Portable terminal with multipurpose earjack

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to an application entitled “Multipurpose Earjack” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 16, 2002 and assigned Serial No. 2002-80312, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to a portable terminal, and in particular, to a portable terminal having a multipurpose earjack in which various external accessories can be plugged to perform multimedia functions, and a method for controlling the same.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art As various functions are added to a portable terminal, the portable terminal can perform various new functions in addition to the existing call function. Currently, users can add external accessories such as an external camera and an MP3 player to the portable terminal.

[0005] However, a conventional 3-pole or 4-pole earjack used in the portable terminal is specialized for a particular function. Therefore, users could not use various external accessories such as a stereo earphone and an external camera with the portable terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a potable terminal having a multipurpose earjack in which various external accessories can be plugged to perform multimedia functions, and a method for controlling the same.

[0007] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a portable terminal connectable to various external accessories. The potable terminal comprises an earjack in which the external accessories can be plugged; an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) section for converting a resistance value of an external accessory plugged in the earjack into an ADC value; a memory for storing ADC values of the external accessories; and a controller for converting a resistance value of the external accessory plugged in the earjack into an ADC value by controlling the ADC section, determining what type of external accessory plugged in the earjack by comparing the converted ADC value with the ADC values stored in the memory, and performing a function of the plugged-in external accessory via a corresponding pin of the earjack.

[0008] To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a method for controlling a portable terminal connectable to various external accessories. The method comprises the steps of: detecting a resistance value of an external accessory plugged in an earjack when the external accessory is plugged in the earjack; converting the resistance value into an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) value; determining what type of external accessory plugged in the earjack based on the converted ADC value; and performing a function of the plugged-in external accessory via a corresponding pin of the earjack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portable terminal having a multipurpose earjack according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the multipurpose earjack of FIG. 1;and

[0012]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a portable terminal having a multipurpose earjack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. A detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein has been omitted for conciseness.

[0014] The present invention provides a multipurpose earjack in which various external accessories can be attached to or plugged into to perform their functions. In an embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the earjack has 10 pins. However, the number of pins of the earjack is not limited to 10, but can be increased according to the number of external accessories to be plugged therein.

[0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a portable terminal having a multipurpose earjack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the multipurpose earjack of FIG. 1.

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an earjack <b>40</b> switches a voice call signal to an earphone when the earphone (not shown) is inserted. In contrast, the earjack <b>40</b> switches the voice call signal to a speaker when the earphone is removed. The 10-pin earjack <b>40</b> according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a ground pin <b>1</b>, microphone pins #<b>2</b> and #<b>3</b>, speaker pins #<b>4</b> and #<b>5</b>, which also act as a received data pin and transmit data pin, respectively, an interrupt pin #<b>6</b>, an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) pin #<b>7</b>, a serial clock pin #<b>8</b>, which also acts as a trigger pin, a serial data pin #<b>9</b>, and a power input pin #<b>10</b>.

[0017] The interrupt pin #<b>6</b> generates an interrupt signal when an external accessory is inserted into the earjack <b>40</b>, and the analog-to-digital conversion pin #<b>7</b> is used in reading a resistance value of the external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>.

[0018] The received data pin #<b>4</b> receives data, and enables an external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> to perform a data reception function. Here, the external accessory can be an external camera, an external camera with a flash, and/or a Bluetooth module. The transmit data pin #<b>5</b> transmits data, and enables an external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> to perform a data transmission function. Likewise, the external accessory can be an external camera, an external camera with a flash, and/or a Bluetooth module.

[0019] The serial clock pin #<b>8</b> and the serial data pin #<b>9</b> are pins for performing data communication, and enable an external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> to perform a data communication function. Here, the external accessory can be an FM stereo earphone (EP) and an MP3 player. The trigger pin #<b>8</b> performs a flash function, and enables an external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> to perform the flash function. An external accessory such as an external flash can be plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>.

[0020] Under the control of the controller <b>10</b>, an ADC section <b>20</b> converts a resistance value of an external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> into an ADC value. A memory <b>29</b> can be comprised of a program memory and a data memory. The program memory stores programs for controlling a general operation of the portable terminal and programs capable of enabling a plurality of external accessories to perform their functions via the earjack <b>40</b> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data memory temporarily stores data generated during execution of the programs. The memory <b>29</b> stores a table including ADC values of accessories to be plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>.

