Apparatus and method for automatically detecting presence of external device in mobile terminal
AssigneePantech & Curitel Communications, Inc.
InventorsKil-Ho Jeong, Cheul-Hong Kim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an apparatus and method for automatically detecting the presence of an external device in a port of a mobile terminal, the external device is automatically enabled without the additional operation of the mobile terminal when plugged into a jack. The mobile terminal may be safeguarded against severe damage being done thereto by mistakenly choosing options to enable an external device while an earphone/microphone set is plugged in the jack of a mobile terminal.
Claims6
An apparatus for automatically detecting the presence of an external device in a port of a mobile terminal, comprising:
- a connection unit to electrically connect an external device to the mobile terminal, and to send level information according to a type of external device connected to the mobile terminal, wherein the level information has a different voltage level according to the type of connected external device;
- a switch end to identify that the external device is electrically connected to the connection unit if the switch end is open;
- a sensor to determine the type of external device electrically connected to the connection unit according to the voltage level of the level information and to generate an indication signal containing a determination result;
- a main processor to generate a control signal to control the external device according to the indication signal;
- and
- an external device controller to control the external device, if the external device is connected to the mobile terminal, by receiving the control signal from the main processor,
- wherein the external device controller enables the connected external device automatically if the external device is connected to the connection unit.
A method for automatically detecting the presence of an external device in a port of a mobile terminal, comprising:
- detecting that a switch end is in an open position to indicate that the external device is connected to the mobile terminal, and obtaining level information from a connection unit, wherein the level information has a different voltage level according to a type of connected external device;
- determining the type of external device electrically connected to the connection unit according to the voltage level of the level information;
- and
- enabling an external device control unit if the external device is electrically connected to the connection unit.
An apparatus for automatically detecting the presence of an external device in a port of a mobile terminal, comprising:
- a connection unit to electrically connect an external device to the mobile terminal;
- a sensor to determine whether the external device is electrically connected to the connection unit according to an open-closed status of a switch end;
- a send/end controller to check a level information of the connection unit and pass the level information to a main processor according to sensing of the sensor, wherein the level information has a different voltage level according to a type of connected external device;
- an external device controller to control the external device, if the external device is connected to the mobile terminal, by receiving the control signal from the main processor;
- and
- the main processor to generate a control signal to control the external device according to the level information if the external device is electrically connected to the connection unit.
A method for automatically detecting the presence of an external device in a port of a mobile terminal, comprising:
- determining if a switch end of a connection unit has an open status;
- checking a level information of the connection unit, wherein the level information has a different voltage level according to a type of connected external device;
- determining the type of external device electrically connected to the connection unit according to the voltage level of the level information;
- and
- enabling an external device controller if the external device is electrically connected to the connection unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.