MULTI-CONNECTION DEVICE AND MULTI-CONNECTION METHOD

Abstract

The multi-connection method includes following steps: simultaneously establishing a first connection with a right channel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a left channel unit of the headphone during a connection time by a Bluetooth module; processing a first electrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a second electrical signal transmitted via the second connection by a processor; wherein the processor is coupled to the Bluetooth module; wherein the processor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/579,904, filed Nov. 1, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-connections method and a multi-connection device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-connection method and a multi-connection device for connecting the multiple sound devices by an electronic device.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Recently, the sound devices, e.g., speaker and external microphone, are becoming common peripheral accessories of smart phone. In general, the traditional method for connecting one smart phone to two speakers is that the smart phone connects to one speaker firstly, and then the speaker connects to another speaker to finish the connections.

However, the traditional method is not flexible to apply different applications. For example, the speaker connected to the smart phone is hard to connect to another speaker when a distance between these two speakers is too far. Therefore, it is important to provide a method and a system to connecting the multiple sound devices by an electronic device.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is related to a multi-connection device. A multi-connection device comprises a Bluetooth module and a processor. The Bluetooth module simultaneously establishes a first connection with a right channel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a left channel unit of the headphone during a connection time. The processor is coupled to the Bluetooth module. The processor is configured for processing a first electrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a second electrical signal transmitted via the second connection. The processor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is related to a multi-connection method. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the multi-connection method includes following steps: simultaneously establishing a first connection with a right channel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a left channel unit of the headphone during a connection time by a Bluetooth module; processing a first electrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a second electrical signal transmitted via the second connection by a processor; wherein the processor is coupled to the Bluetooth module; wherein the processor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal.

In this embodiment, the multi-connection device and the multi-connection method can control the voices outputted by sound devices according to a whispering mode, a volume up mode or a translation mode. And, the multi-connection system and the multi-connection system can flexibly switch to different modes by manual configuration, RSSI detection or Usonic detection. The present disclosure enhances the application of the sound devices by establishing the multi-connection directly between the electronic device and sound devices, without other device. No connection need to be established between sound devices each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard, another communication technology is within the contemplate scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-connection system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a multi-connection method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3-6 depict schematic diagrams of the scenarios applying the multi-connection method according to one embodiment of present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the embodiments.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “electrically connected” to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Moreover, “electrically connect” or “connect” can further refer to the interoperation or interaction between two or more elements.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the terms “comprise” or “comprising,” “include” or “including,” “have” or “having,” “contain” or “containing” and the like used herein are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the phrase “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

Reference is made to FIGS. 1-2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-connection system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a multi-connection method 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the multi-connections system 100 includes a headphone HDP having a left channel unit LCU, a sound device SDR, and an electronic device ED. The left channel unit LCU includes microphone MIL and speaker SPL. The right channel unit RCU includes microphone MIR and speaker SPR. The electronic device ED includes a wireless connection module WCM and a processor PCR.

In one embodiment, the microphones MIL, MIR can be implemented by any component with radio function. In one embodiment, the speaker SPL, SPR can be implemented by any component with sound playing function. In one embodiment, the electronic device ED can be implemented by a smart phone, a laptop, a panel or other electronic device with computing function. In one embodiment, the wireless connection module WCM can be implemented by Bluetooth module, Wi-Fi device or other wireless communication device. The Bluetooth module can be implemented by Qualcomm IC QCC3026, QCC 5121, or etc. In one embodiment, the processor PCR can be implemented by a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a logic circuit.

In step 210, wireless connection module WCM (e.g., a Bluetooth module) simultaneously establishes a first connection with a right channel unit RCU of a headphone HDP and a second connection with a left channel unit LCU of the headphone HDP during a connection time.

In one embodiment, a wireless connection module WCM establishes a first connection BL1 between the electronic device ED and the left channel unit LCU and establishes a second connection BL2 between the electronic device ED and the right channel unit RCU.

In one embodiment, a user can wear the left channel unit LCU on his/her left ear and another user can wear the right channel unit RCU on his/her right ear. In one embodiment, each the left channel unit LCU and the right channel unit RCU includes a connection unit such as Bluetooth module or Wi-Fi module (not illustrated).

