Patent Description:
Electronic devices may radiate inherent EM signals. For example, components included in the electronic devices may radiate inherent EM signals thereof. When the EM signal radiated from the electronic device is used, the electronic device may be identified. For example, products belonging to the same product group manufactured by the same manufacturer may be classified depending on models by using the EM signal.

Generally, a user operates an electronic device in order to establish a wireless communication connection between the electronic device and an external electronic device. For example, to connect a mobile phone with a Bluetooth headset, a user may activate Bluetooth functions of the two devices, detect a Bluetooth device by operating the mobile phone, and select the headset, which is detected through Bluetooth, by operating the mobile phone.

From <CIT>, a method for connecting two devices to each other by means of an earphone is known. From <CIT>, a method of providing a requested service to an external device is known. From <CIT>, a method of controlling an external device is known.

Conventionally, a user have to know a manner of changing the path of the audio signal and the name of an external electronic device, and to change the path of the audio signal, such that the audio signal of the mobile phone is output through the external electronic device. In addition, the user has to enter a setting menu to change the path of the audio signal and to perform an operation of changing the path of the audio signal.

The disclosure is made to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device obtains an EM signal from a nearby external electronic device and identifies the external electronic device based on the obtained EM signal as defined in claim <NUM>. method for changing an audio signal path based on information on the identified external electronic device is provided as defined in claim <NUM>.

Besides, a variety of effects directly or indirectly understood through the disclosure may be provided.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure may be described with reference to accompanying drawings. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the disclosure is not limited to a specific embodiment, and modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives on the various embodiments described herein can be variously made without departing from the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device, according to an embodiment, and <FIG> illustrates an electronic device, according to another embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> includes a memory <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a display <NUM>, communication circuitry (or a communication module) <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, and EM sensing circuitry <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may store instructions, which when executed, cause the processor <NUM> to execute various operations in the disclosure. and the memory may also store a reference EM profile including information associated with an external electronic device.

The input device <NUM> may obtain various types of inputs from a user. The input device <NUM> may receive a command or data to be input to the electronic device <NUM>, from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The input of the user may include a touch input, a drag input, or a voice input.

The display <NUM> may display information on the input of the user, which is obtained from the input device <NUM>, in the form of an image and/or text. For example, the display <NUM> may display the content of an obtained voice input in the form of text. When the electronic device <NUM> performs an operation corresponding to the obtained input of the user, the display <NUM> may display an image representing the operation performed by the electronic device <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may include a touchscreen display integrally formed with a touch panel which is the input device <NUM>.

The communication circuitry <NUM> may transmit information of the electronic device <NUM> to an EM server <NUM> and/or a cloud server <NUM> through a network <NUM>. The communication circuitry <NUM> may transmit information of the electronic device <NUM> to the EM server <NUM> and/or cloud server <NUM>.

For example, the communication circuitry <NUM> may transmit information on a user account of the electronic device <NUM> to the EM server <NUM> and/or cloud server <NUM>. The communication circuitry <NUM> may transmit information generated from the electronic device <NUM> to the EM server <NUM> and/or cloud server <NUM>.

When a user executes and uses a mobile game application, the communication circuitry <NUM> may transmit, to the EM server <NUM> and/or cloud server <NUM>, information stored after the use of the mobile game application. In addition, the communication circuitry <NUM> may receive, from the EM server <NUM> and/or cloud server <NUM>, information for implementing an operation to be executed by the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the communication circuitry <NUM> may receive, from the EM server <NUM> and/or cloud server <NUM>, information stored until the last executed part of the mobile game application, when the user executes the mobile game application again.

The processor <NUM> may be operationally connected with the display <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may provide image data, such that the display <NUM> displays an image. The processor <NUM> may be operationally connected with the input device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may analyze the user input obtained from the input device <NUM>, and may perform preparation work to implement the operation based on the content of the user input. The processor <NUM> may be operationally connected with the communication circuitry <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may set the type of information and content transmitted and received by the communication circuitry <NUM>.

The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may receive an EM signal from at least one of external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may sense an EM signal having a frequency band of <NUM> or less.

The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may generate first information based on an EM signal. The first information may include information on a waveform of the EM signal. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may receive a first EM signal from the first external electronic device <NUM> and may generate first information on a first EM signal EM1 using the amplitude and the phase of the waveform of the first EM signal EM1. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may provide the first information on the first EM signal EM1 to the processor <NUM>. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may receive a second EM signal from the second external electronic device <NUM> and may generate first information on the second EM signal EM2 using the amplitude and the phase of the waveform of the second EM signal EM2. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may provide first information on the second EM signal EM2 to the processor <NUM>.

The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may be operationally connected with the processor <NUM>. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may generate first information on a plurality of EM signals EM1 and EM2 sensed under the control of the processor <NUM>. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may transmit signals, which are sensed when the EM signals EM1 and EM2 are detected, to the processor <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may generate first information on the EM signals EM1 and EM2.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may store information on the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> in the EM sensing circuitry <NUM> or the memory <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may analyze first information based on information associated with the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit, to an EM server <NUM> having information (e.g., the types and the model names of external electronic devices) associated with external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>, the first information generated by the EM sensing circuitry <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may transmit the first information to the EM server <NUM>. The EM server <NUM> may receive the first information. The EM server <NUM> may analyze the first information based on information associated with the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>. The EM server <NUM> may transmit, to the electronic device <NUM>, the analysis result of the first information. The electronic device <NUM> may receive the analysis result from the EM server <NUM> through the communication circuitry <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may obtain information associated with the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> by analyzing the first information.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may receive information associated with the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> from the EM server <NUM>. For example, the information associated with the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include information on the types and the model names of the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may transmit the first information to the EM server <NUM>, and the EM server <NUM> may obtain the information associated with the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> by analyzing the first information. The electronic device <NUM> may receive the analysis result of the first information from the EM server <NUM>. As another example, the first information may include information on the operating states of the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> and information on whether the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> are able to execute a command.

