Patent Publication Number: US-2022222032-A1

Title: Electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial No. 110101178, filed on Jan. 12, 2021. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of specification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an audio technology and, more particularly, to an electronic device switching between different audio processing channels. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Electronic device with speakers currently processes audio signals that pre-stored at the local end but not from external devices. As a result, users need to install additional software or have other settings to receive and play audio data from other external devices. However, when the electronic device is in a standby mode or a power-off mode, external audio data cannot be processed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An electronic device including a first state and a second state is provided. The electronic device comprises an audio module; an external audio processing module, configured to process an external audio signal, when the external audio processing module is connected to the audio module, the electronic device is in the first state; a local audio processing module, configured to process a local audio signal, when the local audio processing module is connected to the audio module, the electronic device is in the second state; a switching module selectively switching electronic connection between the audio module, the external audio processing module, and the local audio processing module; and a setting module connected to the switching module, the setting module sets the switching module to switch the electronic device to the first state or the second state in response to an input signal. 
     To sum up, the electronic device of the disclosure is capable to switch the audio source between local audio signal and the external audio signal. The function of processing external audio signal is not affected by the standby mode or the power-off mode of the electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Terms “first”, “second” and so on are used to distinguish components, but not used to limit the order or the differences of the components. In addition, the terms “coupled” or “connected” refers to two or more components directly or indirectly physically or electrically contact with each other. For example, when the first device is coupled to the second device, it means that the first device is directly and electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly and electrically connected to the second device through other devices or connection means. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing an electronic device  100  according to an embodiment. The electronic device  100  includes an audio module  101 , an external audio processing module  102 , a local audio processing module  103 , a switching module  104 , a setting module  105 , a storage unit  106 , and a system processing unit  107 . The switching module  104  is connected to the audio module  101 , the external audio processing module  102  and the local audio processing module  103 . The setting module  105  is connected to the switching module  104 . The system processing unit  107  is connected to the local audio processing module  103  and the storage unit  106 . 
     The local audio processing module  103  processes the local audio signal with audio processing programs, such as encoding, decoding, compression, decompression, analog-to-digital conversion, or digital-to-analog conversion. That is, the local audio processing module  103  converts aforesaid audio data to audio signals adapted to be played by the audio module  101 . The local audio processing module  103  also converts the audio signals from the audio module  101  to audio data. The local audio signal is stored in the storage unit  106  of the electronic device  100 . In embodiments, the storage unit  106  is a temporary or non-temporary storage medium such as a memory or a hard disk. 
     In an embodiment, the storage unit  106  and the system processing unit  107  are formed integrated, that is, the storage unit  106  is an inner storage of the system processing unit  107 . The local audio processing module  103  includes an audio codec. 
     The external audio processing module  102  processes the external audio signal with audio processing programs such as encoding, decoding, compression, decompression, analog-to-digital conversion, and digital-to-analog conversion. The external audio signal is stored in another device (the user equipment  200  hereinafter) other than the electronic device  100 . The user equipment  200  communicates with the electronic device  100  via the communication channel  10 . The electronic device  100  and the user equipment  200  have communication interfaces corresponding to the communication protocol of the communication channel  10 , respectively. 
     The communication interface supports wired communication technology or wireless communication technology. The wired communication technology is Universal Serial Bus (USB), Thunderbolt, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), or Ethernet in embodiments, which is not limited herein. The wireless communication technology is Wifi, Bluetooth, radio frequency in embodiments, which is not limited herein. 
     The external audio processing module  102  includes an audio codec for converting audio data from the communication channel  10  to audio signals that adapted to be played by the audio module  101 , or converting audio signals from the audio module  101  to the audio data. Then, the audio data is sent through the communication channel  10 . 
     The switching module  104  is used to switch audio transmission paths of the audio module  101 . In a first state, the switching module  104  is connected between the audio module  101  and the external audio processing module  102 . In the second state, the switching module  104  is connected to between the audio module  101  and the local audio processing module  103 . In the first state, the external audio signal is transmitted between the audio module  101  and the external audio processing module  102 . In the second state, the local audio signal is transmitted between the audio module  101  and the local audio processing module  103 . 
     In an embodiment, the switching module  104  includes a switch  1041 . The switch  1041  includes a plurality of terminals A, B, and C. The terminal A is connected to the audio module  101 , the terminal B is connected to the external audio processing module  102 , and the terminal C is connected to the local audio processing module  103 . In the first state, the switch  1041  is conducted between the terminal A and the terminal B, and then the audio module  101  is connected to the external audio processing module  102 . 
