Patent Description:
Bluetooth low energy (BLE) may provide reduced power consumption and at least a similar or often greater communication range between connected devices compared to legacy Bluetooth (or classic Bluetooth). The BLE may be provided on an industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio band. <CIT> relates to relates to proximity unlock and lock operations for electronic devices. <CIT> relates to ad hoc file and link sharing for nearby mobile devices. <CIT> relates to link sharing between three electronic devices.

The Bluetooth device may be controlled through an electronic device that is connected <NUM>:<NUM> and has completed pairing. For example, in the case of a Bluetooth device for media play, media control is possible through only the electronic device in which the pairing has been completed.

When another electronic device attempts to control the Bluetooth device paired with the electronic device, an inconvenience of disconnecting the existing pairing connection between the Bluetooth device and the electronic device and performing pairing again between the other electronic device and the Bluetooth device is caused.

The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, from the following description.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided according to independent claim <NUM>.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of an electronic device is provided according to independent claim <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in the network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module(SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an environment including an electronic device, a first external electronic device, and a second external electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a wireless environment <NUM> may include the electronic device <NUM>, a first external electronic device <NUM>, and a second external electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may correspond to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the first external electronic device <NUM>. The first external electronic device <NUM> may be a device capable of providing media content. For example, the first external electronic device <NUM> may correspond to a Bluetooth speaker and an audio video navigation (AVN) device in a vehicle. The communication may refer to a connectionless communication based on a BLE. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit an advertising packet including a control command for media content to the first external electronic device <NUM>, before transmitting an advertising packet including a protocol data unit (PDU) of CONNECT_REQ to the first external electronic device <NUM>. The media content may refer to multimedia content playable in the first external electronic device <NUM>. The media content may at least include a song, a video, and a picture. The control command may include a command for media content controlled by the first external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the control command may correspond to a command for indicating any one of a volume up, a volume down, play next song, play previous song, play current song, and pause current song for media content. For another example, the electronic device <NUM> may receive an advertising packet indicating a result of a control command for the media content from the first external electronic device <NUM>. The advertising packet may include information for indicating whether the control command for the media content is performed by the first external electronic device <NUM> or the first external electronic device <NUM> rejects the control command.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit and receive a BLE packet to and from the second external electronic device <NUM>. The second external electronic device <NUM> may correspond to an indoor positioning system (IPS) device for identifying a position of the external device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) in an indoor area. The BLE packet may correspond to an advertising packet. For example, the BLE packet may be an advertising packet corresponding to a protocol data unit (PDU) of advertising extended indications (ADV_EXT_IND). The second external electronic device <NUM> may identify the position of the electronic device <NUM> in response to receiving the advertising packet from the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify whether the electronic device <NUM> is included in a predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM> based on the advertising packet.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first external electronic device <NUM> may communicate with the second external electronic device <NUM>. The communication may be a BLE communication. For example, the first external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a data packet of a first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM>. The first signal may include information for determining whether to perform a control command received from the electronic device <NUM> based on the position of the electronic device <NUM>. The information for determining whether to perform the control command received from the electronic device <NUM> may be referred to as Bluetooth authentication information. The first signal may include information requesting to identify whether the electronic device <NUM> is included within a predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM>. The second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a data packet of the second signal to the first external electronic device <NUM> in response to the first signal. The second signal may include information indicating whether the electronic device <NUM> is included within a predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM>. In other words, the second signal may include information indicating a Bluetooth authentication result of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is identified as being located outside the predetermined area, the second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the second signal indicating a failure of the Bluetooth authentication to the first external electronic device <NUM>. For another example, when the electronic device <NUM> is identified as being located within the predetermined area, the second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the second signal indicating a success of the Bluetooth authentication to the first external electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify the position of the electronic device <NUM>. The second external electronic device <NUM> may receive advertising packets corresponding to a protocol data unit (PDU) of the ADV_EXT_IND from the electronic device <NUM>, and identify the position of the electronic device <NUM> based on the received times and the received strengths at which the packets are received. The second external electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the electronic device <NUM> is Bluetooth authenticated based on the identified position of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the position of the identified electronic device <NUM> is identified within the predetermined area, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify the electronic device <NUM> as a Bluetooth authenticated device. For another example, when the position of the identified electronic device <NUM> is identified outside the predetermined area, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify the electronic device <NUM> as a Bluetooth unauthenticated device.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram of a first external electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a communication circuit <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, and a display <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may be operatively coupled to the memory <NUM> configured to store instructions. The processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may be operatively coupled to the communication circuit <NUM> used for communication with an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet to establish a communication link between the first external electronic device <NUM> and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> and/or the second external electronic device <NUM>). For example, the advertising packet may be used by the electronic device <NUM> and/or the second external electronic device <NUM> to scan the first external electronic device <NUM>. The PDU of the advertising packet broadcast may correspond to ADV_IND.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may establish a communication connection with the second external electronic device <NUM> through the communication circuit <NUM>. For example, the first external electronic device <NUM> may establish a communication connection with the second external electronic device <NUM> by receiving an advertising packet including a PDU of CONNECT _REQ from the second external electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may receive an advertising packet including a control command from the electronic device <NUM> through the communication circuit <NUM>. The control command may include a command for media content playable in the first external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the control command may correspond to a command for indicating any one of a volume up, a volume down, play next song, play previous song, play current song, and pause current song for media content.