Audio device and method of recognizing position of audio device

An audio device and a position recognition method of the audio device are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, an audio device includes at least one infrared (IR) transceiver and a controller configured to recognize whether the audio device is positioned to a left or right of another audio device in response to a signal received by the at least one IR transceiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0069116, filed on May 18, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to an audio device and a method of setting the audio device, and for example, to an audio device in which a left side and a right side of the audio device may be simply set, and a method of setting the audio device.

2. Description of Related Art

Audio devices (e.g., speakers, a sound bar, a home theater, etc.) that support a wireless connection in addition to a wired connection have been increasing. Wireless audio devices may provide a variety of audio content to users through a codec that supports wireless convenience and high sound quality.

Stereophonic sound is a method of sound reproduction for providing directionality. This is achieved by using two or more independent audio channels through two or more speakers in such a way as to create the impression of sound heard from various directions. For example, for two-channel speakers, a left speaker may be set to output left audio channel sound and a right speaker may be set to output right audio channel sound. Accordingly, there is an inconvenience that a user may position two speakers and then need to manually set which speaker operates as the left speaker and which speaker operates as the right speaker in order to set left and right channels.

Furthermore, for wireless speakers, the user may freely move and use the speaker in nature. However, on a condition that a left speaker and a right speaker need to be set manually, there is an inconvenience that the left speaker and the right speaker need to be set again whenever the user freely moves and uses the wireless speaker. For example, when the user moves a speaker from a living room to a master bedroom and positions the speaker next to another speaker that operated in the master bedroom in a mono mode, the other speaker that operated in the master bedroom in the mono mode may operate in a stereo mode together with the newly moved speaker. For the stereo mode operation, however, the user needs to perform an operation of setting the originally positioned speaker and the newly positioned speaker as a left speaker and a right speaker.

SUMMARY

An audio device in which left and right position settings are performed not manually but automatically, and a position recognition method thereof are provided.

According to an aspect of an example embodiment, an audio device includes at least one infrared (IR) transceiver and a controller configured to recognize whether the audio device is positioned to a left or right of another audio device in response to a signal received by the at least one IR transceiver.

The audio device may further include a movement sensor configured to sense movement of the audio device, and the controller may be configured to turn on the at least one IR transceiver in response to a signal indicating that the movement sensor senses the movement.

The at least one IR transceiver may include a first IR transceiver and a second IR transceiver, and the controller may be configured to recognize that the audio device is positioned on a bottom surface using the first IR transceiver positioned on the bottom surface, and may be configured to recognize that the audio device is positioned to a left or right of the other audio device using the second IR transceiver receiving a signal.

The controller may be configured to change settings of a function of the audio device in response to a change in a state of a signal sensed by the first IR transceiver positioned on the bottom surface.

The function may include one or more of a change of an input source, a change of a sound stage, and a volume up/down of the audio device.

According to an aspect of another example embodiment, a position recognition method of an audio device includes receiving a signal by at least one infrared (IR) transceiver included in the audio device and recognizing that the audio device is positioned to a left or right of another audio device in response to the received signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the disclosure will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, a method of configuring and using an electronic device according to an example embodiment will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not necessarily modify the individual elements of the list.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. The above terms may be used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first element may be called a second element, and a second element may also be called a first element without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The term “and/or” may refer to any one or a combination of a plurality of related items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in context. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an example concept of an audio system.

Referring toFIG. 1, an audio system100includes, for example, an electronic device10, audio devices200aand200b, and an access point20.

The audio devices200aand200bmay be connected to the access point20or the electronic device10over a network. The audio devices200aand200bmay, for example, output audio received from the access point20or the electronic device10that is wirelessly connected thereto.

According to an example embodiment, at least two or more audio devices200aand200bmay be formed in the shape of, for example, a hexahedron, and radio waves may be transmitted from and received by, for example, four surfaces of the hexahedron. A radio transceiving sensor may, for example, be installed in an upper surface, a bottom surface, a left surface, and a right surface of each of the audio devices200aand200b. For example, the audio device200amay include radio transceiving sensors200-1,200-2,200-3, and200-4. The audio device200bmay include radio transceiving sensors200-5,200-6,200-7, and200-8. When the audio device200aand the audio device200bare positioned near each other, the audio device200amay recognize that the audio device200bis positioned at a right or left side of the audio device200athrough the radio transceiving sensors included therein, and the audio device200bmay recognize that the audio device200ais positioned at a left or right side of the audio device200bthrough the radio transceiving sensors included therein. Thus, each of the audio devices200aand200bmay recognize whether it is a left device or a right device. In addition, the audio devices200aand200bmay be configured to change functional settings for the audio devices200aand200busing a state variation of a radio transceiving sensor included therein.

