Electronic apparatus and system with multi-purpose interface
First Claim
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1. An electronic apparatus comprising:
- one or more electrical circuits adapted to selectively generate a first digital message signal and a first analog audio signal;
a connector for coupling said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal to an external device, said connector comprises a first contact and a second contact, wherein said first contact is coupled to said one or more electrical circuits and is adapted to carry said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal; and
a driver coupled to said second contact, wherein said driver is adapted to change a signal level on said second contact in order to signal a first transition between a first mode in which said first digital message signal is generated and coupled through said connector to said external device, and a second mode in which said first analog audio signal is generated and coupled through said connector to said external device.
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Abstract
A highly versatile interface that is capable of digital and audio signal coupling is provided. The interface comprises contacts (122, 124, 216, 218) that are used to couple both audio and digital signals, and separate contacts (126, 220) that are used initiate and negotiate signaling mode transitions. Transitions can be effected without creating glitches, e.g., audible noise, in audio signals that are being coupled through the interface.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An electronic apparatus comprising:
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one or more electrical circuits adapted to selectively generate a first digital message signal and a first analog audio signal; a connector for coupling said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal to an external device, said connector comprises a first contact and a second contact, wherein said first contact is coupled to said one or more electrical circuits and is adapted to carry said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal; and a driver coupled to said second contact, wherein said driver is adapted to change a signal level on said second contact in order to signal a first transition between a first mode in which said first digital message signal is generated and coupled through said connector to said external device, and a second mode in which said first analog audio signal is generated and coupled through said connector to said external device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronic apparatus comprising:
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one or more electrical circuits adapted to receive a digital message signal and an analog audio signal; a connector for coupling said digital message signal and said analog audio signal from an external device, said connector comprising a first contact and a second contact, wherein said first contact is coupled to said one or more electrical circuits and is adapted to carry said digital message signal and said analog audio signal; and a signal level detector coupled to said second contact, said signal level detector serving to detect a change in a signal level on said second contact that is induced by said external device in order to signal a transition between a first mode in which said digital message signal is received through said first contact, and a second mode in which said analog audio signal is received through said first contact. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An electronic system comprising:
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a first electronic apparatus comprising; one or more first electrical circuits adapted to selectively generate a first digital message signal and a first analog audio signal; a first connector for coupling said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal, said first connector comprising a first contact and a second contact, wherein said first contact is coupled to said one or more first electrical circuits and is adapted to carry said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal; a first driver coupled to said second contact, wherein said first driver is adapted to change a signal level on said second contact in order to signal a first transition between a first mode in which said first digital message signal is generated and coupled through said first contact, and a second mode in which said first analog audio signal is generated and coupled through said first contact; and a second electronic apparatus comprising; one or more second electrical circuits adapted to receive said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal; a second connector adapted to mate with said first connector for coupling said first digital message signal and said first analog audio signal from said first electronic apparatus, said second connector comprising a third contact for coupling to said first contact, and a fourth contact for coupling to said second contact; and a first signal level detector coupled to said fourth contact, said first signal level detector serving to detect a change in said signal level on said second contact through said fourth contact. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a system comprising a first electronic apparatus coupled to a second electronic apparatus through a connector that includes a first contact that is used carry both analog audio signals and digital message signals, a method of transitioning the system between a first mode in which analog audio signals are carried on the first contact and a second mode in which digital message signals are carried on the first contact, the method comprising:
from the first electronic apparatus, driving a voltage on a second contact of said connector from a first voltage level to a second voltage level for a first time period to signal, to the second electronic apparatus, a change from the first mode to the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. In a system comprising a first electronic apparatus coupled to a second electronic apparatus through a connector that includes a first contact that is used carry both analog audio signals and digital message signals, a method of transitioning the system between a first mode in which digital message signals are coupled through the first contact and a second mode in which analog audio signals are coupled through the first contact, the method comprising:
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in said first electronic apparatus, driving a voltage on a second contact of said connector to a first state; from said second electronic apparatus, driving said voltage on said second contact of said connector to said first state; configuring said first electronic apparatus to output audio; after configuring said first electronic apparatus to output audio, in said first electronic apparatus, ceasing to drive said voltage on said second contact; configuring said second electronic apparatus to receive audio; after configuring said second electronic apparatus to receive audio, ceasing to drive said voltage on said second contact from said second electronic apparatus; in said first electronic apparatus, after ceasing to drive said voltage on said second contact, comparing said voltage on said second contact to a first voltage level, and when said voltage on said second contact passes said first voltage level, starting to output audio on said first contact; and in said second electronic apparatus, after ceasing to drive said voltage on said second contact, comparing said voltage on said second contact to a second voltage level, and when said voltage on said second contact passes said second voltage level, coupling said first contact to an audio device. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification