IP Library Granted Patent US 9,521,503
Granted Patent B2
US 9,521,503 · App. 14/511,264 · Granted Dec 13, 2016

Audio player with bluetooth function and audio playing method thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,521,503
App. No.
14/511,264
Granted
Dec 13, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An audio player with a Bluetooth function and an audio playing method thereof are provided. The audio player includes a master Bluetooth speaker and a plurality of slave Bluetooth speakers. The master Bluetooth speaker receives and decodes a compressed digital audio to generate a decoded time. The slave Bluetooth speakers receive and decode the compressed digital audio to generate another decoded time. After the slave Bluetooth speakers receive the decoded time from master Bluetooth speaker and determine a time difference between the master Bluetooth speaker and the slave Bluetooth speakers, the slave Bluetooth speakers adjust timing for playing an audio from each of the slave Bluetooth speakers. Therefore, the timing for playing the audio from each of the slave Bluetooth speakers can synchronize timing for playing audio from the master Bluetooth speaker.

Claims (45)

1. An audio player with a Bluetooth function, comprising:

a master Bluetooth speaker, configured for having a Bluetooth field, receiving a digital compression audio, and decoding the digital compression audio to generate a master decoded audio and a master decoded time corresponding to the master decoded audio;

a plurality of slave Bluetooth speakers, disposed in the Bluetooth field to receive the digital compression audio transmitted from the master Bluetooth speaker and receiving the master decoded time after the master Bluetooth speaker generating the master decoded time, wherein each slave Bluetooth speaker decodes the digital compression audio to generate a slave decoded audio and a slave decoded time corresponding to the slave decoded audio, and each slave Bluetooth speaker comprises:

a processor, configured for receiving the master decoded time and the slave decoded time and determining a time difference between the master decoded time and the slave decoded time to generate a compensated signal indicating the time difference; and

a compensation element, electrically connected to the processor and configured for receiving the compensated signal and the slave decoded audio, wherein the compensation element adjusts the slave decoded audio based on the compensated signal to synchronize the slave decoded audio and the master decoded audio and accordingly generates a compensated audio;

wherein when the master Bluetooth speaker analogizes the master decoded audio to play the analog master decoded audio, the slave Bluetooth speaker analogizes the compensated audio to synchronously play the analog compensated audio.

2. The audio player according to claim 1 , wherein the master Bluetooth speaker comprises:

a master audio decoder, configured for receiving the digital compression audio by a master Bluetooth transceiver and decoding the digital compression audio to generate the master decoded audio and the master decoded time, and outputting the master decoded time by the master Bluetooth transceiver after generating the master decoded time;

a master digital to analog (D/A) converter, electrically connected to the master audio decoder, wherein the master D/A converter receives the master decoded audio and analogizes the master decoded audio to generate a master sound signal indicating the analog master decoded audio; and

a master sound output element, electrically connected to the master D/A converter and configured for receiving and playing the master sound signal.

3. The audio player according to claim 2 , wherein the master Bluetooth speaker comprises:

a master buffer, electrically connected between the master Bluetooth transceiver and the master audio decoder, the master buffer configured for buffering the digital compression audio by the master Bluetooth transceiver and transmitting the digital compression audio to the master audio decoder.

4. The audio player according to claim 1 , wherein each slave Bluetooth speaker comprises:

a slave audio decoder, electrically connected to the compensation element and the processor, and configured for receiving the digital compression audio transmitted from the master Bluetooth transceiver by a slave Bluetooth transceiver and decoding the digital compression audio to generate the slave decoded audio to the compensation element and generate the slave decoded time to the processor;

a slave digital to analog (D/A) converter, electrically connected to the compensation element, wherein the slave D/A converter receives the compensated audio and analogizes the compensated audio to generate a slave sound signal indicating the analog compensated audio; and

a slave sound output element, electrically connected to the slave D/A converter and configured for receiving and playing the slave sound signal.

5. The audio player according to claim 4 , wherein each slave Bluetooth speaker comprises:

a slave buffer, electrically connected between the slave Bluetooth transceiver and the slave audio decoder, the slave buffer configured for buffering the digital compression audio by the master Bluetooth transceiver and transmitting the digital compression audio to the slave audio decoder.

6. The audio player according to claim 1 , wherein the slave decoded audio is composed of a plurality of audio samples, and when the processor determines the time difference indicating the slave decoded time being later than the master decoded time, the compensation element decreases at least one audio sample of the slave decoded audio to synchronize the slave decoded audio and the master decoded audio.

7. The audio player according to claim 1 , wherein the slave decoded audio is composed of a plurality of audio samples, and when the processor determines the time difference indicating the slave decoded time being ahead of the master decoded time, the compensation element increases at least one audio sample into the slave decoded audio to synchronize the slave decoded audio and the master decoded audio.

8. The audio player according to claim 1 , wherein the master Bluetooth speaker generates the master decoded time after the master Bluetooth speaker decodes the digital compression audio.

