US20170270897A1 - Earphone system for mobile device and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes a display and a controller operatively coupled with the display. The controller is configured to determine whether the apparatus is coupled with an output device external to the apparatus, and to adjust a brightness of the display based at least in part on a determination that the apparatus is coupled with the output device.

Description

PRIORITY
• This is a continuation application of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/664,017, filed Mar. 20, 2015, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,672,790 on Jun. 6, 2017, and which is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/091,486, filed Apr. 21, 2011, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,025,788 on May 5, 2015, and which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean patent application filed on Apr. 30, 2010 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2010-0041046, the entire disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a mobile device having an ear jack interface. More particularly, the present invention relates to an earphone system and operation method thereof for identifying various input signals offered from an earphone connected to the ear jack interface and thereby for controlling a particular user-function in response to the identified signal.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• Normally, a mobile device denotes a type of electronic device that provides mobility and portability. With remarkable growth of related technologies, a great variety of mobile devices, such as a mobile communication device and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), are becoming increasingly popular these days. A typical mobile communication device has a module for supporting a mobile communication function and thereby allows voice and data communications with other mobile communication devices through a base station. A typical PDA has a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a memory unit, an Operating System (OS), and various programs and modules that operate based on the OS, and thereby allows various functions to collect, store, write and search information.
• Some functions of the mobile device, e.g., a call function, an audio file play function, etc., inherently include a function to output audio signals through a speaker provided on the mobile device. Alternatively, a user of the mobile device may use an earphone to prevent sounds from being heard outside or to hear clearer sounds.
• For a connection with an earphone, a conventional mobile device typically includes a 4-pole ear jack interface. However, this 4-pole ear jack interface only supports an audio signal output through right and left earphone speakers and an audio signal input through an earphone microphone. Additionally, the 4-pole ear jack interface merely recognizes the insertion of an earphone and then only performs audio input and output. Therefore, the utilization of such a conventional ear jack interface is limited. Even if any external device can be connected to the 4-pole ear jack interface, this may unfavorably cause great power consumption since a conventional mobile device should always monitor a connection of an external device by continuously detecting the value of an Analog Digital Converter (ADC) received through the ear jack interface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. According, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an earphone system, a mobile device for supporting the earphone system, and an operation method for the earphone system, allowing various input elements to be connected to an ear jack interface of the mobile device with reduced power consumption.
• According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a display and a controller operatively coupled with the display. The controller is configured to determine whether the apparatus is coupled with an output device external to the apparatus, and to adjust a brightness of the display based at least in part on a determination that the apparatus is coupled with the output device.
• According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided. The method includes determining, at an electronic device including a display, whether the electronic device is coupled with an output device external to the electronic device, and adjusting a brightness of the display based at least in part on a determination that the electronic device is coupled with the output device.
• According to still another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory machine-readable storage device is provided. The storage device stores instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations of determining, at an electronic device including a display, whether the electronic device is coupled with an output device external to the electronic device, and adjusting a brightness of the display based at least in part on a determination that the electronic device is coupled with the output device.
• Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an earphone system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an ear jack interface and an earphone in the earphone system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating signal identification in an ear jack interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow diagrams illustrating a method for operating an ear phone system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
