Method and system for automatically detecting and powering PC speakers
US7099481B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R5/04
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of powering an audio output device of a computer system, by determining whether a passive or active audio output device is connected to an audio output jack of the computer system and, based on this determination, providing an appropriate power level to the audio output jack. For example, if the determination is made that a passive audio output device is connected to the audio output jack, then a 3-watt power signal is applied to the audio output jack, but if the determination is made that an active audio output device is connected to the audio output jack, then a ¼-watt power signal is applied to the audio output jack. The type of audio output device present may be determined by sensing an impedance at the audio output jack. This sensing may be performed by comparing a load voltage associated with the impedance to a reference voltage. The output of a switch device (multiplexer) having a first input from an AC97 audio codec and headphone amplifier and a second input from a passive speaker amplifier is selectively controlled by the sensing circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.