Apparatus and method for recognizing connections of digital camera and ear-microphone in mobile communication terminal

• US 20040204081A1
• Filed: 01/02/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Dong-Sub
• Application Number:
  US10/335,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals

Abstract

An apparatus and method for identifying and recognizing a connection of a portable digital camera or an ear-microphone when the portable digital camera or the ear-microphone is connected to a mobile communication terminal through its single external input terminal are disclosed. When any jack is inserted into a jack connector of the mobile communication terminal, a jack sensor outputs a sensing signal to a controller. When the controller receives the sensing signal, it controls a switching unit having switches. If there is data to be inputted from the jack connector within a predetermined time period, the controller recognizes that the digital camera has been connected to the jack connector and then changes an operating mode to a camera mode. On the other hand, if there is no data to be inputted from the jack connector for the predetermined time period, the controller recognizes that the ear-microphone has been connected to the jack connector and then changes the operating mode to an ear-microphone mode.

Claims

1. A mobile communication terminal connectable to a digital camera or an ear-microphone through a same jack connector, comprising:

a jack sensor for sensing whether a jack is inserted into the jack connector and outputting a sensing signal;

a hands-free unit for outputting data to a switching unit inputted into the jack connector, and for outputting data to the jack connector inputted from the switching unit;

the switching unit for switching data inputted from the hands-free unit in a standby state to a controller, switching data to be inputted from the controller to the hands-free unit, switching data to be inputted from the jack connector to the controller in response to an input of a switching signal, and switching data to be inputted from the controller to the jack connector; and

the controller for outputting the switching signal if there is an input of the sensing signal, recognizing that the digital camera has been connected to the jack connector if data is input from the switching unit within a predetermined time period and then changing an operating mode to a camera mode, and recognizing that the ear-microphone has been connected to the jack connector if no data to is input from the switching unit within the predetermined time period, stopping an output of the switching signal, and changing the operating mode to an ear-microphone mode.

2. A method for recognizing connections of a digital camera and an ear-microphone to a mobile communication terminal in which the digital camera or the ear-microphone is connected through a same jack connector, the mobile communication terminal including a jack sensor for sensing whether a jack is inserted into the jack connector and outputting a sensing signal;

a hands-free unit for outputting data to a switching unit inputted into the jack connector, and for outputting data to the jack connector inputted from the switching unlit; and

the switching unit for switching data inputted from the hands-free unit in a standby state to a controller, switching data to be inputted from the controller to the hands-free unit, switching data to be inputted from the jack connector to the controller in response to an input of a switching signal, and switching data to be inputted from the controller to the jack connector, the method comprising the steps of;

a) determining whether there is an input of the sensing signal;

b) outputting the switching signal if there is an input of the sensing signal;

c) recognizing that the digital camera has been connected to the mobile communication terminal if there is data to be inputted from the switching unit within a predetermined time period and then changing an operating mode into a camera mode; and

d) recognizing that the ear-microphone has been connected to the jack connector if no data is input from the switching unit within the predetermined time period, stopping an output of the switching signal, and changing the operating mode to an ear-microphone mode.