Patent Description:
Despite an electronic device including a separate speaker, there are many cases in which a sound system is connected to the electronic device for the purpose of prevention of noise generation to the periphery, higher sound quality, etc..

Also, in recent years, a sound system supporting an active noise canceling (ANC) technology is being put on the market. Here, the ANC technology refers to a technology of offsetting noise intended to be removed along with other noise by using the principle of superposition of wave and interference. The sound system put on the market by employing the conventional ANC technology is mostly a sound system mounting an RX ANC technology which is usable when a user listens to a counterpart's voice while listening to music or making a call, i.e., which is for removal of noise of a reception voice. Also, even some sound systems mounting a TX ANC technology for removal of noise of a user's transmission voice have been put on the market.

Known in the art are the electronic devices and accessories disclosed in "<CIT>", which may communicate over wired communications paths. The electronic devices may be portable electronic devices such as cellular telephones or media players and may have audio connectors such as <NUM> audio jacks. The accessories may be headsets or other equipment having mating <NUM> audio plugs and speakers for playing audio. Microphones may be included in an accessory to gather voice signals and noise cancellation signals. Analog-to-digital converter circuitry in the accessory may digitize the microphone signals. Digital voice signals and voice noise cancellation signals can be transmitted over the communications path and processed by audio digital signal processor circuitry in an electronic device. Digital-to-analog converter circuitry in the accessory may convert digital audio signals to analog speaker signals. Digital noise cancellation signals may use digital noise signals to cancel noise from digital audio signals that have been received from an electronic device.

Also known in the art is the host device disclosed in "<CIT>," which may comprise an electrical power transmitting controller device, and an accessory device may comprise an electrical power receiving controller device. After an identification and handshaking process to determine power requirements the power transmitting controller device provides electrical power to the electrical power receiving controller device to operate the accessory device. Coded communication data is transferred between the host device and the accessory device by a communication link. Power and communication are transferred over a single wire, such as an auxiliary pole of a <NUM> jack interface. Another example of prior art can be found in <CIT>.

To implement an ANC function in a conventional sound system, a separate power source (e.g., battery) is needed to be embedded within the sound system. That is, a user has to separately charge the sound system, and there is an inconvenience that portability is deteriorated because the user uses a sound system having an increased volume and weight.

Accordingly to this, there is a need for a sound system capable of providing a function of removing noise from a reception signal and a transmission signal, to increase a user's convenience, and receiving power for a function of removing noise from an external device, thereby reducing a volume and weight.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an apparatus and method for removing noise from a reception signal and a transmission signal.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for removing noise from a reception signal and a transmission signal, in a sound system not embedded with a separate power source.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for generating first data by multiplexing a plurality of signals including transmission signals from a plurality of microphones, on the basis of power provided from another electronic device through a first path, and transmitting through the first path to the another electronic device, in a sound system not embedded with a separate power source.

An embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for supplying power through a first path to a sound system, and generating a plurality of signals including transmission signals by demultiplexing first data received through the first path from the sound system, and removing noise from the transmission signals.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sound system according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a system according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating a sound system according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for operating an electronic device according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may provide a clear sound that noise is removed from a transmission signal and a reception signal, without deteriorating of basic audio performance, by performing power reception and data communication through one path coupled with another electronic device, in a sound system not embedded with a separate power source. Also, there is an advantage in which because the separate power source is not needed to be embedded in the sound system, there is not a trouble in which a user has to separately charge the sound system, and a weight and volume of the sound system may be reduced.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. The terms used herein are defined in consideration of functions of the present disclosure and may vary depending on a user's or an operator's intension and usage. Therefore, the terms used herein should be understood based on the descriptions made herein. In the present disclosure, an expression such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," or "one or more of A and B" may include all possible combinations of the listed items. Expressions such as "first," "second," "primarily," or "secondary," as used herein, may represent various elements regardless of order and/or importance and do not limit corresponding elements. The expressions may be used for distinguishing one element from another element. When it is described that an element (such as a first element) is "(operatively or communicatively) coupled" to or "connected" to another element (such as a second element), the element can be directly connected to the other element or can be connected through another element (such as a third element).

An expression "configured to (or set)" used in the present disclosure may be used interchangeably with, for example, "suitable for," "having the capacity to," "designed to," "adapted to," "made to," or "capable of" according to a situation. A term "configured to (or set)" does not only mean "specifically designed to" by hardware. Alternatively, in some situations, the expression "apparatus configured to" may mean that the apparatus "can" operate together with another apparatus or component. For example, a phrase "a processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C" may be a generic-purpose processor (such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or an application processor) that can perform a corresponding operation by executing at least one software program stored at an exclusive processor (such as an embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operation or at a memory device.

An electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure, may be embodied as, for example, at least one of a smart phone, a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a workstation, a server, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), an MPEG <NUM> (MP3) player, a medical equipment, a camera, and a wearable device. The wearable device can include at least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an ankle bracelet, a necklace, glasses, a contact lens, or a Head-Mounted-Device (HMD)), a fabric or clothing embedded type (e.g., electronic garments), a body attachable type (e.g., a skin pad or a tattoo), and an implantable circuit. The electronic device may be embodied as at least one of, for example, a television, a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player, an audio device, a refrigerator, an air-conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, a microwave oven, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a home automation control panel, a security control panel, a media box (e.g., Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a game console (e.g., Xbox™, PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder, and an electronic frame.

In another embodiment, the electronic device may be embodied as at least one of various medical devices (such as, various portable medical measuring devices (a blood sugar measuring device, a heartbeat measuring device, a blood pressure measuring device, or a body temperature measuring device), a Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) device, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device, a Computed Tomography (CT) device, a scanning machine, and an ultrasonic wave device), a navigation device, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), an Event Data Recorder (EDR), a Flight Data Recorder (FDR), a vehicle infotainment device, electronic equipment for ship (such as, a navigation device for ship and gyro compass), avionics, a security device, a head unit for a vehicle, an industrial or home robot, a drone, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of a financial institution, a Point Of Sales (POS) device of a store, and an Internet of Things (IoT) device (e.g., a light bulb, various sensors, a sprinkler device, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a street light, a toaster, sports equipment, a hot water tank, a heater, and a boiler). According to an embodiment, the electronic device may be embodied as at least one of a portion of furniture, building/construction or vehicle, an electronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projector, and various measuring devices (e.g., water supply, electricity, gas, or electric wave measuring device). An electronic device, according to an embodiment, can be a flexible electronic device or a combination of two or more of the foregoing various devices. An electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is not limited to the foregoing devices may be embodied as a newly developed electronic device. The term "user", as used herein, can refer to a person using an electronic device or a device using an electronic device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device).