     At the time, the terminal A and the terminal C are disconnected (not conducted), and thus the audio module  101  is disconnected to the local audio processing module  103 . In the second state, the switch  1041  is conducted between the terminal A and the terminal C, and then the audio module  101  and the local audio processing module  103  are connected. At the time, the terminal A and the terminal B are disconnected (not conducted), and then the audio module  101  and the external audio processing module  102  are disconnected. In an embodiment, the switch  1041  is an electronic switch (such as a transistor). 
     The setting module  105  sets the switching module  104  in response to an input signal to switch the electronic device  100  to the first state or the second state. In an embodiment, the setting module  105  is a button (such as a mechanical button or a capacitive button) to detect the input signal generated via an input operation. 
     In an embodiment, the setting module  105  also receives the input signal from another device (such as a remote control). The setting module  105  transmits an enable signal to the switching module  104  in response to the input signal. The switching module  104  switches the conduction state in response to the enable signal. For example, the switching module  104  switches the electronic device  100  from the first state to the second state, or switches the electronic device  100  from the second state to the first state. 
     In an embodiment, the audio module  101  includes a broadcasting unit  1011 . The broadcasting unit  1011  is connected to the switching module  104  (the terminal A of the switch  1041 ). In the first state, the broadcasting unit  1011  plays the external audio signal. In the second state, the broadcasting unit  1011  plays the local audio signal. In embodiments, the broadcasting unit  1011  is a speaker or an analog audio source interface, which is not limited herein. 
     In an embodiment, the audio module  101  further includes an audio receiver unit  1012 . The audio receiver unit  1012  is connected to the switching module  104  (the terminal A of the switch  1041 ). The audio receiver unit  1012  is used to record sound to generate audio signals. 
     In the first state, the audio receiver unit  1012  records the sound as the external audio signal, and the external audio signal is transmitted to the external audio processing module  102 . In the second state, the audio receiver unit  1012  records the sound as the local audio signal, and the external audio signal is transmitted to the local audio processing module  103 . The audio receiver unit  1012  is a speaker or an analog audio source interface, which is not limited herein. 
     From the above description, the audio transmitting paths are able to be switched by users via the setting module  105 , and then the audio module  101  plays/records the local audio signal or the external audio signal. 
     In an embodiment, the broadcasting or recording function of the electronic device  100  is better than that of the user equipment  200 . For example, the user equipment  200  does not have the broadcasting or the recording function; or the user equipment  200  has a broadcasting and recording device, but the sound playing quality or recording quality is not as good as that of the electronic device  100 . In this situation, the broadcasting and recording function are provided by the electronic device  100  instead of the user equipment  200 . 
     In embodiments, the electronic device  100  is a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, and a mobile phone, which is not limited herein. The user equipment  200  is a personal digital device, a mobile phone, and a smart watch, which is not limited herein. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an electronic device according an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the electronic device  100  further includes a light-emitting element  108 . The light emitting element  108  is connected to the setting module  105 . 
     In an embodiment, the light-emitting element  108  is a light-emitting diode module. When the setting module  105  receives the input signal, the light-emitting element  108  selectively displays a first notification signal or a second notification signal according to the input signal. For example, when the setting module  105  sets the electronic device  100  to the first state, the light-emitting element  108  displays the first notification signal. When the setting module  105  sets the electronic device  100  to the second state, the light-emitting element  108  displays the second notification signal. 
     In this way, users distinguish whether the electronic device  100  is switched to process the local audio signal or the external audio signal according to the first indication signal or the second indication signal. In embodiments, the first notification signal and the second notification signal are distinguished by luminous intensity, luminous color, or luminous frequency (such as brightness, blinking speed). 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the electronic device  100  further includes a power source  109 . The power supply  109  is connected to the external audio processing module  102 . In the first state, the power source  109  supplies power to the external audio processing module  102 . In an embodiment, the setting module  105  sets the electronic device  100  to the first state when the electronic device  100  is in a standby mode. 
     For example, a switch (not shown) is configured between the power supply  109  and the external audio processing module  102 . In the first state, the setting module  105  sets the switching module  104  to conduct the switch (or the setting module  105  conducts the switch directly) and supplies power to the external audio processing module  102 . Then, the electronic device  100  processes the external audio signal. Therefore, when the electronic device  100  is set to the first state in a standby mode (such as a sleep state) or a power-off mode, the electronic device  100  can still process the external audio signal. 
     In the second state, the setting module  105  sets the switching module  104  to turn off the switch (or the setting module  105  directly turns off the switch) and stops supplying power to the external audio processing module  102 . In embodiments, the power supply  109  is a battery or an external power device (such as an external adapter charging device). 