[0021] A power supply <b>50</b> provides electric power to the external accessories that are attached to the earjack <b>40</b>. Under the control of the controller <b>10</b>, a regulator <b>70</b> provides a voltage output from the power supply <b>50</b> to an external accessory that requires a constant voltage. The external accessory receiving a constant voltage from the regulator <b>70</b> includes an FM stereo earphone, an MP3 player, an external camera, and a Bluetooth module. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the accessories listed are examples, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the accessories listed.

[0022] The controller <b>10</b> controls the overall operation of the portable terminal. When an external accessory is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>, generating an interrupt signal, the controller <b>10</b> controls the ADC section <b>20</b> so that it converts a resistance value of an external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> into an ADC value. In addition, the controller <b>10</b> compares the ADC value of the external accessory, converted by the ADC section <b>20</b>, with ADC values of external accessories, stored in the memory <b>29</b>, to determine the type of external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>, and performs the corresponding function.

[0023] A description will now be made of an operation in which external accessories perform their functions through the earjack <b>40</b> of the portable terminal. If an external accessory is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>, generating an interrupt signal, then the controller <b>10</b> converts a resistance value of the plugged-in external accessory into an ADC value by controlling the ADC section <b>20</b>. The controller <b>10</b> compares the ADC value of the external accessory with the table stored in the memory <b>29</b> to determine a type of the plugged-in external accessory, and performs the corresponding function.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a portable terminal having a multipurpose earjack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Table 1 below illustrates external accessories that can be plugged in a 10-pin earjack <b>40</b>, and pins of the earjack <b>40</b> which are used when the external accessories are plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>. <tables id="TABLE-US-00001" num="1"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0" pgwide="1"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="9"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="42PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="42PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><thead><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center">TABLE 1</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>FM</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>External</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>normal</entry><entry>stereo</entry><entry>stereo</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>External</entry><entry>External</entry><entry>Camera</entry></row><row><entry>PIN</entry><entry>EP</entry><entry>EP</entry><entry>EP</entry><entry>MP3</entry><entry>Flash</entry><entry>Camera</entry><entry>with Flash</entry><entry>Bluetooth</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row>&lt;entry /&gt;</row></tbody></tgroup><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="9"><colspec colname="1" colwidth="21PT" align="char" char="." /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="28PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="28PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="4" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="5" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="6" colwidth="42PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="7" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="8" colwidth="42PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="9" colwidth="35PT" align="left" /><tbody valign="top"><row><entry>1</entry><entry>GND</entry><entry>GND</entry><entry>GND</entry><entry>GND</entry><entry>GND</entry><entry>GND</entry><entry>GND</entry><entry>GND</entry></row><row><entry>2</entry><entry>MIC+</entry><entry>MIC+</entry><entry>MIC+</entry><entry>MIC+</entry></row><row><entry>3</entry><entry>MIC−</entry><entry>MIC−</entry><entry>MIC−</entry><entry>MIC−</entry></row><row><entry>4</entry><entry>SPK+</entry><entry>SPK-R</entry><entry>SPK-R</entry><entry>SPK-R</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>RXD</entry><entry>RXD</entry><entry>RXD</entry></row><row><entry>5</entry><entry>SPK−</entry><entry>SPK-L</entry><entry>SPK-L</entry><entry>SPK-L</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>TXD</entry><entry>TXD</entry><entry>TXD</entry></row><row><entry>6</entry><entry>INT</entry><entry>INT</entry><entry>INT</entry><entry>INT</entry><entry>INT</entry><entry>INT</entry><entry>INT</entry><entry>INT</entry></row><row><entry>7</entry><entry>ADC</entry><entry>ADC</entry><entry>ADC</entry><entry>ADC</entry><entry>ADC</entry><entry>ADC</entry><entry>ADC</entry><entry>ADC</entry></row><row><entry>8</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>SCL</entry><entry>SCL</entry><entry>TRIGGER</entry></row><row><entry>9</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>SDA</entry><entry>SDA</entry></row><row><entry>10</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>3V</entry><entry>3V</entry><entry>BATTERY</entry><entry>3V</entry><entry>BATTERY</entry><entry>3V</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>SUPPLY</entry><entry>SUPPLY</entry><entry>SUPPLY</entry><entry>SUPPLY</entry><entry>SUUPLY</entry><entry>SUPPLY</entry></row><row><entry namest="1" nameend="9" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

