Patent Publication Number: US-2022225452-A1

Title: Electronic device for transmitting data packets in bluetooth network environment, and method therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a Continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2020/013133, which was filed on Sep. 25, 2020, and claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0122484, filed on Oct. 2, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     One or more embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an electronic device for transmitting data packets in a Bluetooth network environment and a method thereof. 
     Description of Related Art 
     The Bluetooth standard defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) defines a protocol for short-range wireless communication between electronic devices. In the Bluetooth network environment, electronic devices may transmit or receive data packets, including content such as texts, voices, images, or videos, in a specified frequency band (e.g., about 2.4 gigahertz (GHz)). 
     For example, user equipment (UE), such as smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, or laptop computers, may transmit data packets to another UE or an accessory device through the Bluetooth network environment. The accessory device may include, for example, earphones, headsets, speakers, mice, keyboards, chargers, display devices, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     The Bluetooth network environment may be implemented in a topology that includes one user device (e.g., a device under test (DUT)) for transmitting data packets and a plurality of devices for receiving data packets from the user device. For example, when earphones (or a headset) are connected with a smartphone, the earphone worn on the left ear of the user and the earphone worn on the right ear of the user may receive data packets from the smartphone. 
     In wireless data transmission, each of the plurality of devices receiving the data packets may establish a separate link with the host or master user device. In this case, because the user device need to establish a plurality of links to transmit data packets to the plurality of devices, resources and power consumed by the user device may increase, which may reduce battery life. Furthermore, as the number of devices connected wirelessly to the user device increases, the power consumed by the user device and the latency between transmission and reception of the data packets reach the devices may also increase. 
     Various embodiments disclosed in the disclosure may provide an electronic device and a method for addressing the above-mentioned problems in the Bluetooth network environment. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include wireless communication circuitry, a processor operatively connected with the wireless communication circuitry, and a memory operatively connected with the processor. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to establish a first communication link with a first external electronic device using a first address of the electronic device through the wireless communication circuitry, establish a second communication link with a second external electronic device using a second address of the electronic device through the wireless communication circuitry, transmit information about the first communication link, the information configured for estimating a channel of the first communication link, to the second external electronic device over the second communication link, and establish a third communication link with the first external electronic device using the second address or a third address of the electronic device, after transmitting the information about the first communication link to the second external electronic device. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include wireless communication circuitry, a processor operatively connected with the wireless communication circuitry, and a memory operatively connected with the processor. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to establish a first communication link with a first external electronic device based on a first address of the first external electronic device through the wireless communication circuitry, establish a second communication link with a second external electronic device using a first address of the electronic device through the wireless communication circuitry, receive information about a third communication link connected between the first external electronic device and a third external electronic device over the first communication link from the first external electronic device, monitor the third communication link based on the information about the third communication link to receive a data packet from the third external electronic device, receive first reception information of the second external electronic device, the first reception information being about the data packet, from the second external electronic device over the second communication link, and transmit a response message generated based on the first reception information of the second external electronic device and second reception information of the electronic device, the second reception information being about the data packet, to the third external electronic device over the third communication link. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device may include wireless communication circuitry, a processor operatively connected with the wireless communication circuitry, and a memory operatively connected with the processor. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to establish a first communication link with a first external electronic device using a first address of the electronic device through the wireless communication circuitry, establish a second communication link with a second external electronic device using a second address of the electronic device through the wireless communication circuitry, and transmit information about the first communication link, the information configured for estimating a channel of the first communication link, to the second external electronic device over the second communication link. The second external electronic device may include a sound output device. The electronic device may include a charging device of the second external electronic device. 
     Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a topology of a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a signal sequence diagram illustrating operations of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a signal sequence diagram illustrating operations of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating an operation of transmitting response messages of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a topology of a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a signal sequence diagram illustrating operations of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating examples of mounting a pressure sensor of an electronic device according to certain embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating examples of a grip pattern of an electronic device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating an example where one or more buttons are included in an electronic device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates examples of a user interface (UI) indicating a connection between devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an electronic device in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an electronic device in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     With regard to description of drawings, the same or similar denotations may be used for the same or similar components. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to certain embodiments disclosed in the disclosure, the electronic device may reduce unnecessary resources consumed in the Bluetooth network environment, and also reduce delays in data processing. 
     Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure may be described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the disclosure to specific implementation forms and includes various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of embodiments of the disclosure. 
     Hereinafter, a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device  101  in a network environment  100  according to an embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  101  in the network environment  100  may communicate with an electronic device  102  via a first network  198  (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device  104  or a server  108  via a second network  199  (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device  101  may communicate with the electronic device  104  via the server  108 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device  101  may include a processor  120 , memory  130 , an input device  150 , a sound output device  155 , a display device  160 , an audio module  170 , a sensor module  176 , an interface  177 , a haptic module  179 , a camera module  180 , a power management module  188 , a battery  189 , a communication module  190 , a subscriber identification module (SIM)  196 , or an antenna module  197 . In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the display device  160  or the camera module  180 ) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device  101 , or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device  101 . In some embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module  176  (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) may be implemented as embedded in the display device  160  (e.g., a display). 
     The processor  120  may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program  140 ) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device  101  coupled with the processor  120 , and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor  120  may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module  176  or the communication module  190 ) in volatile memory  132 , process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory  132 , and store resulting data in non-volatile memory  134 . According to an embodiment, the processor  120  may include a main processor  121  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor  123  (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor  121 . Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor  123  may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor  121 , or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor  123  may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor  121 . 
     The auxiliary processor  123  may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display device  160 , the sensor module  176 , or the communication module  190 ) among the components of the electronic device  101 , instead of the main processor  121  while the main processor  121  is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor  121  while the main processor  121  is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor  123  (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module  180  or the communication module  190 ) functionally related to the auxiliary processor  123 . 
     The memory  130  may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor  120  or the sensor module  176 ) of the electronic device  101 . The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program  140 ) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory  130  may include the volatile memory  132  or the non-volatile memory  134 . 
     The program  140  may be stored in the memory  130  as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS)  142 , middleware  144 , or an application  146 . 
     The input device  150  may receive a command or data to be used by other component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 , from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  101 . The input device  150  may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen). 
     The sound output device  155  may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device  101 . The sound output device  155  may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receiver may be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker. 
     The display device  160  may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  101 . The display device  160  may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display device  160  may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch. 
     The audio module  170  may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module  170  may obtain the sound via the input device  150 , or output the sound via the sound output device  155  or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device  102 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     The sensor module  176  may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device  101  or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device  101 , and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module  176  may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor. 
     The interface  177  may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device  101  to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface  177  may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface. 
     A connecting terminal  178  may include a connector via which the electronic device  101  may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal  178  may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector). 
     The haptic module  179  may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module  179  may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator. 
     The camera module  180  may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module  180  may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes. 
     The power management module  188  may manage power supplied to the electronic device  101 . According to one embodiment, the power management module  188  may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). 
     The battery  189  may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, the battery  189  may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell. 