• The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.
• The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
• It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an earphone system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 1, the earphone system is composed of amobile device100 and anearphone200. Although the following disclosure is based on theearphone200 connected to an ear jack interface of themobile device100, this is exemplary only and not to be considered as a limitation of the present invention. Instead of theearphone200, any other equivalents, such as an external speaker, can be connected to the ear jack interface.
• Themobile device100 includes adisplay unit140 and anear jack interface170 and may transmit or receive audio signals, generated during a content playback or a voice call, to or from theearphone200 through theear jack interface170. While connected to theearphone200, themobile device100 may identify signals created by and received from various input elements, such as volume up/down keys and call/stop keys, provided in theearphone200. Also, themobile device100 may control a particular user-function in response to the identified signal. Themobile device100 may recognize the connection of theearphone200 from an interrupt created when a header of theearphone200 is inserted into theear jack interface170, and may support particular functions related to theearphone200. Each individual element of themobile device100 will be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 2 below.
• Theearphone200 is a device that is connected to theear jack interface170 of themobile device100. Theearphone200 receives audio signals from themobile device100 and converts the received audio signals into sounds. Theearphone200 of a 4-pole type may have anearphone header210 that is inserted into theear jack interface170, anearphone input unit220 that has an earphone microphone (EAR-MIC), volume up/downkeys221, call/stop keys223, and the like, and anearphone speaker230 that may have left andright earphone speakers231 and233. Theearphone200 acquires sounds and converts them into audio signals through the earphone microphone (EAR-MIC) and delivers the audio signals to themobile device100 through theearphone header210. In theearphone200, each element of theearphone input unit220 may be activated and form a specific path according to a user's manipulation. Namely, each activated element of theearphone200 may establish a path having a specific resistance value. Also, depending on a voltage value that is varied according to differences in resistance values in each path, themobile device100 may determine which element is activated in theearphone200. Related descriptions will be given later with reference toFIG. 3.
• As discussed hereinbefore, the earphone system supports functions of theearphone200 based on an interrupt created when theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170. Furthermore, the earphone system identifies various signals created by and received from various input elements, such as volume up/down keys and call/stop keys, provided in theearphone200, and controls a particular user-function in response to the identified signal. Therefore, a user can easily adjust an audio volume, make a call, stop a call, etc., by manipulating the 4-pole earphone200 without directly handing themobile device100.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 2, themobile device100 of this invention may include a Radio Frequency (RF)unit110, aninput unit120, anaudio processing unit130, adisplay unit140, amemory unit150, anear jack interface170, and acontrol unit160.
• Themobile device100 having the above-specified elements is structured to create an interrupt when theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170. When such an interrupt occurs, themobile device100 can shift an audio path to theearphone200. Also, if any interrupt is caused by a voltage drop under a given value in theear jack interface170, themobile device100 can detect the magnitude of a voltage drop and thereby identify the type of an input signal created by and received from theearphone200. Themobile device100 can perform a particular user-function in response to the identified input signal of theearphone200. Each individual element of themobile device100 will be described below in more detail.
• TheRF unit110 is a kind of communication module for supporting a mobile communication service of themobile device100. TheRF unit110 may employ a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) module, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) module, or the like according to the type of mobile communication service and, based on such a module, establishes a communication channel with a mobile communication system. For this, theRF unit110 may include an RF transmitter that up-converts the frequency of an outgoing signal and amplifies the signal, an RF receiver that amplifies with low-noise an incoming signal and down-converts the frequency of the signal, and the like. TheRF unit110 may be essential or not according to the type ofmobile device100. Namely, if themobile device100 supports a mobile communication function based on a base station, theRF unit110 is essential. However, in case of a monitor, a music player, etc. that requires no mobile communication function, theRF unit110 may be omitted according to the designer's or manufacturer's intention.
• More particularly, theRF unit110 of this invention establishes a call channel with any other device in response to a user's manipulation and sends or receives audio signals to or from the other device. At this time, audio signals received by theRF unit110 may be delivered to theearphone speaker230 of theearphone200 through theear jack interface170.
• Theinput unit120 includes a plurality of input keys and function keys to receive a user's input action and to set various functions. The function keys may have navigation keys, side keys, shortcut keys, and any other special keys defined to perform particular functions. Additionally, theinput unit120 receives a user's key manipulation for controlling themobile device100, creates a corresponding input signal, and delivers it to thecontrol unit160.
• More particularly, theinput unit120 may create various input signals for controlling user-functions of themobile device100 and send them to thecontrol unit160. For instance, depending on a user's manipulation, theinput unit120 may create an input signal for entering or selecting a desired phone number, an input signal for trying to connect a call based on the desired phone number, an input signal for selecting and playing a desired file stored in thememory unit150, or the like, and deliver it to thecontrol unit160.
• Theaudio processing unit130 may include a speaker (SPK) for outputting audio signals delivered from thecontrol unit160, and a microphone (MIC) for collecting audio signals while a particular application is running. When theRF unit110 is activated, theaudio processing unit130 may output audio signals received through theRF unit110 or audio signals of selected content to the speaker (SPK). More particularly, before theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170, theaudio processing unit130 forms audio output and input paths based on the speaker (SPK) and the microphone (MIC). However, if theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170, theaudio processing unit130 removes the above paths based on the speaker (SPK) and the microphone (MIC) and forms new audio output and input paths based on the earphone-microphone (EAR-MIC) and theearphone speaker230 in theearphone200. Therefore, audio signals of themobile device100 may be output through theear jack interface170 of themobile device100 and theearphone speaker230 of theearphone200, and audio signals collected by the earphone microphone (EAR-MIC) may be input to thecontrol unit160 through theear jack interface170 and theaudio processing unit130.
• Thedisplay unit140 represents information, including various menus of themobile device100, input by a user or offered to a user. Namely, thedisplay unit140 may visually offer a variety of screen views in connection with the use of themobile device100, such as an idle screen, a menu screen, a message writing screen, a call screen, and the like.
• More particularly, thedisplay unit140 may enter into various states according to the connection of theear jack interface170. That is, when theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170 during a call, thedisplay unit140 may be automatically turned off to minimize power consumption. If any input signal for instructing a supply of power is input, thedisplay unit140 may be turned on to again display the screen that was displayed just before being turned off. Additionally, when theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170, thedisplay unit140 may output a given message or any other equivalents to announce the connection to a user. This function may be disabled at a user's request. Furthermore, if any input signal is delivered from theearphone200, thedisplay unit140 may output a related screen. For instance, when receiving an input signal from the volume up/down keys or call/stop keys of theearphone200, thedisplay unit140 may display a given image related to a selected input key to offer a feedback to a user. This function may also be disabled at a user's request.
• Meanwhile, thedisplay unit140 may be formed of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), or any other equivalent. In case of being fabricated in the form of a touch screen, thedisplay unit140 may act as an input unit as well. In this case, the touch screen may be composed of a display panel and touch sensors disposed thereon. Also, themobile device100 in this case may offer various menu screens available and suitable for the touch screen.
• Thememory unit150 stores a variety of applications required for functions related to an exemplary embodiment of this invention or required for execution or playback of various types of files. If themobile device100 employs a touch screen, thememory unit150 may store a key map, a menu map, etc. required for the operation of the touch screen. Here, the key map may have various well known types such as a keyboard map, a 3*4 key map, a QWERTY key map, or a special control key map suitable for the operation of a currently activated application. Also, the menu map may be a special menu map suitable for the operation of a currently activated application or a normal menu map having menu items offered by the mobile device. Thememory unit150 may consist of a program region and a data region.
