Patent ID: 12207065

Regarding explanation of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the same or similar components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1through17, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Hereinafter, various embodiments disclosed in the present document will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of explanation, components illustrated in the drawings may have their sizes exaggerated or reduced, and the present disclosure is not limited to illustrations.

FIG.1illustrates an audio output device100, an electronic device200(or a case device, a power supply device, hereinafter, referred to as a “powersupply device”) capable of receiving the audio output device100, and an external electronic device300.

According to an embodiment, the audio output device100may be received and stored in the power supply device200when the audio output device100is not in use. When the audio output device100is in use, the audio output device100may be worn on a part of a user's body (for example, ears). According to an embodiment, the audio output device100may be configured in pairs to be worn on both ears of a user. For example, the audio output device100may include a first audio output device100ato be worn on the user's right ear, and a second audio output device100bto be worn on the user's left ear.

Referring toFIG.1, the power supply device200may include a first receiver202to have the first audio output device100adisposed therein, and a second receiver204to have the second audio output device100bdisposed therein. In an embodiment, a first interface206including at least one terminal may be disposed on a bottom surface of the first receiver202, and a second interface208including at least one terminal may be disposed on a bottom surface of the second receiver204.

According to an embodiment, the first interface206and the second interface208may include a pogo pin. According to an embodiment, the first interface206and the second interface208may include at least one of a charging power terminal, a ground (GND) terminal, a detect terminal, or a data communication terminal. At least one terminal of the first interface206and the second interface208may be disposed to physically or electrically come into contact with at least one terminal of the audio output device100when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, at least one terminal of the first interface206and the second interface208may perform at least one function of functions of the charging power terminal, the detect terminal, and the data communication terminal. For example, one terminal included in the first interface206may detect that the first audio output device100ais disposed in the first receiver202, may charge the first audio output device100a, and/or may perform data communication with the first audio output device100a. In another example, one terminal included in the second interface208may detect that the second audio output device100bis disposed in the second receiver204, may charge the second audio output device100b, and/or may perform data communication with the second audio output device100b.

In an embodiment, the power supply device200may include at least one light emitting diode (LED) display lamp210. In an embodiment, the LED display lamp210may output a signal when the first audio output device100aor the second audio output device100bis disposed in at least one receiver of the first receiver202or the second receiver204. For example, when the first audio output device100ais disposed in the first receiver202, the LED display lamp210may output a signal (for example, green light or red light) indicating a charging state (for example, a fully charged state or an intermediate charged state) of the first audio output device100a. In another example, when the first audio output device100ais disposed in the first receiver202or the second audio output device100bis disposed in the second receiver204, the power supply device200may also output a vibration signal indicating a charging state (for example, an initial charging state or a fully charged state) of the first audio output device100aand/or the second audio output device100b.

In an embodiment, the first audio output device100amay receive power from the power supply device200through a first interface102. In an embodiment, the second audio output device100bmay receive power from the power supply device200through a second interface104. In an embodiment, the first audio output device100amay transmit data to the power supply device200through the first interface102, and the second audio output device100bmay transmit data to the power supply device200through the second interface104. For example, the first audio output device100amay transmit information including battery remaining capacity information of the first audio output device100ato the power supply device200.

In an embodiment, the first audio output device100amay exchange data with the power supply device200through the first interface102, and the second audio output device100bmay exchange data with the power supply device200through the second interface104. For example, the first audio output device100amay receive, from the power supply device200, information including battery remaining capacity information of the second audio output device100band/or battery remaining capacity information of the power supply device200. The second audio output device100bmay receive, from the power supply device200, information including battery remaining capacity information of the first audio output device100aand/or battery remaining capacity information of the power supply device200. In another example, the first audio output device100aand/or the second audio output device100bmay exchange information including each other's battery remaining capacity information by using communication connected between the first audio output device100a, and the second audio output device100b.

According to an embodiment, the audio output device100may output audio when the audio output device is worn on a user's body. According to an embodiment, at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay output audio by exchanging wireless data with the external electronic device300. For example, a path for exchanging the wireless data may include at least one of a path for a Bluetooth communication scheme, a path for a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication scheme, a path for a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct communication scheme, and a path for a mobile communication scheme (for example, cellular communication, sidelink). For example, when the Bluetooth communication scheme or BLE communication scheme is used, the audio output device100and the external electronic device300may identify each other's wireless communication address, and may perform communication.

According to an embodiment, only one of the pair of audio output devices100a,100bmay generate the communication path with the external electronic device300. For example, the external electronic device300may be connected with the first audio output device100aout of the pair of audio output devices100a,100b. When the external electronic device300is connected with the first audio output device100a, the external electronic device300or the first audio output device100amay provide information on the communication path to the second audio output device100bin order for the second audio output device100bto output the audio. The second audio output device100bmay receive or sniff data which is transmitted to the first audio output device100a, based on the information on the communication path, and may output the audio. According to an embodiment, the first audio output device100aconnected with the external electronic device300may be referred to as a master device or a main audio output device, and the second audio output device100bthat is not connected with the external electronic device300may be referred to as a slave device or a sub audio output device.

According to an embodiment, the first audio output device100aand/or the second audio output device100bmay use a true wireless stereo (TWS) (for example, a relay method, a sniffing method), TWS+, or audio over BLE (AoBLE) communication method with the external electronic device300. When the TWS communication method is used, the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay connect communication therebetween, and may collect information, and any one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay connect communication with the external electronic device300and may transmit the collected information. When the TWS+ or AoBLE communication method is used, the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay connect communication with the external electronic device300, respectively, and may transmit information.

According to an embodiment, when the first audio output device100aand/or the second audio output device100bis communicatively coupled with the external electronic device300, the external electronic device300may be a master device, and the first audio output device100aand/or the second audio output device100bmay be a slave device. According to another embodiment, when communication is connected between the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100b, one of the first audio output device100aand/or the second audio output device100bmay be a master device, and the other one may be a slave device. According to an embodiment, when communication is connected between the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100b, the roles (or settings) of the master device and the slave device of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay be changed based on a designated condition. For example, when the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bare removed from the power supply device200simultaneously, the first audio output device100athat may be worn on the right may correspond to a master device, and the second audio output device100bthat may be worn on the left may correspond to a slave device. In another example, when only the second audio output device100bis removed from the power supply device200, the second audio output device100bmay correspond to a master device. However, this should not be considered as limiting, and the roles of the master device and the slave device of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay be fixed. For example, the roles of the master device and the slave device of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay be designated by a designer, or may not be changeable after being fixed.

According to an embodiment, a device that corresponds to a master device among the audio output devices100may perform a role of transmitting data generated at the audio output device100to the external electronic device300. For example, the master device may perform a role of transmitting a response signal to data transmitted from the external electronic device300to the audio output device100, transmitting data (for example, audio data acquired through a microphone or a sensor value acquired through a sensor) generated at the audio output device100, and/or transmitting state information (for example, a remaining capacity of a battery) of the audio output device100.

FIG.2illustrates a view of the audio output device100received in the power supply device200, and the external electronic device300according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.2, the power supply device200may have a hinged structure, and the audio output device100may be received in a recess (for example, the first receiver202or the second receiver204ofFIG.1) formed in the power supply device200when the power supply device200is opened. The audio output device100may be received by having at least part thereof seated in the recess of the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, the audio output device100may include a sensed member corresponding to a sensor of the power supply device200although it is not illustrated. For example, the power supply device200may include a hall sensor (or a hall integrated circuit (IC)) and the audio output device100may include a magnet. When the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the hall sensor of the power supply device200may recognize that the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, and may transmit the recognized state to the audio output device100. In another example, the audio output device100may include a hall sensor, and the audio output device100may directly detect that a lid of the power supply device200is closed by using the hall sensor. That is, the power supply device200may detect that the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200and the lid of the power supply device200is closed, and may control the audio output device100, and the audio output device100may detect that the lid of the power supply device200is closed by using the hall sensor, and may control itself.

According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200recognizes that the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the power supply device200may supply power to the audio output device100through an interface (for example, the first interface206and/or the second interface204). For example, the audio output device100may recognize that the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, based on power being received from the power supply device200through an interface (for example, the first interface102and/or the second interface104).

According to an embodiment, the power supply device200may receive state information (for example, a remaining battery capacity) of the audio output device100through communication (for example, power line communication (PLC)) with the audio output device100, and may control charging of the audio output device100based on the state information (for example, the remaining battery capacity) of the audio output device100. For example, when state information (for example, a remaining battery capacity) of the first audio output device100aand state information (for example, a remaining battery capacity) of the second audio output device100bare different from each other by a designated threshold value or more, the power supply device200may control charging to make the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bhave substantially the same remaining battery capacity.