The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may receive, from the processor <NUM>, a control signal for controlling that the first information is transmitted to the EM server <NUM> through the communication circuitry <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may transmit, to the EM server <NUM>, the first information sensed by the EM sensing circuitry <NUM> through the communication circuitry <NUM>.

The EM server <NUM> may include information on a plurality of EM signals. The EM server <NUM> may compare information on the EM signal included in the first information with information on the plurality of EM signals previously stored. The EM server <NUM> determine an external electronic device which has transmitted the EM signal included in the first information. The EM server <NUM> may be referred to as the first server.

The EM server <NUM> may generate second information on the type of the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> having radiated the EM signal, by using the EM signal included in the first information. The second information may include at least one of the model name, the manufacturer, or the manufacturing date of an external electronic device. The EM server <NUM> may determine that the type of the external electronic device is a <NUM>-inch television (TV) by using the EM signal included in the first information. The EM server <NUM> may transmit the generated second information to the electronic device <NUM>.

The cloud server <NUM> may include information on a plurality of external electronic devices. The information on the plurality of external electronic devices may include the position, the model name, the manufacturer, or the manufacturing date of each external electronic device. Information on the plurality of external electronic devices may include information on access points connected with the plurality of external electronic devices.

The cloud server <NUM> may be a purchase server, an Internet of Things (IoT) device control server, or a payment server. The cloud server <NUM> and the EM server <NUM> may be configured to be integrated into one server.

The cloud server <NUM> may receive the second information and context information associated with the current situation of the electronic device <NUM>, from the electronic device <NUM>. The cloud server <NUM> may select an external electronic device, which satisfies a preset condition, of the plurality of external electronic devices, based on the second information and the context information.

The cloud server <NUM> may request sensing information from the plurality of external electronic devices. The cloud server <NUM> may select one external electronic device of the plurality of external electronic devices, based on information on the sensing signal received from the plurality of external electronic devices and the second information.

The cloud server <NUM> may include a database for each user account. The database may include at least a portion of position information, a request device profile, a response device profile, or operating information.

The cloud server <NUM> may transmit, to a request device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>), the position information of the database and operating information corresponding to the response device profile (the profile of the selected external electronic device).

The electronic device <NUM> and the plurality of external electronic devices may be registered in the cloud server <NUM> with the same user account. The user account of the electronic device <NUM> may be registered in the cloud server <NUM> when the user starts to use the electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the user first starts to use the electronic device <NUM>, the user account of the electronic device <NUM> may be generated from the cloud server <NUM> through an e-mail or a registered identification (ID) according to a preset system program, when the electronic device <NUM> is first started to be used. Thereafter, when the electronic device <NUM> is used, the user may register the first external device with the user account registered in the server <NUM>. Alternatively, when the external electronic device is started to be used, the user may use the user account of the electronic device <NUM>.

For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is used, the electronic device <NUM> may search for a device, such as a TV, a laptop, a light, a heating device, a refrigerator, or a smart home appliance through a short-range communication network such as a Bluetooth network or a near field communication (NFC) network and set the found device as an external electronic device. In addition, a target device set as the external electronic device, after searching, may be added to a user account. Alternatively, when the user account is set to use the external electronic device, the user account registered in the electronic device <NUM> may be used.

As illustrated in <FIG> and/or 2b, when the cloud server <NUM> receives the second information from the electronic device <NUM>, the cloud server <NUM> may select an external electronic device of the plurality of external electronic devices registered with the user account of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an external electronic device using an EM signal, according to an embodiment. Specifically, <FIG> is a schematic view illustrating that external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are identified using the EM signal.

<FIG> illustrates machine learning, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed around the electronic device <NUM>. For example, a TV <NUM>, a refrigerator <NUM>, a Bluetooth speaker <NUM>, and a printer <NUM> are disposed around the electronic device <NUM>.

The external devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include various electronic components therein. The external devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may radiate various EM signals due to the EMI caused by the their internal electronic components. The EM signals may include a plurality of inherent signals f1, f2, f3, and f4 in the set frequency range.

The electronic device <NUM> may obtain EM signals having a specific frequency band. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may obtain, through the EM sensing circuitry <NUM>, EM signals having a specific frequency of <NUM> or less.

When the electronic device <NUM> approaches any one of external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may detect an inherent signal based on the EMI described above through a sensing module (e.g., the EM sensing circuitry <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>) and a receive module. The electronic device <NUM> may transmit the first information to the EM server <NUM> such that the EM server <NUM> performs the machine learning (ML) <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may determine an external electronic device <NUM> based on second information calculated through the ML <NUM> and may output the information of the external electronic device <NUM>. The information on the electronic device <NUM> may be displayed through a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the information on the electronic device <NUM> may be acoustic.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a memory having a waveform table including a plurality of inherent signals corresponding to the external electronic device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> includes a memory having a waveform table including the plurality of inherent signals corresponding to the external electronic device <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may compare an EM signal, which is obtained from an external electronic device, with the inherent signals included in the waveform table, thereby determining the external electronic device.

The electronic device <NUM> may obtain an EM signal generated from an external electronic device, when the electronic device <NUM> approaches any one of the external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, after activating the function associated with the EM sensing. The obtained EM signal may be analyzed by a classifier stored in the electronic device <NUM> or may be transmitted to a server (e.g., the EM server <NUM>) performing the operation of analyzing the EM signal.