     The communication module  190  may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device  101  and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 , the electronic device  104 , or the server  108 ) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module  190  may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor  120  (e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module  190  may include a wireless communication module  192  (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module  194  (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network  198  (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™ wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network  199  (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module  192  may identify and authenticate the electronic device  101  in a communication network, such as the first network  198  or the second network  199 , using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module  196 . 
     The antenna module  197  may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, the antenna module  197  may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB). According to an embodiment, the antenna module  197  may include a plurality of antennas. In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network  198  or the second network  199 , may be selected, for example, by the communication module  190  (e.g., the wireless communication module  192 ) from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module  190  and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module  197 . 
     At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)). 
     According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device  101  and the external electronic device  104  via the server  108  coupled with the second network  199 . Each of the electronic devices  102  and  104  may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device  101  may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices  102 ,  104 , or  108 . For example, if the electronic device  101  should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device  101 , instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device  101 . The electronic device  101  may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. 
     Hereinafter, operations of a plurality of devices according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a topology  200  of a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment.  FIG. 3  is a signal sequence diagram  300  illustrating operations of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a first device  210 , a second device  220 , a third device  230 , and a fourth device  240  included in the topology  200  may include components, at least some of which are the same as or similar to those of the electronic device  101  shown in  FIG. 1 , and may perform functions, at least some of which are the same as or similar to those of the electronic device  101 . According an embodiment, the first device  210 , the second device  220 , the third device  230 , and the fourth device  240  may perform wireless communication in a short distance over a Bluetooth network defined by the Bluetooth SIG. The Bluetooth network may be, for example, Bluetooth legacy network and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) network. According to an embodiment, the first device  210 , the second device  220 , the third device  230 , and the fourth device  240  may perform wireless communication over one of the Bluetooth legacy network and the BLE network or may perform wireless communication over both of the Bluetooth legacy network and the BLE network. 
     According an embodiment, the second device  220  may be user equipment, such as a smartphone, a tablet, a desktop computer, or a laptop computer, and the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  may be accessory devices, such as earphones, headsets, speakers, mice, keyboards, or display devices. According an embodiment, the first device  210  may be a case and/or a charger for one or more of the second device  220 , the third device  230 , and the fourth device  240 . 
     According to an embodiment, each of the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  may previously recognize a counterpart device (e.g., the third device  230  or the fourth device  240 ) or may previously store information (e.g., address information) of the counterpart device. According an embodiment, when the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are accessory devices (e.g., earphones) that are paired, they may previously recognize each other or may previously store mutual address information. 
     According to an embodiment, the second device  220  may serve as the master device, and the first device  210 , the third device  230 , and/or the fourth device  240  may serve as slave device(s). The number of devices which service as slave devices is not limited to the example shown in  FIG. 2 . According to an embodiment, the role of the device may be determined in a procedure where a link (e.g.,  201 ,  202 ,  203 , or  204 ) between devices is established. According to another embodiment, one (e.g., the third device  230 ) of the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  may serve as the master device, and the other (e.g., the fourth device  240 ) may serve as the slave device. According to an embodiment, the first device  210  may serve as the master device, and the second device  220 , the third device  230 , and the fourth device  240  may serve as slave device(s). 
     The master device may control a physical channel. According an embodiment, the master device may transmit a data packet, whereas the slave device may transmit a data packet to the master device only after receiving the data packet from the master device. According an embodiment, a channel resource (e.g., a frequency hopping channel) for transmitting the data packets may be generated based on a clock of the master device. In the Bluetooth legacy network, a time resource (e.g., a time slot) may be determined based on the clock of the master device. According an embodiment, the time slot may be, for example, 625 microseconds (us). In the BLE network, the master device and the slave device may transmit data packets at specified intervals and may respond after a specified time period (e.g., the inter frame space (T_IFS), about 150 us), when a data packet is received. 
     Hereinafter, description will be given with regard to a situation where the second device  220  operates as the master device and the other devices ( 210 ,  220 , and/or  230 ) operate as slave devices. 
     According to an embodiment, the second device  220  may transmit a data packet including content such as text, sound, image, or video to other devices  210 ,  220 , and/or  230 . According to the type of content included in the data packet, at least one of the other devices  210 ,  230 , and/or  240  as well as the second device  220  may transmit the data packet. According an embodiment, when music is played from the second device  220 , only the second device  220  may transmit data packets, whereas, when a call is performed on the second device  220 , at least one of the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  as well as the second device  220  may also transmit data packets including content (e.g., voice data). When only the second device  220  transmits data packets, the second device  220  may be referred to as the source device and the first device  210 , the third device  230 , and/or the fourth device  240  may be referred to as sink device(s). 
     When the second device  220  establishes a plurality of links with a plurality of other devices (the third device  230  and the fourth device  240 ) to transmit data packets, because resource consumption, power consumption, and complexity of the links of the second device  220  are able to increase, the second device  220  may establish a first communication link  201  with the first device  210  and may transmit data packets over the first communication link  201 . In this case, at least one of the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  may monitor the first communication link  201  to receive data packets including content transmitted over the first communication link  201 . In this case, the second device  220  may be referred to as a device under test (DUT), the third device  230  may referred to as a primary earbud or primary equipment (PE), and the fourth device  240  may be referred to as a secondary earbud or secondary equipment (SE). 
     When a specified condition is met, the first device  210  may enter a Bluetooth paring mode using a first address. The specified condition may be conditions such as when power is supplied to the first device  210 , initialization or elapse of a specified time period, or when receiving a user input (e.g., when a user touches with a specific pattern, applies pressure, or pushes a button). According an embodiment, the first device  210  may be equipped with a pressure sensor and may enter the Bluetooth pairing mode depending on a pressure input pattern inputted by the user. 
     When entering the Bluetooth pairing mode, the first device  210  may allow another electronic device to recognize the first device  210 , using wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication). When the first device  210  is exposed to a search or scan by another electronic device, the other electronic device may establish a standard Bluetooth communication link with the first device  210 . According an embodiment, the first device  210  may generate an advertising signal depending on the specified condition. For example, the first device  210  may output an advertising signal based on when power is supplied, initialization or elapse of a specified time period, or when there is a user input. 
     According an embodiment, the first device  210  may generate an advertising signal to other peripheral electronic devices via multicast or broadcast. The advertising signal may be a signal for transmitting information associated with a connection, account, or pairing with an unspecified peripheral electronic device (e.g., the second device  220 , the third device  230 , and/or the fourth device  240 ), using wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication). 
     The advertising signal may include information for a connection or pairing between the first device  210  and a peripheral device. 
