output module 210 generate an audio and/or visual effect corresponding to the volume decrease adjustment action/event. For example, there may be no audio effect, and the visual effect may be a gradual decrease in the proportion of the third display indicator 217 being lit.
  • Step 622 determines whether the grouping input sensor 207 has detected a grouping action/event (e.g. a press of the grouping button 207). If so, step 624 passes control to the grouping process 500.
  • Step 626 determines whether the use wireless source input sensor 205 has detected a wireless source input selection action/event (e.g. a press of the use wireless source button 205). If so, step 628 passes control to the audio input selection process 400.
  • Step 630 determines whether the power control input sensor 203 has detected a power control action/event (e.g. a press of the power control button 203). If so, step 632 passes control to the power control process 700.
  • a power control action/event e.g. a press of the power control button 203.
  • FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a power control process 700 performed by the audio processing module 216 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Step 702 determines whether the detected power control action/event detected at step 630 corresponds to a short press (e.g. the duration of contact or depression exceeds only a first short timer threshold) or a long press (i.e. the duration of contact or depression exceeds both the first short time threshold and a second long timer threshold). If step 702 detects a long press, step 704 powers off the audio system 200, and process 700 ends. If step 702 detects a short press, then processing continues from step 706 to toggle the power state of the audio system 200.
  • a short press e.g. the duration of contact or depression exceeds only a first short timer threshold
  • a long press i.e. the duration of contact or depression exceeds both the first short time threshold and a second long timer threshold.
  • Step 706 determines whether the audio system 200 is currently in a power on state (representing the normal power consumption mode for the normal operation of the audio system 200) or a standby power state (representing a minimal power consumption mode when the audio system 200 is not intended for use).
  • the audio system 200 If it is determined that the audio system 200 is in a standby power state (at step 708), and it is currently configured to operate as a slave audio device 106, 106' (at step 712), then the audio system 200 sends control data representing a state change request message to the master audio device 100 to in turn configure all audio devices in the group 100, 106, 106' to a power on state (at step 714).
  • the audio system 200 sends control data representing a state change request message to all slave audio devices 106, 106' in the group to configure all the slave audio device 106, 106' in the group to a power on state (at step 720).
  • Process 700 ends, and control returns to the audio output control process 600.
  • the audio system 200 If it is determined that the audio system 200 is in a power on state (at step 710), and it is currently configured to operate as a slave audio device 106, 106' (at step 722), then the audio system 200 sends control data representing a state change request message to the master audio device 100 to in turn configure all audio devices in the group 100, 106, 106' to a standby power state (at step 724).
  • FIG. 728 is a flowchart of a configuration management process 800 performed by the processing module 216 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Steps 804 to 818 describe the exemplary steps performed by a slave audio device 106, 106' in a group upon receiving control data representing a master change request message.
  • the slave audio device 106, 106' checks whether the group identifier in the control data received corresponds to the group identifier it is currently associated with (which is stored in the memory module 206). If so, it sends control data representing a master change acknowledgement message to the master audio device 100 in the group.
  • the audio processing module 216 of the slave audio device 106, 106' then control the communications module 216 to listen for a new network identifier (which will correspond to the audio device seeking to become the new master audio device 100 of the group), which continues until step 812 detects a timeout event.
  • step 810 The processing performed at step 810 is similar to that in steps 504 and 542. If step 810 detects a new network identifier corresponding to the new master audio device 100, then at step 814, the slave audio device 106, 106' sends control data representing a connection request message to the new master audio device 100. At step 816, when the slave audio device 106, 106' receives control data representing a connection acknowledgement message from the new master audio device 100, a new wireless connection is established between the two audio devices. Process 800 ends.
  • Steps 820 to 826 describe the exemplary steps performed by a slave audio device 106, 106' in a group upon receiving control data representing a state change request message.
  • the slave audio device 106, 106' checks whether the group identifier in the control data received corresponds to the group identifier it is currently associated with (which is stored in the memory module 206).