<FIG> is a construction diagram of a system including a sound system and an external device of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the system may include a sound system <NUM>, an external device <NUM> coupled with the sound system <NUM>, and a <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> coupling the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the sound system <NUM> may be a sound system not embedded with a battery, and supporting an ANC function and a PLC function. Here, a power line communication (PLC) technology refers to a function of being capable of, by using a power line for supplying power, modulating a voice and data, and loading the voice and data on a frequency signal and forwarding together with power, to give and take information in both directions. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may support the PLC technology. According to another embodiment, the sound system <NUM> may include two or more microphones in order to support the ANC function. The sound system <NUM> may include two or more microphones and a speaker for outputting sound, and the sound system <NUM> may be a headset or an earphone.

The external device <NUM> may be an electronic device that is coupled with the sound system <NUM> through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>. For example, the external device <NUM> may be a portable terminal, a computer, and a tablet PC. The external device <NUM> of an embodiment of the present disclosure may be an electronic device that supports the PLC function and the ANC function.

The ear jack <NUM> may couple the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM>. The ear jack <NUM> may be constructed in the <NUM>-pole standard. That is, the internal of the ear jack <NUM> may be constructed as four terminals such as an M-stage <NUM>, a G-stage <NUM>, an R-stage <NUM>, and an L-stage <NUM>. A microphone signal may be transmitted through the M-stage <NUM>. The microphone signal may be data muxing and encoding a plurality of signals including a user's voice signal at calling. Also, an audio signal may be transmitted through the R-stage <NUM> and the L-stage <NUM>. The audio signal may be a counterpart's voice signal at calling. The G-stage <NUM> may perform a role of taking the ground level.

Though not illustrated, the coupling of the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may be performed by any one of the ear jack <NUM> or a USB type interface. The respective terminals (the M-stage <NUM>, the G-stage <NUM>, the R-stage <NUM>, and the L-stage <NUM>) of the ear jack <NUM> correspond to USB type receptacle pins respectively, and may each perform the same role.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, power line data communication and power supplying may be performed through one same line. However, in the drawing, it has been expressed by two lines for conceptual description convenience's sake.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ear jack <NUM> may be inserted into the inside of the external device <NUM>. However, in the drawing, the ear jack <NUM> has been illustrated outside the external device <NUM> for description convenience's sake.

The sound system <NUM> of various embodiments of the present disclosure is not embedded with a battery, so there is a need to receive power from the external device <NUM> in order to perform the ANC function. That is, as the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> support the PLC function, the both devices may perform power supplying, reception and data communication through one path. In other words, the sound system <NUM> may not only transmit a microphone signal through the M-stage <NUM> but also receive power, and the external device <NUM> may not only receive the microphone signal through the M-stage <NUM> but also supply power.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a sound system <NUM> of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the sound system <NUM> may include a power line communication unit <NUM>, a noise removal unit <NUM>, a first microphone <NUM>, a user interface unit <NUM>, a second microphone <NUM>, an R-speaker <NUM>, and an L-speaker <NUM>. Here, at lease one of the first microphone <NUM>, the second microphone <NUM>, the R-speaker <NUM> and the L-speaker <NUM> may exist in plural as well.

The first microphone <NUM> may receive a first signal corresponding to a sound signal. The first signal may be a user's transmission voice. The transmission voice may include peripheral noise signal not wanted by a user. The second microphone <NUM> may receive a second signal corresponding to a sound signal, for removing a noise signal included in the first signal. A location of the second microphone <NUM> may be irrelevant left and right. The second signal may be a sound corresponding to the peripheral noise signal.

The user interface unit <NUM> may be a device for adjusting the output and input of a sound signal generated by the driving of the sound system <NUM>. For example, the user interface unit <NUM> may be at least one or more buttons which are installed outside a headset. For example, the user interface unit <NUM> may be at least one or more buttons adjusting a function, etc. of an increase and decrease of a volume of a sound output, a muteness of the volume of the sound output, a movement and pause of a music track played at music playing, ON/OFF of an ANC function, etc. The user may perform the above-mentioned functions by using the user interface unit <NUM>, even without using an input unit <NUM> of an external device.

The power line communication unit <NUM> may generate input data that will be transmitted to the external device <NUM>, on the basis of power supplied through the M-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM> from the external device <NUM>. That is, the power line communication unit <NUM> may generate input data that will be transmitted to the external device <NUM> by multiplexing and encoding a sound signal inputted from the first microphone <NUM>, a sound signal inputted through the noise removal unit <NUM> from the second microphone <NUM> and a signal inputted through the user interface unit <NUM>, etc. Also, the power line communication unit <NUM> may transmit the generated input data to the external device <NUM> through the M-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM>. Here, as shown in the drawing by a dotted line, the second microphone <NUM> may be directly coupled to the power line communication unit <NUM> without going through the noise removal unit <NUM> as well.

The noise removal unit <NUM> may receive output data from the external device <NUM> through the R-stage <NUM> and L-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM>. Here, the output data may be a counterpart's voice, i.e., a reception voice signal at calling.

The process of receiving the output data may be performed at the same time as the process of transmitting the input data. That is, the process of receiving the output data and the process of transmitting the input data are not be performed sequentially according to the flow of time, but may be performed simultaneously at an arbitrary specific time.

The noise removal unit <NUM> may generate output data for removing peripheral noise, on the basis of power supplied from the external device <NUM> through the M-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM>. That is, by using second data received from the second microphone <NUM>, the noise removal unit <NUM> may synthesize new output data for removing peripheral noise, with output data received through the R-stage <NUM> and L-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM> from the external device <NUM>. At this time, a peripheral noise removal degree of the new output data for removing the peripheral noise may be adjusted through a gain according to a user's convenience.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, in response to a noise removal unit of the external device <NUM> not existing, the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM> may instead perform a TX ANC function. In detail, the noise removal unit <NUM> may receive a first signal through the first microphone <NUM> and the power line communication unit <NUM>, and may receive a second signal through the second microphone <NUM>. Thereafter, the noise removal unit <NUM> may generate the first signal from which noise is removed, by synthesizing a reverse-phased signal of the received second signal with the first signal, and may transmit the generated first signal through the power line communication unit <NUM> and the M-stage <NUM> to the external device <NUM>.

Here, the active noise canceling (ANC) function may be applied to noise removal. The ANC function means a function of sensing external noise by using a plurality of sound signals including the external noise, and applying the sensed external noise and the reverse-phased signal, to remove the external noise. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it may apply the reverse-phased signal of the second signal corresponding to the external noise. In response to output data being divided into R and L signals, the noise removal unit <NUM> may apply the reverse-phased signal of the second signal to each of the R and L signals.

A line which passes through the L-stage <NUM> for receiving L-output data may be coupled with a resistor <NUM> coupled with the ground. The resistor <NUM> may be a resistor for varying a voltage that is sensed by a processor <NUM> of the external device <NUM>, in response to the sound system <NUM> being coupled to the external device <NUM>.