     According an embodiment, the advertising signal may include at least one of identification information of the first device  210  (hereinafter, device identification information), account information of the user (hereinafter, user account information), information about whether it is currently paired with another device (hereinafter, current pairing information), a list of previously paired devices (hereinafter, pairing list), information about a device capable of being simultaneously paired (hereinafter, simultaneous paring information), information regarding transmit (tx) power or a sensing area of the first device  210 , or information about remaining battery capacity of the first device  210  (hereinafter, battery state information). Furthermore, at least one address of the first device  210  may be included. According an embodiment, the advertising signal may include a first address and a second address of the first device  210 . According an embodiment, when there is information about another external electronic device in the first device  210 , the advertising signal may include an address of the external electronic device. When there is information about a first address of the fourth device  240  in the first device  210 , the advertising signal may include the first address of the fourth device  240 . Similarly, when there is information about a first address of the third device  230  in the first device  210 , the advertising signal may include the first address of the third device  230 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in operation  301 , the first device  210  and the second device  220  may establish the first communication link  201 . According an embodiment, the second device  220  may receive an advertising signal of the first device  210  and may request a connection to a first address of the first device  210 . The first device  210  may accept it to establish the first communication link  201 . For example, the second device  220  may connect the first communication link  201  with the first address of the first device  210 . 
     Alternatively, according to an embodiment, the first device  210  may receive an advertising signal of the second device  220  to obtain information of the second device  220  and may connect the first communication link  201  with the second device  220 . The advertising signal of the second device  220  may include information for a connection (or pairing) between the second device  220  and another device. 
     The first communication link  201  between the second device  220  and the first device  210  may be established in the state where the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are inserted into the first device  210 . For example, when the first device  210  is a charging case and the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are earphones, the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  may be inserted or disposed within the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, the first device  210  and the second device  220  may be connected with each other through a wired communication interface rather than a Bluetooth connection. For example, the first communication link  201  may be established through serial communication. In this case, the first address of the first device  210  may not be used to establish the first communication link  201 , and the first address of the first device  210  may be used to establish another communication link. 
     The second device  220  may transmit and receive data (e.g., voice data) with the first device  210  by means of a wireless communication protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) over the first communication link  201 . 
     According to an embodiment, the second device  220  and the first device  210  may establish the first communication link  201  based on procedures in Bluetooth standards. For example, the second device  220  and the first device  210  may perform a baseband page procedure for recognizing a counterpart device, a link manager protocol (LMP) procedure for identifying an LMP version, a clock offset, a supported function (e.g., supported feature), a host request/response procedure for identifying a connection, an authentication procedure for identifying whether the counterpart device is a reliable device, an encryption procedure, and a setup complete procedure for notifying the host that the connection (e.g., the first communication link  201 ) is completed. In operation  302 , the first device  210  and the third device  230  may establish a second communication link  202 . 
     According an embodiment, the third device  230  may receive an advertising signal of the first device  210  and may request a connection to a second address of the first device  210 . The first device  210  may accept it to establish the second communication link  202 . For example, the third device  230  may connect the second communication link  202  with the second address of the first device  210 . 
     Alternatively, according to an embodiment, the first device  210  may receive an advertising signal of the third device  230  to obtain information of the third device  230  and may connect the second communication link  202  with the third device  230 . The advertising signal of the third device  230  may include information for a connection (or pairing) between the third device  230  and another device. 
     According an embodiment, the second communication link  202  between the first device  210  and the third device  230  may be established, when the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are separated from the first device  210  or in a state where the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are separated from the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, the first device  210  and the third device  230  may be connected with each other through a wired communication interface rather than a Bluetooth connection. For example, the second communication link  202  may be established through serial communication. In this case, the second address of the first device  210  may not be used to establish the second communication link  202 , and the second address of the first device  210  may be used to establish another communication link. 
     In operation  303 , the first device  210  and the fourth device  240  may establish a third communication link  203 . 
     According an embodiment, the fourth device  240  may receive an advertising signal of the first device  210  and may request a connection to the second address of the first device  210 . The first device  210  may accept it to establish the third communication link  203 . For example, the fourth device  240  may connect the third communication link  203  with the second address of the first device  210 . 
     Alternatively, according to an embodiment, the first device  210  may receive an advertising signal of the fourth device  240  to obtain information of the fourth device  240  and may connect the third communication link  203  with the fourth device  240 . The advertising signal of the fourth device  240  may include information for a connection (or pairing) between the fourth device  240  and another device. 
     According an embodiment, the third communication link  203  between the first device  210  and the fourth device  240  may be established, when the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are separated from a housing of the first device  210  or in a state where the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are separated from the housing of the first device  210 . According an embodiment, the third communication link  203  between the first device  210  and the fourth device  240  may be established, when the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are separated from a wired interface of the first device  210  or in a state where the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are separated from the wired interface of the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, the first device  210  and the fourth device  240  may be connected with each other through a wired communication interface rather than a Bluetooth connection. For example, the third communication link  203  may be established through serial communication. In this case, the second address of the first device  210  may not be used to establish the third communication link  203 , and the second address of the first device  210  may be used to establish another communication link. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the communication links are established in the order of the second device  220 , the third device  230 , and the fourth device  240 . However, the order in which communication links are connected is not limited to  FIG. 3 , and may vary. 
     According to an embodiment, in operation  304 , the first device  210  may transmit information about the first communication link  201  to the third device  230  over the second communication link  202 . The information associated with the first communication link  201  may include address information (e.g., Bluetooth address of the master device of the first communication link  201 , Bluetooth address of the second device  220 , and/or Bluetooth address of the first device  210 ), piconet clock information (e.g., clock native (CLKN) of the master device of the first communication link  201 ), logical transport (LT) address information (e.g., information assigned by the master device of the first communication link  201 ), used channel map information, link key information, service discovery protocol (SDP) information (e.g., service and/or profile information associated with the first communication link  201 ), and/or supported feature information. According an embodiment, the information associated with the first communication link  201  may further include, for example, an extended inquiry response (EIR) packet. The EIR packet may include resource control information of the first communication link  201  and/or information about the manufacturers of the various devices shown. 
     According an embodiment, the third device  230  may directly deliver the availability of the first communication link  201  by the third device  230  to the second device  220  over the first communication link  201  based on information about the first communication link  201 , which includes the first address of the first device  210 . 
     The third device  230  may identify a hopping channel by using information (e.g., information about the first communication link  201 ) received from the first device  210  and may monitor the first communication link  201  based on it to receive a data packet including content from the second device  220 , even though the third device  230  does not have a link with the second device  220 . According to an embodiment, when the second device  220  transmits a data packet to the first device  210  over the first communication link  201  in operation  306 , in operation  307 , the third device  230  may monitor the first communication link  201  based on at least a portion of the information about the first communication link  201  to receive the same data packet as the data packet received by the first device  210 . According an embodiment, the third device  230  may operate a radio frequency (RF) reception unit in a time slot transmitted by the second device  220  according to the identified hopping channel and the clock time point to receive the data packet delivered to the first device  210  by the second device  220 . 
     According an embodiment, the third device  230  may operate the RF transmission unit in a time slot received by the second device  220  according to the identified hopping channel and the clock time point based on the information about the first communication link  201  to transmit a packet to the second device  220 . According to an embodiment, the third device  230  may include a voice input system (e.g., microphone). When receiving sound (e.g. a user&#39;s voice) via the voice input system, the third device  230  may transmit a voice data packet to the second device  220  over the first communication link  201  based on the information about the first communication link  201 . 
