JP2014171175A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A plug unit is identified with a simple configuration.
An electronic apparatus includes a control unit having an audio input terminal for inputting an audio signal from a second terminal of the jack unit and an audio output terminal connected to the first terminal. The control unit is configured to output a sound signal representing a predetermined sound from the sound output terminal when the attachment of the plug unit is detected, and a sound signal when the sound signal is output by the sound output unit. Comparing means for comparing a sound signal input from the input terminal with a sound signal representing a predetermined sound, and a determining means for determining the type of the plug portion mounted based on the comparison result.
[Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that identifies the type of plug to be attached.

  When a plug such as an earphone is inserted into an equipment main body and connected to an earphone connection portion such as a jack, a method for identifying the inserted plug is disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-310688) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-301068). No. 11-162574) and Patent Document 3 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-194890).

  In Patent Document 1, a change in voltage at a microphone terminal is detected to determine whether an earphone or an earphone microphone is connected. In Patent Document 2, the switch is switched according to the comparison result of the potential comparison circuit to connect to an appropriate output circuit. In Patent Document 3, the impedance of each line is converted into a voltage value, and the connection with the audio codec and the input / output level of the signal are switched based on the comparison result of the voltage threshold.

JP 2008-301068 A JP-A-11-162574 JP 2009-194890 A

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the external appearance of a four-pole plug of a conventional stereo earphone with a microphone. As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and (B), there is no unified standard for the pin assignment of the plug, and (L) (R) (G) (M) There are two main types: the types assigned in order (hereinafter referred to as A type) and the types assigned to (L), (R), (M), and (G) (hereinafter referred to as B type). ing. (L) indicates the left channel, (R) indicates the right channel, (M) indicates the microphone channel, and (G) indicates each terminal of the ground channel. The terminals are electrically separated by an insulator. .

  Therefore, if the main device side jack into which the plug is inserted is for the A type, it is necessary to use a stereo earphone with a microphone having an A type plug, and if the main device side jack is for the B type, A stereo earphone with a microphone with a B-type plug must be used. When a stereo earphone with a microphone having a plug of a type different from that of the jack on the main device side is used, a normal level sound is not generated from the earphone, and an accurate microphone signal is not generated.

  By applying the methods proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 above, it is possible to realize a function of measuring the voltage change when the earphone is inserted and automatically switching the circuit connection. Since the circuit block is separately required, downsizing is hindered when mounted on a mobile device such as a smartphone.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that identifies a plug portion with a simple configuration.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic device including a jack portion to which a plug portion of an audio device is detachably attached is provided.

  The plug portion has a first position and a second position where the terminal is disposed, an earphone terminal is disposed at the first position, and a microphone terminal is disposed at the second position according to the type of the plug portion, Either one of the derivation terminal for deriving the audio signal from the earphone terminal is arranged.

  The jack portion has a first terminal to which the earphone terminal at the first position of the attached plug portion is connected, and a second terminal to which the terminal at the second position is connected.

  The electronic device includes a control unit having an audio input terminal for inputting an audio signal from the second terminal of the jack unit and an audio output terminal connected to the first terminal. The control unit is configured to output a sound signal representing a predetermined sound from the sound output terminal when the attachment of the plug unit is detected, and to output a sound signal when the sound signal is output from the sound output unit. Comparing means for comparing a sound signal input from the input terminal with a sound signal representing a predetermined sound, and a determining means for determining the type of the plug portion mounted based on the comparison result.

  According to the present invention, a simple configuration is achieved by determining the type of the plug part that is attached based on the result of comparing the audio signal input from the audio input terminal and the audio signal representing the predetermined audio. Identify the plug part.

It is an external view of the smart phone which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of the smart phone which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the connection switching of the terminal in the earphone jack part which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement when the earphone jack part which concerns on this Embodiment is connected. It is a figure which shows typically the external appearance of the 4-pole plug of the conventional stereo earphone with a microphone.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic device having the function of identifying the type (also referred to as type) of the plug portion is exemplified by a smartphone having a jack portion into which the plug portion of the earphone with microphone is detachably inserted. Not. For example, it may be a personal digital assistant (hereinafter referred to as PDA), a portable terminal including a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, and a voice recording / playback device, or a stationary terminal that is not limited to a portable terminal.

  In addition, the microphone-equipped earphone is exemplified as the device having the plug portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the device has a plug portion that is detachably attached to the jack portion of the electronic device. It can be applied to all audio equipment for inputting / outputting sound.

