Type-C Earphone Pull-Up Circuit for Pop-Free Insertion Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices with USB Type-C interfaces struggle to differentiate between normal and reverse insertion of earphones, leading to POP sounds and functional issues such as impaired audio and button functionality.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a controller and pull-up circuit connected to the Type-C interface, which adjusts resistance values to identify earphone insertion type by controlling the pull-up circuit's access resistance to different values during and after insertion, disconnecting the audio path during identification to suppress POP sounds without altering the original identification logic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the left and right channels of the earphone are disconnected to eliminate the POP sound, then the POP sound is suppressed, but the electronic device cannot normally recognize normal/reverse insertion of the earphone

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePOP soundVSAvoidinsertion recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification process into two distinct phases: a first identification phase using a first identification method that does not require audio path connection, and a second identification phase using a second identification method that requires audio path connection. This allows the system to perform insertion detection without being blocked by the POP sound issue, while still maintaining the ability to recognize insertion direction when audio paths are connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing the first identification phase before establishing the audio path connection. The controller performs preliminary identification using the first identification method (which does not depend on audio path connection status) before the audio path is fully established, allowing insertion recognition to occur even when the audio path is disconnected to prevent POP sounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the audio path is disconnected to suppress POP sound, then the harmful sound is eliminated, but button functionality becomes abnormal

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePOP soundVSAvoidbutton functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification methods into two independent approaches: the first identification method that works regardless of audio path connection status, and the second identification method that requires audio path connection. This segmentation allows the system to maintain button functionality through the first identification method while suppressing POP sounds by disconnecting the audio path during the second identification phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the pull-up circuit as an intermediary component that enables the first identification method to function independently of the audio path connection status. The pull-up circuit provides the necessary electrical path for detection without requiring the audio path to be connected, thus serving as a mediator that allows insertion recognition to proceed even when the audio path is disconnected for POP sound suppression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the pull-up circuit access resistance is adjusted to enable identification, then insertion recognition is improved, but the original identification logic may be altered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion recognition accuracyVSAvoididentification logic complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification logic into two independent methods with different requirements. The first identification method uses the pull-up circuit with adjusted access resistance and does not require audio path connection, while the second identification method uses the original logic and requires audio path connection. This segmentation allows the system to maintain both simple and complex identification approaches without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the pull-up circuit access resistance adjustable rather than fixed. The controller can dynamically change the access resistance value of the pull-up circuit based on the identification phase, allowing the system to optimize for different identification methods without permanently altering the original identification logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively identifies normal/reverse earphone insertion, suppresses POP sounds, and maintains original button functionality by adjusting resistance values in the pull-up circuit, ensuring accurate identification and normal operation.

Implementation Method 1

The controller is configured to control an access resistance value of the pull-up circuit to be a first resistance value, and identify normal/reverse insertion of the earphone based on a voltage at the MIC pin of the Type-C interface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4297430B1Electronic device, pull-up circuit, and method for inhibiting pop sound of earphones
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4297430B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4297430B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4297430B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

This application relates to the technical field of circuits, and provides an electronic device, a pull-up circuit, and a method for suppressing a POP sound of an earphone. The electronic device includes a controller, a pull-up circuit, and a Type-C interface. An output terminal of the pull-up circuit is configured to be connected to a Type-C plug of the earphone through a MIC pin of the Type-C interface. The controller is configured to control the electronic device to be disconnected from an audio path of the earphone, control an access resistance value of the pull-up circuit to be a first resistance value, and identify normal/reverse insertion of the earphone based on a voltage of the MIC pin of the Type-C interface when the earphone is inserted into the Type-C interface of the electronic device through the Type-C plug. The controller is further configured to control the access resistance value of the pull-up circuit to be a second resistance value after the identification is completed, and the first resistance value is greater than the second resistance value. In this way, the electronic device can normally identify normal/reverse insertion of the earphone while eliminating the POP sound when the earphone is reversely inserted.