     According to an embodiment, in operation  305 , the first device  210  may transmit the information about the first communication link  201  to the fourth device  240  over the third communication link  203 . According an embodiment, the fourth device  240  may directly deliver the availability of the first communication link  201  by the fourth device  240  to the second device  220  over the first communication link  201  based on the information about the first communication link  201 , which includes the first address of the first device  210 . 
     Like the third device  230 , the fourth device  240  may receive a data packet including content from the second device  220  over the first communication link  201  based on the information (e.g., the information about the first communication link  201 ) received from the first device  210 , even though the fourth device  240  does not have a link with the second device  220 . According to an embodiment, when the second device  220  transits a data packet to the first device  210  over the first communication link  201  in operation  306 , in operation  308 , the fourth device  240  may monitor the first communication link  201  based on at least a portion of the information about the first communication link  201  to receive the same data packet as the data packet received by the first device  210 . Operation  307  and/or operation  308  may be referred to as shadowing or snooping. 
     According to an embodiment, when the fourth device  240  may include a voice input system (e.g., microphone). When receiving sound (e.g. a user&#39;s voice) via the voice input system, the fourth device  240  may transmit a voice data packet to the second device  220  over the first communication link  201  based on the information about the first communication link  201 . 
     Although not illustrated in  FIG. 3 , according to another embodiment, when the first device  210 , the third device  230 , and the fourth device  240  are devices supporting the same user account or related user accounts (e.g., family accounts), they may share the information associated with the first communication link  201  through an external device (not shown) interworking with the first device  210 , the third device  230 , or the fourth device  240  through the same or related user account. In this case, the topology  200  may further include the external server (not shown). According an embodiment, the first device  210  may transmit the information associated with the first communication link  201  to the external server (not shown), and the external server (not shown) may transmit the information associated with the first communication link  201  to the third device  230  and the fourth device  240 . 
     According to an embodiment, when the fourth communication link  204  is connected between the third device  230  and the fourth device  240 , when the third device  230  receives the information about the first communication link  201  over the second communication link  202  from the first device  210 , the third device  230  may transmit the information about the first communication link  201  to the fourth device  240  over the fourth communication link  204 . According to an embodiment, when the fourth communication link  204 . Similarly, when the fourth device  240  receives the information about the first communication link  201  over the third communication link  203  from the first device  210 , the fourth device  240  may transmit the information about the first communication link  201  to the third device  230  over the fourth communication link  204 . According to an embodiment, when the fourth communication link  204  is connected between the third device  230  and the fourth device  240 , the third device  230  may deliver a response message (e.g., ACK or NACK) of the third device  230  to the fourth device  240  over the fourth communication link  204 . The fourth device  240  may take into account both reception information of the third device  230  and reception information of the fourth device  240  to transmit a response message (e.g., ACK or NACK) to the second device  220  over the first communication link  201 . According to an embodiment, the fourth device  240  may deliver reception information of the fourth device  240  to the third device  230  over the fourth communication link  204 , and the third device  230  may take into account both the reception information of the fourth device  240  and the reception information of the third device  230  to transmit a response message (ACK or NACK) to the second device  220  over the first communication link  201 . The transmission of the reception information will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     Hereinafter, operations of a plurality of devices according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 . The same configurations as the embodiment described above may be referred to using the same reference numerals, and description of the same configurations as the embodiment described above may be omitted. 
       FIG. 4  is a signal sequence diagram  400  illustrating operations of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a drawing  500  illustrating an operation of transmitting response messages of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment. The order of the plurality of operations shown in the signal sequence diagram  400  of  FIG. 4  is not limiting, and example the order of the communication link establishment operation and the data transmission operation may be changed. However, the operation of transmitting data over a communication link may occur only after the establishment of the corresponding communication link (e.g., first to fourth communication links  201  to  204 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , according to an embodiment, in operation  401 , the first device  210  may transmit information of the fourth device  240  to the third device  230  over the second communication link  202 . According to an embodiment, the information of the fourth device  240  may be the Bluetooth address of the fourth device  240 . The information of the fourth device  240  may be transmitted together with information about the first communication link  201  when the first device  210  transmits information about the first communication link  201  to the third device  230  over the second communication link  202 . The third device  230  may identify and connect with the fourth device  240 , which is then paired with the third device  230 , based on the information about the fourth device  240 . Alternatively, according to an embodiment, the first device  210  may transmit information of the third device  230  to the fourth device  240  over the third communication link  203 . Alternatively, according to an embodiment, information about the device which is to be paired with the third device  230  and/or the fourth device  240  may be stored. 
     The third device  230  may establish the fourth communication link  204  using the first address of the fourth device  240  and the first address of the third device  230 , where the first address of the fourth device  240  is a portion of the information about the fourth device  240 . According to an embodiment, the third device  230  may receive the first address of the fourth device  240  from the first device  210  over the second communication link  202  and may request a connection to the first address of the fourth device  240  to establish the fourth communication link  204 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates that the third device  230  receives the information about the fourth device  240 . However, according to an embodiment, the fourth device  240  may receive information about the third device  230  from the first device  210  over the third communication link  203 . In this case, the fourth device  240  may request a connection to the first address of the third device  230  to establish the fourth communication link  204 . 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 4  separately illustrates operation  401  where the first device  210  transmits the information about the fourth device  240  to the third device  230  and operation  304  where the first device  210  transmits the information about the first communication link  201  to the third device  230 . However, when the first device  210  first establishes the first communication link  201  with the second device  220 , it may transmit two pieces of information (e.g., the information about the fourth device  240  and the information about the first communication link  201 ) together to the third device  230 . 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 4  illustrates that the fourth communication link  204  is established earlier than the first communication link  201 . However, according another embodiment, the fourth communication link  204  between the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  may be established after establishment of the first communication link  201  between the second device  220  and the first device  210 . 
     The third device  230  may share various pieces of information including state information of the third device  230  and state information of the fourth device  240  over the fourth communication link  204 . According an embodiment, the third device  230  may retransmit a packet, first transmitted from the second device  220 , to the fourth device  240 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 , in operation  306 , the second device  220  may transmit a data packet  501  to the first device  210  over the first communication link  201 . In operation  307 , the third device  230  may monitor the first communication link  201  to receive the data packet  501 . In operation  308 , the fourth device  240  may monitor the first communication link  201  to receive the data packet  501 . 
     In operation  403 , the third device  230  may transmit reception information  502  of the third device, which is about the received data packet  501 , to the fourth device  240 . When normally or successfully receiving the data packet  501 , the third device  230  may transmit a positive acknowledgement (ACK) as the reception information  502  of the third device. When the data packet  501  is not normally received (or when the received data is not normally processed), the third device  230  may transmit a negative acknowledgement (NACK) message as the reception information  502  of the third device. In certain embodiments of the disclosure, when the data packet is normally received, the data is successfully processed (e.g., decoded or parsed) after being successfully received by the corresponding device. 