In one embodiment, the wireless connection module WCM establishes the first connection BL1 by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi between the wireless connection module WCM and the sound device SDR and establishes the second connection BL2 by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi between the wireless connection module WCM and the right channel unit RCU in the same time. In other words, the wireless connection module WCM simultaneously establishes the first connection BL2 with the right channel unit RCU of the headphone HDP and the second connection with a left channel unit LCU of the headphone HDP during a connection time.

In step 220, processor PCR processes a first electrical signal transmitted via the first connection BL1 or a second electrical signal transmitted via the second connection BL2.

In one embodiment, a microphone (e.g., microphone MIL) of the left channel unit LCU converts a sound into an electrical signal and transmits the electrical signal to the electronic device ED through the connection (e.g., first connection BL1).

In one embodiment, a microphone MIR of the right channel unit RCU converts a sound into an electrical signal and transmits the electrical signal to the electronic device ED through the second connection BL2.

In one embodiment, the sound received by the microphones MIL, MIR can be the environment voice and/or the user's voice.

In step 230, the processor PCR adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal. The processor PCR is coupled to the wireless connection module WCM (e.g., a Bluetooth module).

In one embodiment, the processor PCR of the electronic device ED adjusts the electrical signal received from the sound device (e.g., left channel unit LCU) to generate another electrical signal and transmits another electronic signal to another sound device (e.g., right channel unit RCU).

In one embodiment, the processor PCR of the electronic device ED adjusts the electrical signal received from the right channel unit RCU to another electrical signal and transmits another electronic signal to the another left channel unit LCU.

In one embodiment, the speaker (e.g., speaker SPR) of another sound device (e.g., right channel unit RCU) converts the received another electrical signal into another sound.

In one embodiment, the speaker SPL of another left channel unit LCU converts another electrical signal into another sound.

The embodiments above are combinable and even can be separately implemented. For example, the wireless connection module WCM establishes a first connection BL1 between the electronic device ED and the left channel unit LCU and establishes a second connection BL2 between the electronic device ED and the right channel unit RCU. The microphone MIL converts a first sound (e.g., the user's voice) into a first electrical signal and the left channel unit LCU transmits the first electrical signal to the electronic device ED through the first connection BL1. The processor PCR adjusts (e.g., changing volume or translating to other language) the first electrical signal received from the left channel unit LCU to generate the second electrical signal and transmits the second electronic signal to the right channel unit RCU. The speaker SPR converts the second electrical signal into a second sound, so that another user can hear the adjusted voice. On another aspect, the microphone MIR converts a third sound (e.g., another user's voice) into a third electrical signal to the electronic device ED through the second connection BL2. The processor PCR adjusts (e.g., changing volume or translating to other language) the third electrical signal received from the right channel unit RCU to generate a fourth electrical signal and transmits the fourth electronic signal to the left channel unit LCU. The speaker SPL converts a fourth electrical signal into a fourth sound, so that the user can hear the adjusted voice.

FIGS. 3-6 depict schematic diagrams of the scenarios applying the multi-connection method according to one embodiment of present invention. In one embodiment, the processor PCR witches to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode, the detail is described as follows.

In the FIG. 3, when user A is riding a scooter and user B is a passenger, user A can wear the right channel unit RCU and user B can wear the left channel unit LCU. The electronic device ED can be placed in the pocket of user A (or user B). In this way, the processor PCR switches to a whispering mode to adjust the third electrical signal received from right channel unit RCU to generate the fourth electrical signal and transmit the fourth electronic signal to left channel unit LCU. The whispering mode is for performing a short distance conversation. Thus, user A can talk to user B without the louder voice when user A is riding the scooter.

In the FIG. 4A, user A and user B are in a library. When user A wants to talk to user B in a whisper, user A can wear the right channel unit RCU and user B can wear the left channel unit LCU. The electronic device ED can be placed on the table or any place in the wireless communication area of the electronic device ED. In this way, the processor PCR switches to a whispering mode to adjust the third electrical signal received from right channel unit RCU to generate the fourth electrical signal and transmits the fourth electronic signal to left channel unit LCU. The whispering mode is for performing a short distance conversation. Thus, user A can talk to user B in a whisper.

In one embodiment, the processor PCR witches to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode according to a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) signal detected by the wireless connection module WCM. If the RSSI signal is larger than a RSSI threshold, the processor PCR switches to the whispering mode. For example, when the electronic device ED placed on the table, the RSSI signal detected by the wireless connection module WCM is larger than a RSSI threshold (e.g., 30 dB), it means that distance between the right channel unit RCU and the left channel unit LCU is larger than a region (but still in the wireless communication area of the electronic device ED, so that the electronic device ED still can detect the RSSI signal), and the processor PCR switches to the whispering mode.