The R-speaker <NUM> may output a signal which adds a reverse-phased signal of a noise signal to R-output data received from the external device <NUM>.

The L-speaker <NUM> may output a signal which adds the reverse-phased signal of the noise signal to L-output data received from the external device <NUM>.

Though not illustrated, in response to the sound system <NUM> including a control unit, the noise removal unit <NUM> and the power line communication unit <NUM> may be included in the control unit of the sound system <NUM>.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of a power line communication unit of a sound system of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the power line communication unit <NUM> may include a multiplexing unit <NUM> and an encoding unit <NUM>.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, in response to sensing coupling through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> may be powered on by receiving power through the M-stage <NUM> from the external device <NUM>. That is, in response to a power source not being applied to the power line communication unit <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> may be in a power off state. At this time, a first signal and a signal by a user interface may be transmitted to the external device <NUM> through a separate path (a bypass circuit) of the power line communication unit <NUM>. For example, the power line communication unit <NUM> may include the bypass circuit. The bypass circuit may include a microphone bypass switch <NUM> and a user interface bypass switch <NUM>. The microphone bypass switch <NUM> and the user interface bypass switch <NUM> may have a closed state as a default state.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, in response to a power source not being applied to the power line communication unit <NUM>, the microphone bypass switch <NUM> and the user interface bypass switch <NUM> may be in a closed state, and microphone and user interface bypass circuits may be short circuits. Accordingly, the first signal and the signal by the user interface may be transmitted to the external device <NUM> through the bypass circuit of the power line communication unit <NUM>. In response to being coupled with the external device <NUM> through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, the microphone bypass switch <NUM> and the user interface bypass switch <NUM> are opened while the microphone and user interface bypass circuits are opened, under the control of the power line communication unit <NUM>. Also, the powered-on power line communication unit <NUM> may receive power through the M-stage <NUM> from the external device <NUM>, thereby performing power line data communication. That is, the power line communication unit <NUM> may be powered on by receiving power through the M-stage <NUM> from the external device <NUM>, and the first signal and the signal by the user interface, etc. may be transmitted to the external device <NUM> through the encoding unit <NUM> and the M-stage <NUM>, not the bypass circuit of the power line communication unit <NUM>.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, power line data communication carried out by the power line communication unit <NUM> and by the external device <NUM> may include transmission and/or reception of a PLC identifying signal for identifying whether the sound system <NUM> supports a PLC function and a response signal.

For example, to identify whether the coupled sound system <NUM> supports the PLC function, a processor <NUM> of an external device <NUM> sensing the coupling of the sound system <NUM> may transmit an identifying signal through the M-stage <NUM>. Also, in response to the identifying signal, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM> may transmit a separate response signal through the M-stage <NUM>.

The multiplexing unit <NUM> may receive a plurality of signals from a plurality of microphones of the sound system <NUM>. For example, the multiplexing unit <NUM> may receive a first signal from the first microphone <NUM>, and may receive a second signal from the second microphone <NUM>, or through the noise removal unit <NUM> coupled with the second microphone <NUM>. For example, in response to an RX ANC function of the sound system <NUM> being OFF, a power source is not supplied to the noise removal unit <NUM>, so the multiplexing unit <NUM> may directly receive the second signal from the second microphone <NUM>.

Also, the multiplexing unit <NUM> may receive a signal by a user interface from the user interface unit <NUM>. For example, the signal by the user interface may be at least one of signals on an increase and decrease of a volume of a sound output, a muteness of the volume of the sound output, a movement and pause of a music track played at music playing, and ON/OFF of an ANC function.

By multiplexing a plurality of received signals, the multiplexing unit <NUM> may generate one signal. The multiplexing refers to combining a plurality of signals in the form of a single complicated signal so as to use one communication path. Also, it may be shortly expressed as muxing. Here, the plurality of signals may include the first signal and the second signal, and may additionally include the signal by the user interface.

The encoding unit <NUM> may receive one signal multiplexed by the multiplexing unit <NUM>. Thereafter, by encoding the received signal, the encoding unit <NUM> may generate input data that is one digital signal.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an external device of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the external device <NUM> may include a power line communication unit <NUM>, a noise removal unit <NUM>, a power source unit <NUM>, a processor, <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, a communication unit <NUM>, and an audio processing unit <NUM>.

The power line communication unit <NUM> may perform data communication with the coupled sound system <NUM>, through a data communication terminal <NUM> and the M-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM>. For example, the power line communication unit <NUM> may receive input data through the M-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM> from the power line communication unit <NUM> of the coupled sound system <NUM>. The input data is data multiplexing and encoding sound signals inputted from a plurality of microphones, but in response to the noise removal unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM> not existing, the input data may be a sound signal from which noise is removed by the sound system <NUM>. For another example, the power line communication unit <NUM> may transmit, through the M-stage <NUM>, a PLC identifying signal for sensing, by the processor <NUM>, whether the coupled sound system <NUM> is a device supporting a PLC function.

The power line communication unit <NUM> may receive power through a power source terminal <NUM> from the power source unit <NUM>. By using the received power, the power line communication unit <NUM> may perform a demultiplexing and decoding process. By performing the demultiplexing and decoding process, the power line communication unit <NUM> may generate a first signal and a second signal each received from the plurality of microphones of the sound system <NUM>.

In the drawing, it has been illustrated that the power source unit <NUM> is located outside the power line communication unit <NUM>, but the power source unit <NUM> may be included inside the power line communication unit <NUM> as well. That is, the power source unit <NUM> may be located outside the power line communication unit <NUM> to supply a power source to a power line communication unit circuit, or may be located inside the power line communication unit <NUM> to load power through the data communication terminal <NUM>.

The noise removal unit <NUM> may receive a plurality of signals including a first signal and a second signal generated by the power line communication unit <NUM>. Here, the first signal may be a user's transmission voice signal, and may include peripheral noise. Also, the second signal may be peripheral noise signal inputted from the second microphone <NUM> of the sound system. Also, by performing an ANC function for the first signal, the noise removal unit <NUM> may generate a sound signal from which noise is removed. For example, by applying a reverse-phased signal of the second signal to the first signal, the noise removal unit <NUM> may remove peripheral noise from the first signal.

The storage unit <NUM> may store a sound signal, etc. received from the sound system <NUM>. For example, in response to a user performing a record command, the storage unit <NUM> may store a recorded user voice signal.

The input unit <NUM> may provide an input signal by a user to the processor <NUM>. For example, the user may input a signal related to a call through the input unit <NUM>. The input unit <NUM> may include one or more of a keypad including at least one hardware button, a touch screen for sensing touch information, and a touch pad.