     According to an embodiment, a scheme that the third device  230  delivers the reception information  502  to the fourth device  240  may follow a scheme stored in the third device  230  or may be determined when the fourth communication link  204  is established between the third device  230  and the fourth device  240 . According an embodiment, the third device  230  may deliver the reception information  502  to the fourth device  240  via at least one of the fourth communication link  204  (wired or wireless), broadcasting, non-audible tone, a unidirectional wireless link, a skin vibration pattern (vibration patterns transmitted through skin), or a light signal pattern. 
     To deliver a response message  503  to the second device  220  in a time slot subsequent to a time slot  511  where the data packet  501  is received from the second device  220 , the fourth device  240  may calculate a remaining time  521  of the time slot  511  (e.g., 625 μs) depending on a packet type of the data packet  501  (e.g., 426 μs or less). The fourth device  240  may receive the reception information  502  of the third device from the third device  230  during the corresponding remaining time  521  (e.g., 625 μs-426 μs or less=199 μs or more). 
     Because the fourth device  240  includes an RF reception unit which operates to receive the data packet  501  delivered over the first communication link  201  from the second device  220  and receives (or monitors) a data packet transmitted from the second device  220  to the first device  210  over the first communication link  201 , the third device  230  may use the first address of the first device  210  and may broadcast a packet including the reception information  502  of the third device such that the fourth device  240  receives it. 
     For example, a packet configuration may be an ID packet defined in Bluetooth specifications. The ID packet may not separately include ID packet data and may include a sync word including an address of a target device. 
     In operation  404 , the fourth device  240  may take into account both the reception information  502  of the third device  230  and reception information about the data packet  501  of the fourth device  240  and may deliver a response message  503  to the second device  220 . 
     According an embodiment, when the fourth device  240  receives the reception information  502  of the third device indicating ACK from the third device  230  and normally receives the data packet  501 , it may transmit the response message  503  indicating ACK to the second device  220 . According an embodiment, when the fourth device  240  receives the reception information  502  of the third device indicating ACK from the third device  230  and does not normally receive the data packet  501 , it may transmit a response message indicating NACK as the response message  503  to the second device  220  or may not transmit the response message  503  to the second device  220 . 
     According to an embodiment, when the fourth device  240  does not receive the reception information  502  of the third device within a specified time period (e.g., the remaining time  521 ) from the third device  230  or receives the reception information  502  of the third device indicating NACK from the third device  230 , irrespective of whether the fourth device  240  normally receives the data packet  501 , it may transmit a response message indicating NACK as the response message  503  to the second device  220  or may not transmit the response message  503  to the second device  220 . 
     The fourth device  240  may transmit the response message  503  without being directly connected with the second device  220 . According to an embodiment, the fourth device  240  may transmit the response message  503  based on the first address of the first device  210  and/or information about the first communication link  201 . According to an embodiment, in operation  404 , the fourth device  240  may operate an RF transmission unit to employ a hopping channel and a clock time point based on the first address of the first device  210  and/or the information about the first communication link  201  to deliver the response message  503  to the second device  220 . 
     According to an embodiment, ACK or NACK may be represented as one-bit information in the response message  503 . When an ACK message is received after transmitting the data packet  501 , the second device  220  may transmit the next data packet. When a NACK message is received or when the response message  503  is not received within a specified time period, the second device  220  may retransmit the same data packet (e.g., the data packet  501 ) in a time slot (not shown) subsequent to the time slot  512 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate that the third device  230  transmits the reception information  502  of the third device to the fourth device  240  and that the fourth device transmits the response message  503  formed by synthesizing the reception information  502  of the third device with reception information of the fourth device to the second device  220 . However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The fourth device  240  may transmit the reception information (ACK or NACK) of the fourth device to the third device  230 . The third device  230  may transmit a response message formed by synthesizing the reception information of the fourth device  240  with reception information of the third device  230  to the second device  220 . The method where the fourth device  240  forms and transmits the reception information of the fourth device  240  and the method where the third device  230  forms a response message by synthesizing the reception information of the fourth device  240  with the reception information of the third device  230  and transmits the response message to the second device  220  may be performed in the same manner as the method where the third device  230  forms and transmits the reception information of the third device  230  and a method where the fourth device  240  forms a response message by synthesizing the reception information of the third device  230  with the response message of the fourth device  240  and transmits the response message to the second device  220 . 
     Furthermore, according to an embodiment, when transmitting data by using a plurality of time slots (e.g., three time slots), the second device  220  may receive a response message from the third device  230  or the fourth device  240  in the remaining time of a last time slot (e.g., a third time slot). 
     Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  do not monitor the first communication link  201 . The third device  230  or the fourth device  240  may operate a separate communication link with the first device  210  using address information received from the first device  210 , and the first device  210  may not use its first address for establishing the first communication link  201  in that case. 
     Hereinafter, operations of a plurality of devices according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The same configurations as the embodiment described above may be referred to using the same reference numerals, and description of the same configurations as the embodiment described above may be omitted. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a topology  600  of a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment.  FIG. 7  is a signal sequence diagram  700  illustrating operations of a plurality of devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment. The order of the plurality of operations shown in the signal sequence diagram  700  of  FIG. 7  is not limiting, and for example the order of the communication link establishment operation and the data transmission operation may be changed. However, the operation of transmitting data through a communication link may occur only after the corresponding communication link (e.g., first to fifth communication links  201  to  205 ) is established. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in operation  301 , the first device  210  and the second device  220  may establish the first communication link  201  using the first address of the first device  210 . In operation  302 , the first device  210  and the third device  230  may establish a second communication link  202  using the second address of the first device  210 . In operation  303 , the first device  210  and the fourth device  240  may establish a third communication link  203  using the second address of the first device  210 . 
     According an embodiment, in operation  304 , the first device  210  may deliver information about the first communication link  201  and the first address of the first device  210  to the third device  230  over the second communication link  202  established using the second address. 
     According an embodiment, in operation  305 , the first device  210  may deliver the information about the first communication link  201  and the first address of the first device  210  to the fourth device  240  over the third communication link  203  established using the second address. 
     According to an embodiment, in operation  306 , the second device  220  may transmit a data packet (e.g., data packet  501  of  FIG. 5 ) to the first device  210  over the first communication link  201 . In operation  307 , the third device  230  may monitor the first communication link  201  to receive the data packet  501 . In operation  308 , the fourth device  240  may monitor the first communication link  201  to receive the data packet  501 . 
     According an embodiment, in operation  701 , the first device  210  may connect the fifth communication link  205  with the second device  220  using the second address or the third address of the first device  210 . The timing of the operation  701  of connecting the fifth communication link  205  with the first device  210  and the second device  220  using the second address or the third address of the first device  210  is not limited to the illustration of  FIG. 7 . 
