Handheld device having an auto-volume control means for earphone plugging and controlling method thereof

• US 20040151336A1
• Filed: 08/05/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Han, Tom, Teng, Jason, Lan, Eddie, Lee, Chc
• Application Number:
  US10/635,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20040151336A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/370
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 1/0088 using discontinuously variable devices, e.g. switch-operated
• 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

A handheld device having an auto-volume control means for earphone plugging and the controlling method thereof is provided. A first preset volume value and a second preset volume value are set by a user to adjust the volume of an earphone and a speaker separately. Since output volume to the earphone and the speaker is under separate control, there is no need to readjust volume when the earphone is plugged in or unplugged. In addition, an over-volume protection and earphone volume micro-adjustment function are also incorporated to improve operation.

Claims

1. A handheld device with an auto-volume control means for earphone plugging, comprising:

an audio processing unit for executing an audio program, wherein the audio program is able to detect whether an earphone is plugged into the handheld device, if the earphone is plugged in, audio signals having a first volume according to a first preset volume value are output, and if no earphone is plugged in, audio signals having a second volume according to a second preset volume value is output;

a headset amplifier circuit coupled to the audio processing unit for receiving and amplifying the audio signals at the first volume level and then sending the amplified audio signals to the earphone for producing audio; and

a speaker amplifier circuit coupled to the audio processing unit for receiving and amplifying the audio signals at the second volume level and then sending the amplified audio signals to the speaker for producing audio.

2. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein after confirming that the earphone is plugged into the handheld device, the audio program determines whether the actual audio volume according to the first preset volume value is higher than a maximum permissible volume, and if the actual audio volume is higher than the maximum permissible volume, the actual output volume is adjusted to a level just under the maximum permissible volume so that audio signals at the first volume level is output.

3. The handheld device of claim 2, wherein the maximum permissible volume is set to a sound level of about 70 dB.

4. The handheld device of claim 2, wherein an output volume table is consulted to determine if the actual output volume according to the first preset volume value is higher than the maximum permissible volume.

5. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the audio processing unit includes:

a processor for executing the audio program, outputting a first set of digital data according to a first preset volume value and outputting a second set of digital data according to a second preset volume value;

an audio chip coupled to the processor for receiving the first set of digital data and the second set of digital data, referencing the value inside a register and outputting audio signals at the first volume level and the second volume level; and

a power supply unit coupled to the processor and the audio chip for providing power to the audio chip when signaled by the processor.

6. The handheld device of claim 5, wherein after confirming that the earphone is plugged into the handheld device, the value inside the register can be set by the user.

7. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the first preset volume value and the second preset volume value can be set by the user.

8. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the handheld device is a personal digital assistant.

9. The handheld device of claim 1, wherein the handheld device is a smart phone.

10. A method of separately controlling earphone volume produced by a handheld device, comprising the steps of:

determining if an earphone is plugged into the handheld device,

if the earphone is plugged into the handheld device, outputting audio signals at a first volume level to the earphone according to a first preset volume value; and

if no earphone is plugged into the handheld device, outputting audio signals at a second volume level to a speaker according to a second preset volume value.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein after confirming the earphone is plugged into the handheld device, further includes the following steps:

determining if the actual output volume according to the first preset volume value is higher than a maximum permissible volume, and

if the actual output volume is higher than the maximum permissible volume, adjusting the actual output volume to a level below the maximum permissible volume and then outputting audio signals at the first volume level.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the maximum permissible volume is set to a sound level of about 70 dB.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining if the actual output volume according to the first preset volume is higher than a maximum permissible volume includes consulting an output volume table.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first preset volume value and the second preset volume value can be set by a user.