[0026] Table 2 below illustrates resistance values of external accessories, stored in the memory <b>29</b>, and ADC values corresponding to the resistance values according to an embodiment of the present invention. <tables id="TABLE-US-00002" num="2"><table frame="none" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><tgroup align="left" colsep="0" rowsep="0" cols="4"><colspec colname="OFFSET" colwidth="14PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="1" colwidth="91PT" align="left" /><colspec colname="2" colwidth="56PT" align="center" /><colspec colname="3" colwidth="56PT" align="center" /><thead><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry namest="OFFSET" nameend="3" align="center">TABLE 2</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry namest="OFFSET" nameend="3" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>External Accessory</entry><entry>Resistance Value</entry><entry>ADC Value</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry namest="OFFSET" nameend="3" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></thead><tbody valign="top"><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>normal EP</entry><entry>1 KΩ</entry><entry> 1˜10</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>stereo EP</entry><entry>2 KΩ</entry><entry>11˜20</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>FM stereo EP</entry><entry>3 KΩ</entry><entry>21˜30</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>MP3</entry><entry>4 KΩ</entry><entry>31˜40</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>External Flash</entry><entry>5 KΩ</entry><entry>41˜50</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>External Camera</entry><entry>6 KΩ</entry><entry>51˜60</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>External Camera with Flash</entry><entry>7 KΩ</entry><entry>61˜70</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>Bluetooth</entry><entry>8 KΩ</entry><entry>71˜80</entry></row><row>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry namest="OFFSET" nameend="3" align="center" rowsep="1" /></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

[0027] With reference to FIGS. <b>1</b> to <b>3</b> and Tables 1 and 2, a detailed description will now be made of a method for controlling a portable terminal with a multipurpose earjack <b>40</b> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] When a stereo earphone is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>, an interrupt signal is generated via a pin #<b>6</b>, or an interrupt pin INT, of the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>100</b>, the controller <b>10</b> detects the interrupt signal and determines that an external accessory is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>101</b>, the controller <b>10</b> reads a resistance value 2 KΩ of the stereo earphone via a pin #<b>7</b>, or an analog-to-digital conversion pin ADC, of the earjack <b>40</b>. Thereafter, in step <b>102</b>, the controller <b>10</b> converts the resistance value 2 KΩ of the stereo earphone into an ADC value by controlling the ADC section <b>20</b>. If the ADC value of the stereo earphone is <b>20</b>, the controller <b>10</b> searches the table (shown in Table 2) stored in the memory <b>29</b> for an external accessory having an ADC value of <b>20</b> in step <b>103</b>, detecting that the external accessory currently plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is a stereo earphone. After detecting that the external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is a stereo earphone, the controller <b>10</b> controls in step <b>104</b> a microphone port (MIC+and MIC−) thereof so as to perform a microphone function via a pin #<b>2</b> and a pin #<b>3</b>, or microphone pins MIC+and MIC−of the earjack <b>40</b>. In addition, the controller <b>10</b> controls a speaker port (SPK+and SPK−) thereof so as to perform a speaker function via a pin #<b>4</b> and a pin #<b>5</b>, or speaker pins SPK+and SPK−.