     According an embodiment, when the first device  210  delivers the information about the first communication link  201  and the first address of the first device  210  to the third device  230  over the second communication link  202  established using the second address and delivers the information about the first communication link  201  and the first address of the first device  210  to the fourth device  240  over the third communication link  203  established using the second address in operations  304  and  305 , the first device  210  may allow the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  to use the first address of the first device  210  and the first communication link  201 . After the first device  210  may not use the first address of the first device  210  and the first communication link  201 , and instead may operate using the second address or the third address of the first device  210 . Operating using the second address or the third address of the first device  210  may mean that the first device  210  and the second device  220  establish the fifth communication link  205  or communicates with each other over the fifth communication link  205 . 
     According an embodiment, after the first device  210  delivers the first address of the first device  210  and the information about the first communication link  201  to the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  in operations  304  and  305  described above, when the first device  210  receives information that the third device  230  starts to use the first communication link  201  using the first address of the first device  210  and/or when the first device  210  receives information that the fourth device  240  starts to use the first communication link  201  using the first address of the first device  210 , the first device  210  may operate using the second address or the third address of the first device  210 , and may cease using the first address of the first device  210  and the first communication link  201 . 
     According to an embodiment, after delivering the first address of the first device  210  and the information about the first communication link  201  to the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  in operations  304  and  305  described above, the first device  210  may identify that the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are separated from the first device  210  (e.g., the housing of the first device  210 ) by using a wired interface and may operate using the second address or the third address of the first device  210 , and may cease using the first address of the first device  210  and the first communication link  201 . 
     According to an embodiment, the first device  210  may identify that the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  are inserted into the first device  210  (e.g., the housing of the first device  210 ) by using the wired interface and may operate the second address or the third address of the first device  210 , and may cease using the first address of the first device  210  and the first communication link  201 . For example, the first device  210  may transmit control information to the second device  220  over the fifth communication link  205  which uses the second address or the third address of the first device  210  and may control a speaker of the second device  220 . Furthermore, for example, the second device  220  may transmit control information to the first device  210  over the fifth communication link  205  which uses the second address or the third address of the first device  210  and may control a speaker of the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, the first device  210  may request a Bluetooth connection from the second device  220  to the second address or the third address of the first device  210 . When the second device  220  accepts the Bluetooth connection, the first device  210  may connect the fifth communication link  205  with the second device  220  using the second address or the third address of the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, when transmitting an advertising signal including the first address of the first device  210  in the Bluetooth pairing mode, the first device  210  may include and transmit the second address or the third address of the first device  210  in the advertising signal. According an embodiment, when receiving the advertising signal, the second device  220  may request a Bluetooth connection to the second address or the third address of the first device  210 . According an embodiment, when the first device  210  and/or the second device  220  establishes the first communication link  201  with the second device  220  using the first address of the first device  210 , the first device  210  and/or the second device  220  may receive a response about whether to establish the fifth communication link  205  with the second device  220  using the second address or the third address of the first device  210  (e.g., the second device  220  may provide a user with an indication such as a check box and may receive a user input), and the corresponding response information may be stored in the first device  210  and/or the second device  220 . When there is a request for a Bluetooth connection to the second address or the third address of the first device  210  and/or the second device  220 , the first device  210  and/or the second device  220  may establish the fifth communication link  205  using the second address or the third address of the first device  210  without separate user input. 
     According to an embodiment, after receiving information that the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  have started to use the first communication link  201 , the second device  220  may request a Bluetooth connection from the first device  210  based on an advertising signal including the third address of the first device  210 . For example, when the third device  230  and/or the fourth device  240  deliver(s) information that the third device  230  and/or the fourth device  240  have started to use the first communication link  201  over the first communication link  201 , the second device  220  may know that the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  have started to use the first communication link  201 . In another example, when the first device  210  receives information that the third device  230  and/or the fourth device  240  have started to use the first communication link  201  from the third device  230  and/or the fourth device  240  and delivers it to the second device  220  again over the first communication link  201 , the second device  220  may know that the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  have started to use the first communication link  201 . The first device  210  may accept the Bluetooth connection of the second device  220  and may establish the fifth communication link  205  with the second device  220  using the third address of the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, the first device  210  may transmit a second advertising signal including the third address of the first device  210 , independently of the first advertising signal including the first address and/or the second address of the first device  210 . The second device  220  may receive the second advertising packet to recognize the third address of the first device  210 . The second device  220  may request a Bluetooth connection to the third address of the first device  210 . The first device  210  may accept it and may establish the fifth communication link  205  with the second device  220  using the third address of the first device  210 . 
     According an embodiment, the first device  210  may request a Bluetooth connection from the second device  220  to the third address of the first device  210  using the Bluetooth address of the second device  220 , which is recognized while creating the first communication link  201 . When the second device  220  accepts it, the fifth communication link  205  may be established. 
     The first device  210  may perform an operation based on standard Bluetooth communication with the second device  220  over the connected fifth communication link  205 . For example, the first device  210  may connect various profiles based on Bluetooth specifications over the fifth communication link  205  and may communicate with the second device  220  based on the profiles. 
     According an embodiment, in operation  702 , the first device  210  may deliver control information to the second device  220  over the fifth communication link  205 . 
     For example, in operation  702 , the first device  210  may deliver control information, such as music playback, stop, next/previous song, volume up/down, one-song repetition, full repetition, or random playback, which is associated with a music playback application, to the second device  220  through an audio/video remote control profile (AVRCP) profile connection based on the fifth communication link  205 . 
     For another example, in operation  702 , the first device  210  may deliver control information, such as call origination, call acceptance, reception denial, volume up/down, speech recognition, start/stop, record, or speaker phone operation, which is associated with a call application, to the second device  220  through a hands-free profile (HFP) connection based on the fifth communication link  205 . According to an embodiment, the first device  210  may include a voice input/output device (e.g., microphone and/or speaker) and may make phone calls using it. 
     In another example, the first device  210  may play audio data delivered from the second device  220  using a sound output device (e.g., speaker) of the first device  210  through an advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP) connection based on the fifth communication link  205 . 
     According an embodiment, the first device  210  may include a pressure sensor and may deliver events identified according to a pattern where a user holds the first device  210  to the second device  220  over the fifth communication link  205 . 
       FIG. 8  is a drawing illustrating examples  801  and  802  of a pressure sensor of an electronic device according to certain embodiments.  FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating examples  901 ,  902 , and  903  of a grip pattern of an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 , the pressure sensor  810  may be attached and mounted on the first device  210 . The pressure sensor may be mounted on the electronic device to detect various grip patterns of the user gripping the first device  210 . 
     A sensor such as a piezoelectric sensor with the property where electricity occurs on the surface of a crystal (e.g., quartz, or tourmaline) when pressure is applied in a specific direction may be used as the pressure sensor  810 , and the pressure sensor  810  may be mounted on an upper center part or a back part of the first device  210 . According to another embodiment, the pressure sensor may be located along the periphery of the first device. 