(appearance)
FIG. 1 shows the appearance of smartphone 300 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, a smartphone 300 includes a housing, and a main surface of the housing includes a display unit 113, a microphone 50 for collecting sound, a speaker 51 for transmitting sound, a power button, and the like. An operation unit 4 including various keys is included. Further, a memory card insertion portion 90 for detachably inserting a memory card 108, which will be described later, and an earphone jack portion 53 to which a plug portion 55 of the stereo earphone with microphone 54 is detachably attached are provided on the side surface of the housing. Including.

  The display unit 113 is integrally provided with a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) and a touch panel, and the user can input an instruction by operating the touch panel according to displayed information.

  The stereo earphone with microphone 54 has earphones 53L and 53R attached to the ear at one end of the cable, a plug portion 55 at the other end, and a microphone 52 in the middle of the cable. When the stereo earphone with microphone 54 is used, sound is output from the earphones 53L and 53R attached to the user's ear, and the sound or the like due to the user's utterance is collected by the microphone 52. Note that headphones with a microphone may be used instead of the stereo earphones 54 with a microphone.

  In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, it is assumed that audio input / output is performed using the stereo earphone 54 with a microphone instead of the microphone 50 and the speaker 51.

(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the smartphone 300. The smartphone 300 includes a main control unit 100 that is a processor including a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU), a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as a RAM), a read only memory (hereinafter referred to as a ROM), and a nonvolatile memory. The key unit 103 that receives the key operation from the storage unit 102 and the operation unit 4 and outputs an instruction (information) based on the received operation, and the operation via the touch panel of the display unit 113 is received and accepted. An operation receiving unit 111 that outputs an instruction (information) based on an operation, an audio output unit 104 that outputs an audio signal to the speaker 51 or the earphone jack unit 53, and an external memory interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F) unit 107 Including. The external I / F unit 107 includes a driver circuit for accessing (reading / writing) data of the memory card 108 to which the memory card 108 is detachably mounted.

  The smartphone 300 further includes a display control unit 110 such as a driver circuit that controls the display operation of the LCD of the display unit 113, an audio input unit 112 corresponding to the microphone 50 or 52, and modulation / demodulation for controlling communication via a network. A communication unit 114 including a circuit and the like, a power supply unit 115 such as a battery for supplying power to each unit, and a timer 116 for measuring time are included.

(Earphone jack connection switching)
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining connection switching of terminals in the earphone jack section 53 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3A shows a circuit that is a peripheral circuit of the earphone jack section 53 and that is related to connection switching between the terminal of the earphone jack section 53 and the terminal (channel) of the plug section 55. As related peripheral circuits, a main control unit 100, a codec unit 201, a switching unit 202, and a switching control unit 203 for controlling the switching unit 202 are shown. The CPU of the main control unit 100 controls the codec unit 201 and the switching control unit 203. Here, for the sake of explanation, the main control unit 100, the codec unit 201, and the switching control unit 203 are individually provided. However, the main control unit 100 integrally includes the functions of the codec unit 201 and the switching control unit 203. It may be provided as a control unit.

  Here, referring to FIG. 6, quadrupole plug portion 55 has a first position, a second position, and a third position where terminals are disposed from the distal end direction of the shaft toward the root direction. In this first position, a left channel (L) and a right channel (R) corresponding to the earphone terminal are arranged. On the other hand, in the second position, the ground corresponding to the microphone channel (M) and the lead-out terminal for leading the audio signal from the earphone terminal to the ground side depending on whether the plug portion 55 is of the A type or the B type. One of the channels (G) is arranged.

  The earphone jack portion 53 is connected to the left channel (L) and right channel (R) of the earphone terminal when the four-pole plug portion 55 is inserted into a hole (not shown) of the earphone jack portion 53 and attached. Terminals 531 and 532 and terminals 533 and 534 corresponding to these terminals. One of the terminals 533 and 534 corresponds to a second terminal, and the other corresponds to a third terminal. The terminals 533 and 534 are connected to the microphone channel (M) and the ground channel (G), respectively, if the plug portion 55 to be inserted is the A type, and the ground channel (G) and the microphone channel (M), if the plug portion 55 is the B type. Connected to each.