• The program region may store an Operating System (OS) for booting and operating themobile device100, and applications required for performing various functions or required for executing or playing various files, such as a call application, a web browser for surfing on the Internet, a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III (MP3) application for playing digital sounds, an image viewer application for showing image files, a video player application, and the like. More particularly, the program region may store an earphone support application for supporting the function of theearphone200.
• The earphone support application is a specialized program that is activated when theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170, controls the shift of an audio path toward theearphone200, identifies an input signal received from theearphone200, and controls a particular user-function based on the identified input signal. For the above, the earphone support application may be loaded in thecontrol unit160 and may contain a routine for determining whether theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170, a routine for controlling the shift of audio output and input paths, a routine for identifying an input signal received from theearphone200, and a routine for controlling a particular user-function in response to the identified input signal. The user-function control routine may have a subroutine for controlling specific options of a currently activated user-function and a subroutine for activating a selected user-function or inactivating the activated user-function.
• The data region stores data created or received while themobile device100 is used, and also may store various contents depending upon the type of the mobile device. In addition, if thedisplay unit140 is formed of a touch screen, the data region may store user's inputs received from the touch screen. More particularly, the data region may store an input signal table used for controlling user-functions based on the connection of theearphone200. The input signal table may define a mapping relation between types of input signals received from theearphone200 and commands for executing user-functions. For instance, the input signal table may contain information about a command to increase a volume of a currently activated user-function in response to an input signal of the volume up key of theearphone200. Such an input signal substantially corresponds to a specific voltage value, so the input signal table may be used for the creation of commands according to various voltage values.
• Theear jack interface170 is provided on a side of themobile device100 in a form that allows theearphone header210 to be inserted and then fixed. Theear jack interface170 may have several pins such that various types of earphones can be used. A related description will be given later with reference toFIG. 3.
• Thecontrol unit160 controls a power supplying and initializing process for each element of themobile device100. After initializing, thecontrol unit160 may perform a control for a particular user-function selected in response to the connection of theearphone200. More specifically, thecontrol unit160 may employ the above-discussed earphone support application and determine whether theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170. For this, themobile device100 may equip theear jack interface170 with terminals or electrode pins for keeping a reference voltage. Themobile device100 may recognize the connection of theearphone200 by detecting a drop of the reference voltage caused by the connection of theearphone200. Additionally, thecontrol unit160 may establish and control a signal path of theearphone200 that is in contact with various electrode pins of theear jack interface170. A related description will be given hereinafter with reference toFIG. 3.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an ear jack interface and an earphone in an earphone system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 3, theear jack interface170 may have five electrode pins denoted respectively byreference numbers1,2,3,4 and5. Specifically, thefirst electrode pin1 is a microphone electrode pin to be connected to an earphone microphone terminal M of theearphone header210. The second electrode pin2 is a ground electrode pin to be connected to a ground terminal G of theearphone header210. Thethird electrode pin3 is a right speaker electrode pin to be connected to a right earphone speaker terminal R of theearphone header210. The fourth electrode pin4 is a left speaker electrode pin to be connected to a left earphone speaker terminal L of theearphone header210. Thefifth electrode pin5 is an optional electrode pin to be connected to the ground terminal G of theearphone header210. More particularly, thefifth electrode pin5 may be used to generate an interrupt caused by the connection of theearphone200. Namely, when thefifth electrode pin5 is grounded through the connection of theearphone200 under conditions where a given reference voltage is applied to thefifth electrode pin5, thecontrol unit160 may determine that theearphone200 is connected by recognizing a change of the reference voltage as an interrupt.