[0029] Alternatively an example using different values can be provided. For example, when an MP3 player is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>, an interrupt signal is generated via the pin #<b>6</b>, or the interrupt pin INT, of the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>100</b>, the controller <b>10</b> detects the interrupt signal and determines that an external accessory is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>101</b>, the controller <b>10</b> reads a resistance value 4 KΩ of the MP3 player via the pin #<b>7</b>, or the analog-to-digital conversion pin ADC, of the earjack <b>40</b>. Thereafter, in step <b>102</b>, the controller <b>10</b> converts the resistance value 4 KΩ of the MP3 player into an ADC value by controlling the ADC section <b>20</b>. If the ADC value of the MP3 player is <b>35</b>, the controller <b>10</b> searches the table stored in the memory <b>29</b> for an external accessory having an ADC value of <b>35</b> in step <b>103</b>, detecting that the external accessory currently plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is an MP3 player. After detecting that the external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is an MP3 player, the controller <b>10</b> controls in step <b>104</b> the microphone port (MIC+and MIC−) thereof so as to perform a microphone function via the pin #<b>2</b> and the pin #<b>3</b>, or the microphone pins MIC+and MIC−of the earjack <b>40</b>. In addition, the controller <b>10</b> controls the speaker port (SPK+and SPK−) thereof so as to perform a speaker function via the pin #<b>4</b> and the pin #<b>5</b>, or the speaker pins SPK+and SPK−. Moreover, the controller <b>10</b> controls data communication ports SCL and SDA thereof so as to perform data communication via a pin #<b>8</b> and a pin #<b>9</b>, or a serial clock pin SCL and a serial data pin SDA. Further, the controller <b>10</b> provides electric power from the power supply <b>50</b> to the regulator <b>70</b> via a switch port SW (not shown) by turning on a switch <b>60</b>. The regulator <b>70</b> then provides a constant voltage of 3V to the MP3 player via a pin #<b>10</b> of the earjack <b>40</b> so that the MP3 player can operate.

[0030] By way of another example, when an external flash is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>, an interrupt signal is generated via the pin #<b>6</b>, or the interrupt pin INT, of the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>100</b>, the controller <b>10</b> detects the interrupt signal and determines that an external accessory is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>101</b>, the controller <b>10</b> reads a resistance value 5 KΩ of the external flash via the pin #<b>7</b>, or the analog-to-digital conversion pin ADC, of the earjack <b>40</b>. Thereafter, in step <b>102</b>, the controller <b>10</b> converts the resistance value 5 KΩ of the external flash into an ADC value by controlling the ADC section <b>20</b>. If the ADC value of the external flash is <b>45</b>, the controller <b>10</b> searches the table stored in the memory <b>29</b> for an external accessory having an ADC value of <b>45</b> in step <b>103</b>, detecting that the external accessory currently plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is an external flash. After sensing that the external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is an external flash, the controller <b>10</b> controls in step <b>104</b> a flash port TRIGGER thereof so as to perform a flash function via a pin #<b>8</b>, or a trigger pin TRIGGER of the earjack <b>40</b>. At the same time, the controller <b>10</b> provides electric power from the power supply <b>50</b> to the external flash via the pin #<b>10</b> of the earjack <b>40</b> so that the external flash performs a corresponding function.

[0031] In still another example, when an external camera with a flash is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>, an interrupt signal is generated via the pin #<b>6</b>, or the interrupt pin INT, of the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>100</b>, the controller <b>10</b> detects the interrupt signal and determines that an external accessory is plugged in the earjack <b>40</b>. In step <b>101</b>, the controller <b>10</b> reads a resistance value 7 KΩ of the external camera with a flash via the pin #<b>7</b>, or the analog-to-digital conversion pin ADC, of the earjack <b>40</b>. Thereafter, in step <b>102</b>, the controller <b>10</b> converts the resistance value 7 KΩ of the external camera with a flash into an ADC value by controlling the ADC section <b>20</b>. If the ADC value of the external camera with a flash is <b>70</b>, the controller <b>10</b> searches the table stored in the memory <b>29</b> for an external accessory having an ADC value of <b>70</b> in step <b>103</b>, detecting that the external accessory currently plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is an external camera with a flash. After detecting that the external accessory plugged in the earjack <b>40</b> is an external camera with a flash, the controller <b>10</b> controls in step <b>104</b> a received data port RXD thereof so as to perform a data reception function via a pin #<b>4</b>, or a received data pin RXD of the earjack <b>40</b>. At the same time, the controller <b>10</b> controls a transmit data port TXD thereof so as to perform a data transmission function via a pin #<b>5</b>, or a transmit data pin TXD. In addition, the controller <b>10</b> provides electric power from the power supply <b>50</b> to the external camera with a flash via the pin #<b>10</b> of the earjack <b>40</b> so that the external camera with flash performs a corresponding function.

[0032] The multipurpose earjack <b>40</b> according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various external accessories such as a cellular phone, a Personal Communications Service (PCS) phone, a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) phone, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

[0033] As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, the embodiment of the present invention can implement multimedia functions of various external accessories with one portable terminal having a multipurpose earjack, meeting various users' demands.

[0034] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain embodiment 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.