  The switching unit 202 is connected to a terminal Mic described later, a contact (terminal) M for outputting a sound signal to the connected terminal Mic, a contact (terminal) G connected to the ground potential (GND), and an earphone. Contacts (terminals) G ′ and M ′ connected to the terminals 533 and 534 of the jack portion 53 are provided.

  The codec unit 201 is an audio signal processing circuit block. Specifically, it is connected to the contact M of the switching unit 202 and connected to each of the terminal Mic for inputting an audio signal from the contact M, and the terminals 531 and 532 of the earphone jack unit 53 and sent to the earphone jack unit 53. Terminals OR and OL for outputting signals and a terminal GND connected to the ground (ground potential) are provided. Further, the digital data from the main control unit 100 is converted into an audio signal and output via terminals OR and OL, and the audio signal input via the terminal Mic is converted into digital data. It has an encoding circuit (not shown) that outputs to the main control unit 100.

  In operation, the switching control unit 203 generates a control signal 208 based on the instruction signal 207 and stores it in an internal register circuit (not shown) every time the instruction signal 207 is input from the main control unit 100. A control signal 208 of the register circuit is output to the switching unit 202. The control signal 208 indicates, for example, a binary level of “High” and “Low”. Until the new instruction signal 207 is output from the main control unit 100, the control signal 208 of the register circuit holds the level (“Low” or “High”) of the immediately preceding instruction signal 207.

  The switching unit 202 switches an audio path that is an audio input path between the codec unit 201 and the earphone jack unit 53 based on a control signal 208 from the switching control unit 203. Specifically, when the control signal 208 is “High”, the switching unit 202 connects the contacts M and M ′ and connects the contacts G and G ′ for the A type audio path (FIG. 3). (Refer to the solid line in (B)) When “Low”, the contacts M and G ′ are connected for the B type audio path, and the contacts G and M ′ are connected (broken line in FIG. 3B). Switch as follows.

(Processing flow)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing according to the present embodiment. The program according to the flowchart is stored in advance in the storage unit 102, and the CPU of the main control unit 100 reads the program from the storage unit 102, executes the program instructions, and controls each unit according to the execution result. The

  First, it is assumed that the switching unit 202 is in the state of the A type voice path indicated by the solid line in FIG. At this time, the user attaches the plug portion 55 of the stereo earphone 54 with microphone to the earphone jack portion 53 of the smartphone 300. When attached, the terminal of the plug section 55 is connected to the terminal of the earphone jack section 53, and the bias voltage applied to the input terminal Mic of the codec section 201 changes via the connection section between both terminals and the switching section 202. To do.

  The CPU of the main control unit 100 determines whether or not the plug unit 55 is attached to the earphone jack unit 53 (step S100). If it is not determined that it is attached (NO in step S100), the process of step S100 is repeated. If it is determined that it is attached (YES in step S100), the process proceeds to step S103. A conventional method can be used for the attachment determination. Specifically, when the CPU detects a change in the potential of the input terminal Mic from the output of the codec unit 201, the CPU determines that the plug unit 55 is attached to the earphone jack unit 53. This determination is not limited to the change in the microphone bias voltage, and a switch type may be used.

  When detecting the attachment of the plug portion 55, the CPU outputs an audio signal indicating a predetermined audio (step S103). Specifically, the CPU reads sound source data stored in advance from a predetermined area of the storage unit 102 and outputs it to the codec unit 201. The codec unit 201 decodes the sound source data into an audio signal, and outputs the decoded audio signal via the terminal OR or the terminal OL. The audio signal from the terminal OR or OL is output from the earphone 53L or 53R to the user's ear via the terminal 531 or 532 of the earphone jack section 53. In the present embodiment, the sound source data is data for determining the type of the plug unit 55 and corresponds to an audio signal in a frequency band excluding an audible frequency band that cannot be normally heard by human hearing. Therefore, it is possible to determine the type of the plug portion 55 without giving the user a sense of incongruity or discomfort due to a harsh sound.

  After outputting the sound based on the sound source data, the CPU compares the sound (step S106). Specifically, the signal from the terminal 534 of the earphone jack unit 53 is input to the terminal Mic of the codec unit 201 via the switching unit 202 (terminal M ′ and M audio path). The codec unit 201 encodes the input signal and outputs the encoded digital data to the main control unit 100. The CPU of the main control unit 100 compares the digital data from the codec unit 201 with the sound source data for determination read from the predetermined storage area of the storage unit 102 by pattern matching, and from the comparison result, both match or It is determined whether they are similar (step S109).

