System and method for multiplexing digital and analog signals using a single electrical connector
First Claim
1. A method for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a device using a single electrical connector, the method comprising:
- detecting digital communication signals on the electrical connector;
in response to detecting digital communication signals, enabling digital communication through a digital interface;
detecting analog communications signals on the electrical connector; and
in response to detecting analog communication signals, enabling analog communication through an analog interface,wherein detecting communication signals includes detecting communication signals to and from a connector with at least four lines,wherein enabling digital communication through a digital interface includes enabling digital signal paths in the connector lines in response to detecting digital communication signals,wherein enabling analog communication through an analog interface includes enabling audio signal paths in the connector lines in response to detecting analog communication signals, and,wherein detecting an analog communication signal includes;
accepting an analog voltage;
converting the analog voltage to a digital signal; and
,interpreting the digital signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and a method are provided for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a device using a single electrical connector. The system includes a connector with at least four lines and analog and digital interfaces attached to the connector. The interfaces share: first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); and first, second, and third switches. The analog interface includes an audio sub-system with a third ADC and first, second, and third digital-to-analog converters (DACs). The digital interface includes a digital sub-system. The switches have first terminals attached to the connector, second terminals connected to the third ADC and the DACs. The switches open in response to a digital mode signal, enabling a digital signal path from the digital interface terminals to the connector. The switches close in response to an analog mode signal, enabling an analog signal path from the connector to the audio sub-system.
22 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a device using a single electrical connector, the method comprising:
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detecting digital communication signals on the electrical connector; in response to detecting digital communication signals, enabling digital communication through a digital interface; detecting analog communications signals on the electrical connector; and in response to detecting analog communication signals, enabling analog communication through an analog interface, wherein detecting communication signals includes detecting communication signals to and from a connector with at least four lines, wherein enabling digital communication through a digital interface includes enabling digital signal paths in the connector lines in response to detecting digital communication signals, wherein enabling analog communication through an analog interface includes enabling audio signal paths in the connector lines in response to detecting analog communication signals, and, wherein detecting an analog communication signal includes; accepting an analog voltage; converting the analog voltage to a digital signal; and
,interpreting the digital signal.
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2. A method for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a device using a single electrical connector, the method comprising:
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detecting digital communication signals on the electrical connector; in response to detecting digital communication signals, enabling digital communication through a digital interface; detecting analog communications signals on the electrical connector; and
,in response to detecting analog communication signals, enabling analog communication through an analog interface, further comprising; measuring a voltage at a line coupled to the electrical connector, and, wherein enabling digital communication through a digital interface includes enabling digital communications responsive to measuring a digital voltage, and, wherein enabling analog communication through an analog interface includes enabling analog communications responsive to measuring an analog voltage and, wherein measuring a voltage at a line coupled to the electrical connector includes; coupling, through a resistor, a supply voltage to the line; grounding the line through a resistor; and
,measuring, at the line, the voltage produced as a result of coupling the voltage supply and grounding the line.
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3. A method for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a device using a single electrical connector, the method comprising:
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detecting digital communication signals on the electrical connector; in response to detecting digital communication signals, enabling digital communication through a digital interface; detecting analog communications signals on the electrical connector; and
,in response to detecting analog communication signals, enabling analog communication through an analog interface, further comprising; measuring a voltage at a line coupled to the electrical connector, and, wherein enabling digital communication through a digital interface includes enabling digital communications responsive to measuring a digital voltage, and, wherein enabling analog communication through an analog interface includes enabling analog communications responsive to measuring an analog voltage, and, wherein measuring a voltage at a line coupled to the electrical connector includes; coupling, through a resistor and a diode, a supply voltage to the line; grounding, through a resistor and a diode, the line; and
,measuring, at the line, the voltage produced as a result of coupling the voltage supply and grounding the line.
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4. A method for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a device using a single electrical connector, the method comprising:
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detecting digital communication signals on the electrical connector; in response to detecting digital communication signals, enabling digital communication through a digital interface; detecting analog communications signals on the electrical connector; and
,in response to detecting analog communication signals, enabling analog communication through an analog interface, further comprising; measuring a voltage at a line coupled to the electrical connector, and, wherein enabling digital communication through a digital interface includes enabling digital communications responsive to measuring a digital voltage, and, wherein enabling analog communication through an analog interface includes enabling analog communications responsive to measuring an analog voltage and, wherein measuring a voltage at a line coupled to the electrical connector includes; coupling, through a resistor, a supply voltage to the line; supplying, through a capacitor, a communication signal on the line; and
,measuring, at the line, the voltage produced as a result of coupling the voltage supply and supplying the signal through the capacitor.
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5. A system for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a device using a single electrical connector, the system comprising:
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the connector with at least four lines; an analog interface with at least four terminals, each terminal attached to a connector line to communicate analog signals; and
,a digital interface with at least four terminals, each terminal attached to a connector line to communicate digital signals, wherein the analog and digital interfaces share; a first detection sub-system with an input to accept communication signals on a first connector line and an output to supply identification signals in response to the communication signals; and
,a second detection sub-system with an input to accept communication signals on a fourth connector line and an output to supply identification signals in response to the communication signals. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for multiplexing digital and analog signals to and from a wireless communications device using a single electrical connector, the system comprising:
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a connector with at least four lines; first and second analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) accepting digital and analog communication signals from first and fourth connector lines, respectively, and supplying digital and analog identification signals, respectively, in response to the communication signals; a controller accepting the digital and analog identification signals and in response, supplying digital and analog mode signals, respectively; first, second, and third switches with first terminals attached to the first connector line, a second connector line, and the fourth connector line, respectively, second terminals, and inputs to receive the mode signals; a third ADO connected to the second terminal of the first switch, first and second digital-to-analog converters (DACs) connected to the second terminal of the second switch, and a third DAC connected to the second terminal of the third switch; and
,a Universal Serial Bus (USB) transceiver with D+ and D−
terminals connected to the first and second connecter lines, respectively, and an input to accept mode signals; and
,wherein in response to analog mode signals; the first, second, and third switches close; the third ADC accepts an audio input signal; the first DAC supplies mono audio output signals; and
,the second and third DACs supply stereo audio output signals; and
,wherein the first, second, and third switches open in response to a USB digital mode signal and wherein power is applied to the fourth connector line.
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Specification