According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200and receives power from the power supply device200, the audio output device100may disable a wireless communication circuit (or a wireless data exchange path) of the audio output device100.

FIG.3illustrates a block diagram of the audio output device100according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.3, the audio output device100(for example, the first audio output device100aand/or the second audio output device100b) may include a plurality of electronic components disposed in an inner space thereof. According to an embodiment, the audio output device100may include a wireless communication circuit310, an input device320, a sensor330, an audio processing circuit340, a speaker341, a microphone342, a memory350, a power management circuit360, a battery370, and a control circuit380. However, this should not be considered as limiting, and one or more of the electronic components may be omitted or other electronic components may further be included.

In various embodiments of the disclosure, the audio output device100may refer to at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100b, or may refer to a device of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bthat connects communication with the external electronic device300(for example, a master device of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bthat connects communication with the external electronic device300).

According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit310may support communication of various types by using an antenna. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit310may support reception of audio data from an external device (for example, a server, a smartphone, a PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or an access point) (for example, the external electronic device300ofFIG.1). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit310may support transmission of audio data to an external device (for example, another audio output device).

According to an embodiment, the input device320may be configured to generate various input signals necessary for operating the audio output device100. The input device320may include a touch pad, a touch panel, and/or a button. For example, the touch pad may recognize a touch input in at least one method of capacitive, resistive, infrared and ultrasonic methods. For example, the button may include a physical button and/or an optical button.

According to an embodiment, the input device320may generate a user input related to power on or off of the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, the input device320may generate a user input related to communication (for example, short-range communication) connection with the audio output device100and an external device.

According to an embodiment, the input device320may generate a user input related to audio data (or audio content). For example, the user input may be related to functions such as starting play of audio data, pausing, stopping, adjusting a replay speed, adjusting a replay volume or muting.

According to an embodiment, the sensor330may measure physical data related to the audio output device100or may detect an operation state of the audio output device100. In addition, the sensor330may convert the measured or detected information into an electric signal. According to an embodiment, the sensor330may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a magnetic sensor, a gesture sensor, a grip sensor, or a biometric sensor. According to an embodiment, the sensor330may detect information or a signal regarding whether the audio output device100is worn on user's body.

According to an embodiment, the audio processing circuit340may support an audio data collecting function and may reproduce collected audio data. According to an embodiment, the audio processing circuit340may include an audio decoder and a digital-to-analogue (D/A) converter. The audio decoder may convert audio data stored in the memory350into a digital audio signal, and the D/A converter may convert the digital audio signal converted by the audio decoder into an analogue audio signal. According to an embodiment, the audio decoder may convert audio data received from an external device (for example, a server, a smartphone, a PC, a PDA, or an access point) through the wireless communication circuit310and stored in the memory350into a digital audio signal. The speaker341may output the analogue audio signal converted by the D/A converter. According to an embodiment, the audio processing circuit340may include an analogue-to-digital (A/D) converter. The A/D converter may convert an analogue voice signal delivered through the microphone342into a digital voice signal.

According to an embodiment, the audio processing circuit340may reproduce various audio data set in an operating action of the audio output device100. For example, when it is detected that the audio output device100is worn on ears or is separated from ears, the audio processing circuit340may be designed to reproduce audio data related to a corresponding effect or a sound guide. According to another embodiment, when it is detected that the audio output device100is coupled to another electronic device (for example, the power supply device200) or it is detected when the audio output device100is separated from another electronic device, the audio processing circuit340may be designed to reproduce audio data related to a corresponding effect or a sound guide. According to another embodiment, when the audio output device100receives a signal for requesting to output an alarm (or a notification) from another electronic device (for example, the power supply device200, the external electronic device300), the audio processing circuit340may be designed to reproduce audio data corresponding to a corresponding effect or a sound guide. Outputting a sound effect or a sound guide may be omitted according to user settings or a designer's intention. According to an embodiment, the audio processing circuit340may be designed to be included in the control circuit380.

The memory350may store various operating systems necessary for operating the audio output device100, and data or an application program corresponding to various user functions, and algorithms. The memory350may include, for example, a high-speed random access memory and/or a non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage device, one or more optical storage devices and/or a flash memory (for example, NAND, NOR).

According to an embodiment, the memory350may include a nonvolatile memory which stores nonvolatile audio data received from an external device (for example, a server, a smartphone, a PC, a PDA, or an access point). According to an embodiment, the memory350may include a volatile memory which stores volatile audio data received from an external device.

The power management circuit360(for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC)) may efficiently manage and optimize use of power of the battery370in the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may transmit a signal resulting from a load to process to the power management circuit360according to the load. The power management circuit360may adjust power to be supplied to the control circuit380.

The power management circuit360may include a battery charging circuit. According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is coupled to the power supply device200, the power management circuit360may receive power from the power supply device200and may charge the battery370. According to an embodiment, the power management circuit360may support power line communication (PLC) between the audio output device100and the power supply device200, and the audio output device100may exchange data with the power supply device200through PLC.

According to an embodiment, the power management circuit360may include a wireless charging circuit. The wireless charging circuit may wirelessly receive power from an external device, and may charge the battery370by using the received power. According to an embodiment, the wireless charging circuit may support in-band communication between the audio output device100and the power supply device200. For example, when the in-band communication is used, the audio output device100and the power supply device200may communicate through the wireless charging circuit by using the same frequency or adjacent frequency to transmit power. In this case, the wireless charging circuit may transmit and receive data between the audio output device100and the power supply device200by using a frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation scheme and an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation scheme.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may be configured to collect various data and to calculate a target output value. According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may support various actions based on least part of a user input from the input device320.

The control circuit380may be designed to receive audio data from an external device (for example, a server, a smartphone, a PC, a PDA, or an access point) through the wireless communication circuit310, and to store the received audio data in the memory350. According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may receive nonvolatile audio data (or downloaded audio data) from the external device, and may store the received nonvolatile audio data in the nonvolatile memory. According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may receive volatile audio data (or streaming audio data) from the external device, and may store the received volatile audio data in the volatile memory.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may control to reproduce audio data (for example, nonvolatile audio data or volatile audio data) stored in the memory350and to output the audio data through the speaker341. The control circuit380may acquire an audio signal by decoding audio data, and may control to output the acquired audio signal through the speaker341.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may perform various actions based on at least part of information acquired from the sensor330. For example, the control circuit380may determine whether the audio output device100is worn on a user's body, based on information acquired from the sensor330.

According to an embodiment, in a mode in which the audio output device100receives audio data from an external device and outputs the audio data through the speaker341, when it is identified that the audio output device100is not worn on a user's body (for example, the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200), the control circuit380may stop the mode or may transmit a relevant signal to the external device. According to an embodiment, the external device may receive the signal regarding the state in which the audio output device100is not worn on a user's body, and may stop transmitting the audio data to the audio output device100. According to another embodiment, the external device may stop transmitting the audio data to the audio output device100, based on the audio output device100disabling the wireless communication circuit310. For example, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the audio output device100may disable the wireless communication circuit310, and based on this, the external device may stop transmitting the audio data to the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may control the audio processing circuit340to reproduce audio data related to a corresponding sound effect or a sound guide in response to an alarm output request signal received from the power supply device200and/or the external electronic device300.

According to an embodiment, the audio output device100may further include various components according to a providing form thereof. In addition, specific components out of the above-described components may be excluded or may be substituted with other components according to a providing form of the audio output device100.

FIG.4illustrates a block diagram of a power supply device200according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4, the power supply device200may include a plurality of electronic components disposed in an inner space thereof. According to an embodiment, the power supply device200may include a wireless communication circuit410, an input device420, a power management circuit430, a battery440, and a control circuit450. However, this should not be considered as limiting, and one or more of the electronic components may be omitted or other electronic components may further be included. Corresponding components inFIGS.3and4may perform the same function.

In the disclosure, the power supply device200may refer to a case device that receives the audio output device100, and may refer to a case device that, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, charges the battery370of the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit410may support wireless communication of various types by using an antenna. For example, the wireless communication circuit410may support Bluetooth communication and/or Bluetooth low energy (BLE) communication. According to an embodiment, the wireless communication circuit410may establish wireless communication connection with an external device (for example, the audio output device100, the external electronic device300), and may support exchange of data.

According to an embodiment, the input device420may be configured to generate various input signals necessary for operating the power supply device200. The input device420may include a touch pad, a touch panel, and/or a button. For example, the touch pad may recognize a touch input n at least one method of capacitive, resistive, infrared, and ultrasonic methods. For example, the button may include a physical button and/or an optical button.

According to an embodiment, the input device420may generate a user input related to power on or off of the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the input device420may generate a user input related to communication (for example, short-range communication) connection with the power supply device200and an external device.

According to an embodiment, the power management circuit430(for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC)) may efficiently manage and optimize use of power of the battery440in the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may transmit a signal resulting from a load to process to the power management circuit430according to the load. The power management circuit430may adjust power to be supplied to the control circuit450.

According to an embodiment, the power management circuit430may include a charging circuit. According to an embodiment, the power management circuit430may receive power from an external power source (for example, a travel adapter (TA)) and may charge the battery440.

According to an embodiment, the power management circuit430may include a wireless charging circuit. The wireless charging circuit may wirelessly receive power from an external device, and may charge the battery440by using the received power.

The power management circuit430may include a power transmission circuit. According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200and is electrically connected thereto, the power management circuit430may transmit power charged in the battery440of the power supply device200to the audio output device100, and may charge the battery370of the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, the power management circuit430may support PLC between the audio output device100and the power supply device200, and the power supply device200may exchange data with the audio output device through PLC.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may be configured to collect various data and to calculate a target output value. According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may support various actions, based on at least part of a user input from the input device420.

According to embodiment, the control circuit450may control the wireless communication circuit410to always operate in a connection standby mode or an advertise mode, and may control the wireless communication circuit410to receive a communication packet from the external electronic device300.

According to an embodiment, the power supply device200may further include various components according to a providing form thereof. In addition, specific components out of the above-described components may be excluded or substituted with other components according to a providing form of the power supply device200. For example, the power supply device200may further include a sensor, an audio processing circuit, and/or a memory.

FIG.5illustrates a flowchart to explain a method for finding a position of the audio output device100by using the power supply device200according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment described below, respective actions may be performed in sequence, but may not necessarily be performed in sequence. The order of the respective actions may be changed or at least two actions may be performed in parallel.

Actions ofFIG.5may be performed by the power supply device200ofFIG.4.

Referring toFIG.5, the control circuit450of the power supply device200according to an embodiment may perform: action510of operating in a connection standby mode or an advertise mode by using a wireless communication address of the audio output device100in a state where the power supply device200connects a first communication with the audio output device100or is electrically connected with the audio output device100; action520of receiving, from the external electronic device300, a signal for finding the audio output device100based on the wireless communication address of the audio output device100; and action530of transmitting a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm to the audio output device100through the first communication, or transmitting the signal to the audio output device100through the electrical connection. Hereinafter, the respective actions ofFIG.5will be described in detail.

According to an embodiment, in action510, in the state where the power supply device200connects wireless communication with the audio output device100or is electrically connected with the audio output device100, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may operate in the connection standby mode or the advertise mode by using the wireless communication address of the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, in action510, the power supply device200may be in the state where wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth communication, BLE communication) is connected with the audio output device100, or the power supply device200is electrically connected with the audio output device100. In this case, communication between the audio output device100and the external electronic device300may be disconnected.

For example, the power supply device200may connect wireless communication with the audio output device. According to an embodiment, the power supply device200may connect Bluetooth communication with the audio output device100by using the wireless communication circuit410, and the control circuit450may transmit and receive data (for example, a battery state of the audio output device100, information on whether the audio output device100is worn or not, information of the sub audio output device100) between the audio output device100and the power supply device200through the Bluetooth communication.

In another example, the power supply device200may be electrically connected with the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, a terminal (for example, the first interface206, the second interface208ofFIG.1) of the power supply device200, and a terminal (for example, the first interface102, the second interface104ofFIG.1) of the audio output device100may be electrically connected in contact with each other, and the control circuit450may perform PLC between the audio output device100and the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, in the state where Bluetooth communication is connected with the audio output device100or PLC is connected with the audio output device100, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may operate in the connection standby mode or the advertise mode by using the wireless communication address (for example, a Bluetooth address) of the audio output device100. For example, when the power supply device200has a history of having connected Bluetooth communication with the audio output device100, the power supply device200may know the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100, and may know the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100through PLC between the audio output device100and the power supply device200. In another example, the power supply device200may store the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100in the memory the first time it is designed, and may be produced. According to an embodiment, the Bluetooth address may be unique identification information or address information based on which a target to connect is identified when Bluetooth communication is connected and communication connection is established.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450which recognizes the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100may operate in the connection standby mode for Bluetooth (or Bluetooth legacy) communication or the advertise mode for BLE communication by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, in the state where Bluetooth communication is connected with the audio output device100or PLC is connected with the audio output device100, the control circuit450may continuously (or always) operate in the connection standby mode by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100, or may continuously (always) operate in the advertise mode by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100. According to another embodiment, the control circuit450may periodically operate in the connection standby mode or in the advertise mode by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may perform a page scan action in the connection standby mode for Bluetooth legacy communication, and may perform an action of transmitting an advertising signal to a peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device300in the advertise mode for BLE communication.

According to an embodiment, a page scan mode may be a state in which a paging request is received from another peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device300to establish Bluetooth (or Bluetooth legacy) communication connection. For example, the power supply device200operating in the page scan mode may receive a communication connection request from the external electronic device300, and then, may receive data (for example, a signal for finding the audio output device100) from the external electronic device300.

According to an embodiment, the advertise mode may be a state in which an advertising signal is periodically transmitted to another peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device300to use BLE communication. For example, the power supply device200operating in the advertise mode may receive a response signal (for example, a signal for finding the audio output device100) from the external electronic device300which receives the advertising signal.

Actions using the Bluetooth legacy communication will be described below inFIG.6, and actions using the BLE communication will be described below inFIG.7.

According to another embodiment, in the state where Bluetooth communication is connected with the audio output device100or PLC is connected with the audio output device100, when the battery440of the power supply device200is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the control circuit450may enable the audio output device100, and may request the audio output device100to operate in the wireless communication connection standby mode or the advertise mode. In this case, even when the battery440of the power supply device200is discharged and power is turned off, a user may find a position of the audio output device100through wireless communication between the external electronic device (for example, the external electronic device300ofFIG.1) and the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, in action520, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may receive the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300, based on the wireless communication address of the audio output device100. For example, the control circuit450may connect Bluetooth communication with the external electronic device300based on the wireless communication address of the audio output device100, and may receive the signal for finding the audio output device100. In another example, the control circuit450may receive the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300, as a response to the advertising signal using the wireless communication address of the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may connect Bluetooth communication with the external electronic device300with the wireless communication address of the audio output device100in response to the request of the external electronic device300for finding the audio output device100, and may receive a packet including the signal for finding audio output device100through the connected communication.

According to another embodiment, the control circuit450may not connect wireless communication with the external electronic device300, and may receive the signal for finding the audio output device100. For example, when the control circuit450operating in the page scan mode receives a wireless communication connection request from the external electronic device300in the state where the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the control circuit450may recognize the wireless communication connection request as the signal for finding the audio output device100.

According to another embodiment, the control circuit450may receive a packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300, as a response signal (for example, a scan request signal) to the advertising, in response to a request of the external electronic device300for searching the audio output device100. In this case, the audio output device100and the power supply device200may not connect wireless communication with each other.

According to an embodiment, in response to the signal received in action520, in action530, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may transmit a signal for the audio output device100to output an alarm to the audio output device100through wireless communication (that is, Bluetooth communication with the audio output device100), or may transmit the signal to the audio output device100through electrical connection (that is, PLC with the audio output device100).

For example, in the state where Bluetooth communication is connected between the power supply device200and the audio output device100, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may transmit the signal for letting the audio output device100output the alarm, received from the external electronic device300, to the audio output device100through the Bluetooth communication. That is, even when a distance between the external electronic device300and the power supply device200is short and short-range wireless communication is used, but a distance between the external electronic device300and the audio output device100is long and short-range wireless communication is not used, the external electronic device300may transmit a command for the audio output device100to output an alarm to the audio output device100by using the power supply device200.

In another example, in the state where PLC is connected between the power supply device200and the audio output device100, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may transmit the signal for letting the audio output device100output the alarm, received from the external electronic device300, to the audio output device100through the PLC. That is, even when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200and communication between the external electronic device300and the audio output device200is disconnected, the external electronic device300may transmit, to the audio output device100, the command for the audio output device100to output the alarm by using the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, the audio output device100which receives the signal for outputting the alarm from the power supply device200may control the audio processing circuit to output a sound effect or a sound guide, and may inform the user of its position.

According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is in a disabled state, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may transmit, to the audio output device100through the PLC, a signal for enabling the audio output device100and a signal for letting the audio output device100output the alarm.

According to an embodiment, the audio output device100which receives the signal for enabling the audio output device100and the signal for outputting the alarm from the power supply device200may enable at least one disabled circuit (for example, the audio processing circuit340), and may control the audio processing circuit340to output a sound effect or a sound guide.