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may identify whether to process the control command in response to an advertising packet including the control command. Since the first external electronic device <NUM> is a step before establishing a Bluetooth connection with the electronic device <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may identify processing of the control command based on whether the electronic device <NUM> is Bluetooth authenticated. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> that has transmitted the control command is a Bluetooth authenticated device, the processor <NUM> may control media content according to the control command. When the electronic device <NUM> that has transmitted the control command is a Bluetooth unauthenticated device, the first external electronic device <NUM> may bypass the control command.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a first signal requesting Bluetooth authentication to the second external electronic device <NUM> through the communication circuit <NUM>. As described above, since the first external electronic device <NUM> has established a Bluetooth connection with the second external electronic device <NUM>, the first signal may correspond to a data packet. The first signal may at least include information for requesting Bluetooth authentication of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the first signal may include a media access control (MAC) address for specifying the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may receive a second signal including a Bluetooth authentication result from the second external electronic device <NUM> through the communication circuit <NUM>. Since the first external electronic device <NUM> has established a Bluetooth connection with the second external electronic device <NUM>, the second signal may correspond to a data packet. The second signal may at least include information capable of indicating whether the electronic device <NUM> is Bluetooth authenticated. For example, the second signal may include <NUM> bit. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth authenticated device by being included in a predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM>, the <NUM> bit may correspond to a logic value of <NUM>. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth unauthenticated device by being included outside the predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM>, the <NUM> bit may correspond to a logic value of <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may identify whether the control command is performed based on the second signal and broadcast an advertising packet indicating a result of the execution. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth unauthenticated device, the processor <NUM> may discard the control command and broadcast the advertising packet including information indicating the discard. For another example, when the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth authenticated device, the processor <NUM> may perform the control command and broadcast the advertising packet including information indicating the execution. The electronic device <NUM> may identify whether to perform a control command on the media content received from the first external electronic device <NUM> by receiving the advertising packet.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the first external electronic device <NUM> may provide media content. For example, the processor <NUM> may output an audio signal of the media content through the speaker <NUM>, and may display a visual object of the media content through the display <NUM>. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the media content may be received from another electronic device. For example, the first external electronic device <NUM> may establish a Bluetooth connection with the other electronic device different from the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the other electronic device may correspond to a device that most recently completed a Bluetooth connection with the first external electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram of a second external electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a second external electronic device being implemented in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates a second external electronic device being implemented in a house according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, and a communication circuit <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the second external electronic device <NUM> may be operatively coupled to the memory <NUM> configured to store instructions. The processor <NUM> within the second external electronic device <NUM> may be operatively coupled to the communication circuit <NUM> used for communication with an external electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the second external electronic device <NUM> may establish a communication connection with the first external electronic device <NUM> through the communication circuit <NUM>. For example, the second external electronic device <NUM> may establish a communication connection with the first external electronic device <NUM> by transmitting an advertising packet including a PDU of CONNECT_REQ to the first external electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> within the second external electronic device <NUM> may receive a first signal from the first external electronic device <NUM>. The first signal may correspond to a data packet requesting whether the electronic device <NUM> is Bluetooth authenticated. The first signal may include information for identifying an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) that is the target of Bluetooth authentication. For example, the first signal may include information on a MAC address of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> in the second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a second signal to the first external electronic device <NUM>. The second signal may be a data packet generated in response to the first signal. For example, the second signal may include information indicating whether a device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>) corresponding to a MAC address included in the first signal is included in a predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> is included in the predetermined area, the processor <NUM> may identify the electronic device <NUM> as a Bluetooth authenticated device and transmit a second signal including information indicating the identification to the first external electronic device <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> is not included in the predetermined area, the processor <NUM> may identify the electronic device <NUM> as a Bluetooth unauthenticated device and transmit a second signal including information indicating the identification to the first external electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the memory <NUM> may store the MAC address of the Bluetooth authenticated device. The second external electronic device <NUM> may receive advertising packets for identifying direction from the electronic device <NUM> through the communication circuit <NUM>. The advertising packets for identifying direction may include a PDU of ADV_EXT_IND. The processor <NUM> of the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify whether the electronic device <NUM> is included in a predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM> based on the received time and received strength of advertising packets for identifying direction received through the communication circuit <NUM>. In response to identifying that the electronic device <NUM> is included in the predetermined area, the second external electronic device <NUM> may store the MAC address of the electronic device <NUM> included in the advertising packets for identifying direction in the memory <NUM>, as authentication information.