• The third and fourth electrode pins3 and4 may be connected to the same terminal of theearphone header210 in some types ofearphones200. More specifically, if theearphone200 is a stereo type, the third and fourth electrode pins3 and4 are connected respectively to the right and left earphone speaker terminals R and L which are separately formed. However, if theearphone200 is a monaural type, the third and fourth electrode pins3 and4 may be connected to a single speaker terminal which is formed without distinguishing right and left speakers from each other. Nevertheless, since this invention is to identify input signals received through the earphone microphone terminal M, this invention may be applied to any type ofearphone200, namely, regardless of mono or stereo. In this disclosure, a stereo type ofearphone200 is exemplarily used.
• Theearphone header210 may have four terminals interconnected to the respective elements of theearphone200. Specifically, theearphone header210 may have the earphone microphone terminal M, the ground terminal G, the right earphone speaker terminal R, and the left earphone speaker terminal L. The right earphone speaker terminal R is interconnected to theright earphone speaker231, and the left earphone speaker terminal L is interconnected to theleft earphone speaker233. The earphone-microphone terminal M is interconnected to each of the earphone-microphone (EAR-MIC), the volume up/downkeys221, and the call/stop keys223 contained in theearphone input unit220. The volume up/downkeys221 include a volume up key and a volume down key, and the call/stop keys223 include a call key and a call stop key. InFIG. 3, each key is represented to be a resistance. Namely, the first resistance R1 indicates the volume up key, and the second resistance R2 indicates the volume down key. Similarly, the third resistance R3 indicates the call key, and the fourth resistance R4 indicates the call stop key. More particularly, the resistance of each key may be different in value from the others. As discussed above, when theearphone header210 is inserted into theear jack interface170, it comes in contact with the respective electrode pins of theear jack interface170.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating signal identification in an ear jack interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 4, theear jack interface170 may have an Analog Digital Converter (ADC)171 and acomparator173. TheADC171 is connected between thefirst electrode pin1 of theear jack interface170 and thecomparator173. Thecomparator173 compares a voltage delivered through thefirst electrode pin1 with the reference voltage such that a selected user-function may be controlled according to comparison results. For instance, if only the earphone-microphone (EAR-MIC) is connected to thefirst electrode pin1, an input value of thecomparator173 becomes about 1.3V. In this case, an audio signal input through the earphone-microphone (EAR-MIC) may be offered to thecontrol unit160 along a signal path.
• Meanwhile, when any selected key of theearphone input unit220 is activated, a voltage applied to thefirst electrode pin1 through the earphone-microphone terminal M may be dropped under 1.3V due to the resistance of the selected key. Here, the magnitude of a voltage drop may be adjusted through variations in resistance. Also, as discussed above, the respective keys of theearphone input unit220 may have different resistance values. Such resistance values may be adjusted to cause a voltage drop under the reference voltage (e.g., 0.75V) of thecomparator173. When any selected key is activated, a voltage drop occurs and thecomparator173 may offer comparison results depending on such a voltage drop to thecontrol unit160. Therefore, even though thecontrol unit160 does not continuously monitor thecomparator173, thecontrol unit160 can recognize a selected key by detecting the magnitude of a voltage drop output from thecomparator173. The reference voltage of thecomparator173 may be varied according to a designer's intention. Also, the resistance values of the respective keys may be varied according to a designer's intention.
• As discussed hereinbefore, the earphone system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and the mobile device using the earphone system may identify various signals of theearphone input unit220 in theearphone200 when the 4-pole earphone200 is connected, and may control a particular user-function in response to the identified signal. Although theearphone input unit220 is described as having the volume up/down keys and the call/stop keys, this is exemplary only and not to be considered as a limitation of the present invention. Alternatively or additionally, theearphone input unit220 may have any other various keys such as power turn-off key, a search key, etc.
• Now, an exemplary method for operating an earphone system will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are flow diagrams illustrating a method for operating an ear phone system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The following discussion will be focused on a process flow in themobile device100.
• Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, when power is supplied to themobile device100, thecontrol unit160 performs a booting process and initializes the respective elements of themobile device100. Then, based on predefined schedule information, thecontrol unit160 outputs an idle screen on thedisplay unit140 instep501. If the schedule information contains instructions to activate a particular user-function, thecontrol unit160 may activate the user-function in this step according to the schedule information.