According to another embodiment, when an audio processing circuit is included in the power supply device200, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may control its own audio processing circuit to directly output a sound effect or a sound guide with the audio output device100being received in the power supply device200. In this case, the audio output device100which receives the signal for outputting the alarm from the power supply device200, and the power supply device200may output the sound effect or the sound guide. In another example, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may also output a vibration with the sound effect or the sound guide with the audio output device100being received in the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, when the charge of the battery370of the audio output device100is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may control its own audio processing circuit to directly output the sound effect or the sound guide. In this case, even when the battery370of the audio output device100is almost discharged, the user may find the position of the audio output device100through the alarm outputted from the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the control circuit450may transmit information indicating that the audio output device100is in the power supply device200to the external electronic device300by using Bluetooth communication. In this case, the external electronic device300may display the information indicating that the audio output device100is in the power supply device, and the user may identify the information and may find the position of the audio output device100and/or the power supply device200which outputs the alarm. According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may transmit the information indicating that the audio output device100is in the power supply device and state information (for example, a battery charging rate) of the audio output device100to the external electronic device300.

According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the external electronic device300may output information regarding the position of the audio output device100to the user by using augmented reality (AR). In this case, the external electronic device300may be AR glasses (or VR glasses). For example, when the external electronic device300indicates the power supply device200, the external electronic device300may display information regarding the state of the audio output device100received in the power supply device200by using AR technology. In another example, the external electronic device300may display guide information regarding a direction and/or a distance of the position of the audio output device100received in the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is not received in the power supply device200, the power supply device200may perform an additional function (for example, a relay function) for finding the audio output device100. For example, when the external electronic device300indicates the power supply device200, the power supply device200may output information regarding a direction in which the audio output device100is positioned with reference to the external electronic device300(or the power supply device200). In this case, the external electronic device300may output a notification in a different method from that when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, the above-described function of finding the position of the audio output device100by using the power supply device200inFIG.5may be performed when a specific application (for example, an application for controlling an electronic device of a user account) is executed in the external electronic device300. According to an embodiment, not only Bluetooth communication but also ultra-wide band (MB) communication may be supported between the external electronic device300and the power supply device200. When UWB communication is used, more exact information on the distance and/or direction of the audio output device100may be provided.

According to another embodiment, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the power supply device200may receive the signal for finding the audio output device100(and/or the power supply device200) by using its own wireless communication address. In this case, the power supply device200may operate in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using the wireless communication address of the power supply device200. A method for finding the audio output device100by using the wireless communication address of the power supply device200will be described in detail with reference toFIG.14.

FIG.6illustrates a flowchart to explain a method for finding a position of the audio output device100through the power supply device200by using wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth legacy) according to an embodiment.

Actions ofFIG.6may be performed by the power supply device200ofFIG.4.

Referring toFIG.6, the control circuit450of the power supply device200according to an embodiment may perform: action610of, in a state where the power supply device200connects a first communication with the audio output device100or is electrically connected with the audio output device100, operating in a connection standby mode by using a wireless communication address of the audio output device100; action620of receiving a wireless communication connection request from the external electronic device300, based on the wireless communication address of the audio output device100; action630of connecting second communication with the external electronic device300in response to the wireless communication connection request being received; action640of receiving a packet including a signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300through the second communication; and action650of transmitting a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm to the audio output device100through the first communication or transmitting the signal to the audio output device100through the electrical connection.

Action610ofFIG.6may correspond to action510ofFIG.5, action640ofFIG.6may correspond to action520ofFIG.5, and action650ofFIG.6may correspond to action530ofFIG.5. Descriptions of portions corresponding to those described inFIG.5or repeated descriptions will be omitted, and the respective actions ofFIG.6will be described.

According to an embodiment, in action610, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may operate in the connection standby mode by using the wireless communication address (for example, a Bluetooth address) of the audio output device100in the state where the power supply device200connects wireless communication with the audio output device100or is electrically connected with the audio output device100, and in action620, may receive, from the external electronic device300, a wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth or Bluetooth legacy) connection request based on the wireless communication address of the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may perform a page scan action in the connection standby mode of action610. For example, a page scan mode may be a state in which a paging request is received from another peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device300to establish Bluetooth (or Bluetooth legacy) communication connection. According to an embodiment, while operating in the page scan mode, the control circuit450may receive a Bluetooth communication connection request (that is, a paging request) based on the wireless communication address of the audio output device100from the external electronic device300in action620. In another example, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the control circuit450may recognize the Bluetooth communication connection request received from the external electronic device300as a signal for finding the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, in the state where wireless communication is connected with the audio output device100or the power supply device200is electrically connected with the audio output device100, the control circuit450may always (or continuously) operate in the page scan mode by using the wireless communication circuit410, or may periodically operate in the page scan mode by using the wireless communication circuit410.

According to an embodiment, in response to the wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth or Bluetooth legacy) connection request being received in action620, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may connect wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth or Bluetooth legacy) with the external electronic device300in action630. According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may receive a paging request using the wireless communication address of the audio output device100from the external electronic device300, and may connect wireless communication with the external electronic device300by responding to the paging. For example, the control circuit450may perform page scanning by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100, and in this case, the control circuit450may receive only the paging request using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100from a peripheral electronic device (for example, the external electronic device300), and may connect Bluetooth communication.

According to an embodiment, in action640, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may receive the packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300through the wireless communication (that is, Bluetooth or Bluetooth legacy communication) connected with the external electronic device300. According to an embodiment, when wireless communication is connected between the power supply device200and the external electronic device300, the power supply device200and the external electronic device300may exchange data with each other by exchanging a communication packet including the data. For example, when Bluetooth communication is connected between the power supply device200and the external electronic device300, the external electronic device300may transmit the packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100to the power supply device200, and the power supply device200may receive the packet.

For example, the packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100may be configured as shown in table 1 presented below:

TABLE 1LeftrightHeaderHeaderMsgEarbudEarbudSOMLSBMSBIDMuteMuteEOMClassi-(1(1(1(2(1(1(1ficationbyte)byte)byte)byte)byte)byte)byte)Contents0xFD0x0A0x000xA00x000X010xDD

According to an embodiment, the signal for finding the audio output device100may include a signal for requesting a command for the audio output device100to output an alarm to be transmitted to the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, in response to the signal received in action640, in action650, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may transmit a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm to the audio output device100through wireless communication (that is, Bluetooth communication with the audio output device100), or may transmit the signal to the audio output device100through electrical connection. Action650may correspond to description of action530ofFIG.5, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

According to another embodiment, when wireless communication connection is not established between the power supply device200and the external electronic device300, action630and action640may be omitted. For example, in a state where the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, when the control circuit450operating in the connection standby mode receives a wireless communication connection request from the external electronic device300in action620, the control circuit450may recognize the wireless communication connection request as the signal for finding the audio output device100, and may transmit the signal for letting the audio output device100output the alarm to the audio output device100in action650.

FIG.7illustrates a flowchart to explain a method for finding a position of the audio output device100through the power supply device200by using an advertising signal according to an embodiment.

Actions ofFIG.7may be performed by the power supply device200ofFIG.4,

Referring toFIG.7, the control circuit450of the power supply device200according to an embodiment may perform: action710of, in a state where a first communication is connected with the audio output device100or the power supply device200is electrically connected with the audio output device100, operating in an advertise mode by using a wireless communication address of the audio output device100; action720of receiving a packet including a signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300which receives an advertising signal; and action730of transmitting a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm to the audio output device100through the first communication, or transmitting the signal to the audio output device100through electrical connection.

Action710ofFIG.7may correspond to action510ofFIG.5, action720ofFIG.7may correspond to action520ofFIG.5, and action730ofFIG.7may correspond to action530ofFIG.5. Hereinafter, descriptions of portions corresponding to those described inFIG.5or repeated descriptions will be omitted, and the respective actions ofFIG.7will be described.

According to an embodiment, in action710, in the state where wireless communication is connected with the audio output device100or the power supply device200is electrically connected with the audio output device100, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may operate in the advertise mode by using the wireless communication address (for example, a Bluetooth address) of the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, when BLE communication is used, the control circuit450may perform an action of transmitting an advertising signal to another peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device300in the advertise mode. For example, in the advertise mode, the control circuit450may not exchange information with a specific electronic device with which communication is connected, but may transmit the advertising signal to all electronic devices existing on the periphery of the power supply device200. For example, in the case of BLE communication, it may be possible to transmit data in one direction by using the advertising signal.

According to an embodiment, in the state where wireless communication is connected with the audio output device100or the power supply device200is electrically connected with the audio output device100, the control circuit450may always (or continuously) transmit the advertising signal by using the wireless communication circuit410, or may periodically transmit the advertising signal by using the wireless communication circuit410.