     It embodiments, the audio module  101 , the external audio processing module  102 , the local audio processing module  103 , the switching module  104 , the setting module  105 , the storage unit  106 , the system processing unit  107 , and the light emitting element  108  are connected to power source  109  to perform functions, respectively. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the electronic device  100  further includes a voltage converter  110 . The voltage converter  110  is connected to between the power source  109  and the external audio processing module  102 . In an embodiment, the voltage converter  110  is a DC-to-DC converter. The voltage converter  110  adjusts the voltage value of the power source  109  to an input voltage adapted for the external audio processing module  102 . 
     In the first state, the power source  109  supplies power to the voltage converter  110 . The voltage converter  110  performs voltage modulation (for example, regulating, stepping down, or stepping up) on the power received from the power source  109  to adjust the voltage value of the power to be equal to, slightly greater or slightly less than the input voltage specified by the external audio processing module  102 . Then, the power with the adjusted voltage value is outputted to the external audio processing module  102  as the input voltage. 
     In an embodiment, the voltage converter  110  is also connected to the setting module  105 . When the setting module  105  sets the electronic device  100  to the second state, the voltage converter  110  is disabled (for example, the setting module  105  transmits a disable signal to the voltage converter  110 ) to stop the power source  109  supplying power to the external audio processing module  102 . Therefore, the voltage converter  110  stops modulating the voltage value of the power source  109 , and the adjusted power is not outputted to the external audio processing module  102 . As result, the external audio processing module  102  does not operate because of having no power from the power source  109 . 
     Similarly, when the setting module  105  sets the electronic device  100  to the first state, the voltage converter  110  is enabled (for example, the setting module  105  transmits an enable signal to the voltage converter  110 ), the power source  109  supplies power to the external audio processing module  102 . Therefore, the voltage converter  110  is activated to modulate the voltage value of the power source  109 . In this way, the external audio processing module  102  receives the power for operation. 
     In an embodiment, the voltage converter  110  further includes a plurality of output terminals (in the embodiment, the first output terminal  111 A and the second output terminal  111 B are taken as an example). The external audio processing module  102  is connected to the first output terminal  111 A, and the light-emitting element  108  is connected to the second output terminal  111 B. 
     In the first state, the voltage converter  110  outputs the adjusted power to the external audio processing module  102  via the first output terminal  111 A. The voltage converter  110  outputs the adjusted power to the light emitting element  108  via the second output terminal  111 B, and then the light-emitting element  108  emits light (for example, the light-emitting element  108  displays the first notification signal). 
     In an embodiment, when the driving voltage regulated by the light-emitting element  108  is the same as the input voltage regulated by the external audio processing module  102 , the first output terminal  111 A and the second output terminal  111 B are integrated into one output terminal. 
     In an embodiment, the light-emitting element  108  is connected to the external audio processing module  102  (not shown), and the light-emitting element  108  is powered by the external audio processing module  102 . In other words, the light-emitting element  108  and the startup and shutdown of the external audio processing module  102  are synchronous. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the system processing unit  107  is also connected to the setting module  105 . The setting module  105  outputs a notification signal to the system processing unit  107  in response to the switching between the first state and the second state. 
     In an embodiment, the setting module  105  controls the conduction state of the switching module  104 , and the setting module  105  also outputs a notification signal to the system processing unit  107  according to the controlled conduction state. In an embodiment, the setting module  105  transmits an enable signal to the switching module  104  in responds to the input signal, and the switching module  104  responds to the change of the conduction state and transmits a signal (called as a feedback signal hereinafter) back to the setting module  105 . 
     The setting module  105  outputs a notification signal to the system processing unit  107  when the setting module  105  detects the feedback signal. Then, the system processing unit  107  determines whether the electronic device  100  is switched to process the local audio signal or the external audio signal by the notification signal. 
     In embodiments, the electronic device  100  further includes a human-machine interface  112 . The human-machine interface  112  is connected to the system processing unit  107 . In embodiments, the human-machine interface  112  is a display screen, a touch screen, or a vibrator which can output vision, touch, or other user-perceivable output signals. 
     The system processing unit  107  outputs a switching signal via the man-machine interface  112  in response to the notification signal to remind the users that the electronic device  100  already switches the audio transmission path at the time. In an embodiment, the switching signal is a text or a graphical prompt message displayed at the screen. In an embodiment, the switching signal is a vibration signal generated by a vibrator. 
     To sum up, the electronic device of the disclosure provides users to switch the local audio signal or the external audio signal alternatively. The function of processing the external audio signal is not affected by the mode of the electronic device. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, the disclosure is not for limiting the scope of the invention. Persons having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the scope. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments described above.