The communication unit <NUM> may perform at least one communication function among voice communication and data communication. For example, the communication unit <NUM> may support a short range communication protocol (e.g., wireless fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth (BT), near field communication (NFC) or network communication (e.g., Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wire area network (WAN), a telecommunication network, a cellular network, a satellite network or a plain old telephone service (POTS)).

The audio processing unit <NUM> may provide an audio interface between the external device <NUM> and the sound system <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may receive a sound signal from the coupled sound system <NUM>, and a sound signal that will be outputted to the sound system <NUM>, and process the received signals according to an operation intended to be performed. For example, the processor <NUM> may receive transmission and reception signals, and process the received signals according to an operation intended to be performed.

In case of a transmission signal, the processor <NUM> may receive the transmission signal from which external noise is removed from the noise removal unit <NUM>, and process the received transmission signal. For example, in response to receiving a record command through the input unit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may receive a user's recorded voice from which noise is removed from the noise removal unit <NUM>, and store the voice in the storage unit <NUM>. For another example, in response to receiving a call command through the input unit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may receive a user's transmission voice from which noise is removed from the noise removal unit <NUM>, and transmit the voice to a call counterpart through the communication unit <NUM>.

In case of a reception signal, the processor <NUM> may transmit the reception signal through the audio processing unit <NUM> and the R-stage <NUM> and L-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM> to the sound system <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may transmit R-output data through the R-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM> to the sound system <NUM>, and may transmit L-output data through the L-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM> to the sound system <NUM>. The output data is not necessarily limited to a counterpart's voice at calling, and may be music or background music of a game according to an operation performed by the external device <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may receive a signal by a user interface from the power line communication unit <NUM>, and perform an operation related with the received signal. The signal by the user interface may be at least one of signals on an increase and decrease of a volume of a sound output, a muteness of the volume of the sound output, a movement and pause of a music track played at music playing, and ON/OFF of an ANC function. As an example of an operation related with a received signal, in response to the processor <NUM> receiving a signal by a user interface for the increase of the volume of the sound output, the processor <NUM> may increase a volume of output data transmitted to the audio processing unit <NUM> and the sound system <NUM> coupled through the R-stage <NUM> and L-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may include two or more terminals coupled with the power source unit <NUM>. The two or more terminals may include a sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM> and a sound system power source supply ON/OFF terminal <NUM>.

The sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM> may be a terminal sensing whether the external device <NUM> is coupled with the sound system <NUM>. In other words, in response to the external device <NUM> being coupled with the sound system <NUM> through the ear jack <NUM>, the sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM> may identify whether it is coupled with the sound system <NUM> through voltage variation.

Through the sound system power source supply ON/OFF terminal <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may supply power to the sound system <NUM>. For example, in response to identifying that the sound system <NUM> is coupled through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may turn on the sound system power source supply ON/OFF terminal <NUM>, to enable the power source unit <NUM> to supply power to the sound system <NUM>.

Through a pole number identifying terminal <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify the number of poles of the coupled ear jack <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the number of poles of the coupled ear jack is <NUM> poles or is <NUM> poles, on the basis of a value of a voltage measured by the pole number identifying terminal <NUM>. According to an embodiment, in response to it being the <NUM>-pole ear jack, because the M-stage <NUM> and the G-stage <NUM> are coupled with each other, the M-stage <NUM> may be recognized as the ground level and thus, it is recognized to be <NUM> poles. According to another embodiment, in response to it being the <NUM>-pole ear jack, the M-stage <NUM> may be recognized to be a value not the ground level and thus, it is recognized to be <NUM> poles. According to a further embodiment, the processor <NUM> may perform sound system coupling sensing and pole number identifying, through the sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM> as well.

The power source unit <NUM> may supply power to the external device <NUM> and the sound system <NUM>. Though not illustrated, the power source unit <NUM> may include a plurality of power sources. The plurality of power sources may include a first power source and a second power source. The first power source may be used for sensing whether the sound system <NUM> is coupled with the external device <NUM>, and may be coupled with the processor <NUM> through the sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM>. The second power source may be used for supplying power to the external device <NUM> and the sound system <NUM>, and may be coupled with the processor <NUM> through the sound system power source supply ON/OFF terminal <NUM>. That is, the second power source may be used for, in response to identifying that the sound system <NUM> is coupled through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, supplying power to the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM> and the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM>.

The first power source is a power source for sensing the coupling of the sound system <NUM> and thus, may be continuously kept ON. The second power source may selectively become ON/OFF according to the coupling or non-coupling of the sound system <NUM>. For example, in response to the coupled sound system <NUM> being separated, the second power source may become OFF.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of a power line communication unit of an external device of the present disclosure.

In <FIG>, a description has been made for the external device of an embodiment of the present disclosure, so, in <FIG>, a description is made aiming at a difference.

Referring to <FIG>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device may include a decoding unit <NUM> and a demultiplexing unit <NUM>.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the power line communication unit <NUM> may receive, through the power source terminal <NUM>, power from the second power source of the power source unit <NUM>. In response to the processor <NUM> sensing that the sound system <NUM> is coupled through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may turn on the second power source of the power source unit <NUM>. Accordingly to this, the power line communication unit <NUM> may receive power from the second power source.

The power line communication unit <NUM> receiving power may receive input data from the power line communication unit <NUM> of the coupled sound system <NUM> through the M-stage <NUM> of the ear jack and the data communication terminal <NUM>. The input data may be a digital signal that a user transmission voice and peripheral noise are multiplexed and encoded by the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM>.

The decoding unit <NUM> may decode input data received through the data communication terminal <NUM>. That is, the decoding unit <NUM> may generate data muxing a plurality of signals, by decompressing digital data compressed by the encoding unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM>.

The demultiplexing unit <NUM> may receive muxed data from the decoding unit <NUM>, and perform demultiplexing. The demultiplexing is a technique of separating a multiplexed complicated signal. Also, it may be shortly expressed as demuxing as well. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, through the demultiplexing, the demultiplexing unit <NUM> may separate data muxing a first signal inputted from the first microphone <NUM> of the sound system and a second signal inputted from the second microphone <NUM>, etc., into a plurality of signals. Also, the plurality of signals may include a signal by a user interface. In response to the signal by the user interface being included in the plurality of signals, the demultiplexing unit <NUM> may perform demultiplexing, to separate into the first signal and the second signal and the signal by the user interface.

The demultiplexing unit <NUM> may transmit a signal separated through the demultiplexing, to the noise removal unit <NUM> and the processor <NUM>. The demultiplexing unit <NUM> may transmit a first signal and a second signal through a plurality of lines to the noise removal unit <NUM>. The first signal may be a user transmission voice, and the second signal may be peripheral noise. Also, in response to the signal by the user interface being included in the plurality of signals, the demultiplexing unit <NUM> may transmit the signal by the user interface to the processor <NUM>. Also, the processor <NUM> may perform an operation related with the received signal by the user interface.