Although a sound output part of each audio device ofFIG. 1is illustrated as being disposed at one surface of the hexahedron, example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The sound output part may be disposed at one or more sides of the hexahedron. In addition, it should be appreciated that the audio device may be implemented as a non-directional audio device by, for example, making a groove around the audio device and outputting sound through the groove.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an example audio device200.

The audio device200may include a communicator (e.g., including communication circuitry)210, a light receiver220, an input/output interface (e.g., including input/output circuitry)230, a display (e.g., including a display panel and/or display driving circuitry)240, a speaker250, a sensor260, a power supply270, a storage (e.g., a memory)280, and a controller (e.g., including processing circuitry)290, but is not limited thereto. As necessary, the above-described any functional element may not be included, or another functional element may be additionally included. One function element may be combined, for example, with another function element in the form of a system-on-chip (SoC).

The communicator210may be wirelessly connected with an external electronic device10or an access point20under the control of the controller290. The communicator210may include, for example, at least one of a wireless LAN211, a short-range communicator (e.g., short range communication circuitry)_212, a wired Ethernet123, and a Bluetooth communicator (e.g., Bluetooth circuitry)214. The communicator210may receive a control signal from the access point20or the electronic device10under the control of the controller290. In addition, the communicator210may receive audio data corresponding to audio from the access point20or the electronic device10under the control of the controller290. Although it is illustrated that the Bluetooth communicator214is present separately from the short-range communicator212, it should be appreciated that the Bluetooth communicator214may be included in the short-range communicator212.

According to an example embodiment, the Bluetooth communicator214of the communicator210may include a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, and the BLE module may recognize another audio device adjacent to or within a detectable proximity of the audio device200. For example, an infrared (IR) sensor included in the audio device200may be turned off normally and may be turned on when the BLE module recognizes another audio device. It is possible to save power consumption of the audio device200by turning off the IR sensor normally and turning on the IR sensor only when left and right settings of the audio device are needed. Although the BLE module is a module that is always turned on, the BLE module consumes relatively little power as compared to the IR sensor.

The light receiver220may receive an optical signal (including a control signal) from a remote controller (not shown) through an optical window (not shown). The light receiver220may receive an optical signal corresponding to a user input (e.g., a touch, press, touch gesture, voice, or motion) from the remote controller (not shown). The received optical signal may be converted and then transmitted to the controller290. In addition, a control signal may be extracted by the controller290from the received optical signal. The light receiver220may be integrated with an IR sensor261included in the sensor260or may be provided separately.

The input/output interface230may receive audio data corresponding to audio (e.g., sound, music, etc.) from the outside under the control of the controller290. The input/output interface230may receive video data corresponding to video from the outside under the control of the controller290. In addition, the input/output interface230may output the audio data corresponding to the audio (e.g., sound, music, etc.) to the outside under the control of the controller290. The input/output interface230may output the video data corresponding to the video to the outside under the control of the controller290. The input/output interface230may include, for example, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port231, a Sony/Phillips Digital Interface Format (S/PDIF) port232, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port233, and/or an audio-in jack234. It should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration and operation of the input/output interface230may be implemented in various ways and is not limited to the arrangement illustrated in this example embodiment of the present disclosure.

The display240may display video or text information (e.g., a song title, a volume, or a sound output effect) under the control of the controller290. The display240may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a plasma display panel (PDP), or a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), or the like.

When a USB memory (not shown), which is a type of memory card, is connected to the audio device200through, for example, the USB port233, the display240may display <USB ready> or <Song title> under the control of the controller290. When the electronic device10is connected to the audio device200by short-range communication, the display240may display a text of <BT connected> or <NFC connected> under the control of the controller290.

The speaker250is configured to output the received audio under the control of the controller290. The speaker250may output the received audio (including, for example, voice, music, sound, or audio streaming) through the communicator210or the input/output interface230. The speaker250may be implemented as a 1-channel, 2-channel, or 2.1-channel speaker, or the like. It should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the speaker250may be implemented as a 4-channel, 4.1-channel, 5.1-channel, 6.1-channel, 7.1-channel, 9.1-channel, or 11.2-channel speaker, but example embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The controller290may be configured to provide the user with various audio output effects (for example, movie, sports, rock concert hall, an orchestra hall, etc.) corresponding to the number of speakers250. In addition, the controller290may be configured to provide the user with various audio output effects (for example, movie, sports, rock concert hall, an orchestra hall, etc.) corresponding to the total number of speakers250and additional speakers connected through the input/output interface230.

The speaker250may output an audio stored in the storage280under the control of the controller290. In addition, the audio device200may output the audio to an external electronic device (not shown) through the input/output interface230. For example, the controller290may be configured to output the audio to an additional speaker or the electronic device10.

The sensor260may sense the movement of the audio device200or the presence of another audio device positioned in the vicinity of the audio device200. The sensor260may include, for example, the IR sensor261and a vibration sensor262.