According to an embodiment, in action720, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may receive the packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300, which receives the advertising signal. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device300may receive the signal while the power supply device200is transmitting the advertising signal, and may transmit a response packet to the power supply device200in response to the received advertising signal. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device300may include data in the response packet, and may transmit the response packet. For example, the external electronic device300may include the signal for finding the audio output device100in the response packet, and may transmit the response packet to the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, the signal for finding the audio output device100may include a signal for requesting a command for the audio output device100to output an alarm to be transmitted to the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, in response to the signal received in action720, in action730, the control circuit450of the power supply device200may transmit the signal for letting the audio output device100output the alarm to the audio output device100through wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth communication with the audio output device100), or may transmit the signal to the audio output device100through electrical connection. Action730may correspond to description of action530ofFIG.5, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

According to an embodiment, in action510(or action610or action710), the power supply device200may operate in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using a first Bluetooth address of the first audio output device100aand/or a second Bluetooth address of the second audio output device100b. For example, the power supply device200may operate in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using only the first Bluetooth address of a master device. In another example, the power supply device200may operate in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by alternately using the first Bluetooth address and the second Bluetooth address with reference to a predetermined period.

In the embodiments described above with reference toFIGS.5to7, the external electronic device300may receive a request for finding the audio output device100from the user. However, this should not be considered as limiting, and the external electronic device300may receive, from the user, a request for finding the power supply device200or a request for finding the audio output device100and the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200receives the request for finding the power supply device200from the external electronic device300in the middle of operating in the connection standby mode or in the advertise mode by using the wireless communication address of the audio output device100, the action of transmitting the signal for letting the audio output device100output the alarm to the audio output device100may be omitted. That is, when the power supply device200receives the request for finding the power supply device200from the external electronic device300, the power supply device200may directly output an alarm (for example, a sound effect, a sound guide and/or a vibration).

According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200receives the request for finding the audio output device100and the power supply device200from the external electronic device300in the middle of operating in the connection standby mode or in the advertise mode by using the wireless communication address of the audio output device100, the power supply device may transmit the signal for letting the audio output device100output the alarm to the audio output device100, while directly outputting the alarm (for example, a sound effect, a sound guide sound, and/or a vibration).

FIG.8illustrates a flowchart to explain a method for the audio output device100to output an alarm based on a signal received from the power supply device200according to an embodiment.

Actions ofFIG.8may be performed by the audio output device100ofFIG.3.

Referring toFIG.8, the control circuit380of the audio output device100according to an embodiment may perform: action810of disconnecting wireless communication from the external electronic device300, and establishing a first communication connection with the power supply device200or electrical connection with the power supply device200; action820of transmitting information regarding a wireless communication address to the power supply device200through the electrical connection; action830of receiving a signal for finding at least one audio output device100, received by the power supply device200from the external electronic device300, from the power supply device200through the first communication connection or the electrical connection with the power supply device200; action840of outputting an alarm in response to the signal for finding the at least one audio output device100being received; and action850of transmitting a signal for letting another audio output device100output an alarm to another audio output device100in response to the signal for finding the at least one audio output device100being received.

In the following embodiments, the respective actions may be performed in sequence, but may not necessarily be performed in sequence. The order of the respective actions may be changed and at least two actions may be performed in parallel. For example, action820and/or action850may be omitted, and action840and action850may be performed substantially at the same time. Hereinafter, the respective actions ofFIG.8will be described in detail.

According to an embodiment, in action810, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may disconnect wireless communication from the external electronic device300, and may establish wireless communication connection with the power supply device200or electrical connection with the power supply device200, and in action820, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may transmit information regarding a wireless communication address of the audio output device100to the power supply device200through the electrical connection.

For example, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may disable the audio output device100or may disable at least one function of the audio output device100, and may disconnect wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth communication) from the external electronic device300. In addition, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may connect PLC with the power supply device200through electrical connection. In this case, the control circuit380may transmit information regarding the wireless communication address (for example, a Bluetooth address) of the audio output device100to the power supply device200through PLC. According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200already knows the information of the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100, action820may be omitted.

In another example, in the state where wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth communication) is disconnected from the external electronic device300, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may connect wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth communication) with the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may connect wireless communication with the power supply device200by using at least one method of relay, sniffing, TWS+ methods among Bluetooth communication methods. In this case, the power supply device200may already know information regarding the wireless communication address (for example, a Bluetooth address) of the audio output device100, and action820may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, in action830, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may receive the signal for finding at least one audio output device100, received by the power supply device200from the external electronic device300, from the power supply device200through the first communication connection or the electrical connection with the power supply device200. For example, in the state where communication with the external electronic device300is disconnected, the audio output device100may receive the signal for finding the audio output device100through the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the audio output device100may receive the signal for finding the audio output device100or a packet including the signal through the first communication (for example, Bluetooth communication) or PLC connected with the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, the signal for finding the audio output device100may be a signal that is received by the power supply device200from the external electronic device300through communication established with the external electronic device300by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100. According to an embodiment, the signal for finding the audio output device100may include a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm.

According to an embodiment, in action840, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may output an alarm in response to the signal for finding at least one audio output device100being received. According to an embodiment, the control circuit380may control the audio processing circuit340to output a predetermined sound effect or sound guide and to inform the user of its own position. According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100is disabled, the control circuit380of the audio output device100may enable the audio output device100or may enable at least one disabled circuit (for example, the audio processing circuit340) to output the predetermined sound effect or sound guide, in response to the signal for finding at least one audio output device100being received.

According to an embodiment, in action850, the control circuit380of the audio output device100(for example, the first audio output device100a) may transmit a signal for letting another audio output device100to output an alarm to another audio output device100(for example, the second audio output device100b) in response to the signal for finding at least one audio output device100being received. According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100and the power supply device200communicate by using the relay method or sniffing method, wireless communication may be connected between the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bwhich forms a pair. In this case, the first audio output device100amay transmit a signal for letting the second audio output device100bto output an alarm in response to the signal for finding at least one audio output device100being received. According to an embodiment, the first audio output device100amay be a master device and the second audio output device100bmay be a slave device. According to an embodiment, the first audio output device100amay transmit the signal for letting the second audio output device100bto output an alarm by using PLC with the power supply device200. For example, the power supply device200may perform PLC with the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100b, and the first audio output device100amay transmit the signal to the second audio output device100bthrough the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, when the audio output device100and the power supply device200communicate by using the TWS+ method, action850may be omitted.

According to an embodiment, not only Bluetooth communication but also UWB may be supported between the external electronic device300and the power supply device200. For example, when the power supply device200receives the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300based on the wireless communication address of the audio output device100, the power supply device200may provide information regarding a distance and/or a direction of the audio output device100to the external electronic device300by using UWB communication.

FIGS.9and10illustrate flowcharts to explain a method for finding the audio output device100, based on a request of the external electronic device300according to an embodiment.FIG.9is a flowchart of an embodiment in which PLC is connected between the power supply device200and the audio output device100in a state where the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, andFIG.10is a flowchart of an embodiment in which wireless communication is connected between the power supply device200and the audio output device100in a state where the power supply device200and the audio output device100are spaced apart from each other.

Hereinafter, the actions ofFIG.5will be described again with reference toFIGS.9and10.

Referring toFIG.9, in action901, the power supply device200may be in a state in which PLC is connected with the audio output device100. For example, when the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, a terminal (for example, the first interface206, the second interface208ofFIG.1) of the power supply device200and a terminal (for example, the first interface102, the second interface104ofFIG.1) of the audio output device100may be electrically connected in contact with each other, and the power supply device200may perform PLC with the audio output device100. In action902, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may receive information regarding a Bluetooth address of the audio output device100through PLC with the audio output device100. In action903, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may operate in a page scan mode or in an advertise mode by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100. Actions901to903may correspond to description of action510ofFIG.5

According to an embodiment, while the power supply device200is operating in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100, the external electronic device300may receive a searching request for the audio output device100(for example, a user input for finding the audio output device100) in action904. According to an embodiment, in response to the searching request, the external electronic device300may transmit a communication packet including a signal for finding the audio output device100to the power supply device200in action905. For example, the external electronic device300may connect Bluetooth communication with the power supply device200which operates in the scan mode, by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100, and may transmit the packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100to the power supply device200. In another example, the external electronic device300may transmit the packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100to the power supply device200, which operates in the advertise mode by using the Bluetooth address of the audio output device100, as a response signal. Actions904to905may correspond to description of action520ofFIG.5.

In action905, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may receive the communication packet including the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300. In action906, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may transmit a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm to the audio output device100through PLC with the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, in response to the alarm signal received from the power supply device200, the audio output device100may reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide in action907. According to an embodiment, a user may find the position of the audio output device100by searching a position of the outputted sound effect or sound guide. Actions906to907may correspond to description of operation520ofFIG.5.