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the communication circuit <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas. Referring to <FIG> together, the communication circuit <NUM> may include a first antenna <NUM>, a second antenna <NUM>, a third antenna <NUM>, and a fourth antenna <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may be implemented inside the vehicle. The processor <NUM> may identify received strengths of the advertising packet of the ADV_EXT_IND received through the first antenna <NUM> to the fourth antennas <NUM>. For example, the received strength of the advertising packet measured by the first antenna <NUM> may be the first strength. The processor <NUM> may estimate a distance at which the electronic device <NUM> is spaced apart from the first antenna <NUM> based on the first strength. For example, the received strength of the advertising packet measured by the second antenna <NUM> may be the second strength. The processor <NUM> may estimate a distance at which the electronic device <NUM> is spaced apart from the second antenna <NUM> based on the second strength. For example, the received strength of the advertising packet measured by the third antenna <NUM> may be the third strength. The processor <NUM> may estimate a distance at which the electronic device <NUM> is spaced apart from the third antenna <NUM> based on the third strength. For example, the received strength of the advertising packet measured by the fourth antenna <NUM> may be the fourth strength. The processor <NUM> may estimate a distance at which the electronic device <NUM> is spaced apart from the fourth antenna <NUM> based on the fourth strength. The processor <NUM> may identify an approximate position of the electronic device <NUM> based on the first strength to fourth strength. The processor <NUM> may form a circle by a distance estimated from each of the first antenna <NUM> to the fourth antennas, and identify that the electronic device <NUM> is located in an area in which four circles are common. Referring to <FIG>, the first antenna <NUM> to the fourth antenna <NUM> may form an area <NUM>. The area <NUM> may be referred to in various terms including an indoor positioning system (IPS) area, an authentication area, and a security area. The second external electronic device <NUM> may identify the electronic device <NUM> as a Bluetooth authenticated device in response to identifying that the electronic device <NUM> is located within the area <NUM>. In other words, when the electronic device <NUM> is located in the area <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may control media content of the first external electronic device <NUM> without exchanging advertising packets of CONNECT _REQ with the first external electronic device <NUM>. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the size and shape of the area <NUM> may vary according to the disposition of the first antenna <NUM> to the fourth antenna <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> together, the second external electronic device <NUM> may be disposed in Room <NUM> and/or Room <NUM>. The communication circuit <NUM> of the second external electronic device <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas corresponding to a first area <NUM> for covering the Room <NUM>. The plurality of antennas may include a first antenna <NUM>, a second antenna <NUM>, and a third antenna <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may be disposed in Room <NUM> and/or Room <NUM>. The communication circuit <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas corresponding to the second area <NUM> for covering the Room <NUM>. The plurality of antennas may include a first antenna <NUM>, a second antenna <NUM>, and a third antenna <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the communication circuit <NUM> for covering at least a partial area may include at least three antennas.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the user gripping the electronic device <NUM> may move between the Room <NUM> and the Room <NUM>. For example, when the user enters Room <NUM>, the communication circuit <NUM> may identify that the electronic device <NUM> is located inside the first area <NUM> based on the advertising packet received through the first antenna <NUM> to the third antenna <NUM> of Room <NUM>. The advertising packet may correspond to an advertising packet for identifying a direction broadcast by the electronic device <NUM>. when the user wants to control media playing of the first Bluetooth speaker (not shown) located inside Room <NUM> after entering Room <NUM>, the first Bluetooth speaker (not shown) may transmit the first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM> disposed in Room <NUM>. In this case, the first Bluetooth speaker (not shown) may have already completed the Bluetooth connection with the second external electronic device <NUM> disposed in the Room <NUM>. The second external electronic device <NUM> may identify that the electronic device <NUM> is located in the first area <NUM> in response to the first signal. The second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a second signal for indicating that the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth authenticated device based on the identification to the first Bluetooth speaker (not shown). The electronic device <NUM> may control media content of the first Bluetooth speaker (not shown) without performing a Bluetooth connection with the first Bluetooth speaker (not shown).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may be moved from Room <NUM> to Room <NUM>. In response to the electronic device <NUM> entering Room <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> of Room <NUM> may identify the entry of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, a communication circuit (e.g., the communication circuit <NUM> of <FIG>) included in the second external electronic device <NUM> of Room <NUM> may identify that the electronic device <NUM> is located inside the second area <NUM> based on advertising packets received through the first antenna <NUM> to the third antenna <NUM> of Room <NUM>. When the user wants to control media playing of a second Bluetooth speaker (not shown) located inside Room <NUM> after entering Room <NUM>, the second Bluetooth speaker Room <NUM> may transmit the first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM> disposed in Room <NUM>. In this case, the second Bluetooth speaker Room <NUM> may have already completed the Bluetooth connection with the second external electronic device <NUM> of Room <NUM>. The second external electronic device <NUM> of the Room <NUM> may transmit a second signal for indicating that the second electronic device is a Bluetooth authenticated device based on that the electronic device <NUM> is located inside the second area <NUM>, to the second Bluetooth speaker (not shown) in response to the first signal. The electronic device <NUM> may control media content of the second Bluetooth speaker (not shown) without performing a Bluetooth connection with the second Bluetooth speaker (not shown). According to the above-described, the electronic device <NUM> may control media content without need to perform pairing with a first Bluetooth speaker (not shown) and/or a second Bluetooth speaker (not shown) whenever moving the room, by identifying the position and broadcasting that the electronic device is a Bluetooth authenticated device by second external electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a signal exchange diagram occurring within a wireless environment according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast advertising packets. The advertising packets may be used by an external device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>) to identify the first external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the advertising packets broadcasted in operation <NUM> may include a PDU of ADV_IND.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may perform a scan for searching for a Bluetooth-connectable device. The electronic device <NUM> may perform a scan to identify an external device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM>) at predetermined intervals. In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may receive advertising packets broadcasted from the first external electronic device <NUM> while scanning. The electronic device <NUM> may identify the first external electronic device <NUM> based on the advertising packets. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may obtain a MAC address of the first external electronic device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a media control event. The media control event may be an event for controlling media content playable in the first external electronic device <NUM> identified in operation <NUM>. For example, in response to identifying the first external electronic device <NUM> in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may provide a pop-up notification to a user through a display (e.g., the display module <NUM> of <FIG>). The pop-up notification may include a visual object indicating that the first external electronic device <NUM> is identified near the electronic device <NUM> and media played in the first external electronic device <NUM> may be controlled. For another example, the electronic device <NUM> may execute a predetermined application in response to the identification of an external device (e.g., a first external electronic device <NUM>) providing media content. The predetermined application may be configured to display a user interface for media control of an external device (e.g., a first external electronic device <NUM>) identified at a short distance of the electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may identify the occurrence of the media control event in response to receiving a user input requesting media control of the first external electronic device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast advertising packets for identifying direction. The advertising packets for identifying direction may be packets including a PDU of ADV_EXT_IND. The advertising packets for identifying direction may include a constant tone extension (CTE).