The processor <NUM> may receive a signal by a user interface from the power line communication unit <NUM>. Also, in response to the coupling of the sound system <NUM> through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> being sensed, the processor <NUM> may transmit a PLC identifying signal of identifying whether it is a device supporting a PLC, to the power line communication unit <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be coupled with the M-stage <NUM> through a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit may be a separate path in which a signal from the sound system is transmitted in response to the power line communication unit <NUM> being powered off.

The bypass circuit may include a bypass switch <NUM>. In response to the power line communication unit <NUM> being powered off, the bypass switch <NUM> is closed and the bypass circuit is short-circuited. In response to the power line communication unit <NUM> being powered on, the bypass switch <NUM> is opened and the bypass circuit is opened. That is, in response to the power line communication unit <NUM> being powered off, the bypass circuit may perform a role as a transmission path of a signal from the sound system <NUM>. A case that the power line communication unit <NUM> is powered off is a case of being coupled with the sound system <NUM> through the <NUM>-pole ear jack, a case of, even though being coupled with the sound system <NUM> through the <NUM>-pole ear jack, not being capable of sensing a PLC response signal, etc..

<FIG> is a block diagram of a sound system not having a noise removal unit of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, a description has been made for the sound system <NUM> having the noise removal unit <NUM>, so a description is here made aiming at a difference with <FIG> and <FIG> without describing all components of the drawing.

A power line communication unit <NUM> may generate input data that will be transmitted to the external device <NUM>, on the basis of power supplied from the external device <NUM> through an M-stage <NUM> of the ear jack <NUM>. At this time, in response to the noise removal unit not being included in the sound system <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> may be directly coupled with a second microphone <NUM> so as to receive a second signal included in the input data that will be transmitted to the external device <NUM>.

In response to the noise removal unit <NUM> not being included in the sound system <NUM>, the sound system <NUM> is not able to perform an RX ANC function. In this case, the RX ANC function may be instead performed by the external device <NUM>. That is, output data transmitted from the external device <NUM> through an R-stage <NUM> and an L-stage <NUM> may be transmitted to an R-speaker <NUM> and an L-speaker <NUM> without going through the noise removal unit <NUM>. At this time, the output data transmitted from the external device <NUM> may be output data for which the RX ANC function has been performed by the external device <NUM>. That is, a noise signal inputted to the second microphone <NUM> and forwarded is converted by the external device <NUM> into a reverse-phased signal, and the reverse-phased signal is synthesized to an R signal or L signal, and the synthesized signal may be forwarded to the sound system <NUM>.

<FIG> is a detailed block diagram of an external device of another embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a noise removal unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM> may be included in an audio processing unit <NUM>. <FIG> shows a construction of the external device <NUM> in response to the noise removal unit <NUM> being included in the audio processing unit <NUM>.

The audio processing unit <NUM> may include the noise removal unit <NUM>. The audio processing unit <NUM> may include a sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM> coupled with an L-stage <NUM>. The audio processing unit <NUM> may sense whether the sound system <NUM> is coupled with the external device <NUM> through the sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM>. In response to sensing that the sound system <NUM> is coupled through the <NUM>-pole ear jack, the audio processing unit <NUM> may transmit a related signal to the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> receiving the related signal may supply power to the power line communication unit <NUM> and the sound system <NUM> through a power source unit <NUM>.

The audio processing unit <NUM> may be directly coupled through a bypass circuit with an M-stage <NUM>. The bypass circuit may include a bypass switch <NUM>. In response to a power source not being applied to the power line communication unit <NUM> (power off), the bypass circuit may be short-circuited. For example, in response to the external device <NUM> failing to receive a response signal to a PLC signal from the coupled sound system <NUM>, a signal (e.g., the first signal through the first microphone) transmitted through the M-stage <NUM> may be directly transmitted through the short-circuited bypass circuit to the audio processing unit <NUM>, without being transmitted to a decoding unit <NUM> of the power line communication unit <NUM>.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, in response to the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM> not existing, the audio processing unit <NUM> may instead perform an RX ANC function. In detail, the audio processing unit <NUM> may receive a second signal (e.g., a peripheral noise signal) through the M-stage <NUM>, and receive a reception signal from the processor <NUM>. Thereafter, by synthesizing a reverse-phased signal of the second signal to the reception signal, the audio processing unit <NUM> may generate the reception signal for removing noise, and may transmit the generated reception signal through an R-stage <NUM> and the L-stage <NUM> to the sound system <NUM>.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present disclosure, in response to the noise removal unit <NUM> of the external device <NUM> not existing, the audio processing unit <NUM> may receive a transmission signal from which noise is previously removed by the sound system <NUM>. That is, the audio processing unit <NUM> may receive a noise-removed transmission signal that is generated by performing, by the sound system <NUM>, a TX ANC function. In detail, the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM> may generate a transmission signal from which noise is removed by applying a reverse-phased signal of a second signal (e.g., a peripheral noise signal) to a first signal. Thereafter, the audio processing unit <NUM> may receive the generated noise-removed transmission signal, from the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM>, through the M-stage <NUM>.

The external device <NUM> may include, in the audio processing unit <NUM> or the processor <NUM>, an instruction for converting an audio data format necessary for input of the noise removal unit <NUM>. As in <FIG>, the noise removal unit <NUM> for removing noise in the converted audio data format may be located in the audio processing unit <NUM>, and may be, although not illustrated, located in the processor <NUM> as well.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, in response to an instruction for changing an audio data format existing in the audio processing unit <NUM>, and the noise removal unit <NUM> existing in the processor <NUM>, the audio processing unit <NUM> may convert data (a first signal and a second signal) received from the power line communication unit <NUM> into an audio format suitable to input of the noise removal unit <NUM>. The converted first signal and second signal may be each inputted to the processor <NUM>, and the noise removal unit <NUM> of the processor <NUM> may synthesize a reverse-phased signal of the second signal with the first signal, to remove noise from the first signal. The first signal from which the noise is removed may be forwarded through a communication unit <NUM> to the external, or be stored in a storage unit <NUM>.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, in response to the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system <NUM> not existing, the processor <NUM> may instead perform an RX ANC function. In detail, the audio processing unit <NUM> may receive a second signal (e.g., a peripheral noise signal) through the M-stage <NUM>, and convert an audio format. Thereafter, by synthesizing a reverse-phased signal of the second signal to the reception signal, the processor <NUM> may generate a reception signal for removing noise, and may transmit the generated reception signal through the audio processing unit <NUM> through the R-stage <NUM> and the L-stage <NUM> to the sound system <NUM>.

According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor <NUM> may include all of the audio processing unit <NUM> and the noise removal unit <NUM> as well.