Referring toFIG.10, in action1001, the power supply device200may be in a state where wireless communication is connected with the audio output device100. For example, the power supply device200may connect wireless communication with the audio output device100by using at least one of relay, sniffing and MS-F methods among the Bluetooth communication methods. The power supply device200according to an embodiment may operate in a page scan mode or an advertise method in action1002by using a Bluetooth address of the audio output device100which is used for Bluetooth communication connection with the audio output device100. Actions1001to1002may correspond to description of action510ofFIG.5.

Actions1003to1004may correspond to actions904to905ofFIG.9, and thus a redundant explanation thereof is omitted.

In action1004, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may receive a communication packet including a signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300, and in action1005, the power supply device200may transmit a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm to the audio output device100through wireless communication (for example, Bluetooth communication).

Action1006may correspond to action907ofFIG.9and thus a redundant explanation thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, a method for finding at least one audio output device100according to a communication connection method between the audio output device100and the power supply device200when one pair of audio output devices100is used in action1001will be described with reference toFIGS.11to13.

FIG.11illustrates a view to explain various Bluetooth communication connection methods between the audio output device100a100band the power supply device200according to an embodiment.

FIG.11illustrates various methods of connecting Bluetooth communication between the plurality of audio output devices100a,100band the power supply device200. However, the communication connection method between the audio output device100a,100band the power supply device200is not limited thereto, and for example, the above-described PLC connection may be usable.

FIG.11Aillustrates an embodiment in which Bluetooth communication of a relay method is connected between the audio output device100a,100band the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, when Bluetooth communication of the relay method is connected between the audio output device100a,100band the power supply device200, the power supply device200may connect communication (a) with the first audio output device100a, which is a master device, and the first audio output device100awhich is the master device may connect communication (b) with the second audio output device100bwhich is a slave device.

FIG.11Billustrates an embodiment in which Bluetooth communication of a sniffing method is connected between the audio output device100a,100band the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, when Bluetooth communication of the sniffing method is connected between the audio output device100a,100band the power supply device200, the power supply device200may connect communication (a) with the first audio output device100a, which is a master device, and the first audio output device100awhich is the master device may connect communication (b′) with the second audio output device100bwhich is a slave device. In this case, the second audio output device100may sniff data which is transmitted and received between the power supply device200and the first audio output device100a, based on information regarding the communication path (a) between the power supply device200and the first audio output device100a.

FIG.11Cillustrates an embodiment in which Bluetooth communication of a TWS+ method is connected between the audio output device100a,100band the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, when Bluetooth communication of the TWS+ method is connected between the audio output device100a,100band the power supply device200, the power supply device200may connect communication (a) with the first audio output device100a, and the first audio output device100amay separately connect communication (c) with the second audio output device100b. In this case, the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay transmit and receive information by connecting communication with the power supply device200, respectively.

FIG.12illustrates a flowchart to explain a method for finding at least one audio output device100a,100bin the communication connection state ofFIG.11A or11B, based on a request of the external electronic device300according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.12, in action1201, the power supply device200may be in a state in which first wireless communication is connected with the first audio output device100a, and in action1202, the first audio output device100amay be in a state in which second wireless communication is connected with the second audio output device100b. For example, the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay connect wireless communication with the power supply device200by using at least one of the relay method and the sniffing method among the Bluetooth communication methods. The power supply device200according to an embodiment may know a first Bluetooth address of the first audio output device100ain the process of establishing the first communication connection with the first audio output device100a. In addition, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may receive information regarding a second Bluetooth address of the second audio output device100bthrough the first communication connection.

According to an embodiment, in action1203, the power supply device200may operate in a page scan mode or operate in an advertise mode by using the first Bluetooth address and/or the second Bluetooth address. For example, the power supply device200may operate in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using only the first Bluetooth address of the master device. In another example, the power supply device200may operate in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by alternately using the first Bluetooth address and the second Bluetooth address with reference to a predetermined period.

According to an embodiment, while the power supply device200is operating in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using the first Bluetooth address and/or the second Bluetooth address, the external electronic device300may receive a searching request for the audio output device100a,1100b(for example, a user input for finding the audio output device100) in action1204. For example, the external electronic device300may distinguish between a user input for finding the first audio output device100aand a user input for finding the second audio output device100b, and may receive the user input. In another example, the external electronic device300may receive a user input for finding both the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100b.

According to an embodiment, in response to the searching request, in action1205, the external electronic device300may transmit a communication packet including a signal for finding at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bto the power supply device200. For example, the external electronic device300may connect Bluetooth communication with the power supply device200, which operates in the scan mode by using the first Bluetooth address and/or the second Bluetooth address, and may transmit the packet including the signal for finding at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bto the power supply device200. In another example, the external electronic device300may transmit the packet including the signal for finding at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bto the power supply device200, which operates in the advertise mode, as a response signal.

According to an embodiment, in action1205, the power supply device200may receive the communication packet including the signal for finding at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bfrom the external electronic device300, and in action1206, the power supply device200may transmit, to the first audio output device100a, a signal for letting at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100boutput an alarm, through the first wireless communication with the first audio output device100a.

According to an embodiment, when the first audio output device100a, receives a signal for letting the first audio output device100aoutput the alarm from the power supply device200, the first audio output device100amay reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide in action1208. According to an embodiment, when the first audio output device100areproduces the audio data related to the sound effect or the sound guide in action1208, the sound effect or sound guide reproduced by the first audio output device100amay vary according to the presence/absence of the second audio output device100, the presence/absence of actions1207and1209. For example, a type and/or a volume of the sound effect or sound guide reproduced by the first audio output device100amay vary according to the presence/absence of the second audio output device100b.

According to an embodiment, when the first audio output device100areceives a signal for letting the second audio output device100bto output an alarm from the power supply device200, the first audio output device100amay transmit the signal for letting the second audio output device100boutput the alarm to the second audio output device100bthrough a second wireless communication in action1207. According to an embodiment, when the second audio output device100breceives the signal for letting the second audio output device100boutput the alarm from the first audio output device100a, the second audio output device100bmay reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide.

According to an embodiment, when the first audio output device100areceives a signal for letting the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100boutput an alarm from the power supply device200, the first audio output device100amay reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide in action1208, and may transmit a signal for letting the second audio output device100boutput an alarm to the second audio output device100bin action1207. In this case, the second audio output device100bmay also reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide in action1209.

FIG.13illustrates a flowchart to explain a method for finding at least one audio output device100in the communication connection state ofFIG.11C, based on a request of the external electronic device300according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.13, in action1301, the power supply device200may be in a state in which a first wireless communication is connected with the first audio output device100a, and in action1302, the power supply device200may be in a state in which a second wireless communication is connected with the second audio output device100b. For example, the power supply device200may connect wireless communication with the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bby using the TWS+ method among the Bluetooth communication methods. The power supply device200according to an embodiment may know a first Bluetooth address of the first audio output device100ain the process of establishing the first communication connection with the first audio output device100a. In addition, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may know a second Bluetooth address of the second audio output device100bin the process of establishing the second communication connection with the second audio output device100b.

According to an embodiment, in action1303, the power supply device200may operate in a page scan mode or operate in an advertise mode by using the first Bluetooth address and/or the second Bluetooth address. For example, the power supply device200may operate in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by alternately using the first Bluetooth address and the second Bluetooth address with reference to a predetermined period.

According to an embodiment, while the power supply device200is operating in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using the first Bluetooth address and/or the second Bluetooth address, the external electronic device300may receive a searching request for the audio output device100a,100b(for example, a user input for finding the audio output device100) in action1304. For example, the external electronic device300may distinguish between a user input for finding the first audio output device100aand a user input for finding the second audio output device100b, and may receive the user input. In another example, the external electronic device300may receive a user input for finding both the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100b.

According to an embodiment, in response to the searching request, in action1305, the external electronic device300may transmit a communication packet including a signal for finding at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bto the power supply device200. For example, the external electronic device300may connect Bluetooth communication with the power supply device200, which operates in the scan mode by using the first Bluetooth address and/or the second Bluetooth address, and may transmit the packet including the signal for finding at least on of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bto the power supply device200. In another example, the external electronic device300may transmit the packet including the signal for finding at least one of the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bto the power supply device200, which operates in the advertise mode, as a response signal.

According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200receives the communication packet including the signal for finding the first audio output device100afrom the external electronic device300in action1305, the power supply device200may transmit, to the first audio output device100a, a signal for letting the first audio output device100aoutput an alarm, through the first wireless communication with the first audio output device100ain action1306. According to an embodiment, when the first audio output device100areceives the signal for letting the first audio output device100aoutput the alarm from the power supply device200, the first audio output device100amay reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide in action1307.