• Instep503, thecontrol unit160 may determine whether theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170 of themobile device100, namely whether theearphone header210 is inserted into theear jack interface170. If it is determined instep503 that there is no connection of theearphone200, thecontrol unit160 may activate a selected user-function according to an input signal of theinput unit120 and then, based on theaudio processing unit130, control a processing of audio signals instep505.
• On the other hand, if it is determined instep503 that theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170, thecontrol unit160 may shift current audio output and input paths to new paths based on theearphone200 instep507. Thereafter, thecontrol unit160 may determine whether an input signal for making a call is received from theearphone200 instep509. If so, thecontrol unit160 may try to make a call with the last phone number in a call history and also support a related user-function instep511. Instep512, thecontrol unit160 may determine whether an input signal for stopping a call is received from theearphone200. If so, thecontrol unit160 may return to step509.
• If it is determined instep509 that there is no input signal for making a call, thecontrol unit160 may activate a selected user-function in response to any other input signal instep513.
• Instep515, thecontrol unit160 may determine whether an input signal corresponding to the volume up/down keys is received from theearphone200. If so, thecontrol unit160 may increase or decrease a sound volume of a currently activated user-function instep517. Then thecontrol unit160 may return to step513.
• On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no input signal instep515, thecontrol unit160 may further determine whether theearphone200 is disconnected from theear jack interface170, namely whether theearphone header210 is withdrawn from theear jack interface170 instep519. If it is determined instep519 that there is no disconnection of theearphone200, thecontrol unit160 may return to step513.
• If it is determined instep519 that there is a disconnection of theearphone200, thecontrol unit160 may shift again the audio output and input paths based on theearphone200 to the original paths based on theaudio processing unit130 while keeping a currently activated user-function instep521. Instep523, thecontrol unit160 may determine whether an input signal for inactivating the current user-function is received. If it is determined instep523 that there is no inactivating signal, thecontrol unit160 may return to step521. Alternatively, if it is determined instep523 that there is an inactivating signal for the user-function, thecontrol unit160 may further determine whether an input signal for turning off the mobile device is received instep525. If there is no turn-off signal, thecontrol unit160 may return to theinitial step501.
• Thecontrol unit160 may automatically lock theinput unit120 when theearphone200 is connected. Additionally, when a call request signal is received from the external entity, thecontrol unit160 may deliver a related signal to theearphone200. Also, when a call acceptance signal is received from theearphone200, thecontrol unit160 may perform a function to make a call and then form audio paths based on theearphone200.
• As discussed above, an interrupt occurs whenever themobile device100 receives any input signal from theearphone200. Since thecontrol unit160 can recognize the creation of a specific input signal from the occurrence of an interrupt, themobile device100 does not require a continuous monitoring for determining the creation of input signals by theearphone200. Therefore, unnecessary power consumption is reduced.
• According to the above-discussed method for operating the earphone system, when theearphone200 is connected to theear jack interface170, themobile device100 can activate or inactivate a particular user-function or control options of the activated user-function in response to an input signal of theearphone200.
• The above-discussedmobile device100 may essentially or selectively include any other elements. For instance, themobile device100 may further include a short range communication module, a digital camera module, a wired or wireless data transmission interface, an Internet access module, a digital broadcast receiving module, and so forth. According to a digital convergence tendency, such elements may be varied, modified and improved in various ways, and any other elements equivalent to the above elements may be additionally or alternatively equipped in themobile device100. Meanwhile, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, some of the above-mentioned elements in themobile device100 may be omitted or replaced with another.
• Additionally, themobile device100 of this invention may include any type of electronic devices that has theear jack interface170. For instance, themobile device100 may include communication devices, multimedia players and their application equipment, especially including many mobile communication terminals based on various communication protocols, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a digital broadcasting player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a music player (e.g., an MP3 player), a portable game console, a smart phone, a notebook, a handheld personal computer, etc.
• While this invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic device comprising:

a speaker;

an interface to electrically connect with an external output device and receive an electric signal with the external output device;

memory to store a content and a plurality of applications including a first application and a second application, the first application to reproduce the content via the speaker or the external output device, the second application to control a user function corresponding to the external output device based at least in part on the electric signal; and

a processor adapted to:

determine whether the electronic device is coupled with the external output device via the interface based at least in part on the electric signal,

form an audio path to include the interface and the external output device, based at least in part on the determining, and

activate the second application in relation with the forming of the audio path.

2. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

present a notification indicative of the coupling between the electronic device and the external output device.

3. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

present a notification indicative of the activation of the second application.

4. The electronic device ofclaim 1,

wherein the interface comprises a plurality of contacts, and

wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive, via a specified one of the plurality of contacts, an input signal corresponding to an user input received with respect to the external output device, as at least part of the electric signal, and

identify, using the second application, the user function based at least in part on a determination that the input signal corresponds to a specified value.

5. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

identify, using the second application, the user function based at least in part on the electric signal, and

execute the user function while the content is reproduced using the first application.

6. The electronic device ofclaim 5, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

determine, using the second application, the user function based at least in part on a type of the electric signal, as at least part of the identifying.

7. The electronic device ofclaim 6, further comprising:

wireless communication circuitry to establish a communication connection with an external electronic device,

wherein the processor is further adapted to:

determine, as the user function, a first user function to download the content from the external electronic device using the wireless communication circuitry, based at least in part on a determination that the type of the electric signal corresponds to a first type, and

determine, as the user function, a second user function to share the content with the external electronic device using the wireless communication circuitry, based at least in part on a determination that the type of the electric signal corresponds to a second type.

8. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

identify a first user function to change a volume of an audio being reproduced via the external output device or a second user function to change the content to be reproduced via the external output device, as at least part of the user function.

9. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

identify a volume-up, a volume-down, a play, a pause, a favorite, a share, or a download, as at least part of the user function.

10. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

identify an earphone, an earset, a headset, or an external speaker, as at least part of the external output device.

11. An electronic device comprising:

a display;

a speaker;

an interface to electrically connect with an external output device and receive an electric signal with the external output device;

memory to store a content and a plurality of applications including a first application and a second application, the first application to reproduce the content via the speaker or the external output device, the second application to control a user function corresponding to the external output device based at least in part on the electric signal; and

a processor adapted to:

determine whether the electronic device is coupled with the external output device via the interface based at least in part on the electric signal,

present, via the display, a notification indicative of the coupling between the electronic device and the external output device based at least in part on the determining, and

activate the second application in response to the coupling between the electronic device and the external output device.

12. The electronic device ofclaim 11, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

present, via the display, another notification indicative of the activation of the second application.

13. The electronic device ofclaim 11,

wherein the interface comprises a plurality of contacts, and

wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive, via a specified one of the plurality of contacts, an input signal corresponding to an user input received with respect to the external output device, as at least part of the electric signal, and

identify, using the second application, the user function based at least in part on a determination that the input signal corresponds to a specified value.

14. The electronic device ofclaim 11, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

identify, using the second application, the user function based at least in part on the electric signal, and

execute the user function while the content is reproduced using the first application.

15. The electronic device ofclaim 14, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

determine, using the second application, the user function based at least in part on a type of the electric signal, as at least part of the identifying.

16. The electronic device ofclaim 15, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

determine, as the user function, a first user function to forward the content to be reproduced via the external output device, based at least in part on a determination that the type of the electric signal corresponds to a first type, and

determine, as the user function, a second user function to backward the content to be reproduced via the external output device, based at least in part on a determination that the type of the electric signal corresponds to a second type.

17. The electronic device ofclaim 11, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

identify a first user function to change a volume of an audio being reproduced via the external output device or a second user function to change the content to be reproduced via the external output device, as at least part of the user function.

18. The electronic device ofclaim 11, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

present an icon, an image, or a text, as at least part of the notification.

19. An electronic device comprising:

a display;

a speaker;

an interface to electrically connect with an external output device and receive an electric signal with the external output device;

memory to store a content and a plurality of applications including a first application and a second application, the first application to reproduce the content via the speaker or the external output device, the second application to control a user function corresponding to the external output device based at least in part on the electric signal; and

a processor adapted to:

present, via the display, a user interface corresponding to the first application,

reproduce, via the speaker, the content in response to a user input with respect to the user interface,

determine whether the electronic device is coupled with the external output device via the interface based at least in part on the electric signal,

present, via the display, a notification indicative of the coupling between the electronic device and the external output device based at least in part on the determining,

reproduce, via the external output device, the content based at least in part on the determining, and

activate the second application in response to the coupling between the electronic device and the external output device.

20. The electronic device ofclaim 19, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

identify, using the second application, the user function based at least in part on the electric signal, and

execute the user function while the content is reproduced using the first application.

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