An electronic device of various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a control unit, and a plurality of microphones operatively coupled with the control unit. The control unit may be configured to generate first data by multiplexing a plurality of signals including transmission signals from the plurality of microphones, using power provided from an external electronic device through a first path, and may be configured to transmit the generated first data, through the first path, to the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of microphones may be configured to receive a transmission signal, and another at least one may be configured to receive peripheral noise.

According to various embodiments, the device may further include at least one speaker operatively coupled with the control unit, and the control unit may be configured to generate at least one output data by synthesizing at least one noise removal signal for removing peripheral noise, with at least one reception signal received through at least one second path from the external electronic device, using the power provided from the external electronic device through the first path, and may be configured to transmit the generated at least one output data to the at least one speaker.

According to various embodiments, the control unit may be configured to generate the first data by multiplexing a signal by a user interface with the plurality of signals.

According to various embodiments, the signal by the user interface unit may include at least any one of signals of an increase or decrease of a volume, a movement of a music track, and turning ON or OFF a function of removing noise.

An electronic device of various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a processor configured to supply power through a first path to an external electronic device, a power line communication unit configured to generate a plurality of signals including transmission signals by demultiplexing first data received through the first path from the external electronic device, and a noise removal unit configured to generate at least one sound signal by removing noise from the transmission signals.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured to, in response to the external electronic device being coupled to the electronic device, identify the number of poles of an ear jack which is inserted into a set slot of the electronic device, and identify whether the external electronic device is a device supporting a function of power line communication through the first path, on the basis of the identified number of poles of the ear jack.

According to various embodiments, the device may further include a power source unit. In response to being identified that the external electronic device is the device supporting the function of power line communication through the first path, the processor may be configured to enable the power source unit to supply power to the power line communication unit, and supply power to the external electronic device through the first path.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of signals may further include a signal by a user interface unit.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may be coupled with the external electronic device by any one of an ear jack or a USB type interface. According to various embodiments, in response to being an ear jack not supporting a PLC function, the external device may perform the same operation as the existing ear phone operation like a bypass mode of the power line communication unit.

According to various embodiments, a first signal (e.g., L signal, R signal) inputted to a plurality of microphones of the sound system may be a plurality of signals capable of being divided using a location difference of the microphones.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of identifying, by the processor <NUM> of the external device, whether the sound system <NUM> supports a PLC function, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Firstly, as illustrated in <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may sense that the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> is inserted into a set slot, thereby sensing the coupling of the sound system <NUM>. In detail, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may sense that the sound system <NUM> is coupled through a voltage variation value of the sound system coupling sensing terminal <NUM>. In response to the coupling of the sound system <NUM> not being sensed, it may repeat operation <NUM>. In response to the coupling of the sound system <NUM> being sensed, it may perform operation <NUM>.

Thereafter, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may identify the number of poles of an ear jack of the coupled sound system <NUM>. In response to being coupled with the sound system <NUM> having a <NUM>-pole ear jack, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device does not apply a power source to the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system. That is, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may maintain a power off state of the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device.

In response to being coupled through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> with the sound system <NUM>, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may power on the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device. That is, by supplying power through the M-stage <NUM> to the sound system <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device may power on the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system.

That is, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may recognize the number of poles of the ear jack coupled with the sound system <NUM>, and power on or power off the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device according to the recognized number of poles of the ear jack.

In response to sensing the coupling of the <NUM>-pole ear jack in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may, in operation <NUM>, transmit a PLC identifying signal through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device to the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system. Also, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the powered-on sound system may receive the PLC identifying signal and, in response to supporting a PLC function, may transmit a PLC identifying response signal to the external device <NUM>.

The PLC identifying response signal may include information of the sound system <NUM>. For example, the response signal may include information about whether the coupled sound system <NUM> includes the noise removal unit <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may identify whether it has sensed the PLC identifying response signal to the PLC identifying signal through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device. In response to having sensed the PLC identifying response signal, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may identify that the sound system <NUM> coupled through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device is a sound system supporting a PLC function, and enter into a power line data communication mode. However, in response to having failed to sense the response signal, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may identify that the sound system <NUM> coupled through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device is a sound system non-supporting the PLC function, and stop power supplying to the power line communication unit <NUM>, thereby powering off the power line communication unit <NUM>.

The PLC identifying response signal may be a pulse signal. The processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may sense the pulse signal transmitted through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device through the M-stage <NUM> from the sound system <NUM>, thereby identifying that it has sensed the PLC identifying response signal.

Though not illustrated in the drawing, in response to sensing that the sound system supporting the PLC function is coupled, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may control a sound output direction of the external device <NUM>, together with power supply and data communication through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device. For example, in response to the sound system <NUM> being coupled while the external device <NUM> is outputting a sound through a speaker phone, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may control the sound output direction in the direction of the coupled sound system <NUM>.

<FIG> is a mutual signal flowchart between the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> for removing noise from a reception signal and a transmission signal, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may sense the coupling of the sound system <NUM>. The sensing of the coupling of the sound system <NUM> may be performed by sensing, by the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM>, a variation of a voltage value of the L-stage <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may sense the coupling with the sound system <NUM> through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>. The sensing of the coupling through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> may be performed by sensing, by the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM>, a variation of a voltage value of the M-stage <NUM>.

Thereafter, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may supply power, through the M-stage <NUM> coupled to the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device, to the sound system <NUM> (operation <NUM>), and may transmit a signal identifying whether the coupled sound system <NUM> supports a PLC function (operation <NUM>). In response to a PLC identifying signal, the sound system <NUM> may transmit a PLC identifying response signal to the external device <NUM> (operation <NUM>). In operation <NUM>, in response to receiving the PLC identifying response signal through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may identify that the coupled sound system <NUM> is a PLC supporting sound system. Thereafter, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> enter into a state of being capable of performing power line data communication and noise removal.

Thereafter, by performing an RX ANC function, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may output output data and a reverse-phased signal capable of removing noise. In detail, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may transmit the output data, through the R-stage <NUM> and L-stage <NUM> of the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, to the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system. And, in operation <NUM>, the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system may apply a reverse-phased signal of the second signal through the second microphone <NUM>, to the received output data, thereby providing output data, i.e., output data applying a reverse phase of external noise to a counterpart reception voice signal, through the R-speaker <NUM> and the L-speaker <NUM>. As a result, a user may listen to a counterpart reception voice signal from which noise is removed. This is that a signal applied to user's ears is output data applying a reverse phase of external noise to a counterpart reception voice signal provided through the R-speaker <NUM> and the L-speaker <NUM> and a noise signal coming from the external, and a reverse-phased signal of a second signal and an external noise signal generate a mutual phase difference of <NUM> degrees, to remove noise, so the user is able to listen to only the counterpart reception voice signal.

In operation <NUM>, the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system may apply an additional sound suitable to the external environment, in applying the reverse-phased signal of the second signal. For example, in response to a user's ear or a signal having a frequency profile for the R-speaker <NUM> and the L-speaker <NUM>, it may apply the reverse-phased signal of the second signal with a criterion of a corresponding profile by varying a weight for each frequency.

