Headset/radio auto sensing jack

• US 6,594,366 B1
• Filed: 12/02/1997
• Issued: 07/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Systems Technologies S.a.r.l. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Adams, Joel
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, Forester W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, BRIAN T
• Application Number:
  US08/982,943
• Time in Patent Office: 2,051 Days
• Field of Search: 379/433, 379/110.01, 379/387, 379/457, 379/430, 379/434, 381/74, 455/66, 455/568, 455/575, 455/569, 455/90, 455/556, 455/550, 439/188, 439/489
• US Class Current: 381/74
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone

Abstract

A headset/headphone sensing jack (203, 208, 210). A two-channel sensing circuit (210) is provided which detects whether a headphone (101) or headset (103) is installed. By employing an impedance sensing circuit (210), it is possible to use a single common 2.5 mm jack (120) for both radio and telephony operation. Formerly, two separate jacks would be required for both functions. An electronic device (50) according to the present invention is further capable of switching between AM/FM radio and telephone modes depending on whether a particular headpiece (101, 103) is installed.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a radio controller, said radio controller configured to provide radio functionality;

a communications controller configured to provide telephone functionality;

a jack circuit including a jack configured to receive a plurality of plugs for headpieces associated with said radio controller and said communications controller, and configured to detect a plug associated with said radio controller and a plug associated with said communications controller; and

a switching unit, including a first switch adapted to automatically switch between a first radio output and a telephone output and a second switch adapted to automatically switch between a second radio output and a telephone input depending on whether a radio controller plug or a communications controller plug is detected as being installed in said jack.

2. An electronic device as recited in claim 1, said jack circuit configured to switch between radio and telephone functionality.

3. An electronic device as recited in claim 2, wherein said jack circuit is configured to distinguish between an speaker and a microphone.

4. An electronic device as recited in claim 2, wherein said jack circuit includes a first channel detection circuit and a second channel detection circuit.

5. An electronic device as recited in claim 4, wherein said first channel detection circuit is configured to provide a first output when a telephone headset is installed in said jack and a second output when stereo headphones are installed in said jack.

6. An electronic device as recited in claim 4, wherein said first and second channel detection circuits include a comparator.

7. An electronic device as recited in claim 4, said jack circuit configured to switch between said radio and telephone functionality depending on outputs from said first and second channel detection circuits.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

a radio controller, said radio controller configured to provide radio functionality;

a communications controller configured to provide telephone functionality; and

a jack circuit including a jack configured to receive a plurality of plugs for headpieces associated with said radio controller and said communications controller, and configured to detect a plug associated with said radio controller and a plug associated with said communications controller said jack circuit including a first channel detection circuit and a second channel detection circuit and configured to switch between said radio and telephone functionality depending on outputs from said first and second channel detection circuits;

said jack circuit configured to switch between radio and telephone functionality responsive to detecting a telephone call.

9. A detection circuit for use in an electronic device, said detection circuit comprising:

first means for detecting a first type of device plugged into said jack;

second means for detecting a second type of device plugged into said jack; and

a switching circuit responsive to said first and second detecting means for switching between first and second functionality to said jack depending on whether said first type of device or said second type of device are detected and upon detecting a telephone call.

10. A detection circuit as recited in claim 9, wherein said first type of device is a stereo headphone.

11. A detection circuit as recited in claim 10, said second means including means for detecting a microphone.

12. A detection circuit as recited in claim 9, wherein said first type of device is a telephone headset.

13. A detection circuit as recited in claim 12, said detecting means including a comparator.

14. A detection circuit as recited in claim 9, said first means including means for detecting a speaker.

15. A detection circuit as recited in claim 14, said detecting means including a comparator.

16. A detection circuit for use in an electronic device, said detection circuit comprising:

circuitry adapted to detect first or second types of devices plugged into a jack; and

a switching circuit responsive to said circuitry for switching between first and second functionality to said jack depending on whether said first type of device or said second type of device are detected and upon detecting a telephone call.

17. An electronic device, comprising:

a radio controller, said radio controller configured to provide radio functionality;

a communications controller configured to provide telephone functionality; and

a jack circuit including a jack configured to receive a plurality of plugs for headpieces associated with said radio controller and said communications controller, and configured to detect a plug associated with said radio controller and a plug associated with said communications controller.