The IR sensor261is a device that uses infrared rays to detect a physical quantity or a chemical quantity such as temperature or radiation intensity and converts the quantity into an electric quantity or electrical signal on which signal processing may be performed. The IR sensor261includes a light emitting sensor that emits light with a certain frequency and a light receiving sensor that receives the light emitted by the light emitting sensor. The light emitting sensor may be a device having similar properties to, for example, an LED. The light receiving sensor has a similar structure to a transistor and includes a light receiving part. Depending on the amount of light received by the light receiving sensor, the resistance value of the light receiving sensor may change and thus the amount of electric current that flows from a collector to an emitter may change. The light receiving sensor determines whether the light is received based on the change in the electric current.

According to an example embodiment, when the IR sensor261is positioned on a bottom surface of the audio device200, the IR sensor261may not sense light through the light receiving sensor. Accordingly, a state value of the IR sensor261positioned on the bottom surface may be represented as a first value. For example, when the state value of the IR sensor261is the first value, the audio device200may recognize that the audio device is positioned on the bottom surface.

According to an example embodiment, when the IR sensor261is positioned on the bottom surface, and is then positioned on a side surface by rotating the audio device200, the state value of the IR sensor261may be changed, for example, from the first value to a second value. Accordingly, the audio device200may recognize that the audio device200has been rotated, for example, by 90 degrees, on the basis of the change in the state value of the IR sensor261that was positioned on the bottom surface.

According to an example embodiment, four IR sensors may be installed in the audio device200. In this example, a movement sensor may be used to reduce power consumption of the IR sensor261. For example, the four IR sensors may be turned off normally and be turned on when the movement sensor senses any movement. When the IR sensors are maintained in a stable state, the IR sensors may be turned off again.

According to an example embodiment, the four IR sensors may be installed in the audio device200. In this example, the BLE module of the Bluetooth communicator214of the audio device200may be used to reduce power consumption of the IR sensor261. For example, the four IR sensors may be turned off normally and may be turned on when one audio device senses another audio device through BLE communication. When the IR sensors are maintained in a stable state, the IR sensors may be turned off again.

According to an example embodiment, the audio device200may include at least one IR sensor261.

According to an example embodiment, the audio device200may recognize that there is another audio device in the vicinity of the audio device200using an IR sensor positioned on a side surface of the audio device200.

One of a plurality of IR sensors may recognize whether the audio device200is positioned on the bottom surface. One of the plurality of IR sensors may recognize whether there is another audio device in the vicinity of the audio device200.

According to an example embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 1, IR sensors200-1to200-8may be installed in or on four surfaces of an audio device200aand four surfaces of an audio device200b, both of which have, for example, a hexahedral shape.

According to an example embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 11, the IR sensors200-1to200-8may be installed in four directions of an audio device200cand four directions of an audio device200d, both of which have a substantially circular shape. Two or three IR sensors may be installed in the audio device200cor200dhaving a substantially circular shape.

The vibration sensor262is a sensor for sensing a vibration of the audio device200. The power consumption of an IR sensor that is always turned on, due to the characteristics of a wireless audio device, may become a problem. In consideration of this, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by turning off at least one or more of the plurality of IR sensors and turning on the IR sensors when the IR sensors need to operate, instead of always leaving the IR sensors on. In this example, the time at which the IR sensors need to operate may be considered as a time at which a vibration is sensed by the vibration sensor262. The time at which the IR sensors need to operate may, for example, be a time at which a user moves the audio device200, and the movement of the audio device200may be easily sensed by the vibration sensor262. In addition, a time at which the user starts to move the audio device200may also be determined by using temperature sensor, a touch sensor, etc.

The power supply270supplies power input from an external power source to internal elements210to280inside the audio device200under the control of the controller290. In addition, the power supply270may supply power output from one or more batteries (not shown) positioned inside the audio device200to the internal elements210to280under the control of the controller290.

According to an example embodiment, the power supply270may continuously supply power to the plurality of IR sensors installed in the audio device200.

According to an example embodiment, the power supply270may continuously supply power to only two of the plurality of IR sensors installed in the audio device200, that is, an IR sensor that is positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200and an IR sensor that is positioned on the side surface and has recognized another audio device, and may not continuously supply power to the other IR sensors.

According to an example embodiment, the power supply270may not supply power to the plurality of IR sensors, but may supply power to the plurality of IR sensors when movement is sensed by the movement sensor included in the audio device200or when a command for operating an audio device sensor is entered by a user.

According to an example embodiment, the power supply270may not supply power to the plurality of IR sensors, but may supply power to the IR sensors when a command for operating the IR sensors of the audio device is entered by the user.

According to an example embodiment, a user input to operate the IR sensors of the audio device may be used as, for example, an input for supplying power to the IR sensors using a temperature difference that is sensed by a temperature sensor included in the audio device when the user holds the audio device.

According to an example embodiment, the user input to operate the IR sensors of the audio device may be used as, for example, an input for supplying power to the IR sensors using a pressure difference that is sensed by a pressure sensor included in the audio device when the user holds the audio device.

According to an example embodiment, the user input to operate the IR sensors of the audio device may be used as an input for supplying power to the IR sensors using a command for operating the IR sensors that is transmitted through wireless communication by an external device such as the electronic device10illustrated inFIG. 1. For example, the user may use an app installed in the electronic device10to instruct to supply power of the IR sensors of the audio device.

The storage280may store a variety of data or control programs for driving and controlling the audio device200under the control of the controller290. The storage280may store signals or data that are input or output corresponding to the driving of the communicator210, the light receiver220, the input/output interface230, the display240, the built-in speaker250, and the power supply270.

The storage280may include a nonvolatile memory, a volatile memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD).

According to an example embodiment, the storage280may include a position recognition module (e.g., a program executed by the controller290)281and a function setting module (e.g., a program executed by the controller290)282. The position recognition module281may use the IR sensor of the sensor260to recognize whether the audio device200is positioned to the left or right. The function setting module282may set functions of the audio device200using a function setting table283and the change in state of the IR sensor of the sensor260. As illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10Bthe function setting table283may include, for example, a first function setting table and a second function setting table.

The controller290may include, for example, a processor (e.g., a CPU, GPU, etc.)291. The controller290may include the processor291and a read only memory (ROM)292that is used to store a control program for controlling the audio device200. In addition, the controller290may include the processor291, the ROM292, and a random access memory (RAM)293that is used to store signals or data input from the outside of the audio device200and is used as a storage area corresponding to various tasks. The controller290may also include an audio codec (not shown).

The controller290is configured to perform a function of controlling the overall operation of the audio device200and to control a signal flow between the internal elements210to280of the audio device200, and a data processing function. The controller290is configured to control power supplied from the power supply270to the internal elements210to280.

The controller290may be configured to output received audio through the speaker250. In addition, the controller290may be configured to output the received audio to an additional speaker (not shown) through the communicator210or the input/output interface230.

According to an example embodiment, the controller290may be configured to use the position recognition module281stored in the storage280to recognize whether the audio device200is positioned to the left or right.

According to an example embodiment, the controller290may be configured to use the function setting module282stored in the storage280to set a function corresponding to the rotation of the audio device200. The rotation may be sensed based on, for example, the change in state of a signal sensed by the IR sensor that was positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200.

It should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that a configuration and an operation of the controller290may be implemented in various ways according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

At least one element may be added to or deleted from the elements (e.g.,210to290) of the audio device200illustrated inFIG. 2on the basis of the performance of the audio device200. It should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that positions of the elements (e.g.,210to290) may be changed corresponding to the performance or structure of the audio device200.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating an example position recognition method of an audio device.

Referring toFIG. 3, in step S310, an audio device200receives an IR signal from the outside through at least one IR transceiver.

For example, an IR sensor261of a sensor260of the audio device200senses a signal from the outside.

Referring toFIG. 5, for example, a first audio device200amay include IR sensors200-1to200-4positioned in/on four surfaces of a hexahedron, and a second audio device200bmay include IR sensors200-5to200-8in/on four surfaces of a hexahedron. A second sensor200-2out of the IR sensors of the audio device200a, for example, emits light and also receives light reflected by the audio device200b. An eighth sensor200-8out of the IR sensors of the audio device200b, for example, emits light and also receives light reflected by the audio device200a.

In step S320, the audio device200recognizes whether the audio device is positioned to the left or right of another audio device in response to the reception of the IR signal.

The controller290of the audio device200may be configured to use (e.g., execute) a position recognition module281to recognize whether the other device is positioned to the left or right of the audio device200in response to the IR signal received by the IR sensor261.

Referring toFIG. 5, for example, in response to the reception of a signal by the second sensor200-2of the audio device200a, the audio device200amay recognize whether another audio device is positioned to the left of the audio device200a. Accordingly, the audio device200amay recognize that the audio device200ais an audio device positioned to the right.

In response to the reception of the signal by the eighth sensor200-8of the audio device200b, for example, the audio device200bmay recognize that another audio device is positioned to the right of the audio device200b. Accordingly, the audio device200bmay recognize that the audio device200bis an audio device positioned to the left.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating an example position recognition method of an audio device.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example position recognition method of an audio device illustrated inFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 4, in step S410a, an audio device200arecognizes a bottom surface.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 5, since a first sensor200-1is positioned, for example, on the bottom surface of the audio device200a, the first sensor200-1receives very weak light or receives almost no light although the first sensor200-1has emitted light. Accordingly, the audio device200amay recognize that the audio device200ais in contact with the bottom surface on the basis that almost no light is received from one of four IR sensors, for example, the first sensor200-1.

In step S420a, the audio device200agenerates an L/R direction IR signal.

Referring toFIG. 5, a second sensor200-2which is one of IR sensors of the audio device200aemits light, and also an eighth sensor200-8which is one of IR sensors of the audio device200bemits light.

In step S430a, the audio device200areceives an L/R signal.

Referring toFIG. 5, the second sensor200-2of the audio device200areceives light reflected or emitted by the audio device200b, and also the eighth sensor200-8of the audio device200breceives light reflected or emitted by the audio device200a.

In step S440a, the audio device200asets L/R.

Referring toFIG. 5, the audio device200amay check that a signal is received from the second sensor200-2arranged to the left of the audio device200a. Thus, since any signal is received from the left of the audio device200a, the audio device200amay recognize that there is another audio device to the left of the audio device200a. Accordingly, the audio device200amay recognize that the audio device200ais an audio device arranged to the right and set the audio device200aas a right audio device.

Similarly, the audio device200bmay check that a signal is received from the eighth sensor200-8arranged to the right of the audio device200b. Thus, since any signal is received from the right of the audio device200b, the audio device200bmay recognize that there is another audio device to the right of the audio device200b. Accordingly, the audio device200bmay recognize that the audio device200bis an audio device arranged to the left and set the audio device200aas a left audio device.

Steps S410ato S440amay also be performed in steps S410bto S440bfor the audio device200b. Accordingly, the audio device200aand the audio device200bmay recognize a respective left position and a respective right position by checking positions of each other within a very short time from a moment at which the bottom surface is recognized, for example, almost simultaneously.

According to an example embodiment, it is possible to reduce power consumption of an IR sensor for recognizing the position of the audio device by, instead of the IR sensor always being on, turning the IR sensor on when position recognition of the audio device is required while turning the IR sensor off normally.

FIG. 6Aillustrates an example in which two audio devices are moved together.

Referring toFIG. 6A, a user moves an audio device200aand an audio device200bsimultaneously and positions the audio devices200aand200bon a table. In this example, since the audio devices200aand200bare moving, on/off of an IR sensor may be controlled using such a movement. For example, when the user, who enjoyed sound in a master bedroom, wants to enjoy sound in a living room in a stereo mode by using the two audio devices200aand200b, the user may pick up and position the two audio devices200aand200bon a table in the living room. While the user enjoys sound in the master bedroom in the stereo mode using the two audio device200aand200b, both of the audio device200aand the audio device200bare in a stable state, and thus the IR sensors are left off. When the user picks up and positions the two audio devices200aand200bon the table in the living room, movement sensors of the audio devices200aand200bsense this movement, and the IR sensors are turned on. Accordingly, the audio devices200aand200bmay recognize their respective left and right sides. When the left and right recognition is completed and the audio devices200aand200bare stabilized, the IR sensors of the audio devices200aand200bmay be turned off to prevent power consumption.

FIG. 6Bis a flowchart illustrating an example position recognition method of an audio device. Operations illustrated inFIG. 6Bare similar to the position recognition method of an audio device shown inFIG. 4. However, in order to reduce power consumption of the IR sensors, the IR sensors are turned on to operate only when the audio device moves and are turned off when the audio device is stabilized, instead of always leaving the IR sensors on.

Referring toFIG. 6B, in step S610a, an audio device200arecognizes vibration using a vibration sensor as a sensor for sensing movement of the audio device200a. A temperature sensor, a touch sensor, etc. may be used as the sensor for sensing the movement of the audio device200ainstead of the vibration sensor. Similarly, an audio device200bmay recognize vibration using a vibration sensor as a sensor for sensing movement of the audio device200bin step S610b.

In step S620a, the audio device200aturns on four directional IR sensors in response to the signal recognition of the vibration sensor. Similarly, the audio device200bturns on four directional IR sensors in response to the signal recognition of the vibration sensor in step S620b.

In step S630a, the audio device200agenerates an L/R direction IR signal. Similarly, in step S630b, the audio device200bgenerates an L/R direction IR signal.

Referring toFIG. 5, a second sensor200-2which is one of the IR sensors of the audio device200aemits light, and also an eighth sensor200-8which is one of the IR sensors of the audio device200bemits light.

In step S640a, the audio device200areceives an L/R signal. Similarly, in step S640b, the audio device200breceives an LR signal.

Referring toFIG. 5, the second sensor200-2of the audio device200areceives light reflected by the audio device200b, and also the eighth sensor200-8of the audio device200breceives light reflected by the audio device200a.

In step S650a, the audio device200asets L/R. Similarly, in step S650b, the audio device200bsets L/R. This is similar to that described above with reference toFIG. 4

In step S660a, the audio device200aturns off IR sensors200-1to200-4. Similarly, in step S660b, the audio device200bturns off IR sensors200-5to200-8.

Thus, it is possible to reduce the waste of power consumed by the IR sensors by turning on an IR sensor and setting left and right positions only when the movement of the audio device is recognized and turning off the IR sensor when the audio device is stabilized.

For example, when the user picks up and positions the audio devices200aand200bin another room after the audio devices are stabilized, the audio device200aand the audio device200bsense vibration of the audio devices and turn on the IR sensors. Next, when the audio device200aand the audio device200bare positioned in another room, the audio device200aand the audio device200bmay check positions of each other again and set the left and right sides. In addition, although not illustrated inFIG. 6, the audio devices200aand200bmay further recognize whether the audio devices200aand200bare positioned on a bottom surface before the position recognition.

FIG. 6Cillustrates an example in which one audio device is moved.

Referring toFIG. 6C, a user positions the audio device200bon a table while the audio device200ais not moved. For example, while the user enjoys sound in a mono mode using one audio device200ain a living room, the user wants to move the audio device200bthat has been positioned in a master bedroom to the living room to enjoy sound in the living room in a stereo mode through the two audio devices200aand200b. When the user picks up the audio device200bin the master bedroom and positions the audio device200bon a table, BLE modules of the audio device200aand the audio device200brecognize each other, and thus IR sensors are turned on. Accordingly, the audio devices200aand200bmay recognize their respective left and right sides. When the left and right recognition is completed and the audio devices200aand200bare stabilized, the IR sensors of the audio devices200aand200bmay be turned off to prevent power consumption.

FIG. 6Dis a flowchart illustrating an example position recognition method of an audio device. Operations illustrated inFIG. 6Bare similar to the position recognition method of an audio device illustrated inFIG. 4. However, in order to save power consumption of the IR sensors, instead of the IR sensors always being on, the IR sensors are turned on to operate only when a nearby audio device is recognized through, for example, a BLE module of the audio device, and are turned off when the audio device is stabilized.

Referring toFIG. 6D, in steps S615aand S615b, BLE communication is established. The audio device200aand the audio device200binclude respective BLE modules, which are always turned on. In general, the BLE communication includes a peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as a beacon) for performing broadcasting that informs its own presence to a nearby device at low cost by performing advertising at certain periods and a central device that performs scanning in response to the advertising. According to an example embodiment, any one of the audio devices200aand200bmay serve as the peripheral device or the central device. One of the audio device200aand the audio device200bmay perform advertising, and the other may perform scanning. Thus the audio device200aand the audio device200bmay recognize each other.

In step S620a, the audio device200aturns on four directional IR sensors on the basis that the nearby audio device200bis recognized through the BLE module. Similarly, in step S620b, the audio device200bturns on four directional IR sensors in response to the recognition of the nearby audio device200athrough the BLE module.

Steps after step S630aare the same as described above with reference toFIG. 6B, and thus their detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an example function setting method of an audio device.

Referring toFIG. 7, in step S710, an audio device200senses the change in state of an IR transceiver positioned on a bottom. The IR sensor is a sensor that emits a certain amount of light and then senses an amount of light received. Thus, the amount of light received when the IR sensor is positioned on the bottom is different from the amount of light received when the IR sensor is positioned on a side surface. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 9A, the amount of light received from a first sensor200-1positioned on a bottom surface of the audio device200amay be very small. However, when the first sensor200-1is positioned on a side surface of the audio device200aby a user rotating the audio device200a, the amount of light received may increase. Accordingly, when a state value corresponding to the amount of light received when the first sensor200-1is positioned on the bottom surface is referred to as a first value, and a state value corresponding to the amount of light received when the first sensor200-1is positioned on the side surface is referred to as a second value, the audio device200amay recognize that the audio device200ais rotated by recognizing a change in the state value of the first sensor from the first value to the second value.

The controller290of the audio device200may use or execute the function setting module282to sense the change in state of the IR transceiver positioned on the bottom.

In step S720, the audio device200changes functional settings for the audio device200in response to the sensing of the change in state of the IR transceiver positioned on the bottom.

When the function setting module282senses the change in state of the IR transceiver positioned on the bottom of the audio device200, the function setting module282may use the function setting table283to change functional settings for the audio device200.

Changeable functional settings of the audio device may be determined in various ways. The changeable functional settings of the audio device may be determined in various ways such as change of an input source, change of a sound stage, or volume up/down.

For example, when the state value of the IR sensor positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200is changed and the audio device200is rotated by 90 degrees once, the input source for the audio device200may be changed to TV. Next, when the state value of the IR sensor positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200is changed again, that is, when the audio device200is rotated by 90 degrees again, the input source for the audio device200may be changed from TV to smart device.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating an example function setting method of an audio device.