According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200receives the communication packet including the signal for finding the second audio output device100bfrom the external electronic device300in action1305, the power supply device200may transmit, to the second audio output device100b, a signal for letting the second audio output device100boutput an alarm, through the second wireless communication with the second audio output device100bin action1308. According to an embodiment, when the second audio output device100breceives the signal for letting the second audio output device100boutput the alarm from the power supply device200, the second audio output device100amay reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide in action1309.

According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200receives the communication packet including the signal for finding both the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bfrom the external electronic device300in action1305, the power supply device200may transmit a signal for letting the first audio output device1100aoutput an alarm to the first audio output device100athrough the first wireless communication in action1306, and may transmit a signal for letting the second audio output device100boutput an alarm to the second audio output device100bthrough the second wireless communication in action1308. In this case, the first audio output device100aand the second audio output device100bmay reproduce audio data related to the sound effect or the sound guide all together (or substantially at the same time) in actions1307and1309,

FIG.14a flowchart to explain a method for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100by using a wireless communication address of the power supply device200, based on a request of the external electronic device300according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIG.14, in action1401, the power supply device200may operate in a page scan mode or in an advertise mode by using a Bluetooth address of the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, while the power supply device200is operating in the page scan mode or in the advertise mode by using the Bluetooth address of the power supply device200, the external electronic device300may receive a searching request for the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100(that is, a user input for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100) in action1402. According to an embodiment, in response to the searching request, the external electronic device300may transmit a communication packet including a signal for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100to the power supply device200in action1403. For example, the external electronic device300may connect Bluetooth communication with the power supply device200operating in the scan mode, and may transmit the packet including the signal for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100to the power supply device200. In another example, the external electronic device300may transmit the packet including the signal for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100to the power supply device200operating in the advertise mode as a response signal.

According to an embodiment, in action1403, the external electronic device300may know a wireless communication address of the power supply device200. Accordingly, the external electronic device300may connect wireless communication with the power supply device200based on the wireless communication address of the power supply device200, and may transmit the communication packet including the signal for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100to the power supply device200, or may transmit the communication packet including the signal for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device to the power supply device200in response to an advertising signal being received based on the wireless communication address of the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, in action1403, the external electronic device300may contain, in the communication packet, not only the signal for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100but also a signal for requesting a command for the audio output device100to output an alarm to be transmitted to the audio output device100, and may transmit the communication packet to the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, since the power supply device200is connected with the external electronic device300by using its own wireless communication address, the external electronic device300may know information indicating that the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200in action1403.

In action1403, the power supply device200according to an embodiment may receive the communication packet including the signal for finding the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100from the external electronic device300. For example, when the power supply device200receives the signal for finding the power supply device200from the external electronic device300, the power supply device200may control an audio processing circuit to output an alarm in action1404if the power supply device200includes the audio processing circuit. In another example, when the power supply device200receives the signal for finding the audio output device100from the external electronic device300, the power supply device200may transmit a signal for letting the audio output device100output an alarm to the audio output device100through the communication with the audio output device100in operation1405if there is communication (for example, PLC communication, Bluetooth communication) connected between the power supply device200and the audio output device100.

In action1406, the audio output device100according to an embodiment may reproduce audio data related to a sound effect or a sound guide in response to the alarm signal received from the power supply device200.

According to an embodiment, a user may find the position of the power supply device200and/or the audio output device100by searching a position of the sound effect or the sound guide outputted.

FIG.15illustrates a view of an example of a user interface screen1500for finding the audio output device100in the external electronic device300according to an embodiment.

ReferringFIG.15, the external electronic device300may find a position of the audio output device TOO by using the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the user interface screen1500of the external electronic device300for finding the audio output device100may include an icon1501for requesting searching of the audio output device100, and may further include an area1502displaying information regarding a searching process (for example, searching, search completed, search error) of the audio output device100, and an area1503displaying information regarding a state (for example, a battery state) of the power supply device200and the audio output device100.

For example, a user may select the icon for finding the audio output device100. The external electronic device300according to an embodiment may transmit a signal for finding the audio output device100to the power supply device200by using a Bluetooth address of the audio output device100in response to an input on the icon. According to an embodiment, the signal for finding the audio output device100may include a signal for requesting a command for the audio output device100to output an alarm to be transmitted to the audio output device100.

According to an embodiment, when searching of the audio output device100is successfully completed through the power supply device200(that is, a signal for requesting an alarm is transmitted to the audio output device100through the power supply device200), the power supply device200may transmit information regarding the searching process of the audio output device100to the external electronic device300by using Bluetooth communication with the external electronic device300. Herein, the information regarding the searching process of the audio output device100may include, for example, information indicating that a sound effect or a sound guide is outputted, from the audio output device100and/or the power supply device200, and information regarding whether the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200. In this case, the power supply device200may also transmit information regarding the state of the audio output device100and the power supply device200(for example, a charging rate of the audio output device100and the power supply device200) to the external electronic device300.

The external electronic device300which receives the information regarding the searching process of the audio output device100may output the information indicating that the sound effect or the sound guide is outputted from the audio output device100(and/or the power supply device200) (1502). The external electronic device300which receives the information regarding the state of the audio output device100and the power supply device200may also output information regarding the charging rate of the audio output device100and the power supply device200(1503).

According to another embodiment, when searching of the audio output device100is not successfully completed (that is, the signal for requesting the alarm is not transmitted to the audio output device100through the power supply device200), the external electronic device300may output information indicating that the external electronic device300fails to communicate with the audio output device100and/or the power supply device200,

FIG.16illustrates a view of a method for finding the audio output device100by using a peripheral electronic device300aand a server400.

Referring toFIG.16, in a state where the audio output device100is received in the power supply device200, the power supply device200may operate in an advertise mode by using a wireless communication address of the audio output device100. When the power supply device200operates in the advertise mode by using the wireless communication address of the audio output device100, the power supply device200may transmit an advertising signal to the peripheral electronic device300aexisting in the proximity of the power supply device200. For example, in the advertise mode, the power supply device200may not exchange information with a specific electronic device with which communication is connected, but may transmit advertising signals to all electronic devices existing in the proximity of the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the power supply device200may operate in the advertise mode when the power supply device200does not receive a signal from the external electronic device300bwhich is communicatively connected with the audio output device100, within a designated time, by using a wireless communication address of the audio output device100.

The peripheral electronic device300aexisting in the proximity of the power supply device200may receive the advertising signal transmitted by the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the peripheral electronic device300amay not be the external electronic device300bof a user account but an unspecific peripheral electronic device300aexisting in the proximity of the power supply device200. According to an embodiment, the peripheral electronic device300awhich receives the advertising signal from the power supply device200may upload information regarding a corresponding position where the advertising signal is received on the server400.

According to an embodiment, when the external electronic device300bof the user account receives an input for finding the audio output device100from a user, the external electronic device300bmay use the information regarding the position where the peripheral electronic device300areceives the advertising signal, which is uploaded on the server400. The external electronic device300bmay output estimated position information of the power supply device200and the audio output device100by using the information uploaded on the server400. According to an embodiment, when the power supply device200receives a designated signal from the external electronic device300bby using the wireless communication address of the audio output device100, the power supply device200may transmit a command to output an alarm (for example, a sound effect, a sound guide, and/or a vibration) to the audio output device100through PLC. For example, the designated signal that the power supply device200receives from the external electronic device300bmay include a signal for requesting the command for the audio output device100to output the alarm to be transmitted to the audio output device100.

FIG.17illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device1701in a network environment1700according to various embodiments.

Referring toFIG.17, the electronic device1701in the network environment1700may communicate with an electronic device1702via a first network1798(e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic device1704or a server1708via a second network1799(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device1701may communicate with the electronic device1704via the server1708. According to an embodiment, the electronic device1701may include a processor1720, a memory1730, an input module1750, a sound output module1755, a display module1760, an audio module1770, a sensor module1776, an interface1777, a connecting terminal1778, a haptic module1779, a camera module1780, a power management module1788, a battery1789, a communication module1790, a subscriber identification module (SIM)1796, or an antenna module1797. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal1778) may be omitted from the electronic device1701, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device1701. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module1776, the camera module1780, or the antenna module1797) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module1760).

The processor1720may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program1740) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device1701coupled with the processor1720, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor1720may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module1776or the communication module1790) in the volatile memory1732, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory1732, and store resulting data in the non-volatile memory1734According to an embodiment, the processor1720may include a main processor1721(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor1723(e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor1721. For example, when the electronic device1701includes the main processor1721and the auxiliary processor1723, the auxiliary processor1723may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor1721, or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor1723may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor1721.