  If it is determined that there is no match or similarity (NO in step S109), the CPU ends the process without changing the instruction signal 207. That is, when it is determined that they are different from each other, the plug unit 55 of the type that matches the switching unit 202 for the A type voice path (see the solid line in FIG. 3B) is attached. . Therefore, the CPU does not change the instruction signal 207, that is, the switching unit 202 does not switch the connection of the terminals (the solid line audio path in FIG. 3B) and ends the processing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that they match or are similar (YES in step S109), the process proceeds to step S112. That is, it is determined that a plug unit 55 of a type different from the current A type voice path of the switching unit 202 (see the solid line in FIG. 3B) is connected. For example, a case where a B-type plug portion 55 is attached to the earphone jack portion 53 corresponds to this case. According to the determination result, the CPU of the main control unit 100 outputs an instruction signal 207 for instructing the switching control unit 203 to switch connection (step S112).

  The switching control unit 203 compares the value of the instruction signal 207 stored in the internal register with the value of the newly input instruction signal 207, and if it is determined that the two signals are different from the comparison result, The input instruction signal is stored in the internal register. Thereby, the signal of the internal register is updated. Therefore, the switching control unit 203 outputs a new control signal 208 updated from “High” to “Low” based on the updated instruction signal 207 stored in the internal register.

  The switching unit 202 switches terminal connections based on the control signal 208 updated from “High” to “Low”. Specifically, the contact M is switched so as to be connected from the contact M ′ → G ′, and the contact G is switched so as to be connected from the contact G ′ → the contact M ′ (step S115).

  Thereafter, the type determination result, which is the value of the internal register, is held until the plug unit 55 is determined to have been disconnected from the change in the bias voltage applied to the terminal Mic, and the switching mode of the audio path connection based on the result Is retained. Therefore, the audio path can be automatically switched by the switching unit 202 so as to match the type of the plug unit 55 of either the A type or the B type.

(Connection switching mode)
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the earphone jack section 53 according to the present embodiment is connected.

  Each of the earphones 53L and 53R of the stereo earphone with microphone 54 has a speaker diaphragm that vibrates to transmit sound and a voice coil (usually about 16 to 32Ω) associated with the diaphragm.

  When the switching unit 202 is an A type voice path (solid line in FIG. 3B) and the A type plug unit 55 is attached (see FIG. 5A), or the switching unit 202 is When the B type plug path 55 is connected in the B type audio path (broken line in FIG. 3B) (see FIG. 5B), the audio output from the terminal OR or OL When the signal flows through the voice coil of the earphone 53L or 53R, the diaphragm vibrates and the sound is transmitted to the ear. The audio signal collected by the microphone 52 is input to the main control unit 100 via the terminal of the plug unit 55 → the terminal of the earphone jack unit 53 → the contact M of the switching unit 202 → the terminal Mic of the codec unit 201. In this case, a circuit loop, which will be described later, is not configured such that the audio signal output to the earphone 53L or 53R is input to the terminal Mic. As a result, in the above comparison process, the main control unit 100 compares the sound actually collected by the microphone 52 with the sound by the sound source data, and the plug unit 55 of a type that matches the type of the voice path of the smartphone 300. Is determined to be connected.

  On the other hand, when the switching unit 202 is an A type voice path (solid line in FIG. 3B) and the B type plug unit 55 is connected (see FIG. 5C), Alternatively, when the switching unit 202 is a B-type audio path (broken line in FIG. 3B) and the A-type plug unit 55 is connected (see FIG. 5D), the terminal OR or OL When the sound signal output from the earphone 53L or 53R flows through the voice coil of the earphone 53L, the diaphragm vibrates and the sound is transmitted to the ear, and the sound signal passes through the earphone voice coil and passes through the ground terminal of the plug unit 55. → a terminal of the earphone jack 53 → a contact M of the switching unit 202 → a circuit loop that is input to the main control unit 100 via the terminal Mic of the codec unit 201, and the sound collected by one microphone 52 Signal is off It is derived to the ground terminal of the replacement unit 202 and is not input to the main control unit 100. As a result, in the above comparison processing, the main control unit 100 compares the sound returned via the circuit loop (not the sound actually picked up by the microphone 52) with the sound based on the sound source data, and both the sounds. Match, that is, the switching unit 202 determines that a plug unit 55 of a type different from the type of the voice path is connected.