FIGS. 9A to 9Dare diagrams illustrating an example function changing method of an audio device illustrated inFIG. 8.

The function changing method of an audio device according to an example embodiment will be described below with reference toFIG. 8andFIGS. 9A to 9D.

Referring toFIG. 8, in step S805, an audio device200asenses a change in state of an IR sensor positioned on a bottom surface.

Referring toFIG. 9A, a first sensor200-1is positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200a. When a user picks up and rotates the audio device200aby 90 degrees ({circle around (1)}), as illustrated inFIG. 9B, the first sensor200-1is positioned on the side surface of the audio device200a. The amount of light sensed when the IR sensor is in contact with the bottom surface not to receive light from the outside and the amount of light sensed when the IR sensor is positioned on the side surface of the audio device200ato receive light from the outside are different from each other. Accordingly, the state of the IR sensor200-1is changed from a first state to a second state. In this way, the audio device200amay sense the change in state of the IR sensor200-1.

In step S810, the audio device200achanges functional settings of the audio device200ain response to the sensing of the change in state of the IR sensor positioned on the bottom surface.

The audio device200amay sense the change in state of the IR sensor200-1positioned on the bottom surface and may change the functional settings of the audio device200awith reference to a function setting table283as illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate an example function setting table.

Referring toFIG. 10A, a first function setting table is illustrated.

InFIG. 10A, an input source that is set corresponding to a change in state of a bottom IR sensor is displayed. Referring toFIG. 10A, the input source is changed to TV in accordance with a first state change of the bottom IR sensor, and the input source is changed from TV to smart device in accordance with a next second state change of the bottom IR sensor. The input source is changed from smart device to BT ready in accordance with a next third state change of the bottom IR sensor. The input source is changed from BT Ready to Internet radio in accordance with a next fourth state change of the bottom IR sensor. For example, the first state change, the second state change, the third state change, and the fourth state change denote the change in state of the IR sensor positioned on the bottom surface. Accordingly, the first state change occurs when the audio device is rotated by 90 degrees in which a first sensor is moved from the bottom surface to a side surface, and the second state change occurs when the audio device is further rotated by 90 degrees in which a second sensor is moved from the bottom surface to the side surface.

InFIG. 10B, a sound stage that is set corresponding to a change in state of a bottom IR sensor is displayed. Referring toFIG. 10B, the sound stage is changed to voice in accordance with a first state change of the bottom IR sensor, and the sound stage is changed from voice to music in accordance with a next second state change of the bottom IR sensor. The sound stage is changed from music to movie in accordance with a next third state change of the bottom IR sensor. The sound stage is changed from movie to 3D sound in accordance with a next fourth state change of the bottom IR sensor.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that a table for variously changing functional settings may be considered in addition to the input source shown inFIG. 10Aor the sound stage shown inFIG. 10B.

For example, the audio device200amay sense a change in state of the IR sensor200-1positioned on the bottom surface and may set the input source of the audio device200ato TV with reference to the function setting table as illustrated inFIG. 10A.

In step S815, the audio device200atransmits function setting change information to the audio device200b.

When the function of the audio device200aset as a right device is changed, the same function setting may be applied to a left device. Thus, the audio device200atransmits, to the audio device200b, the function setting change information, that is, information for informing that the input source has been set to TV. Referring toFIG. 9B, in this example, the audio device200amay transmit the function setting change information to the audio device200bthrough the first sensor200-1positioned at the side surface of the audio device200a.

In step S820, the audio device200breceives the function setting change information from the audio device200a.

The audio device200bmay receive the function setting change information from the audio device200athrough the eighth sensor200-8positioned at the side surface.

In step S825, the audio device200bchanges functional settings.

The audio device200bmay set an input source of the audio device200bas TV with reference to the function setting change information received from the audio device200a.

For example, when the audio device200ais rotated by 90 degrees again from a state illustrated inFIG. 9B({circle around (2)}), a fourth sensor positioned on the bottom surface is positioned on the side surface of the audio device200aas shown inFIG. 9C. Accordingly, the state of the fourth sensor positioned on the bottom surface is changed from the first state value to the second state value. In response to the change in state of the bottom surface, the audio device200amay change the input source of the audio device200afrom TV to smart device with reference to the first function setting table shown inFIG. 10A. Likewise, the audio device200amay transmit the function setting change information to the audio device200b.

In step S830, the audio device200bsenses the change in state of the IR sensor positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200b.

InFIG. 9C, a fifth sensor200-5is positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200b. In this situation, when the user rotates the audio device200bby 90 degrees({circle around (3)}), the audio device200bmay sense the change in state of the fifth sensor200-5positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200b.

In step S835, the audio device200bchanges functional settings of the audio device200bin response to the sensing of the change in state of the IR sensor positioned on the bottom surface of the audio device200b.

Like the audio device200a, the audio device200bmay also change functional settings of the audio device200bin response to the sensing of the change in state of the IR sensor positioned on the bottom surface. In this example, among the function setting tables illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B, the first function setting table is used by the audio device200a. Accordingly, the audio device200bmay change functional settings with reference to another table, that is, a second function setting table.

For example, when the audio device200breceives the function setting change information from the audio device200a, the audio device200bmay be aware that the first function setting table is used by the audio device200a, and thus may use another function setting table.

The audio device200bmay change the sound stage of the audio device200bto voice corresponding to the first state change with reference to the second function setting table.

In step S840, the audio device200btransmits the function setting change information of the audio device200bto the audio device200a.

Like step S815, the audio device200bmay transmits the function setting change information indicating that the sound stage is changed to voice to the audio device200athrough a seventh sensor200-7positioned on the side source of the audio device200b.

In step S845, the audio device200areceives the function setting change information from the audio device200b. In step S850, the audio device200achanges the functional settings.

The audio device200amay receive the function setting change information from the audio device200bthrough a fourth sensor200-4and may change the sound stage of the audio device200ato voice with reference to the function setting change information.

When two audio devices, that is, the audio device200aand the audio device200b, are used in the operation method as illustrated inFIG. 8, the input source of the audio devices may be changed by rotating the audio device200a, and the sound stage of the audio devices may be changed by rotating the audio device200b.

FIG. 11illustrates another example of an audio device including an IR sensor.

Referring toFIG. 11, an audio device200cand an audio device200dare formed in a cylindrical shape. By including an IR sensor in a first, second, third, and fourth direction of the cylindrical audio device, the audio device200cand the audio device200dmay recognize that the audio devices are positioned to the left or right of each other. In addition, in order to implement a non-directional audio device, the audio device200cmay make a groove in each of an upper portion1100aof the cylinder and a lower portion1110aof the cylinder, and may output sound through the groove. Similarly, the groove for outputting sound to each of the upper portion1100bof the cylinder and the lower portion1110bof the cylinder is also provided to the audio device200d.

In an example illustrated inFIG. 11, the audio device200cand the audio device200dare shown to include four directional IR sensors200-1to200-4and four directional IR sensors200-5to200-8, respectively.

According to an example embodiment, an IR sensor may be further installed in a bottom surface of the cylindrical audio device, and thus the cylindrical audio device may recognize that the cylindrical audio device is positioned on a bottom surface.

FIG. 12illustrates another example of an audio device including an IR sensor.

The audio device shown inFIG. 12is similar to the audio device illustrated inFIG. 9A, but instead of outputting sound in one direction, it outputs sound in four directions in order to implement an non-directional audio device.

Referring toFIG. 12, a hexahedral audio device200aincludes a four-directional groove1200aprovided in an upper portion and a four-directional groove1210aprovided in a lower portion. Similarly audio device200bofFIG. 12includes grooves1200band1210b. Since the sound is output through the four-directional grooves, a user may position the audio device without needing to worry about a front or rear of the audio device.

FIG. 13illustrates another example of an audio device including an IR.

The audio device illustrates inFIG. 13is similar to the audio device shown inFIG. 12, but further includes IR sensors at front and rear sides in order to further realize non-directionality. Referring toFIG. 13, an audio device200afurther includes IR sensors200-9and200-10, and an audio device200bfurther includes IR sensors200-11and200-12. In such an audio device, sound may be output in four directions, and also a user may position the audio device irrespective of the bottom surface of the audio device or the direction in which the audio device is positioned.

According to the example embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, it is possible for a user to set left and right positions of the wireless audio device not manually but automatically and simply.

According to the example embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, it is also possible to simply manipulate functional settings of the audio device only by a position change such as rotation of the audio device.

The position recognition method of the audio device according to an example embodiment may be implemented as program instructions executable by a variety of computers and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may also include a program instruction, a data file, a data structure, or combinations thereof. The program instructions recorded on the media may be designed and configured specially for the example embodiments or be known and available to those skilled in computer software. Examples of the computer-readable medium include a magnetic medium, such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, an optical medium, such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), etc., a magneto-optical medium such as a floptical disk, and a hardware device specially configured to store and perform program instructions, for example, a ROM, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, etc. Examples of the program instructions include machine codes made by, for example, a compiler, as well as high-level language codes executable by a computer, using an interpreter.

In the preceding description, the present disclosure and its advantages have been described with reference to various example embodiments. However, it should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the description and figures are to be regarded as illustrative examples of the present disclosure, rather than in restrictive sense. All such possible modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.