In the FIG. 4B, the processor PCR detects a degree DG (e.g., angle degree) between the right channel unit RCU and the left channel unit LCU. In a personal use situation, the processor PCR detects the degree DG is smaller than a degree threshold (e.g., 90 degree), and determines that the right channel unit RCU and the left channel unit LCU are in the ears of one user (e.g., shown as FIG. 4B). In two persons use situation, if the degree DG is larger than the degree threshold, the processor PCR determines that the right channel unit RCU and the left channel unit LCU are in different users' ears (e.g., shown as FIG. 4C).

In the FIG. 5, user A is an American boy only can speak English and user B is a Spanish girl only can speak Spanish. User B can wear the right channel unit RCU and user A can wear the left channel unit LCU. The electronic device ED can be hold by user A (or user B) or placed in any place in the wireless communication area of the electronic device ED. Due to the limitation language, it is hard for user A and user B directly talking to each other, the processor PCR switches to a translation mode to adjust the first electrical signal received from left channel unit LCU to generate the second electrical signal and transmits the second electronic signal to right channel unit RCU. The translation mode is for translating a first language (e.g., “Hello” in English) to a second language (e.g., “Hola” in Spanish). Similarly, through the translation mode performed by the processor PCR, user B can understand the meaning that user A wants to represent when user A is talking in English. Thus, user A and user B can easily have a conversation.

In the FIG. 6, user A is a boy and user B is user A's (the boy's) grandfather. User A can wear the right channel unit RCU and user B can wear the left channel unit LCU. The electronic device ED can be hold by user A (or user B) or placed in any place in the wireless communication area of the electronic device ED. Due to user B is hard of hearing, the processor PCR switches to a volume up mode to adjust the third electrical signal received from the right channel unit RCU to generate the fourth electrical signal and transmits the fourth electronic signal to left channel unit LCU. The volume up mode is for making the amplifier of the third electrical signal larger. Thus, user B (grandfather) can easily hear the voice talked from the user A (the boy) through the left channel unit LCU.

The embodiments above mentioned can be combined. For example, in FIG. 6, assuming the user B (grandfather) is hard of hearing and only understand Japanese language, and user A is an American boy only can speak English, the processor PCR switches to a volume up mode and then switches to translation mode to adjust the third electrical signal received from right channel unit RCU to generate the fourth electrical signal and transmits the fourth electronic signal to left channel unit LCU. Thus, user B (grandfather) can hear the louder voice with the translated Japanese language. Thus, user B (grandfather) can easily have a conversation with the user A (the boy) through the left channel unit LCU.

The method for switching one electrical signal to a whispering mode, a volume up mode or a translation mode can be implemented by know technology, therefore, the detail description is not mentioned.

In one embodiment, the processor PCR switches to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode according to a input configuration. For example, user can setup the configuration by the interface provided by the electronic device ED (e.g., a configuration interface of a smart phone).

In one embodiment, the processor PCR switches to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode according to a RSSI signal detected by the wireless connection module WCM. If the RSSI signal is larger than a RSSI threshold, the processor PCR switches to the whispering mode.

In one embodiment, the processor PCR adjusts the first electrical signal received from the first sound device to generate the fourth electrical signal according to a USonic signal detected by a USonic module of the left channel unit LCU. The USonic module generates the USonic signal by analyzing the shape of a user's ear canal. The USonic signal is applied to recognize the user, and the sound transfer module adjusts a sound frequency of the first electrical signal corresponding to the user. The technology of USonic is known. Therefore, the detail description of USonic technology is not further mentioned.

For example, in FIG. 6, when the user A (the boy) wears the right channel unit RCU and gives the left channel unit LCU to user B (the grandfather) can wear, the USonic module in the left channel unit LCU detects the USonic signal by analyzing the shape of a user B's ear canal. The USonic signal is transmitted to the electronic device ED, and the processor PCR compares this received USonic signal with known USonic signal storing a database (not shown) to recognize the user B and obtain the personal data corresponding to user B (e.g, the personal data describes that user B is a Japanese and hard of hearing). The processor PCR adjusts the first electrical signal received from the left channel unit LCU to generate the second electrical signal according to the known personal data corresponding to user B. Thus, the processor PCR automatically switches to a volume up mode and then switches to translation mode to adjust the first electrical signal received from the left channel unit LCU to generate the second electrical signal and transmits the second electronic signal to the right channel unit LCU.