The corresponding RX ANC operation (operation <NUM>) of an embodiment of the present disclosure may be omitted. For example, in response to the noise removal unit not existing in the sound system, or in response to the RX ANC function being OFF, a corresponding operation may not be performed. Also, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding RX ANC operation may be performed by the noise removal unit <NUM> of the external device, not the sound system as well.

Also, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may perform a TX ANC function, to remove noise from a sound signal inputted to a microphone of the sound system <NUM>. In detail, in operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system may generate input data by multiplexing and encoding the first signal inputted to the first microphone <NUM> of the sound system and the second signal inputted to the second microphone <NUM>. Thereafter, in operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system may transmit the generated input data, through the M-stage <NUM>, to the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device. Thereafter, in operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device may decode and demultiplex the received input data, to obtain the first signal and the second signal. And, in operation <NUM>, the noise removal unit <NUM> of the external device may generate a sound signal from which noise is removed by using the obtained first signal and second signal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding TX ANC procedure (operation <NUM>) may be performed in response to the TX ANC function being ON. For example, in response to the TX ANC function being OFF, in operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system does not include the second signal in input data. Also, the noise removal unit <NUM> of the external device does not perform operation <NUM>. Also, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding TX ANC operation may be performed by the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system, not the noise removal unit <NUM> of the external device.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an identifying sequence for controlling ON/OFF of a TX ANC function by the processor <NUM> of the external device, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The TX ANC function is for removing noise from a sound signal inputted from a microphone of the sound system <NUM>, including a user's transmission voice. The TX ANC function may be ON/OFF according to the kind of an execution operation of the external device <NUM> and a user's input, etc. Also, suitable ON/OFF of the TX ANC function may be helpful for reducing a waste of power.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device may sense a signal through the input unit <NUM> of the external device, and identify an operation related to the sensed signal. For example, in response to the processor <NUM> sensing a touch through a touch screen of a portable terminal, the processor <NUM> may identify that the sensed touch is a touch for execution of a specific application (e.g., voice record).

Thereafter, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify whether the identified operation is an operation related to sound input/output. The operation related to the sound input/output may be a call, a game, music playing, recording, a voice command, voice translation, etc. For example, in response to a signal through the input unit <NUM> being the execution of a text memo, the processor <NUM> may repeat operation <NUM>. That is, the processor <NUM> may repeat operation <NUM> and operation <NUM> until when sensing the signal related to the sound input/output.

In response to identifying that an operation to be performed is the operation related to the sound input/output, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may identify whether it is an operation in which a sound is inputted from a microphone of the coupled sound system <NUM>. In response to being an operation irrelevant to the sound input, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may turn OFF the TX ANC function. For example, a game, music playing, etc. are operations related only to sound output, and a call, recording, etc. are operations related to sound input. For example, in response to the processor <NUM> sensing a signal for music playing, the processor <NUM> may identify that it is not the operation related to the sound input, and turn off the TX ANC function. For another example, in response to the processor <NUM> sensing a signal for a call, the processor may identify that it is the operation related to the sound input, and perform operation <NUM>.

Even though identifying that it is the operation related to the sound input, the processor <NUM> may sense a user signal in operation <NUM>, to turn OFF the TX ANC function in operation <NUM>. That is, the processor <NUM> may sense a user's signal through the input unit <NUM> of the external device and a user's signal through the user interface unit <NUM> of the sound system, to turn OFF the TX ANC function. For example, in response to receiving a signal by a user interface turning OFF the TX ANC function from the power line communication unit <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may turn OFF the TX ANC function.

The processor <NUM> may identify that it is the operation related to the sound input, and although a user's signal related to OFF of the TX ANC function is not sensed, in operation <NUM>, may automatically turn OFF the TX ANC function according to a data transmission situation from the sound system <NUM>. For example, in response to a first signal equal to or greater than a given magnitude not being received during a given time, the processor <NUM> may automatically turn OFF the TX ANC function. Here, the first signal may be a user's transmission voice signal inputted to the first microphone <NUM> of the sound system. Also, a criterion of identifying that the first signal is not received may be the existence of a meaningful difference between the first signal and the second signal, generated by the demultiplexing unit <NUM>.

That is, in response to performing the operation related to the sound input/output, a user may select the applying or non-applying of the ANC function, thereby adoptively selecting accuracy or presence according to situation. Also, the external device <NUM> may automatically turn OFF the ANC function according to an operation type and a data reception situation, thereby preventing a waste of power.

Though not illustrated in the drawing, in response to an operation to which the ANC function is applicable being inputted through the input unit <NUM> in a situation in which the ANC function is OFF, the processor <NUM> may output a message that the ANC function has currently become OFF, or the ANC may automatically become ON. In accordance with a user's response to the message, the processor <NUM> may again turn on the ANC function or maintain an OFF state. In response to completing the execution of an operation to which the ANC function is applicable, the processor <NUM> may maintain an OFF state that is a previous state as well.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a sequence for performing a TX ANC function by the sound system <NUM>, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, the sound system <NUM> may receive power from another electronic device through a first path. The another electronic device may be the external device <NUM> coupled to the sound system <NUM>, and may be a portable terminal device. The first path may be a power line passing through the M-stage <NUM> of the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> coupling the sound system <NUM> and the another electronic device.

Also, in operation <NUM>, the sound system <NUM> may receive a plurality of signals including at least one transmission signal through a plurality of microphones, on the basis of the received power. The plurality of microphones may include the first microphone <NUM> for recognizing a user's voice signal, etc., and the second microphone <NUM> for recognizing peripheral noise. Also, the plurality of signals may include a first signal received through the first microphone <NUM>, and a second signal received through the second microphone <NUM>. Also, the plurality of signals may include a signal by a user interface.

In operation <NUM>, the sound system <NUM> may generate first data by multiplexing and encoding the plurality of signals on the basis of the received power. The generated first data may be input data multiplexing and encoding the plurality of signals including the peripheral noise by the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system.

Also, in operation <NUM>, the sound system <NUM> may transmit the generated first data, through the first path, to the another device.

Through the sequence shown in the flowchart, even though a battery is not embedded within the sound system <NUM>, the sound system <NUM> may receive power by using the existing standard <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, and communicate data through the same path, thereby removing noise from a transmission signal.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a sequence for performing a TX ANC function by the external device <NUM>, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Here, the TX ANC means the removing of noise of a sound signal received by a microphone of a sound system.

In operation <NUM>, the external device <NUM> may supply power to another electronic device coupled with the external device <NUM> through the M-stage <NUM>. The external device may be a portable terminal, and the another electronic device may be the sound system <NUM>, for example, a headset or earphone. The M-stage <NUM> means a microphone terminal of the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> coupling the external device <NUM> and the another electronic device.

