Earphone Interface MIC Bias Voltage Control for Loose Insertion Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices often detect earphone insertion incorrectly due to loose insertion, leading to periodic noise and erroneous operations, as the sense pin receives conflicting signals from the SPK_L terminal and MIC_Bias terminal, causing repeated detection of insertion and non-insertion states.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that apply a voltage to the MIC_BIAS terminal when an earplug is inserted, continuing to apply it if loose insertion is detected, and outputting a notification through a display or sound to inform the user, preventing noise generation and erroneous operations by maintaining the voltage until the earplug is fully inserted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sense pin is used to detect earphone insertion, then the insertion state can be detected, but periodic noise and erroneous operations occur when the earplug is loosely inserted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearphone insertion detection accuracyVSAvoidperiodic noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies voltage to the MIC_BIAS terminal before detecting earphone insertion to prevent floating voltage from causing erroneous detection. By performing this preliminary action, the system eliminates the root cause of periodic noise generation while maintaining accurate insertion detection through the sense pin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the voltage is applied to the MIC_BIAS terminal to check microphone insertion, then the microphone detection function is enabled, but the voltage floats and is applied to the SPK_L terminal causing detection errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrophone detection functionVSAvoidearphone insertion detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a detection mechanism that checks whether the MIC terminal is properly connected before applying voltage to the MIC_BIAS terminal. This intermediary step prevents the voltage from floating and being incorrectly applied to the SPK_L terminal, thereby maintaining both microphone detection capability and earphone insertion detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the earplug is loosely inserted, then the user can quickly access the device, but the sense pin receives conflicting signals causing repeated detection of insertion and non-insertion states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick earphone accessVSAvoidinsertion state detection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the detection state and identifies when the earplug is loosely inserted based on conflicting signals from the sense pin. The system then provides user feedback through notifications to prompt proper insertion, thereby maintaining detection stability while allowing quick access when properly inserted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2645737B1Apparatus and method for interfacing earphone

Publication Date: 2016.12.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An apparatus and method for interfacing with an earphone are provided. The method includes checking if the earphone is uninstalled promptly after the connection of the earphone is sensed in an external port and if it is sensed that the earphone is uninstalled, continuing to apply a voltage to a MIC_BIAS terminal. The generation of a noise of the MIC_BIAS terminal caused by applying of a periodic voltage resulted from loose insertion of the earphone is prevented.