Based on above, the multi-connection system and the multi-connection system can control the voices outputted by sound devices according to a whispering mode, a volume up mode or a translation mode. And, the multi-connection system and the multi-connection system can flexibly switch to different modes by manual configuration, RSSI detection or Usonic detection. The present disclosure enhances the application of the sound devices by establishing the multi-connection directly between the electronic device and sound devices, without other device. No connection need to be established between sound devices each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard, another communication technology is within the contemplate scope of the present disclosure.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.

Claims

1. A multi-connection device, comprising:

a Bluetooth module simultaneously establishing a first connection with a right channel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a left channel unit of the headphone during a connection time; and

a processor, coupled to the Bluetooth module, configured for processing a first electrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a second electrical signal transmitted via the second connection;

wherein the processor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal.

2. The multi-connection device of claim 1, wherein the processor further adjusts the second electrical signal to generate the first electrical signal and transmits the first electronic signal to the right channel of the headphone.

3. The multi-connection device of claim 1, wherein the processor switches to a whispering mode, a volume up mode or a translation mode to adjust the first electrical signal to generate the second electronic signal and transmit the second electronic signal to left channel of the headphone;

wherein the whispering mode is for performing a short distance conversation, the volume up mode is for making an amplifier of the first electrical signal larger, and the translation mode is for translating a first language into a second language.

4. The multi-connection device of claim 3, wherein the processor switches to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode according to an input configuration.

5. The multi-connection device of claim 3, wherein the processor switches to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode according to a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) signal detected by the Bluetooth module;

if the RSSI signal is larger than a RSSI threshold, the processor switches to the whispering mode.

6. The multi-connection device of claim 1, wherein the processor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal according to a USonic signal detected by a USonic module of the left channel unit of the speaker;

wherein the USonic module generates the USonic signal by analyzing the shape of a user's ear canal.

7. The multi-connection device of claim 6, wherein the USonic signal is applied to recognize a user and the processor adjusts a sound frequency of the first electrical signal corresponding to the user.

8. The multi-connection device of claim 1, wherein the processor detects a degree between the right channel unit and the left channel unit;

when the degree is larger than a degree threshold, the processor determines that the right channel unit and the left channel unit are in different users' ears.

9. A multi-connection method, comprising:

simultaneously establishing a first connection with a right channel unit of a headphone and a second connection with a left channel unit of the headphone during a connection time by a Bluetooth module; and

processing a first electrical signal transmitted via the first connection or a second electrical signal transmitted via the second connection by a processor; wherein the processor is coupled to the Bluetooth module;

wherein the processor adjusts the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal.

10. The multi-connection method of claim 9, further comprising:

adjusting the second electrical signal to generate the first electrical signal and transmits the first electronic signal to the right channel of the headphone by the processor.

11. The multi-connection method of claim 9, furthering comprising:

switching to a whispering mode, a volume up mode or a translation mode to adjust the first electrical signal to generate the second electronic signal and transmit the second electronic signal to left channel of the headphone by the processor;

wherein the whispering mode is for performing a short distance conversation, the volume up mode is for making an amplifier of the first electrical signal larger, and the translation mode is for translating a first language into a second language.

12. The multi-connection method of claim 11, further comprising:

switching to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode according to an input configuration by the processor.

13. The multi-connection method of claim 11, further comprising:

switching to the whispering mode, the volume up mode or the translation mode by the processor according to a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) signal detected by the Bluetooth module;

if the RSSI signal is larger than a RSSI threshold, the processor switches to the whispering mode.

14. The multi-connection method of claim 9, further comprising:

adjusting the first electrical signal to generate the second electrical signal by the processor according to a USonic signal detected by a USonic module of the left channel unit of the speaker;

wherein the USonic module generates the USonic signal by analyzing the shape of a user's ear canal.

15. The multi-connection device of claim 14, wherein the USonic signal is applied to recognize a user and the processor adjusts a sound frequency of the first electrical signal corresponding to the user.

16. The multi-connection method of claim 9, further comprising:

detecting a degree between the right channel unit and the left channel unit by a processor;

wherein when the degree is larger than a degree threshold, the processor determines that the right channel unit and the left channel unit are in different users' ears.