The auxiliary processor1723may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display module1760, the sensor module1776, or the communication module1790) among the components of the electronic device1701, instead of the main processor1721while the main processor1721is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor1721while the main processor1721is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor1723(e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module1780or the communication module1790) functionally related to the auxiliary processor1723. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor1723(e.g., the neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing. An artificial intelligence model may be generated by machine learning. Such learning may be performed, e.g., by the electronic device1701where the artificial intelligence is performed or via a separate server (e.g., the server1708). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network or a combination of two or more thereof but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligence model may, additionally or alternatively, include a software structure other than the hardware structure.

The memory1730may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor1720or the sensor module1776) of the electronic device1701. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program1740) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory1730may include the volatile memory1732or the non-volatile memory1734.

The program1740may be stored in the memory1730as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS)1742, middleware1744, or an application1746.

The input module1750may receive a command or data to be used by another component (e.g., the processor1720) of the electronic device1701, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device1701. The input module1750may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The sound output module1755may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device1701. The sound output module1755may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver may be used for receiving incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display module1760may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device1701. The display module1760may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display module1760may include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module1770may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module1770may obtain the sound via the input module1750, or output the sound via the sound output module1755or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device1702) directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device1701.

The sensor module1776may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device1701or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device1701, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module1776may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The interface1777may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device1701to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1702) directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface1777may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal1778may include a connector via which the electronic device1701may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1702). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal1778may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module1779may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module1779may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

The camera module1780may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module1780may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module1788may manage power supplied to the electronic device1701. According to one embodiment, the power management module1788may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery1789may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device1701. According to an embodiment, the battery1789may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module1790may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device1701and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1702, the electronic device1704, or the server1708) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module1790may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor1720(e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module1790may include a wireless communication module1792(e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module1794(e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network1798(e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network1799(e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module1792may identify and authenticate the electronic device1701in a communication network, such as the first network1798or the second network1799, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity stored in the subscriber identification module1796.

The wireless communication module1792may support a 5G network, after a 4G network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The NR access technology may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). The wireless communication module1792may support a high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band) to achieve, e.g., a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module1792may support various technologies for securing performance on a high-frequency band, such as, e.g., beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module1792may support various requirements specified in the electronic device1701, an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device1704), or a network system (e.g., the second network1799). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module1792may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 1.64 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of 1 ms or less) for implementing URLLC.

The antenna module1797may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device1701. According to an embodiment, the antenna module1797may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module1797may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas). In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network1798or the second network1799, may be selected, for example, by the communication module1790(e.g., the wireless communication module1792) from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module1790and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module1797.

According to various embodiments, the antenna module1797may form a mmWave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, a RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the printed circuit board, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPM), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device1701and the external electronic device1704via the server1708coupled with the second network1799. Each of the electronic devices1702or1704may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device1701. According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device1701may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices1702,1704, or1708. For example, if the electronic device1701should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device1701, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device1701. The electronic device1701may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device1701may provide ultra low-latency services using, e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment, the external electronic device1704may include an internet-of-things (IoT) device. The server1708may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device1704or the server1708may be included in the second network1799. The electronic device1701may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technology.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that 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 and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include any one of, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via a third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program1740) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory1736or external memory1738) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device1701). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor1720) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device1701) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it, with or without using one or more other components under the control of the processor. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart art phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately disposed in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

As described above, an electronic device (for example, the power supply device200ofFIG.1, the power supply device200ofFIG.4) according to an embodiment may include: a wireless communication circuit410; a power management circuit430; and a control circuit450electrically connected with the wireless communication circuit410and the power management circuit430, and the control circuit450may be configured to: in a state where the electronic device connects a first communication with a first audio output device by using the wireless communication circuit410, or is electrically connected with the first audio output device by using the power management circuit430, operate in a connection standby mode or in an advertise mode by using a first wireless communication address of the first audio output device; receive a signal for finding the first audio output device from an external electronic device, based on the first wireless communication address; and, in response to the signal for finding the first audio output device being received, transmit a signal for letting the first audio output device output a notification (or an alarm) to the first audio output device through the first communication, or to transmit the signal to the first audio output device through the electrical connection.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit410may perform a page scan action in the connection standby mode through the wireless communication circuit410, and may perform an action of transmitting an advertising signal to a peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device in the advertise mode.

According to an embodiment, when operating in the connection standby mode by using the first wireless communication address, the control circuit450may receive a wireless communication connection request based on the first wireless communication address from the external electronic device, may connect second communication with the external electronic device in response to the wireless communication connection request being received, and may receive a packet including the signal for finding the first audio output device from the external electronic device through the second communication.

According to an embodiment, when operating in the advertise mode by using the first wireless communication address, the control circuit450may transmit an advertising signal based on the first wireless communication address to a peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device, and may receive a packet including the signal for finding the first audio output device from the external electronic device which receives the advertising signal.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may PLC with the first audio output device when being electrically connected with the first audio output device.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may receive information regarding the first wireless communication address of the first audio output device through the PLC when being electrically connected with the first audio output device.

According to an embodiment, the control circuit450may further receive a signal for finding a second audio output device from the external electronic device, based on the first wireless communication address, and, in response to the signal for finding the second audio output device being received, may transmit a signal for letting the second audio output device output a notification to the first audio output device through the first communication.

According to an embodiment, in response to the signal for finding the first audio output device being received, the control circuit450may further transmit a signal for enabling the first audio output device to the first audio output device through the electrical connection when the first audio output device is disabled.

As described above, a method for finding a position of an audio output device (for example, the audio output device100ofFIG.1, the audio output device100ofFIG.3) by using an electronic device (for example the power supply device200ofFIG.1, the power supply device200ofFIG.4) according to an embodiment may include: in a state where the electronic device connects a first communication with a first audio output device or is electrically connected with the first audio output device, operating in a connection standby mode or in an advertise mode by using a first wireless communication address of the first audio output device; receiving a signal for finding the first audio output device from an external electronic device, based on the first wireless communication address; and, in response to the signal for finding the first audio output device being received, transmitting a signal for letting the first audio output device output a notification (or an alarm) to the first audio output device through the first communication, or transmitting the signal to the first audio output device through the electrical connection.

According to an embodiment, operating in the connection standby mode may include operating in a page scan mode, and operating in the advertise mode may include transmitting an advertising signal to a peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, operating in the connection standby mode by using the first wireless communication address of the first audio output device may include: receiving a wireless communication connection request based on the first wireless communication address from the external electronic device; connecting a second communication with the external electronic device in response to the wireless communication connection request being received; and receiving a packet including the signal for finding the first audio output device from the external electronic device through the second communication.

According to an embodiment, operating in the advertise mode by using the first wireless communication address of the first audio output device may include: transmitting an advertising signal based on the first wireless communication address to a peripheral electronic device including the external electronic device; and receiving a packet including the signal for finding the first audio output device from the external electronic device which receives the advertising signal.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may perform PLC with the first audio output device when being electrically connected with the first audio output device.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include receiving information regarding the first wireless communication address of the first audio output device through the PLC when the electronic device is electrically connected with the first audio output device.

According to an embodiment, the method may further include: receiving a signal for finding a second audio output device from the external electronic device, based on the first wireless communication address; and, in response to the signal for finding the second audio output device being received, transmitting a signal for letting the second audio output device output a notification to the first audio output device through the first communication.

According to an embodiment, transmitting the signal for letting the first audio output device output the notification to the first audio output device through the electrical connection may include transmitting a signal for enabling the first audio output device to the first audio output device through the electrical connection when the first audio output device is disabled.

As described above, an audio output device (for example, the audio output device100ofFIG.1, the audio output device100ofFIG.3) according to an embodiment may include: an audio processing circuit340; a power management circuit360: a wireless communication circuit310configured to establish communication connection by using a wireless communication address; and a control circuit380electrically connected with the audio processing circuit340, the power management circuit360, and the wireless communication circuit310, and the control circuit380may establish a first communication connection with a power supply device by using the wireless communication circuit310, or electrical connection with the power supply device by using the power management circuit360, may receive, from the power supply device, a signal for finding at least one audio output device including the audio output device, the signal being received by the power supply device from an external electronic device, and in response to the signal for finding the at least one audio output device being received, may control the audio processing circuit340to output a notification (or an alarm).

According to an embodiment, in a state where wireless communication existing between the audio output device and the external electronic device is disconnected, the control circuit380may establish the first communication connection with the power supply device or the electrical connection with the power supply device, and, when the electrical connection with the power supply device is established, may transmit information regarding the wireless communication address to the power supply device through the electrical connection.

According to an embodiment, in response to the signal for finding the at least one audio output device being received, the control circuit380may transmit a signal for letting another audio output device output a notification to the another audio output device.

According to an embodiment, the signal for finding the at least one audio output device may be a signal that is received from an external electronic device through communication with the external electronic device that is established by the power supply device by using a Bluetooth address of the audio output device.

Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.