  • the slave audio device 106, 106' changes the power state of the device to that specified in the state change request message represented by the control data received.
  • the slave audio device 106, 106' sends control data representing a state change acknowledge message to the master audio device 100 confirming that the change has been made.
  • Process 800 ends.
  • Steps 828 to 850 describe the exemplary steps performed by a master audio device 100 in a group upon receiving control data representing a master change request message.
  • the master audio device 100 checks whether the group identifier in the control data received corresponds to the group identifier it is currently associated with (which is stored in the memory module 206).
  • the master audio device 100 sends control data representing a master change acknowledgement message to the slave audio device 106, 106' that sent the original master change request.
  • the master audio device 100 sends control data representing a new master change request message to all slave devices 106, 106' in the group.
  • the master audio device 100 waits to receive control data representing a master change acknowledgement message from all slave audio devices 106, 106' in the group (or until step 838 detects a timeout event) to confirm that have acknowledge the need to connect to a new master audio device in the group.
  • the master audio device 100 configures itself to operate in slave mode.
  • the previous master audio device 100 (now operating in slave mode) listens for a broadcast of a network identifier for the new master audio device 100 in the group, which continues until step 844 detects a timeout event.
  • the processing performed at step 842 is similar to that in steps 504 and 542.
  • step 842 detects a new network identifier corresponding to the new master audio device 100
  • step 846 the previous master audio device 100 (now operating in slave mode) sends control data representing a connection request message to the new master audio device 100.
  • step 848 when the previous master audio device 100 (now operating in slave mode) receives control data representing a connection acknowledgement message from the new master audio device 100, a new wireless connection is established between the two audio devices. Process 800 ends.
  • Steps 852 to 862 describe the exemplary steps performed by a master audio device 100 in a group upon receiving control data representing a state change request message.
  • the master audio device 100 checks whether the group identifier in the control data received corresponds to the group identifier it is currently associated with (which is stored in the memory module 206).
  • the master audio device 100 changes the power state of the device to that specified in the state change request message represented by the control data received.
  • the master audio device 100 sends control data representing a state change acknowledge message to all of the slave audio devices 106, 106' in the group to configure them to the same power state as specified in the state change request message represented by the control data received.
  • the master audio device 100 waits to receive control data representing a state change acknowledge message from all of the slave audio device 106, 106' in the group (or until step 862 detects a timeout event) to confirm that they have implemented the power state change as requested.
  • Process 800 ends.
  • FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a transmission quality control process 900 performed on a slave device 106, 106' according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Process 900 is performed continuously in the background as the slave audio device 106, 106' performs other processes (e.g. the main control process 300).
  • Step 902 generates a first score representing a number of instances of where an audio data buffer underrun event has occurred (e.g. an event where the rate at which data - such as audio data received from the master audio device - is provided to the audio data buffer is lower than the rate at which data is read from the audio data buffer).
  • Step 904 generates a second score representing a number of instances where an audio data packet loss event has occurred (e.g.
  • Step 906 generates a third score representing a received signal strength of data transmissions from the master audio device 100 to the current slave audio device 106, 106' (e.g. a received signal strength value representing, or generated based on, a power level of the radio signals from the master audio device as received by a slave audio device).
  • the received signal strength value may be used to drive the signal level display indicator 219.
  • the received signal strength value may represent a ratio between an actual power level of radio signals received by a particular slave audio device from the master audio device and a maximum power level of such signals, and the received signal strength value may then be used to drive the signal level display indicator 219 to display a corresponding signal value to the user (such as by activating or lighting up a relative or corresponding number of display indicators in or controlled by the signal level display indicator 219).
  • Step 908 generates a connection quality score based on the first score, second score and third score.
  • the connection quality score is generated based on a weighted sum of the first score, second score and third score. Different predetermined weight values may be used with the first score, second score and third score respectively.