  Thus, based on the result of the comparison processing, whether or not the terminal on the plug section 55 side connected to the terminal 533 (534) for inputting the audio signal of the earphone jack section 53 is the microphone channel (M), that is, The type of the plug part 55 can be determined.

  When determining that plugs 55 of different types are connected, the CPU outputs a new instruction signal 207. As a result, the switching control unit 203 switches a control signal that switches the two circuit connections of the channels (G) and (M) among the four circuit connections of the channels (L), (R), (G), and (M). 208 is output. The switching unit 202 switches the audio path based on the control signal 208. That is, when the connection is a solid line in FIG. 3B, the connection is switched to a broken line, and when the connection is a broken line, the connection is switched to a solid line. The circuit loop is eliminated by switching the voice path. As a result, the voice picked up by the microphone 52 is input to the terminal Mic, not the voice returned via the circuit loop. Therefore, regardless of the type of the plug portion 55, the user can normally hear the voice and can collect the voice.

(Effect of embodiment)
Since the above type determination can be realized by components (codec unit 201, CPU, etc.) that are standardly mounted on a terminal such as the smartphone 300, it is not necessary to add a special circuit, and the terminal is small and light. Is not disturbed.

  In addition, in the type determination, an audio signal in a frequency band that cannot be normally heard by the human ear is used, so that the user wearing the stereo earphone with microphone 54 is given a sense of discomfort and discomfort due to unintended audio. There is no. Therefore, the user is not aware that the determination is being performed.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the specification (A type or B type) of the plug part 55 of the stereo earphone 54 with microphone attached to the voice path in the smartphone 300 is determined and matched with the determined type. It becomes possible to switch to. As a result, it is not necessary for the user to replace the stereo earphone 54 with the microphone having the plug portion 55 that matches the type of the smartphone 300, and the problem caused by the type mismatch as in the past (normal from the earphone is not necessary). Therefore, there is no possibility that a sound of a proper sound level is generated and an accurate microphone signal is not generated.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  4 operation unit, 50, 52 microphone, 51 speaker, 53 earphone jack unit, 53L, 53R earphone, 54 stereo earphone with microphone, 55 plug unit, 100 main control unit, 201 codec unit, 202 switching unit, 203 switching control unit, 207 Instruction signal, 208 Control signal, 300 Smartphone.

Claims (5)

An electronic device including a jack portion to which a plug portion of an audio device is detachably attached,
The plug portion has a first position and a second position where a terminal is disposed,
An earphone terminal is disposed at the first position, and either a microphone terminal or a lead-out terminal for deriving an audio signal from the earphone terminal is disposed at the second position according to the type of the plug portion. And
The jack portion has a first terminal to which the earphone terminal at the first position of the plug portion attached is connected, and a second terminal to which a terminal at the second position is connected,
The electronic device is
A control unit having an audio input terminal for inputting an audio signal from the second terminal of the jack unit, and an audio output terminal connected to the first terminal;
The controller is
A predetermined sound output means for outputting a sound signal representing a predetermined sound from the sound output terminal when mounting of the plug portion is detected;
A comparison means for comparing an audio signal input from the audio input terminal with an audio signal representing the predetermined audio when an audio signal is output by the predetermined audio output means;
An electronic device comprising: determination means for determining a type of the plug part mounted based on a result of the comparison. The plug portion further has a third position where the terminal is disposed,
The earphone terminal is arranged at the first position, either the microphone terminal or the lead-out terminal is arranged at the second position according to the type of the plug part, and the third position is The other is different from the other,
The jack portion further includes a third terminal to which a terminal at the third position of the attached plug portion is connected,
The electronic device is
A switching unit for switching and connecting one of the second terminal and the third terminal of the jack unit to the audio input terminal of the control unit;
The controller is
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is controlled to switch and connect one of the second terminal and the third terminal to the audio input terminal based on the type determined by the determination unit. .   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the audio signal representing the predetermined audio has a frequency band excluding an audible range. A storage unit for storing sound source data;
The predetermined sound output means includes
4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein an audio signal representing the predetermined audio is acquired from the sound source data of the storage unit and is output from the audio output terminal. 5. The comparison means includes
When an audio signal is output by the predetermined audio output means, an audio signal input from the audio input terminal is compared with an audio signal representing the predetermined audio acquired from the sound source data of the storage unit. Item 5. The electronic device according to Item 4.

Images