The classifier may perform an operation of determining the model name of the external electronic device. The operation of determining the model name of the external electronic device may be performed by a separate server (e.g., the cloud server <NUM>), and the separate server may learn the operation of determining and may transmit the learning data to the electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may store the received learning data. In addition, the classifier may be consistently updated by improving cognition accuracy or adding a target device. The learning algorithm may include a machine learning algorithm including at least one of Deep Learning, Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), or Random Forest. The classifier for the EM signal may be differently implemented depending on machine learning algorithms.

When a GMM scheme is applied, the classifier may operate as illustrated in <FIG>. The electronic device <NUM> or the EM server <NUM> having the EM signal received therein may have determination models for a plurality of external electronic devices to which the machine learning <NUM> is applied. The electronic device <NUM> or the EM server <NUM> may calculate the suitability corresponding to each external electronic device by applying the EM signal to each determination model. The electronic device <NUM> or the EM server <NUM> may determine the model name of the external electronic device by using the suitability. The electronic device <NUM> or the EM server <NUM> may have a frequency table to which various determination models are applied while applying various machine learning algorithms.

As another example, the electronic device <NUM> or the EM server <NUM> may employ a deep learning determination model, such as Deep Neural Networks (DNNS) or Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). In this case, the suitability of the total N devices may be simultaneously calculated, which is different than the Gaussian mixture model-universal background model (GMM-UBM).

The waveform table may be stored in the EM server <NUM>, which is able to communicate with the electronic device <NUM> through the network. For example, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the first information including an EM signal to the EM server <NUM>. The EM server <NUM> may determine an external electronic device, which has generated the EM signal, by comparing the EM signal included in the first information with a plurality of inherent signals stored in the waveform table of the EM server <NUM>. The EM server <NUM> may transmit information for identifying the determined external electronic device to the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may execute a specific application based on ID information of a target device. When the target device is identified as a TV, the electronic device <NUM> may automatically execute an application associated with a remote control, which is able to control the TV, and may automatically connect the TV. The electronic device <NUM> becomes in a stand-by state of controlling the target device through an operation of approaching the target device, thereby increasing the user convenience.

<FIG> illustrates components that perform EM sensing of an electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes an antenna <NUM> to detect EM signals radiated from a plurality of external electronic devices (e.g., the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>), an EM sensing circuitry <NUM> to analyze the detected EM signal, and the processor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may identify the target device using detection information received from the EM sensing circuitry <NUM>.

The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> includes a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) <NUM>, a band pass filter (BPF) <NUM>, a variable gain amplifier (VGA) <NUM>, an analog-digital converter (ADC) <NUM>, and a micro-controller unit (MCU) <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM> may have a reception bandwidth capable of receiving the EM signal. The TIA <NUM> may amplify a frequency of <NUM> or less, which is received from the antenna <NUM>. The BPF <NUM> passes a frequency component, which defines a specific pattern, of the amplified signal, which is received from the TIA <NUM>, and may filter out noise which is a frequency component irrelevant to the specific pattern. The BPF band pass filter <NUM> may pass a frequency component of <NUM> or less in the EM signal and filter out a frequency component of more than <NUM>. The VGA <NUM> may output a signal having a specific level throughout a preset gain range, thereby improving the noise characteristic and an external interference signal removal characteristic of the filtered signal. The ADC <NUM> may convert an analog signal provided from the VGA <NUM> into a digital signal to be provided to the MCU <NUM>.

The MCU <NUM> may compare the EM signal converted to the digital signal with EM signals in the waveform table stored in the electronic device <NUM>, and may identify the external electronic device. For example, the MCU <NUM> may compare the maximum amplitude of the EM signal and the waveform of the EM signal with those of a plurality of waveforms stored in the waveform table. The MCU <NUM> may provide the identified information to the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The MCU <NUM> may directly provide the provided identified information to the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. In this case, the identification operation of the target device based on the waveform comparison may be performed by the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may minimize self-generated noise from the electronic device <NUM> in order to detect the optimal waveform of the input signal. As a signal generated from the electronic device <NUM> is applied to the EM sensing circuitry <NUM>, the signal should be compensated. The electronic device <NUM> may detect internal noise caused by the touchscreen input and apply a compensation algorithm to minimize the input error, and may detect a distorted waveform based on a grip type when a plurality of antennas <NUM> are configured. The EM signal sensed by the electronic device <NUM> may be different from the EM signal generated from the target device, depending on a touch input by the user or various conditions, such as a grip state of the electronic device <NUM>, of the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may consistently collect information by comparing the measured EM signal with the inherent EMI detection information of the target device. The collected information may be utilized to correct EMI detection correction thereafter by finding the correlation to the EMI detection information through the analysis of big data. The analysis of the big data may include Regression, Clustering, or Correlation Analysis.

The processor <NUM> may perform a control operation such that only EM signals that satisfy a preset condition from among EM signals generated from the external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> are provided to the processor <NUM>, which allows the EM sensing circuitry <NUM> to selectively detect an EM signal.

<FIG> illustrates an antenna of an electronic device, according to an embodiment. The antenna may be disposed corresponding to the edge of the electronic device <NUM>, such that the electronic device <NUM> senses the EM signal without distortion. The electronic device <NUM> may utilize, as the antenna, at least a portion of a housing defining an outer portion of the electronic device <NUM> to improve the sensing efficiency of the EM signal.

Referring to <FIG>, at least a portion of the electronic device <NUM> utilized as the antenna of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>) may include a conductive member. The housing may be formed through a double injection manner of a conductive member and a non-conductive member. The at least a portion of the housing may be disposed to be exposed along the edge of the electronic device <NUM>.

The housing including the metal member includes a first side surface <NUM> having a first length, a second side surface <NUM> having a second length and extending in a direction perpendicular to the first side surface <NUM>, a third side surface <NUM> extending from the second side surface <NUM> with the first length in parallel to the first side surface <NUM>, and a fourth side surface <NUM> extending with the second length from the third side surface <NUM> in parallel to the second side surface <NUM>. The first side surface <NUM>, the second side surface <NUM>, the third side surface <NUM>, and the fourth side surface <NUM> may be formed integrally with each other. The first length may be formed to be longer than the second length.

The second side surface <NUM> may include unit conductive parts electrically isolated from each other by a pair of non-conductive parts <NUM> and <NUM> spaced apart from each other by a specific distance. In addition, the fourth side surface <NUM> may include unit conductive parts electrically isolated from each other by a pair of non-conductive parts <NUM> and <NUM> spaced apart from each other by a specific distance.

At least one of the plurality of conductive parts, which are electrically isolated from each other by the non-conductive parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, is electrically connected with feeding parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> electrically connected with a wireless communication circuitry disposed on a printed circuit board <NUM>.

The antenna may be formed on the first side surface <NUM> to the fourth side surface <NUM>. The second side surface <NUM> may be formed for a second antenna part A2 operating at a low band, and the fourth side surface <NUM> may be formed for a fourth antenna part A4 operating in a mid-band and a high band. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. The first side surface <NUM> may be formed for a first antenna part A1, and the third side surface <NUM> may be formed for a third antenna part A3.

The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may be electrically connected with the conductive member used as any one of the first, second, third, and fourth antenna parts A1, A2, A3, and A4. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may be electrically connected with the fourth side surface <NUM> most advantageous for contacting or approaching an external electronic device without being affected by the grip of a user. The EM sensing circuitry <NUM> is connected with the feeding part <NUM> through a conductive line <NUM> to be electrically connected with the fourth side surface <NUM>. The fourth side surface <NUM> may be used for both a communication antenna radiator and an EMI detection antenna radiator. In this case, the EM sensing circuitry <NUM> may detect the EM signal from the external electronic device <NUM> using the fourth side surface <NUM>, and may provide information associated with the detected signal to the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an electronic device based on EM signal sensing, according to an embodiment. More particularly, the operation of <FIG> will be described below as being performed by the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. For example, the operation described as being performed by the electronic device <NUM> may be implemented with instructions (commands) that are able to be performed (or executed) by the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The instructions may be stored in a computer-readable medium or the memory <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, before operation <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> may activate an EM function, e.g., when a specific application (e.g., a phone, music, a video, or a gallery application) is executed. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may activate the EM sensing circuitry <NUM> when the display <NUM> is turned on, when the electronic device <NUM> is positioned in a preset specific range, when a preset time comes, or when the processor <NUM> is connected with a preset external device.

The processor <NUM> may activate the EM sensing circuitry <NUM>, when the preset application is executed. For example, the processor <NUM> may activate the EM sensing circuitry <NUM>, when an application associated with the EM sensing operation is executed.

In step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> obtains an EM signal from an external electronic device through the EM sensing circuitry <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> identifies the external electronic device corresponding to the obtained EM signal, based on a reference EM profile.

The processor <NUM> may identify the external electronic device <NUM> based on the reference EM profile stored in the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may transmit the obtained EM signal to the EM server <NUM> through the wireless communication circuitry190, and may receive information on the external electronic device <NUM> from the EM server <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may identify the external electronic device <NUM> based on the received information on the external electronic device <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may identify the external electronic device <NUM> by obtaining an ID of the external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may obtain the type of the external electronic device <NUM>, the model name of the external electronic device <NUM>, the release year of the external electronic device <NUM>, the communication scheme of the external electronic device <NUM>, the operating state of the external electronic device <NUM>, or the information on the manufacturer of the external electronic device <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines whether the identified external electronic device <NUM> is to input or output the audio signal.

The processor <NUM> may determine whether the identified external electronic device <NUM> is to input or output the audio signal, by using the database stored in the memory <NUM> and the obtained ID.

The processor <NUM> may transmit the obtained ID to the external server (e.g., the cloud server <NUM>) through the communication circuitry <NUM>, and may receive information on whether the identified external electronic device <NUM> is to device to input or output the audio signal, from the external server.

In step <NUM>, when the identified external electronic device <NUM> is the device to input or output the audio signal, the processor <NUM> determines whether the identified external electronic device <NUM> is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through wireless communication.

For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the external electronic device <NUM> is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through a short range communication scheme (e.g., Bluetooth low energy (BLE), a neighbor awareness network (NAN), or WiFi).

The processor <NUM> may determine the electronic device <NUM> as being connected with the external electronic device <NUM> even when the electronic device <NUM> is operatively connected with the external electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the user account of the electronic device <NUM> is associated with the user account of the external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., when a user of the electronic device <NUM> and a user of the external electronic device <NUM> belong to the same account or group account), the processor <NUM> may determine the external electronic device <NUM> as being connected with the electronic device <NUM> through the wireless communication. In other words, when the electronic device <NUM> and the identified external electronic device <NUM> are associated with the user account registered in the external server (e.g., a cloud server), the processor <NUM> may determine the external electronic device <NUM> as being connected with the electronic device <NUM> through wireless communication.

In step <NUM>, when the identified external electronic device <NUM> is to input or output the audio signal, and when the external electronic device <NUM> is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through wireless communication, the processor <NUM> changes the path of an audio signal output by the electronic device <NUM>.

For example, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM> is output through the identified external electronic device <NUM>.

As another example, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output through the identified external electronic device <NUM> is output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM>. That is, when the electronic device <NUM> obtains the EM signal from the external electronic device <NUM> and identifies the external electronic device <NUM>, while the audio signal output by the electronic device <NUM> is being output through the external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a Bluetooth speaker), the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal when the electronic device <NUM> reproduces music. When the electronic device <NUM> does not reproduce the music, the processor <NUM> may not change the path of the audio signal.