  • the predetermined weight values may be adjusted based on one or more parameters stored in memory module 206 and/or one or more parameters (e.g. a status, configuration, count or rate parameter) representing or relating to the current status or operation of the audio data buffer, data packet reception and/or received signal strength.
  • the slave audio device 106, 106' transmits control data including data representing the connection quality score to the master audio device 100 in the group.
  • FIG 10 is a flowchart of a transmission quality control process 1000 performed on a master device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • Process 1000 is performed continuously in the background as the master audio device 100 performs other processes (e.g. the main control process 300).
  • the master audio device 100 receives a connection quality score from and specific to a slave audio device 106, 106'. If step 1004 determines that data transmissions to the specific slave audio device 106, 106' is currently not on hold, then step 1006 determines whether the connection quality score for the specific slave audio device falls below minimum threshold requirements (e.g. the connection quality score falls belong a minimum threshold value). If so, step 1008 temporarily holds data transmissions to the specific slave audio device 106, 106'.
  • minimum threshold requirements e.g. the connection quality score falls belong a minimum threshold value
  • step 1004 determines that the data transmissions to the specific slave audio device 106, 106' is currently on hold
  • step 1010 determines whether the connection quality score for the specific slave audio device 106, 106' satisfies resumption requirements (e.g. the connection quality score is above the minimum resumption requirement value, or that a set period of time has passed). If so, step 1012 resumes data transmissions to the specified slave audio device 106, 106'.
  • resumption requirements e.g. the connection quality score is above the minimum resumption requirement value, or that a set period of time has passed.
  • FIG 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the synchronisation communications performed by the audio processing module 216 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a slave audio device 106, 106' first synchronises its local audio clock with the audio clock of the master audio device 100, which is preferably done using the Network Time Protocol (NTP) in communications between the slave audio device 106, 106' and master audio device 100.
  • NTP Network Time Protocol
  • the master audio device 100 transmits data including audio data to the one or more slave audio device 106, 106' in the group as data packets (preferably using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP)), where each packet includes embedded presentation timestamps so that each slave audio device 106, 106' can determine when to play which data packet in order to synchronise the playback of audio by all speakers of the audio devices 100, 106, 106' in the group.
  • the master audio device 100 establishes reliable communication channel over Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) with each of the slave audio device 106, 106' in the group to exchange control data including data representing control status information for the grouping function.
  • TCP Transmission Control Protocol

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système audio, comprenant : un module d'entrée audio pour recevoir un signal d'entrée audio en provenance d'une source; un module d'interface utilisateur comprenant un ou plusieurs capteur(s) d'entrée, au moins l'un desdits capteur(s) étant conçu pour détecter une action d'utilisateur unique associée à une action de groupement, et un ou plusieurs indicateur(s) d'affichage pour afficher des informations à l'intention de l'utilisateur concernant ladite action de groupement; et un module de communication sans fil qui, en réponse à la détection, par ledit capteur d'entrée, de ladite action d'utilisateur unique associée à ladite action de groupement, transmet et reçoit de manière sans fil des données comprenant des données de commande avec un dit second système audio, lesdites données de commande comprenant des données pour établir une connexion de communication sans fil entre le système audio et ledit second système audio, le module de communication sans fil transmettant ensuite de manière sans fil des données comprenant des données audio représentant ledit signal d'entrée audio audit second système audio sur la connexion de communication sans fil établie.
PCT/EP2015/070069 2015-09-02 2015-09-02 Système et procédé audio comprenant une fonction de groupement WO2017036524A1 (fr)

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WO2018017562A1 (fr) * 2016-07-18 2018-01-25 Bose Corporation Dispositif de lecture audio maître à changement dynamique

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US20150067054A1 (en) * 2013-08-29 2015-03-05 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for sharing media data and electronic device thereof

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WO2018017562A1 (fr) * 2016-07-18 2018-01-25 Bose Corporation Dispositif de lecture audio maître à changement dynamique
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