     According to an embodiment, the first device  210  may detect a position where the user applies pressure, force where the user applies pressure, the number of times that the user applies pressure, and/or the time period when the user applies pressure and may generate various signals depending on a combination thereof. Such a signal may be a control signal defined in a Bluetooth profile and may be a newly defined control signal. Operation  901  of  FIG. 9  may correspond to the operation of gripping the first device  210 . Operation  902  may correspond to the operation of applying pressure to the side part of the first device  210 . Operation  903  may correspond to the operation of applying pressure to the upper center part of the first device  210 . According to an embodiment, when receiving the operation of strongly gripping the first device  210  (e.g., operation  901 ), the first device  210  may form and deliver a command associated with executing music playback to the second device  220 . When receiving the operation of lightly holding the first device  210 , the first device  210  may deliver a music stop/play command to the second device  220 . According to an embodiment, when receiving the operation of lightly holding the first device  210  twice in succession, the first device  210  may deliver a command to move to a next song to the second device  220 . Furthermore, according to an embodiment, when receiving the operation of swiping down or up the first device  210 , the first device  210  may deliver a volume up/down command to the second device  220 . According to another embodiment, when a call is received during music playback, the first device  210  may deliver a command to receive the call when receiving the operation of strongly gripping the first device  210 . 
       FIG. 10  is a drawing illustrating an example  1001  where one or more buttons are included in an electronic device according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 10 , according another embodiment, at least one or more buttons  1010 ,  1011 , or  1012  may be mounted on the first device  210 . Various signals may be delivered to the second device  220  over the fifth communication link  205  according to inputs from the user to the one or more buttons  1010 ,  1011 , or  1012 . According an embodiment, various input patterns to one or more buttons  1010 ,  1011 , or  1012  may be mapped to various control operations such as music playback/stop, next song playback, previous song playback, call acceptance, call rejection, volume up, or volume down. According an embodiment, the control operation (e.g., music playback/stop, next song playback, previous song playback, call acceptance, call rejection, volume up, volume down, or the like) corresponding to the various input patterns to one or more buttons  1010 ,  1011 , or  1012  may be set by the user. The first device  210  may deliver information used to process the identified control operation in the second device  220 , such that the second device  220  performs the intended operation. 
     Hereinafter, a user interface of the device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 11 . The same configurations as the embodiment described above may be referred to using the same reference numerals, and description of the same configurations as the embodiment described above may be omitted. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates examples  1101  and  1102  of a user interface (UI) indicating a connection between devices in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 11 , when entering a Bluetooth pairing mode, the first device  210  may generate an advertising signal based on a specified condition. The peripheral second device  220  may recognize the first device  210  by receiving the advertising signal and may output a user interface  1110  for a connection with the first device  210  on a display device (e.g., display device  160  of  FIG. 1 ). The second device  220  may output the user interface  1110  on the display device included in the second device  220  depending on various conditions based on information included in the advertising signal. According to an embodiment, the user interface  1110  may include an image  1120  corresponding to the first device  210 . 
     The user interface  1110  may include device recognition information. According to an embodiment, the device recognition information may include at least one of an image  1120  or  1121  indicating the shape of the device which is the Bluetooth connection target and text  1130  indicating the name of the device which is the Bluetooth connection target. According an embodiment, although not illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the user interface  1110  may indicate whether there is a history where the device which is the Bluetooth connection target is previously connected. 
     According an embodiment, although directly creation of a Bluetooth link with the second device  220  may be performed by the first device  210  and although the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  may only monitor the first communication link  201  of the first device  210  with the second device  220 , to prevent user confusion, the second device  220  may display the image  1121  indicating shapes of the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  rather than the image  1120  indicating the shape of the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, when the third device  230  or the fourth device  240  notifies the second device  220  of being connected with the second device  220  over the first communication link  201 , when the first device  210  notifies the second device  220  that the third device  230  or the fourth device  240  are using the first communication link  201 , or when the first device  210  is connected with the second device  220  over a fifth communication link  205 , the second device  220  may change and display the image  1120  to the image  1121 , in order to display a connection target. 
     According an embodiment, the user interface  1110  may include an indication indicating whether a connection to the third address of the first device  210  is accepted and may include information about the connection to the third address of the first device  210 . 
     According to an embodiment, the second device  220  may establish the first communication link  201  with the first device  210 , in response to receiving a user input  1140  requesting connection with the first device  210  or automatically without user input. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 12 . Description of the same configurations as the embodiment described above will be omitted. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an electronic device in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment. 
     In operation  1201 , an electronic device (e.g., first device  210  of  FIG. 2 ) may establish a first communication link (e.g., first communication link  201  of  FIG. 2 ) with a first external electronic device (e.g., second device  220  of  FIG. 2 ) using a first address of the electronic device. 
     In operation  1202 , the electronic device may establish a second communication link (e.g., second communication link  202  of  FIG. 2 ) with a second external electronic device (e.g., third device  230  of  FIG. 2 ) using a second address of the electronic device. 
     In operation  1203 , the electronic device may transmit information associated with the first communication link, which is for estimating a channel of the first communication link, to the second external electronic device over the second communication link. The second external electronic device may monitor the first communication link based on the information about the first communication link. 
     In operation  1204 , the electronic device may establish a third communication link (e.g., fifth communication link  205  of  FIG. 6 ) with the first external electronic device using the second address or a third address of the electronic device. The electronic device and the first external electronic device may transmit and receive control information over the third communication link. 
     Hereinafter, an operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . Description of the same configurations as the embodiment described above will be omitted. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an electronic device in a Bluetooth network environment according to an embodiment. 
     In operation  1301 , an electronic device (e.g., third device  230  of  FIG. 2 ) may establish a first communication link (e.g., second communication link  202  of  FIG. 2 ) with a first external electronic device (e.g., first device  210  of  FIG. 2 ) using a first address of the first external electronic device. 
     In operation  1302 , the electronic device may establish a second communication link (e.g., fourth communication link  204  of  FIG. 2 ) with a second external electronic device (e.g., fourth device  240  of  FIG. 2 ) using a first address of the electronic device. 
     In operation  1303 , the electronic device may receive information about a third communication link (e.g., first communication link  201  of  FIG. 2 ) connected between the first external electronic device and a third external electronic device (e.g., second device  220  of  FIG. 2 ) over the first communication link from the first external electronic device. 
     In operation  1304 , the electronic device may monitor the third communication link based on the information about the third communication link to receive a data packet (e.g., data packet  501  of  FIG. 5 ) from the third external electronic device. 
     In operation  1305 , the electronic device may receive reception information (e.g., reception information  502  of  FIG. 5 ) of the second external electronic device, which is about the data packet, from the second external electronic device over the second communication link. 
     In operation  1306 , the electronic device may transmit a response message (e.g., a response message  503  of  FIG. 5 ) generated based on the reception information of the second external electronic device and reception information of the electronic device, which is about the data packet, to the third external electronic device over the third communication link. 
     According to certain embodiments disclosed in the disclosure, each of two or more devices (e.g., the third device  230  and the fourth device  240 ) may receive a data packet over the first communication link  201  without the necessity of creating a link with the second device  220  which transmits a data packet (e.g., audio packet), thus reducing the complexity of connection and reducing a time delay due to repeated data packet transmission and power consumption according to repeated operation performance. 