In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may calculate a signal position. The signal may correspond to advertising packets for direction identification broadcast from the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second external electronic device <NUM> may receive advertising packets for direction identification and perform IQ sampling based on the CTE. The second external electronic device <NUM> may obtain an angle of departure and/or an angle of arrival of the electronic device <NUM> based on the IQ sampling. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify how far the electronic device <NUM> is located from each of a plurality of antennas based on the received strength of advertising packets for direction identification. The second external electronic device <NUM> may calculate the position of the electronic device <NUM> by using the obtained information on the angle of departure and/or the angle of arrival and the estimated distance based on the received strength. As a result of the calculation, when it is identified that the electronic device <NUM> is located within a predetermined area, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify the electronic device <NUM> as a Bluetooth authenticated device and store the MAC address of the electronic device <NUM> as authentication information in the memory <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for media control. The advertising packet for media control may include a new type of PDU. For example, the advertising packet for media control may include a PDU of NONCONN_CMD. The NONCONN_CMD may have a value of any one among the reserved bits of the PDU type field. For example, the NONCONN_CMD may have a "<NUM>" value of the PDU type field.

In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM> in response to receiving advertising for media control. The first signal may include information requested to identify whether a device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>) that broadcasts an advertising packet for media control corresponds to a Bluetooth authenticated device. For example, the first signal may include a MAC address of an advertising packet for media control. Since the first external electronic device <NUM> was already established a Bluetooth connection with the second external electronic device <NUM> for position identification of the electronic device <NUM>, the first signal may correspond to a data packet.

