Type-C USB Audio Accessory Impedance and Channel Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current type C USB technology only supports audio signal transmission from a single microphone, leading to unsatisfied user requirements for high audio quality and excessive impedance, which results in lowered audio quality.
Innovation Solution
The electronic accessory apparatus includes a type C USB connector with multiple data pin sets and ground pins, coupled with switch circuits and a channel selector to lower impedance and increase transmission channels for audio signals, allowing improved audio signal quality through coordinated operation of switch circuits and grounding management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only a single microphone is supported in type C USB audio signal transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the audio quality cannot satisfy user requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio transmission system by separating audio input and audio output signal paths, with the audio input terminal supporting multiple microphones (first, second, third microphones) and the audio output terminal supporting multiple headphones. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each path, enabling high-quality audio transmission without excessive overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The type C USB connector is designed with multi-functionality to support both audio input (from multiple microphones) and audio output (to multiple headphones) through the same physical interface. The connector universally handles different signal types and configurations, allowing a single device to achieve high-quality audio in both directions without requiring separate specialized connectors.
2Reliability
If the equivalent impedance of audio signal transmission channels is excessively high, then the device complexity is reduced, but the audio quality is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic impedance matching through switch circuits that can adjust the equivalent impedance of transmission channels based on operational requirements. The switch circuits dynamically connect different ground pins (first ground pin, second ground pin) and transmission lines to optimize impedance levels, ensuring low equivalent impedance for high-quality audio transmission while maintaining manageable device complexity through controlled switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (impedance, grounding configuration) of the audio transmission channels by utilizing multiple ground pins and switch circuits. By adjusting which ground pins are connected and how transmission lines are configured, the system optimizes the equivalent impedance parameter to be sufficiently low for high-quality audio while avoiding excessive complexity through selective parameter adjustment rather than fixed complex circuitry.
3Reliability
If multiple microphones are required for high quality audio, then the audio quality is improved, but the type C USB which only supports single microphone transmission cannot satisfy user requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the type C USB interface by utilizing multiple ground pins (first ground pin, second ground pin) in addition to the data pins. This dimensional expansion of the connector's functionality enables support for multiple microphones and complex audio configurations while maintaining compatibility with the standard type C USB form factor, thus improving both audio quality and compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces switch circuits as intermediary components between the multiple microphones and the type C USB connector. These switch circuits mediate the connection, allowing selective routing of signals from different microphones through the connector's multiple pin sets. This intermediary layer enables multi-microphone support and high-quality audio transmission while maintaining compatibility with the type C USB interface standards.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic accessory apparatus and audible signal transmission method thereof are provided. The electronic accessory apparatus includes a type C USB connector, a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, a grounding switch circuit and a first channel selector. The type C USB connector has a plurality of data pin sets, a first ground pin, and a second ground pin. The first switch circuit transports a data signal set or an audible output signal set to a first selected data pin set according to a first control signal. The second switch circuit transports the audible output signal set to the first selected data pin set according to the first control signal. The grounding switch circuit is turned on or cut off according to a second control signal. The first channel selector sets a signal transmission relation between the first audible input signal set and the first and second ground pins.