     Furthermore, according to certain embodiments disclosed in the disclosure, the third device  230  and the fourth device  240  employing the disclosed sniffing operations may quickly and accurately interwork with the second device  220  which is an audio source to stably provide the user with high-quality sound. 
     Furthermore, according to certain embodiments disclosed in the disclosure, the first device  210  may deliver control information associated with call and/or music playback to the second device  220  over the fifth communication link  205  independently of the first communication link  201  where a data packet, such as an audio packet, is transmitted. Furthermore, the first device  210  may transmit state information such as battery information of the first device  210  to the second device  220  over the fifth communication link  205 . Various control signals may be generated by means of the first device  210  to conveniently use the third device  230  and the fourth device  240 . 
     An electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include wireless communication circuitry, a processor operatively connected with the wireless communication circuitry, and a memory operatively connected with the processor. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to establish a first communication link  201  with a first external electronic device  220  using a first address of the electronic device through the wireless communication circuitry, establish a second communication link  202  with a second external electronic device  230  using a second address of the electronic device  210  through the wireless communication circuitry, transmit information about the first communication link  201 , the information configured for estimating a channel of the first communication link  201 , to the second external electronic device  230  over the second communication link  202 , and establish a third communication link  205  with the first external electronic device  220  using the second address or a third address of the electronic device  210 , after transmitting the information about the first communication link  201  to the second external electronic device  230 . The processor may include a microprocessor or any suitable type of processing circuitry, such as one or more general-purpose processors (e.g., ARM-based processors), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), a video card controller, etc. In addition, it would be recognized that when a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein. Certain of the functions and steps provided in the Figures may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both and may be performed in whole or in part within the programmed instructions of a computer. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” In addition, an artisan understands and appreciates that a “processor” or “microprocessor” may be hardware in the claimed disclosure. Under the broadest reasonable interpretation, the appended claims are statutory subject matter in compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 101. 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to transmit control information associated with an application stored in the first external electronic device  220  to the first external electronic device  220  over the third communication link  205 . 
     The electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include a charging device of the second external electronic device  230 . The second external electronic device  230  may include a sound output device. 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to establish a fourth communication link  203  with a third external electronic device  240  using the second address of the electronic device  210  through the wireless communication circuitry and transmit the information about the first communication link  201  to the third external electronic device  240  over the fourth communication link  203 . 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the information about the first communication link  201  may include information about the first address. 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to attempt to connect with the third communication link  205  after receiving reception information for the information about the first communication link  201  from the second external electronic device  230  and/or identifying that the second external electronic device  230  is separated from a housing of the electronic device  210 , after transmitting the information about the first communication link  201  to the second external electronic device  230 . 
     The electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include a user interface  1110  for receiving control information associated with the application. 
     The electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include a sound output device. 
     An electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include wireless communication circuitry, a processor operatively connected with the wireless communication circuitry, and a memory operatively connected with the processor. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to establish a first communication link  202  with a first external electronic device  210  based on a first address of the first external electronic device  210  through the wireless communication circuitry, establish a second communication link  204  with a second external electronic device  240  using a first address of the electronic device  230  through the wireless communication circuitry, receive information about a third communication link  201  connected between the first external electronic device  210  and a third external electronic device  220  over the first communication link  202  from the first external electronic device  210 , monitor the third communication link  201  based on the information about the third communication link  201  to receive a data packet from the third external electronic device  220 , receive first reception information of the second external electronic device  240 , the first reception information being about the data packet, from the second external electronic device  240  over the second communication link  204 , and transmit a response message generated based on the first reception information of the second external electronic device  240  and second reception information of the electronic device  230 , the second reception information being about the data packet, to the third external electronic device  220  over the third communication link  201 . 
     The electronic device  230  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include a sound output device. The first external electronic device  210  may include a charging device of the electronic device  230 . The second external electronic device  240  may include a sound output device. 
     In the electronic device  230  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to, when the received first reception information of the second external electronic device  240  indicates ACK, set the response message to indicate the ACK when the second reception information of the electronic device  230  indicates the ACK and set the response message to indicate NACK when the second reception information of the electronic device  230  indicates the NACK. 
     In the electronic device  230  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to set the response message to indicate NACK when the first received reception information of the second external electronic device  240  indicates the NACK. 
     In the electronic device  230  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the information about the third communication link may include information about a second address of the first external electronic device  210 . 
     An electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include wireless communication circuitry, a processor operatively connected with the wireless communication circuitry, and a memory operatively connected with the processor. The memory may store one or more instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to establish a first communication link  201  with a first external electronic device  220  using a first address of the electronic device  210  through the wireless communication circuitry, establish a second communication link  202  with a second external electronic device  230  using a second address of the electronic device  210  through the wireless communication circuitry, and transmit information about the first communication link  201 , the information configured for estimating a channel of the first communication link  201 , to the second external electronic device  230  over the second communication link  202 . The second external electronic device  230  may include a sound output device, and the electronic device may include a charging device of the second external electronic device  230 . 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to establish a third communication link  205  with the first external electronic device  220  using the second address of the electronic device  210 , after transmitting the information about the first communication link  201  to the second external electronic device  230 . 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to establish a third communication link  205  with the first external electronic device  220  using a third address of the electronic device  210 , after transmitting the information about the first communication link  201  to the second external electronic device  230 . 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to transmit control information associated with an application stored in the first external electronic device  220  to the first external electronic device  220  over the third communication link  205 . 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to establish a fourth communication link  204  with the third external electronic device  240  using the second address of the electronic device  210  through the wireless communication circuitry and transmit the information about the first communication link  201  to the third external electronic device  240  over the fourth communication link  204 . 
     In the electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure, the one or more instructions may cause the processor to attempt to connect with the third communication link  205  after receiving reception information for the information about the first communication link  201  from the second external electronic device  230  and/or identifying that the second external electronic device  230  is separated from a housing of the electronic device  210 , after transmitting the information about the first communication link  201  to the second external electronic device  230 . 
     The electronic device  210  according to an embodiment disclosed in the disclosure may include a user interface  1110  for receiving control information associated with an application stored in the first external electronic device  220 . 
     The electronic device according to certain embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above. 
     It should be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B, or C”, “at least one of A, B, and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd”, or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with”, “coupled to”, “connected with”, or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element. 
     As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic”, “logic block”, “part”, or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). 
     Certain embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program  140 ) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory  136  or external memory  138 ) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device  101 ). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device  101 ) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a compiler or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. 
     According to an embodiment, a method according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer&#39;s server, a server of the application store, or a relay server. 
     According to certain embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to certain embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, according to certain embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to certain embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added. 
     Certain of the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in hardware, firmware or via the execution of software or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), a magnetic tape, a RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or computer code downloaded over a network originally stored on a remote recording medium or a non-transitory machine readable medium and to be stored on a local recording medium, so that the methods described herein can be rendered via such software that is stored on the recording medium using a general purpose computer, or a special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer, the processor, microprocessor controller or the programmable hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive software or computer code that when accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware implement the processing methods described herein. 
     While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.