Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-14
2001-11-20
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral configuration
C710S018000, C381S081000, C381S085000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321278
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer systems, and more specifically, to providing an audio signal to headphones, internal loudspeakers or external loudspeakers using a combination jack.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multimedia capabilities are an important feature in today's computer system. As processor capabilities are improving in each generation of new computer systems, so are the needs for providing sights and sounds to the user.
Today's computer systems from the personal computer to workstations run the gamut of software applications. Software applications such as games, word processing, finance, computer aided design (CAD) and communications may be installed on one computer. Thus, users demand hi-resolution graphics display and/or high quality sound reproduction capabilities for these applications.
To meet the demands, computer manufacturers are building larger monitors, better video controllers, and improved sound devices. The sound devices provide electrical signals to headphones or loudspeakers for sound reproduction. Furthermore, the computer system may allow users to listen to sounds either with headphones, internal loudspeakers, or external loudspeakers.
Typically, sounds are reproduced by the internal loudspeaker. However, for personal listening, a user may plug the headphones into the computer system headphone jack. Typically, computer systems have switching circuitry which disables the internal loudspeakers when a headphone plug is inserted into the headphone jack. Thus, the user may enjoy the sounds and not disturb others via the internal loudspeakers.
Furthermore, if the user plugs the external loudspeakers into the line-out jack of the computer system, the computer system's switching circuitry disables the internal loudspeakers. External loudspeakers typically provide better audio performance than internal speakers. Therefore, to prevent interference with the external loudspeakers, the switching circuitry disables the internal loudspeakers.
Typical computer systems use many different jacks for accepting a wide range of input/output (I/O) devices, such as a headphone, external loudspeaker, a joystick, and a MIDI device, such as a musical keyboard. Some prior jacks have included switching circuitry. The switch would be in a particular position based on whether a plug is inserted or not inserted into the jack. These jacks allow engineers to design circuits for routing audio signals to an output, based on whether a plug is inserted into a particular jack. The jacks typically provide enabling signals based on whether a plug is inserted. Recently, a combination jack, incorporating the different jacks in a single package for the different I/O's, has begun to be used in an attempt to provide a low cost standard for the industry.
However, the combination jack does not provide the audio enabling/disabling capabilities. Therefore, computer design is faced with two conflicting concerns. A jack with switching capability, but not compatible with the combination jack could be used to allow the routing of audio signals to a headphone internal loudspeakers or external loudspeakers under varying use conditions. However, this type of jack is not in conformance with the desired features of the combination jack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a computer system audio circuit is provided to route audio signals to various audio transducers of a computer system, such as an internal loudspeaker, headphone or external loudspeakers. To avoid interference, the internal loudspeaker of the computer system is disconnected when either the headphone or external loudspeakers are connected into their respective audio jacks. Otherwise, audio emanates from the internal loudspeaker.
The audio circuit is connected to a combination game/musical instrument digital interface (MIDI)/Iine-in/line-out/headphone jack. When a headphone is connected to the headphone jack, the jack disconnects an audio left and right signal from a sound device of the computer system to its internal loudspeaker. Further, when the external loudspeakers are connected to the combination jack, the audio circuit disconnects the audio left and right signal from the sound device to the internal loudspeaker.
Also, according to the present invention, a circuit provides an out of band (ultrasonic) signal through the combination jack to an out of band detector switch. When a plug is not inserted to the jack, the out of band detector switch senses the ultrasonic signal and couples a sound device to an internal loudspeaker. When a plug is inserted into the jack, the jack decouples the ultrasonic signal and out of band detector switch. The detector switch then decouples the soundcard and internal loudspeaker.
Further, according to the invention, the audio circuit is impervious to load impedances. Thus, the circuit can accommodate and drive transducers with typical variable impedances ranging from 100K to 500K ohms.
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Collins David L.
Phu Hung Q.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld & LLP
Cao Chun
Compaq Computer Corporation
Lee Thomas
LandOfFree
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