9. The audio player according to claim 1 , wherein each slave Bluetooth speaker returns an acknowledged signal to the master Bluetooth speaker after the master Bluetooth speaker transmits the digital compression audio or the master decoded time to the slave Bluetooth speakers, wherein each acknowledged signal indicates whether the corresponding slave Bluetooth speaker receives the digital compression audio or the master decoded time.

10. The audio player according to claim 1 , wherein the master decoded time indicates that a master start time of the master Bluetooth speaker starting decoding the digital compression audio or a master finish time of the master Bluetooth speaker finishing decoding the digital compression audio.

11. The audio player according to claim 10 , wherein when the master decoded time is the master start time, the slave decoded time indicates that a slave start time of the slave Bluetooth speaker starting decoding the digital compression audio, and when the master decoded time is the master finish time, the slave decoded time indicates that a slave finish time of the slave Bluetooth speaker finishing decoding the digital compression audio.

12. An audio playing method with a Bluetooth function, adapted for an audio player with the Bluetooth function, which has a master Bluetooth speaker and a plurality of slave Bluetooth speakers, the master Bluetooth speaker having a Bluetooth field and the slave Bluetooth speakers disposed in the Bluetooth field, and the audio playing method comprising:

receiving a digital compression audio and transmitting the digital compression audio to the slave Bluetooth speakers in the master Bluetooth speaker;

decoding the digital compression audio to generate a master decoded audio and a master decoded time corresponding to the master decoded audio in the master Bluetooth speaker;

receiving the digital compression audio transmitted from the master Bluetooth speaker and receiving the master decoded time after the master Bluetooth speaker generating the master decoded time in each slave Bluetooth speaker;

decoding the digital compression audio to generate a slave decoded audio and a slave decoded time corresponding to the slave decoded audio in each slave Bluetooth speaker;

determining a time difference between the master decoded time and the slave decoded time to generate a compensated signal indicating the time difference in each slave Bluetooth speaker; and

adjusting the slave decoded audio based on the compensated signal to synchronize the slave decoded audio and the master decoded audio, and accordingly generating a compensated audio in each slave Bluetooth speaker;

wherein when the master Bluetooth speaker analogizes the master decoded audio to play the analog master decoded audio, the slave Bluetooth speaker analogizes the compensated audio to synchronously play the analog compensated audio.

13. The audio playing method according to claim 12 , wherein after the step of receiving the digital compression audio in the master Bluetooth speaker, further comprises:

buffering the digital compression audio and decoding the digital compression audio.

14. The audio playing method according to claim 12 , wherein after the step of receiving the digital compression audio in each slave Bluetooth speaker, further comprises:

buffering the digital compression audio and

decoding the digital compression audio.

15. The audio playing method according to claim 12 , wherein the slave decoded audio is composed of a plurality of audio samples, and when determining the time difference indicating the slave decoded time being later than the master decoded time in each slave Bluetooth speaker, decreasing at least one audio sample of the slave decoded audio based on the compensated signal to synchronize the slave decoded audio and the master decoded audio.

16. The audio playing method according to claim 12 , wherein the slave decoded audio is composed of a plurality of audio samples, and when determining the time difference indicating the slave decoded time being ahead of the master decoded time in each slave Bluetooth speaker, increasing at least one audio sample into the slave decoded audio based on the compensated signal to synchronize the slave decoded audio and the master decoded audio.

17. The audio playing method according to claim 12 , wherein after the step of decoding the digital compression audio in the master Bluetooth speaker, further comprises:

generating the master decoded time in the master Bluetooth speaker.

18. The audio playing method according to claim 12 , wherein after the step of transmitting the digital compression audio or the master decoded time to the slave Bluetooth speakers in the master Bluetooth speaker, further comprises:

each slave Bluetooth speaker returns an acknowledged signal to the master Bluetooth speaker, wherein each acknowledged signal indicates whether the corresponding slave Bluetooth speaker receives the digital compression audio or the master decoded time.

19. The audio playing method according to claim 12 , wherein the master decoded time indicates that a master start time of the master Bluetooth speaker starting decoding the digital compression audio or a master finish time of the master Bluetooth speaker finishing decoding the digital compression audio.

20. The audio playing method according to claim 19 , wherein when the master decoded time is the master start time, the slave decoded time indicates that a slave start time of the slave Bluetooth speaker starting decoding the digital compression audio, and when the master decoded time is the master finish time, the slave decoded time indicates that a slave finish time of the slave Bluetooth speaker finishing decoding the digital compression audio.

Assignments (16)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 060894/0437 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059363/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059863/0400 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2022
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059358/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 059666/0545 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2022
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 059333/0222 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 055671/0612 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 053468/0705 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2020
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 053466/0011 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2020
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC.; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 053311/0305 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047103/0206 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2018
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED; SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ATMEL CORPORATION; MICROSEMI CORPORATION; MICROSEMI STORAGE SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046426/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041675/0617 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2015
From: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY (BARBADOS) II INCORPORATED
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 036640/0944 →
MERGER Recorded Sep 13, 2015
From: ISSC TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
To: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY (BARBADOS) II INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 036597/0884 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2014
From: CHEN, GUAN-CHIUN; LEE, CHUNG-I
To: ISSC TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
Reel/Frame 033927/0598 →