System and method for using a headset jack to control electronic device functions

• US 9,124,970 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2013
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Rabii, Khosro Mohammad, Antao, Sherman Sebastian
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN DUC
• Application Number:
  US13/947,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20150023516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 381/370, 381/384, 381/74, 379/430, 455/575.2, 455/41.1, 345/173
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/022 Plurality of transducers corresponding to a plurality of sound channels in each earpiece of headphones or in a single enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/03 Connection circuits to selectively connect loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2460/01 Hearing devices using active noise cancellation
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

Systems and methods for automatically controlling an electronic device based on whether or not a headset is in a listening position are described. The existing wired stereo headset conductors may be used to provide power to a sensor and hardware subsystem within the headset. In some aspects, a sensor-enabled headset or headphones can sense whether each earbud of the headset is placed in the user'"'"'s ears and communicate that information to an electronic device.

Claims

1. A device for communicating with an electronic device through a headset port, comprising:

a control device comprising a first capacitive touch sensor, wherein the control device is configured to receive power and communicate with the electronic device through a headset connection; and

a modulation circuit within the control device and configured to modulate an electronic signal to the headset connection based on contact with the capacitive touch sensor;

wherein the device is a headset having at least one earpiece, and wherein the at least one earpiece comprises the capacitive touch sensor; and

wherein transmission of audio signals to the at least one earpiece may be discontinued if the at least one earpiece is not touching a user'"'"'s ear.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a headset having earpieces, and wherein at least one earpiece comprises the capacitive touch sensor.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to transmit user interface control signals to the electronic device and receive user interface control signals from the electronic device.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the headset comprises a left earpiece and a right earpiece, the left earpiece further comprising a first capacitive touch sensor and the right earpiece further comprising a second capacitive touch sensor.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the modulation circuit is configured to transmit a first relaxation frequency based on a signal received from the first capacitive touch sensor and transmit a second relaxation frequency based on a signal received from the second capacitive touch sensor.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein transmission of audio signals to the at least one earpiece is completed only when the at least one earpiece is touching a user'"'"'s ear.

7. The device of claim 3, wherein the modulation circuit further comprises a resonator circuit configured to transmit different relaxation frequencies depending on an indicated user interface command.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the modulation circuit is configured to transmit a first relaxation frequency if the at least one earpiece is touching the user'"'"'s ear and a second relaxation frequency if the at least one earpiece is not touching the user'"'"'s ear.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the headset connection is a 3.5 mm or a 2.5 mm headset receptacle.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the modulation circuit further comprises a voltage regulator circuit configured to transmit user interface commands by adjusting the voltage level through the headset connection.

11. An apparatus for communicating with an electronic device, comprising:

means for detecting touch configured to receive power and communicate with the electronic device through a headset connection; and

means for modulating an electronic signal to the headset connection based on touch detection;

wherein the device is a headset having at least one earpiece, and wherein the at least one earpiece comprises the capacitive touch sensor; and

wherein transmission of audio signals to the at least one earpiece may be discontinued if the at least one earpiece is not touching a user'"'"'s ear.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising means for transmitting user interface control signals to the electronic device and means for receiving user interface control signals from the electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for detecting touch comprises a first capacitive touch sensor in a first earpiece and a second capacitive touch sensor in a second earpiece.