When the electronic device <NUM> sequentially obtains EM signals of the first external electronic device, the second external electronic device, and the third external electronic device, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output by the electronic device <NUM> is sequentially output through the first external electronic device, the second external electronic device, and the third external electronic device. When the user allows the electronic device <NUM> to sequentially approach the first speaker, the second speaker, and the third speaker, the audio signal output by the electronic device <NUM> may be output through the second speaker in the middle of being output through the first speaker, and the audio signal output through the second speaker may be output through the third speaker. When the electronic device <NUM> obtains the EM signal from the speaker that is outputting the audio signal, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM>.

When the electronic device <NUM> obtains the EM signal from the external electronic device, the processor <NUM> may add the output path of the audio signal output by the electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> obtains an EM signal from the first external electronic device while is outputting the audio signal, the electronic device <NUM> may add the output path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the electronic device <NUM> and the first external electronic device. When the electronic device <NUM> obtains an EM signal from the second external electronic device while the audio signal is being output through the electronic device <NUM> and the first external electronic device, the electronic device <NUM> may add the output path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the electronic device <NUM>, the first external electronic device, and the second external electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> may add the specific number of external electronic devices as output paths of the audio signal.

The electronic device <NUM> may add the specific number of audio signal output paths. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may be configured to use two audio signal output paths. When the electronic device <NUM> obtains an EM signal from another external electronic device (e.g., the second external electronic device) while an audio signal is being output through the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device), the electronic device <NUM> may change a portion of the output path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the electronic device <NUM> and the another external electronic device.

As another example, when the electronic device <NUM> obtains an EM signal from another external electronic device while an audio signal is being output through the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device, the electronic device <NUM> may change a portion of an output path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output using the external electronic device and the another external electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> may maintain an audio signal output path of a specific device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) and may change a remaining audio signal output path based on EM sensing. The electronic device <NUM> may change, based on EM sensing, an audio signal output path of the oldest external electronic device of at least one audio signal output path to an audio signal output path of an external electronic device which is most recently sensed.

<FIG> illustrates a screen displayed after a path of an audio signal is changed such that an audio signal is output to an EM-sensed external electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, when the path of the audio signal is changed such that the audio signal is output through an external electronic device that is identified, the processor <NUM> may display a message <NUM> that the audio signal is output through the external electronic device on the touchscreen display <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a screen displayed to determine whether to change a path of an audio signal, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a message <NUM> asking whether to change the path of the audio signal before the path of the audio signal is changed. The processor <NUM> may determine whether to change the path of the audio signal depending on the user input (an input selecting an object 702a "YES" or an input selecting an object 702b of "NO") through the touchscreen display <NUM>. When the object 702a of "YES" is selected, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal. When the object 702b of "NO" is selected, the processor <NUM> does not change the path of the audio signal.

The message <NUM> may include information on a device (e.g., a speaker) corresponding to the change in the path of the audio signal. For example as illustrated in <FIG>, the message <NUM> may include a typical name (e.g., a speaker) of the corresponding device. However, the message <NUM> in <FIG> is provide for the illustrative purpose, and the embodiments of the disclosure is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the message <NUM> may further include additional information (e.g., the model name, the image of the corresponding model, the model number, and/or an image specified by a user) on the device corresponding to the change in the path of the audio signal.

<FIG> illustrates a screen displayed to activate streaming of an external electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a screen <NUM> for activating an audio streaming function of the external electronic device. The processor <NUM> may receive an input for selecting an object 703a for activating an audio streaming function through the touchscreen display <NUM> or an input for selecting an object 703b for preventing the streaming function from being activated. The processor <NUM> may transmit, to the external electronic device, a request for activating the audio streaming function of the external electronic device in response to the received input.

The external electronic device may be in a state in which the audio streaming function is deactivated, even if the external electronic device is to input or output the audio signal. When the audio streaming function of the identified external electronic device is deactivated, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a screen for activating the audio streaming function of the external electronic device. The processor <NUM> may receive an input (e.g., an object 703a) for activating the audio streaming function through the touchscreen display <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may transmit, to the external electronic device, a request for activating the audio streaming function of the external electronic device in response to the received input. When the audio streaming function of the external electronic device is activated, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output by the electronic device <NUM> is output through the external electronic device.

When the identified external electronic device is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through the external server, when the external electronic device outputs an audio signal from another external electronic device, and when the another external electronic device is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through the external server, the processor <NUM> may transmit a request for terminating a connection between the external electronic device and the another external electronic device, to the another external electronic device, through a server.

The processor <NUM> may transmit a request for terminating the connection between an external electronic device and another external electronic device through a server. When the connection between the external electronic device and the another external electronic device is terminated, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output by the electronic device is output through the external electronic device.

The processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal at a preset time point. For example, when an external electronic device is identified through EM sensing while music is being reproduced through a speaker of the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal after stopping the music which is being reproduced. As another example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the electronic device <NUM> does not output the audio signal when the external electronic device is identified, and may change the path of the audio signal based on the determination result.

The processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that only the external electronic device outputs the audio signal when a specific time is elapsed after both the electronic device <NUM> and the identified external electronic device operate to output the audio signal. For example, when the external electronic device is identified while the audio signal is being output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM>, the audio signal output only through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM> is output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device for a specific time and then output only through the external electronic device.

As another example, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that only a preset audio signal is output through the external electronic device. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that all or some of a media sound, a ringing sound, a notification sound, and a system sound is output through the external electronic device.

When the output of the audio signal is terminated after the path of the audio signal is changed such that the audio signal is output through the external electronic device, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM> again. When a speaker is tagged while the electronic device <NUM> is reproducing music, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the music is reproduced through the speaker. After the reproduction of the music is terminated or the music application is terminated, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the speaker of the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may perform an operation varied depending on whether the electronic device <NUM> performs an operation associated with the output of the audio signal. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is tagged on a TV and when the processor <NUM> performs an operation associated with outputting the audio signal, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the TV. When the electronic device <NUM> is tagged on the TV and when the TV does not perform an operation associated with outputting the audio signal, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a screen for controlling the TV channel.

Referring again to <FIG>, in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> displays a screen for communication connection with the external electronic device, when the identified external electronic device is to input or output an audio signal, but is not connected with the electronic device <NUM> through wireless communication. When the identified external electronic device is to input or output the audio signal, but is not connected with the electronic device <NUM> through the wireless communication, the processor <NUM> may automatically perform the communication connection with the external electronic device (e.g., without the input of the user). In this case, step <NUM> may be omitted. As another example, instead of step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may display a screen for indicating that the communication connection with the external electronic device is being performed or a screen for indicating that the communication connection with the external electronic device is completed.

The processor <NUM> may display a screen for communication connection with the external electronic device through a communication scheme supported by the external electronic device. The processor <NUM> may identify the external electronic device using the EM signal and may identify the communication scheme supported by the identified external electronic device. For example, when the identified external electronic device supports Bluetooth, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a screen for communication connection with the external electronic device through Bluetooth. The processor <NUM> may establish a Bluetooth communication connection with the external electronic device based on an input to the displayed screen.

The external electronic device may output an advertising signal. For example, when power is supplied, the external electronic device may output the advertising signal based on at least one of a specific time period or a user input. The advertising signal may transmit information associated with the connection with a surrounding electronic device <NUM>, which is not specified, or information associated with an account (e.g., pairing) with the surrounding electronic device <NUM> through wireless communication (e.g., BLE communication). The external electronic device may output an advertising signal through a multicast scheme or a broadcast scheme to the surroundings of the external electronic device.

The advertising signal may be based on identification information of the external electronic device, user account information, information on a pairing state with another device, a list of previously paired devices, information on devices that are able to be paired simultaneously, or a residual battery level.

The processor <NUM> may receive an advertising signal from one or more surrounding external electronic devices through the wireless communication circuitry <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may display a user interface including objects corresponding to surrounding external electronic devices, which are the same type as that of the identified external electronic device of one or more surrounding external electronic devices that have transmitted the advertising signal. The processor <NUM> may receive an input for selecting one of the displayed objects, and may be connected with a surrounding external electronic device corresponding to the selected object through the wireless communication circuitry <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may determine whether the identified external electronic device is connected based on a specific protocol (e.g., a Bluetooth protocol), when the identified external electronic device is to input or output the audio signal in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a connection state of an external electronic device, according to an embodiment. More particularly, <FIG> describes steps <NUM> to <NUM> of <FIG> in more detail.

Referring to <FIG>, after detecting that an external electronic device is to input or output the audio signal, the processor <NUM> determines whether the identified external electronic device is a Bluetooth device in step <NUM>. For example, when an advertising signal is received from the external electronic device, the processor <NUM> may determine the external electronic device as being a Bluetooth device.

When the identified external electronic device is a Bluetooth device, the processor <NUM> determines whether the external electronic device is connected with the electronic device in step <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the external electronic device is connected with the electronic device based on a Bluetooth communication standard. When the external electronic device is connected with the electronic device, the processor <NUM> changes the path of the audio signal to the external electronic device in step <NUM> of <FIG>.

However, when the external electronic device is not connected with the electronic device, the processor <NUM> displays a screen for connection with the external electronic device in step <NUM> of <FIG>. As another example, the processor <NUM> may perform the connection (e.g., the connection based on the Bluetooth protocol) with the external electronic device.

When the identified external electronic device is not the Bluetooth device, the processor <NUM> determines whether the identified external electronic device belongs to the same network as the electronic device in step <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine whether the identified external electronic device belongs to the same short-range wireless network (e.g., a network of devices connected to the same access point) as the electronic device. When the identified external electronic device belongs to the same network as the electronic device, the processor <NUM> determines whether the external electronic device supports streaming or casting in step <NUM>. For example, the external electronic device may have an application to support streaming or casting. The processor <NUM> may receive a signal indicating that the external electronic device supports streaming or casting, from the external electronic device or an external server associated with the external electronic device. When the external electronic device supports streaming or casting, the processor <NUM> changes the path of the audio signal to the external electronic device in step <NUM> of <FIG>. The processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal by streaming or casting audio data, which is being reproduced in the electronic device, to the external electronic device.

When the external electronic device does not belong to the same network as the electronic device in step <NUM> or when the external electronic device does not support streaming or casting in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> displays the screen for the connection with the external electronic device in step <NUM> of <FIG>. The processor <NUM> may display the screen for connection with the external electronic device, e.g., a screen including guide information for connection with the external electronic device, based on a communication standard (e.g., a communication standard supported by the external electronic device) other than Bluetooth.

Alternatively, when the external electronic device does not belong to the same network as the electronic device in <NUM>, or when the external electronic device does not support streaming or casting in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may terminate a procedure without changing the path of the audio signal.