In operation <NUM>, the external device <NUM> may receive first data from the coupled another electronic device through the M-stage <NUM>. Here, the first data may be input data muxing and encoding a plurality of signals including peripheral noise by the power line communication unit <NUM> of the another electronic device.

In operation <NUM>, the external device <NUM> may generate a plurality of signals by demultiplexing and decoding the received first data. The plurality of signals may include a user's transmission voice signal and peripheral noise, and may additionally include a signal by a user interface.

In operation <NUM>, the external device <NUM> may generate a voice signal from which noise is removed by using the generated plurality of signals. That is, the external device <NUM> may apply a reverse-phased signal of peripheral noise to the user's transmission voice signal, thereby removing noise included in the transmission voice signal. At this time, in applying the reverse-phased signal to the transmission voice signal, an additional sound adapted to the external environment may be applied. For example, it may add a delay value which may be generated by a difference of a microphone location between the first signal received by the first microphone and the second signal received by the second microphone, to apply the reverse-phased signal of the second signal.

Through the sequence shown in the flowchart, the external device <NUM> may supply power to the sound system <NUM> coupled to the external device <NUM>, and communicate data through the same path, thereby removing noise from a transmission signal received by the sound system <NUM> not embedded with the battery by using the existing <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>.

<FIG> is a mutual signal flowchart between the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> in performing a call, of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may sense the coupling of the sound system <NUM>. The sensing of the coupling of the sound system <NUM> may be performed by sensing, by the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM>, a variation of a voltage value of the L-stage <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM> may sense the coupling with the sound system <NUM> through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>. The sensing of the coupling through the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM> may be performed by sensing a variation of a voltage value of the M-stage <NUM> by the processor <NUM> or the audio processing unit <NUM>. For example, in case of the <NUM>-pole ear jack, the M-stage <NUM> and the G-stage <NUM> are coupled with each other and thus the M-stage <NUM> becomes a ground level and thus recognition is possible. In case of the <NUM>-pole, it may recognize being a value not the ground level and distinguish as well.

Thereafter, through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may supply power, through the M-stage <NUM>, to the sound system and, in operation <NUM>, may transmit a PLC identifying signal of identifying whether the coupled sound system <NUM> supports a PLC function. In operation <NUM>, in response to the PLC identifying signal, the sound system <NUM> may transmit a PLC identifying response signal to the external device <NUM>. In response to receiving the PLC identifying response signal through the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may identify that the coupled sound system <NUM> is a PLC supporting sound system. Thereafter, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> gets into a state of being capable of performing power line data communication and noise removal. In operation <NUM>, a call is initiated.

After the call is initiated, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may perform an RX ANC function, to remove noise from a reception voice signal, that is, a counterpart's voice signal. In detail, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device or the audio processing unit <NUM> may transmit output data, i.e., the counterpart's voice signal, through the R-stage <NUM> and the L-stage <NUM> of the <NUM>-pole ear jack <NUM>, to the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system. And, in operation <NUM>, the noise removal unit <NUM> of the sound system may generate a signal synthesizing a reverse-phased signal of the second signal to the received output data. Also, by outputting the generated signal through at least one speaker, a user may actually hear, with ears, only the counterpart reception voice signal from which external noise is removed.

Also, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may perform a TX ANC function, to remove noise from a transmission voice signal. In operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system may generate input data by multiplexing and encoding a first signal (e.g., a transmission voice) and a second signal (e.g., peripheral noise) inputted to a microphone of the sound system. Thereafter, in operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the sound system may transmit the generated input data, through the M-stage <NUM>, to the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device. In operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device may decode and demultiplex the received input data, to obtain the first signal and the second signal. And, in operation <NUM>, the power line communication unit <NUM> of the external device may generate a transmission voice signal from which noise is removed by using the obtained first and second signals. Thereafter, in operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the external device may transmit the generated user transmission voice signal to a call counterpart through the communication unit <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may identify whether the call is ended. In response to the call not being ended, the sound system <NUM> and the external device <NUM> may repeat operation <NUM> to operation <NUM>. That is, in response to the call being in progress, the both devices repeatedly perform power line data communication and noise removal, thereby continuously removing noise from a reception voice and a transmission voice during the call.

A method for operating in an electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include receiving power from an external electronic device through a first path, receiving a plurality of signals including transmission signals from a plurality of microphones, using the received power, and generating first data by multiplexing and encoding the plurality of received signals, using the received power, and transmitting the generated first data, through the first path, to the external electronic device.

According to various embodiments, the method may further include receiving a transmission signal by at least one of the plurality of microphones, and receiving peripheral noise by another at least one of the plurality of microphones.

According to various embodiments, the method may further include generating at least one output data by removing noise from at least one reception signal received through at least one second path from the external electronic device, using power provided from the external electronic device through the first path and transmitting the generated at least one output data to at least one speaker.

According to various embodiments, the method may further include generating the first data by multiplexing a signal by a user interface with the plurality of signals.

According to various embodiments, the signal by the user interface may include at least any one of signals of an increase or decrease of a volume, a movement of a music track, and turning on or off a function of removing noise.

A method for operating in an electronic device of various embodiments of the present disclosure may include supplying power through a first path to an external electronic device, generating a plurality of signals including transmission signals by demultiplexing and decoding first data received through the first path from the external electronic device, and generating at least one sound signal by removing noise from the transmission signals.

According to various embodiments, the method may further include, in response to the external electronic device being coupled to the electronic device, identifying the number of poles of an ear jack which is inserted into a set slot of the electronic device, and identifying whether the external electronic device is a device supporting a function of power line communication through the first path, on the basis of the identified number of poles of the ear jack.

According to various embodiments, the method may include, in response to being identified that the external electronic device is the device supporting the function of power line communication through the first path, supplying power to the external electronic device through the first path.

According to various embodiments, the plurality of signals may further include a signal by a user interface.

According to various embodiments, the method may further include sensing coupling with the external electronic device by at least any one of an ear jack or a USB type interface.

According to various embodiments, the method may include, in response to being an ear jack not supporting a PLC function, performing, by the external device, the same operation as the existing ear phone operation like a bypass mode of the power line communication unit.

Claim 1:
A sound system (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a power line communication unit (<NUM>; <NUM>) configured to receive power, via a power line, from an external electronic device; and
a plurality of microphones (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) operatively coupled with the power line communication unit (<NUM>; <NUM>),
wherein the power line communication unit (<NUM>; <NUM>) is configured to:
generate first data by multiplexing and encoding a plurality of signals comprising transmission signals from the plurality of microphones (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>), using power provided from the external electronic device (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) through the power line, and
transmit the generated first data, through the power line, to the external electronic device (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>).