In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the second signal to the first external electronic device <NUM> in response to receiving the first signal. The second signal may include information indicating whether the device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>) that broadcasted an advertising packet for media control is a Bluetooth authenticated device. The second external electronic device <NUM> may identify whether a matching MAC address exists among the MAC addresses stored in the memory <NUM> based on the MAC address included in the first signal. For example, when a MAC address included in the first signal exists among the MAC addresses stored in the memory <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify a device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) that broadcasted an advertising packet for media control is located within a predetermined area and is a Bluetooth authenticated device. The second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the second signal including information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth authenticated device to the first external electronic device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for a media response. The advertising packet for media control may include a new type of PDU. For example, the advertising packet for media control may include a PDU of NONCONN_RSP. The NONCONN_RSP may have a value of any one of the reserved bits of the PDU type field. For example, the NONCONN_CMD may have a "<NUM>" value of the PDU type field. The advertising packet for a media response may include information indicating whether a control command included in the advertising packet for media control broadcasted in operation <NUM> has been performed. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> has been identified as a Bluetooth authenticated device by including within the predetermined area, the first external electronic device <NUM> may perform the control command, and may include information indicating that the control command has been performed in the advertising packet for the media response.

<FIG> illustrates a signal exchange diagram occurring in a wireless environment according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast advertising packets. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may perform a scan for searching for a Bluetooth connectable device. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a media control event. The media control event may be an event for controlling media content playable in the first external electronic device <NUM> identified in operation <NUM>. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast advertising packets for direction identification. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may calculate a signal position. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for dummy control. The advertising packet for the dummy control may include a PDU identical to the advertising packet for the media control. For example, the advertising packet for dummy control may include a PDU of NONCONN_CMD. The advertising packet for dummy control may include dummy data. For example, the AdvData field in the payload of the advertising packet may include dummy data. The first external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM> in response to receiving the advertising packet for dummy control. For example, in operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM>. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may receive a second signal from the second external electronic device <NUM>. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may discard the authentication information. The second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit information indicating that the device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) for broadcasting an advertising packet for media control is a Bluetooth authenticated device to the first external electronic device <NUM> through operations <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, in operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may discard the authentication information in response to transmitting the second signal to the first external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the second external electronic device <NUM> may delete the MAC address included in the first signal from the memory <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for media control. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for a media response. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may discard the authentication information. In order to enhance security, after identifying the electronic device <NUM> as a Bluetooth authenticated device, when a predetermined time elapses, the second external electronic device <NUM> may delete the authentication information. For example, even though the electronic device <NUM> is located within a predetermined area by receiving advertising packets for direction identification, authentication information on the electronic device <NUM> may be discarded when the predetermined time elapses. The predetermined time may vary according to user settings. The predetermined time may initiate from a time point at which the broadcasting is terminated when the electronic device <NUM> broadcasts advertising packets for direction identification.

In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM> in response to receiving advertising for media control. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the second signal to the first external electronic device <NUM> in response to receiving the first signal. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, when the second external electronic device <NUM> receives the first signal, the authentication information may already be discarded and may not exist. In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may delete the MAC address of the electronic device <NUM> by elapsing a predetermined time from the last time point when advertising packets for direction identification are received. Accordingly, in response to the receiving the first signal by the second external electronic device <NUM>, even when the MAC address included in the first signal is retrieved from the memory <NUM>, a matching MAC address may not be identified. Since the second external electronic device <NUM> fails to find authentication information corresponding to the MAC address included in the first signal, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit the second signal to the first external electronic device <NUM> by including information indicating that the device is Bluetooth unauthenticated device.

In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for a media response. In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may receive a second signal including information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth unauthenticated device from the second external electronic device <NUM>. The first external electronic device <NUM> may bypass performing a control command included in the advertising packet for media control received in operation <NUM> based on the second signal. In other words, the first external electronic device <NUM> may not perform a control command for media content received from the electronic device <NUM>. The first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for the media response including information indicating that a control command included in the advertising packet for media control has not been processed. The electronic device <NUM> may receive the advertising packet for the media response and identify that a control command included in the advertising packet for media control broadcast in operation <NUM> has not been performed.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast advertising packets for direction identification. The broadcasting of the advertising packets for direction identification may be performed as a predetermined time elapses from the time point at which the broadcasting in operation <NUM> is terminated. The predetermined time may be referred to in various terms including a broadcast identification period and a Bluetooth authentication period. Alternatively, the broadcasting of advertising packets for direction identification may be performed immediately in response to receiving advertising packets for media response received in operation <NUM> and identifying that a control command has not been performed.

In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may calculate a signal position. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> or operation <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast advertising packets for media control, and in operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a first signal to the second external electronic device <NUM>. Operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> described above, and operation <NUM> may correspond to operation <NUM> described above, respectively.

In operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may respond to the second signal to the first external electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the time point at which the first signal for requesting whether to authenticate the Bluetooth of the electronic device <NUM> is received may precede the time point at which the authentication information is discarded. In other words, in operation <NUM>, the second external electronic device <NUM> may receive the first signal within a predetermined time from the last time point when advertising packets for direction identification are received. The second external electronic device <NUM> may search the memory <NUM> for whether authentication information matching the MAC address included in the first signal exists. The second external electronic device <NUM> may identify authentication information matching the MAC address included in the first signal, and identify the electronic device <NUM> corresponding to the MAC address included in the first signal as a Bluetooth authenticated device. The second external electronic device <NUM> may transmit a second signal including information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> has been identified as a Bluetooth authenticated device to the first external electronic device <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for a media response. In operation <NUM>, the first external electronic device <NUM> may receive a second signal including information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> is a Bluetooth authenticated device from the second external electronic device <NUM>. The first external electronic device <NUM> may perform a control command included in the advertising packet for media control received in operation <NUM> based on the second signal. In other words, the first external electronic device <NUM> may perform a control command for media content received from the electronic device <NUM>. The first external electronic device <NUM> may broadcast an advertising packet for the media response including information indicating that a control command included in the advertising packet for media control has been performed. The electronic device <NUM> may receive the advertising packet for the media response and identify that the control command included in the advertising packet for media control broadcast in operation <NUM> has been performed.

According to the above-described embodiment of the disclosure, even though the electronic device <NUM> is identified as a Bluetooth authenticated device based on an advertising packet for direction identification, the second external electronic device <NUM> may discard the authentication information according to the lapse of a predetermined time. The second external electronic device <NUM> may more accurately determine whether the electronic device <NUM> requests media control of the first external electronic device <NUM> within a predetermined area by periodically discarding the authentication information and performing reauthentication. The second external electronic device <NUM> may more accurately determine whether the electronic device <NUM> requests media control of the first external electronic device <NUM> within a predetermined area.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of a first external electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, an electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may broadcast first advertising packets. The first advertising packets may be packets for an external device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) to identify an electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>). The first advertising packets may include a PDU of ADV_IND and a MAC address of an electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>).

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may receive second advertising packets including at least a control command for a media from the first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>). The second advertising packets may include a control command for PDU and media content of the NONCONN_CMD and information on a MAC address of a first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>).

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may transmit a first signal for identifying that the first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) is included in a predetermined area from the second external electronic device (e.g., the second external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) to the second external electronic device (e.g., the second external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>). The first signal may be a signal for requesting whether the first external electronic device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>) is a Bluetooth authenticated device based on the predetermined area. The first signal may include information on a MAC address of the first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>).

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may receive a second signal indicating that the first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) is included in a predetermined area from the second external electronic device (e.g., the second external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>). The second signal may include information indicating whether the first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) is included in the predetermined area. Alternatively, the second signal may include information indicating whether the first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) indicates to a Bluetooth authenticated device.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may perform a control command on the media based on the second advertising packet. The electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may perform a control command included in the already received second advertising packet. For example, when the control command indicates volume up, the electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may control the electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) to reduce sound by reducing output of the speaker.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may transmit a third advertising packet to the first external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) for indicating that a control command of the media has been performed. The third advertising packet may include information indicating a PDU of the NONCONN_RSP and a result of performing a control command.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation sequence of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may receive a first advertising packet from the first external electronic device <NUM>. The first advertising packet may correspond to a packet for the electronic device <NUM> to identify the first external electronic device <NUM>. The first advertising packet may include information on the PDU of the ADV_IND and the MAC address of the first external electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may periodically perform a scan, and during the scan, may identify the first external electronic device <NUM> in response to receiving the first advertising packets.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast second advertising packets for identifying whether the electronic device <NUM> is located within a predetermined area from the second external electronic device <NUM>. The second advertising packets may correspond to advertising packets for direction identification. The second advertising packets may include a PDU of ADV_EXT_IND, a MAC address of the electronic device <NUM>, and a CTE. The second advertising packets may be used by the second external electronic device <NUM> to identify the position of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the second external electronic device <NUM> may identify an arrival angle and/or a departure angle for the second advertising packets based on the CTE included in the second advertising packets. The second external electronic device <NUM> may identify a distance from the electronic device <NUM> based on a received strength of the second advertising packets. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast the second advertising packets in response to identifying the initiation of the media control event.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may broadcast a third advertising packet including a control command regarding media playable in the first external electronic device <NUM> in response to broadcasting of the second advertising packets. The third advertising packet may be a packet for performing control of media content through the first external electronic device <NUM>. For example, the third advertising packet may include a PDU of NONCONN_CMD, information on the control command, and information on a MAC address of the electronic device <NUM>. The information on the control command may include information indicating a volume up, a volume down, play next song, play previous song, play current song, and pause current song.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may receive a fourth advertising packet, indicating that a control command for media is performed by the first external electronic device, from the first external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device and the operating method can identify a device capable of performing connectionless communication based on an indoor positioning system (IPS), and control media contents without releasing an existing pairing with another electronic device by transmitting and receiving advertising packets of a new protocol data unit (PDU) with the identified device.

According to the above-described embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device may comprise a communication circuit for Bluetooth low energy (BLE), at least one memory configured to store instructions, and at least one processor operatively coupled with the communication circuit, wherein the at least one processor, when the instructions are executed, may be configured to broadcast first advertising packets via the communication circuit, receive, via the communication circuit from a first external electronic device, second advertising packets at least including a control command for media playable in the electronic device, transmit, in response to receiving the second advertising packets, a first signal for identifying whether the first external electronic device is included in a predetermined area from a second external electronic device, via the communication circuit to the second external electronic device, wherein the first external electronic device is distinct from the second external electronic device, receive, from the second external electronic device via the communication circuit, a second signal generated in response to the first signal, perform, in response to receiving the second signal indicating that the first external electronic device is included in the predetermined area via the communication circuit, a control command for the media, and transmit, via the communication circuit to the first external electronic device, a third advertising packet for indicating to perform the control command for the media.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second external electronic device may correspond to an indoor positioning system (IPS) device for identifying a position of the first external electronic device, based on fourth advertising packets broadcasted from the first external electronic device by using a received time and a received strength of the fourth advertising packets received through at least three antennas.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first advertising packet may include a protocol data unit (PDU) of advertising indications (ADV_IND).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second advertising packet may correspond to an advertising packet that is non-scannable, undirected, and non-connectable.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the control command for the media that is playable may include at least one of a volume up, a volume down, play next song, play previous song, play the media, or pause the media being played.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the fourth advertising packets may correspond to packets broadcasted from the first external electronic device at a predetermined time intervals, and wherein a protocol data unit (PDU) of the fourth advertising packets may correspond to an ADV_EXT_IND.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second advertising packets may be received from the first external electronic device before receiving an advertising packet that requests a Bluetooth connection between the electronic device and the first external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device may comprise a communication circuit for Bluetooth low energy (BLE), at least one memory configured to store instructions, and at least one processor operatively coupled with the communication circuit, wherein the at least one processor, when the instructions are executed, may be configured to receive first advertising packets via the communication circuit from a first external electronic device, broadcast, in response to receiving the first advertising packets, second advertising packets for identifying whether a position of the electronic device is located within a predetermined area from a second external electronic device, via the communication circuit to the second external electronic device, transmit, via the communication circuit to the first external electronic device, a third advertising packet at least including a control command for media playable in the first external electronic device, and receive, from the first external electronic device via the communication circuit, a fourth advertising packet for indicating that the control command is performed by the first external electronic device in response to the third advertising packet on a condition that the position of the electronic device is located within the predetermined area from the second external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second external electronic device may correspond to an indoor positioning system (IPS) device for identifying the position of the electronic device based on a received time and a received strength of the second advertising packets received through at least three antennas included in the second external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first advertising packet may include a protocol data unit (PDU) of an ADV_IND.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the third advertising packet may correspond to an advertising packet that is non-scannable, undirected, and non-connectable.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second advertising packets may correspond to packets broadcasted at predetermined time intervals, and wherein a protocol data unit (PDU) of the second advertising packets may correspond to ADV_EXT_IND.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the third advertising packet may be transmitted to the first external electronic device before receiving an advertising packet that requests a Bluetooth connection between the electronic device and the first external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the at least one processor is, when the instructions are executed, configured to transmit a dummy packet to the first external electronic device before transmitting the third advertising packet in response to transmitting the second advertising packets to the second external electronic device, and wherein the dummy packet may have a protocol data unit (PDU) identical to a PDU of the third advertising packet.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of an electronic device including a communication circuit for a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) may comprise broadcasting first advertising packets via the communication circuit, receiving, via the communication circuit from a first external electronic device, second advertising packets at least including a control command for media playable in the electronic device, transmitting, in response to receiving the second advertising packets, a first signal for identifying whether the first external electronic device is included in a predetermined area from a second external electronic device, via the communication circuit to the second external electronic device, wherein the first external electronic device is distinct from the second external electronic device, receiving, from the second external electronic device via the communication circuit, a second signal generated in response to the first signal, performing, in response to receiving the second signal indicating that the first external electronic device is included in the predetermined area via the communication circuit, a control command for the media, and transmitting, via the communication circuit to the first external electronic device, a third advertising packet for indicating to perform the control command for the media.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second signal may be identified based on a received time and a received strength of fourth advertising packets, broadcasted from the first external electronic device, received through at least three antennas of the second external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second advertising packet may be received from the first external electronic device, before receiving an advertising packet that requests a Bluetooth connection between the electronic device and the first external electronic device.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments. As used herein, each of such phrases as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as "1st" and "2nd", or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with", "coupled to", "connected with", or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program #<NUM>) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory #<NUM> or external memory #<NUM>) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device #<NUM>). For example, a processor(e.g., the processor #<NUM>) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device #<NUM>) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a communication circuit (<NUM>) for Bluetooth low energy (BLE);
at least one memory (<NUM>) configured to store instructions; and
at least one processor (<NUM>) operatively coupled with the communication circuit (<NUM>),
wherein the at least one processor (<NUM>) is, when the instructions are executed, configured to:
broadcast (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) a first advertising packet via the communication circuit (<NUM>),
receive (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), via the communication circuit (<NUM>) , a second advertising packet broadcast from a first external electronic device (<NUM>), the second advertising packet at least including a control command for media playable in the electronic device (<NUM>),
transmit (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), in response to receiving the second advertising packet, a first signal for identifying whether the first external electronic device (<NUM>) is included in a predetermined area from a second external electronic device (<NUM>), via the communication circuit (<NUM>) through an established connection between the electronic device (<NUM>) and the second external electronic device (<NUM>), to the second external electronic device (<NUM>), wherein the first external electronic device (<NUM>) is distinct from the second external electronic device (<NUM>);
receive (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), through the established connection, from the second external electronic device (<NUM>) via the communication circuit (<NUM>), a second signal generated in response to the first signal,
perform (<NUM>), in response to receiving the second signal indicating that the first external electronic device (<NUM>) is included in the predetermined area via the communication circuit (<NUM>), a control command for the media, and
broadcast (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), via the communication circuit (<NUM>) to the first external electronic device (<NUM>), a third advertising packet for indicating that the control command for the media has been performed.