Apparatus and Method for Enabling Digital and Analog Data Communication Over a Data Bus

• US 20080228969A1
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Fleming, Ronald Alexander, Cheah, Sin Hui
• Granted Patent: US 8,918,546 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/69
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices

Abstract

An electronic apparatus such as an audio apparatus enables both digital and analog data to be communicated over a data bus such as a universal serial bus (USB) with a single low-cost connector such as a USB connector. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic apparatus includes a connector operative to couple the electronic apparatus to one of a digital device and an analog device. A controller is operative to determine whether the connector is coupled to the digital device or the analog device. A switch is operative to couple the connector to one of a digital element and an analog element responsive to the determination

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

interface means (60) for coupling said electronic apparatus to one of a digital device and an analog device;

control means for determining whether said interface means is coupled to said digital device or said analog device; and

switching means for coupling said interface means to one of a digital processing unit for processing digital signals and an analog processing unit for handling analog signals responsive to said determination.

2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is a MP3 player.

3. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said interface means comprises a universal serial bus connector.

4. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said digital device and said analog device are external to the electronic apparatus.

5. The electronic apparatus of claim 4, wherein said digital device (200) is a computer and said analog device (300) is a docking station.

6. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising said digital processing unit and said analog processing unit.

7. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said digital processing unit comprises processing means for processing digital signals provided from said digital device, and further comprising memory means for storing said processed digital signals.

8. The electronic apparatus of claim 7, wherein said digital signals provided from said digital device (200) comprises digital audio data.

9. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said analog processing unit comprises a digital-to-analog converter for converting digital signals to analog signals; and

said converted analog signals are provided to said analog device.

10. The electronic apparatus of claim 9, wherein said digital signals to be converted comprise data audio data and said converted analog signals comprise audio signals.

11. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, wherein said switching means includes a field effect transistor.

12. The electronic apparatus of claim 1, further comprising capacitance means coupled between said switching means and said interface means for filtering an analog audio signal provided via said analog element.

13. A method for controlling an electronic apparatus, said method comprising:

detecting if a connector of said electronic apparatus is in a connected state;

determining whether said connector is coupled to a digital device or an analog device if said connector is in said connected state; and

coupling said connector to one of a digital processing unit of said electronic apparatus for processing digital signals and an analog processing unit of said electronic apparatus for handling analog signals responsive to said determination.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said connector comprises a universal serial bus connector.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said digital device and said analog device are external to the electronic apparatus.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said digital device is a computer and said analog device is a docking station.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

receiving digital audio data from said digital device via said connector if said connector is coupled to said digital device;

processing, by the digital processing unit, said digital audio data; and

storing said processed digital audio data.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of outputting analog audio data to said analog device via said connector if said connector is coupled to said analog device.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of filtering said analog audio data before outputting said analog audio data to said analog device via said connector.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein said connector is selectively coupled to said digital processing unit or said analog processing unit via a switch including a field effect transistor.

21. An audio apparatus, comprising:

a connector operative to couple said audio apparatus to one of a digital device and an analog device;

a controller operative to determine whether said connector is coupled to said digital device or said analog device; and

a switch operative to couple said connector to one of a digital processing unit for processing digital signals and an analog processing unit for handling analog signals responsive to said determination.

22. The audio apparatus of claim 21, wherein said connector comprises a universal serial bus connector.

23. The audio apparatus of claim 22, wherein said digital device and said analog device are external to the audio apparatus.

24. The audio apparatus of claim 23, wherein said digital device is a computer and said analog device is a docking station.

25. The audio apparatus of claim 24, further comprising said digital processing unit and said analog processing unit.

26. The audio apparatus of claim 25, wherein said digital processing unit comprises a processor operative to process digital audio data provided from said digital device, and further comprising a memory operative to store said processed digital audio data.

27. The audio apparatus of claim 26, wherein:

said analog processing unit comprises a digital-to-analog converter for converting digital audio data to analog audio data; and

said converted analog audio data is provided to said analog device.

28. The audio apparatus of claim 27, wherein said switch includes a field effect transistor.

29. The audio apparatus of claim 28, further comprising at least one capacitor coupled between said switch and said connector for filtering an analog audio signal provided via said analog element.

30. The audio apparatus of claim 29, wherein said audio apparatus is a MP3 player.