Referring again to <FIG>, in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may sense a plurality of external electronic devices of the same type based on the EM sensing. For example, the processor <NUM> may sense a plurality of external electronic devices that input/output the audio signal. When one of the plurality of external electronic devices is connected with the electronic device in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> changes the path of the audio signal in step <NUM>. However, when any one of the plurality of external electronic devices to input/output the audio signal is not connected with the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may perform an operation for connection with one of the plurality of external electronic devices, as will be described below in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a screen including an object corresponding to surrounding external electronic devices of a same type as that of an EM-sensed external electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, two Bluetooth speakers and three Bluetooth headsets ("U FLEX A", "U FLEX B", and"U FLEX C") may output advertising signals. The processor <NUM> may obtain an EM signal from the Bluetooth headset of "U FLEX", and may determine the external electronic device as being in a Bluetooth headset type, based on the EM signal. The external electronic device (e.g., the Bluetooth headset) may not be connected with the electronic device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> displays, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a user interface including objects 801a, 801b, and 801c corresponding to Bluetooth headsets of "U FLEX A", "U FLEX B", and "U FLEX C" of the same type as that of the Bluetooth headset of "U FLEX". The processor <NUM> may receive a user input for selecting the objects 801a corresponding to "U FLEX A" of the displayed objects. The processor <NUM> may be wireless-communication connected with the "U FLEX A" through the wireless communication circuitry <NUM>. When the external electronic device is a Bluetooth device (e.g., in step <NUM> of <FIG>), the external electronic device is not connected to the electronic device (e.g., in step <NUM> of <FIG>), and a plurality of external electronic devices that input/output audio signals of the same type are sensed, the processor <NUM> may provide a screen for selecting at least one of the plurality of Bluetooth electronic devices as audio outputs as illustrated in <FIG>. For example, when a specific condition is satisfied (e.g., a plurality of Bluetooth electronic devices of the same type are sensed), in steps <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may provide the screen as in <FIG>. The screen for selecting one of the plurality of Bluetooth electronic devices for the audio outputs may include guide information for selecting one of the plurality of Bluetooth electronic devices. For example, the processor <NUM> may provide information on Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) from the plurality of Bluetooth electronic devices. As another example, the processor <NUM> may arrange the plurality of Bluetooth electronic devices based on the RSSI.

<FIG> illustrates a screen displayed for determining a connection state between an electronic device and a selected surrounding external electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> displays a screen <NUM> for determining the connection state between the electronic device <NUM> and the selected surrounding external electronic device. When an object 802a of "YES" is selected, the processor <NUM> may be connected with a surrounding external electronic device (e.g., "U FLX A") based on wireless communication through the wireless communication circuitry <NUM>. When an object 802b of "No" is selected, the processor <NUM> does not connect with the surrounding external electronic device (e.g., "U FLX A"). For example, the processor <NUM> may provide a screen as illustrated in <FIG> for connection with the external electronic device in step <NUM> of <FIG>.

<FIG> is a screen displayed when an external electronic device is connected to an electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, when the external electronic device is connected with the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> displays a connection completion screen <NUM>. The screen example of <FIG> is provided for illustrative purposes, and the processor <NUM> may omit displaying the connection completion screen <NUM> after the connection is completed.

Referring again to <FIG>, when the electronic device <NUM> is connected with the external electronic device through wireless communication, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal is output through the connected external electronic device.

In step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines whether the identified external electronic device <NUM> is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through wireless communication.

Step <NUM> may correspond to step <NUM>. Accordingly, the above-described embodiments, which are applicable to step <NUM>, may also be applied to step <NUM>.

In step <NUM>, when the identified external electronic device is not to input or output the audio signal, but is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through communication, the processor <NUM> displays a screen for controlling the external electronic device.

<FIG> illustrates a screen displayed to control an external electronic device that does not input or output an audio signal, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the identified external electronic device, which does not input or output the audio signal, may be connected with the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the identified external electronic device may be an air conditioner. The processor <NUM> displays, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a screen for controlling the external electronic device. The processor <NUM> may transmit, to the external electronic device, a control command for controlling the external electronic device based on a user input through the touchscreen display <NUM>.

When the external electronic device is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through communication, the processor <NUM> may transmit a specific control command to the identified external electronic device.

For example, when the identified external electronic device is a bulb connected with the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may transmit, to the bulb, a control command for turning the bulb on or off. As another example, when the identified external electronic device is a robot cleaner connected with the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may transmit, to the robot cleaner, a control command for starting or stopping a cleaning function.

Referring again to <FIG>, in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> displays a screen for communication connection with the external electronic device, when the identified external electronic device, which does not input or output the audio signal, is not connected with the electronic device <NUM> through communication.

<FIG> illustrates a screen displayed for connecting an external electronic device, which does not input or output an audio signal, with an electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the identified external electronic device, e.g., a robot cleaner, which does not input or output the audio signal, may not be connected with the electronic device <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> displays, on the touchscreen display <NUM>, a screen for connecting the electronic device with the robot cleaner as illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the processor <NUM> displays a guide message for connecting the electronic device with the robot cleaner. For example, the guide message instructs the power of the external electronic device to be turned on, for the connection with the external electronic device. When the operation based on the guide message is performed, the electronic device may be wirelessly connected with the external electronic device.

When the electronic device is connected with the external electronic device through the wireless communication, a screen for controlling the external electronic device may be displayed.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for changing a path of an audio signal, according to an embodiment. As an example, the method of <FIG> be described below as being performed by the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> obtains an EM signal from an external electronic device. For example, the processor <NUM> may obtain the EM signal by using an EM sensing circuitry.

In step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> identifies the external electronic device corresponding to the EM signal, e.g., based on the reference EM profile. The processor <NUM> may obtain an ID of the external electronic device based on the EM signal and the reference EM profile. The processor <NUM> may determine whether the identified external electronic device inputs or outputs the audio signal, by using the obtained ID and a database stored in the memory. The processor <NUM> may transmit, to the external server, data including the ID, receive information on whether the identified external electronic device is the device for input/output the audio signal, from the external server, and may determine, by using the received information, whether the identified external electronic device inputs or outputs the audio signal.

In step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> determines whether the identified external electronic device inputs or outputs the audio signal, and is connected with the electronic device <NUM> through the wireless communication. When the external electronic device inputs or outputs the audio signal and is connected with the electronic device <NUM>, in step <NUM>, the processor <NUM> changes the path of the audio signal such that at least a portion of the audio signal output to the electronic device <NUM> is output through the external electronic device. The processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal while the electronic device is not outputting the audio signal.

The processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display, a screen for activating an audio streaming function of the external electronic device, e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>, when the audio streaming function of the connected external electronic device is deactivated. The processor <NUM> may transmit, to the external electronic device, a request for activating the audio streaming function of the external electronic device when receiving an input for activating the audio streaming function through the touchscreen display.

When the identified external electronic device is connected through an external server, when the external electronic device outputs an audio signal from another external electronic device, and when the another external electronic device is connected with the electronic device through the external server, the processor <NUM> may transmit a request for terminating connection between the external electronic device and the another external electronic device, to the another external electronic device through the external server. When the connection between the external electronic device and the another external electronic device is terminated, the processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output by the electronic device is output through the external electronic device,.

The processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display a message asking a user whether the path of the audio signal should be changed, e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>, before changing the path of the audio signal. The processor <NUM> may change the path of the audio signal in response to a user input through the touchscreen display.

In step <NUM>, when the external electronic device does not input or output the audio signal or is not connected through wireless communication, the processor <NUM> displays a screen for establishing communication connection, e.g., as illustrated in <FIG>.

The memory <NUM> may store data associated with a communication scheme supported by the external electronic device. For example, when the identified external device inputs or outputs the audio signal but is not connected with the electronic device, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display, a screen for establishing a communication connection with the external electronic device using the communication scheme supported by the external electronic device.

When the identified external electronic device inputs or outputs the audio signal but is not connected with the electronic device, the electronic device may receive an advertising signal from surrounding external electronic devices through the wireless communication circuitry, and display, on the touchscreen display, objects corresponding to surrounding external electronic devices, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 9A, which the same type as the identified external electronic device, of the surrounding external electronic devices which have transmitted the advertising signal. The processor <NUM> may receive an input from a user for selecting one of the displayed objects, and connect with a surrounding external electronic device corresponding to the selected object through the wireless communication circuitry.

When the identified external electronic device does not input or output the audio signal but is connected with the electronic device through communication, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display, a screen for controlling the external electronic device.

When the identified external electronic device does not input or output the audio signal and is not connected with the electronic device through communication, the processor <NUM> may display, on the touchscreen display, a screen for communication connection with the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, a method is provided for changing a path of an audio signal by an electronic device, which includes obtaining an EM signal of an external electronic device through an EM sensing circuitry, identifying the external electronic device corresponding to the obtained EM signal, changing the path of the audio signal, such that the audio signal output by the electronic device is output through the external electronic device, when the identified external electronic device is a device to input or output the audio signal and is connected with the electronic device through wireless communication, and displaying, on a touchscreen display of the electronic device, a screen for communication connection with the external electronic device, when the identified external electronic device is the device to input or output the audio signal and is not connected with the electronic device through wireless communication.

The method further includes displaying, on the touchscreen display, a screen for activating an audio streaming function of the external electronic device, when the identified external electronic device is the device to input or output the audio signal, and is connected with the electronic device through the wireless communication, and when the audio streaming function of the connected external electronic device is deactivated, receiving an input for activating the audio streaming function, transmitting, to the external electronic device, a request for activating the audio streaming function of the external electronic device, and changing the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output by the electronic device is output through the external electronic device.

When the identified external electronic device is the device to input or output the audio signal, and is connected with the electronic device through an external server, when the external electronic device outputs an audio signal from another external electronic device, and when the another external electronic device is connected with the electronic device through the external server, the method may further include transmitting a request for terminating connection between the external electronic device and the another external electronic device, to the another external electronic device through the external server, and changing the path of the audio signal such that the audio signal output by the electronic device is output through the external electronic device, when the connection between the external electronic device and the another external electronic device is terminated.

Changing the path of the audio signal may include changing the path of the audio signal while the electronic device does not output the audio signal.

Displaying the screen for communication connection with the external electronic device may include displaying, on the touchscreen display, the screen for communication connection with the external electronic device through a communication scheme supported by the external electronic device.

Displaying the screen for communication connection with the external electronic device may include receiving an advertising signal from at least one surrounding external electronic device, displaying objects corresponding to surrounding external electronic devices, which are in the same type as a type of the identified external electronic device, of the at least one surrounding external electronic device which has transmitted the advertising signal, receiving an input for selecting one of the displayed objects, and connecting with a surrounding external electronic device corresponding to the selected object through the wireless communication.

The above described operations of the processor <NUM> and/or the electronic device may be performed through instructions stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device may obtain an EM signal from a nearby external electronic device and may identify the external electronic device based on the obtained EM signal. The electronic device may provide a method for changing an audio signal path based on information on the identified external electronic device.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a touchscreen display (<NUM>) exposed through a portion of the housing;
at least one wireless communication circuitry (<NUM>);
an electromagnetic, EM, signal sensing circuitry (<NUM>) configured to sense an EM signal;
a processor (<NUM>) operatively connected with the touchscreen display, the wireless communication circuitry, and the EM sensing circuitry; and
a memory (<NUM>) configured to store a reference EM profile including information associated with an external electronic device (<NUM>) and operatively connected with the processor,
wherein the memory stores instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
obtain an EM signal of the external electronic device through the EM sensing circuitry (<NUM>);
identify the external electronic device corresponding to the obtained EM signal, based on the reference EM profile;
determine whether the identified external electronic device is a device to input or output an audio signal;
when the identified external electronic device is not the device to input or output the audio signal and connected with the electronic device, display a screen for controlling the identified external electronic device; and
when the identified external electronic device is the device to input or output the audio signal and connected with the electronic device, change a path of an audio signal, which is output by the electronic device, such that the audio signal is output through the external electronic device,
wherein the EM signal is due to electromagnetic interference caused by internal electric components of the external electronic device.