Electronic device and control method thereof

Disclosed are an electronic device and a method for controlling the same. The electronic device includes: a signal detection module configured to acquire an electric signal from an earphone plug; and a controller is configured to acquire the electric signal through the signal detection module, to detect magnitude of the acquired electric signal, to determine whether an earphone is worn by comparing a variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal with a reference value, and to control an output operation of a sound according to whether the earphone is worn.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0106701, filed on Sep. 5, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device to detect whether an earphone is being worn by a user and a method for controlling the same.

In recent years, an electronic device such as a smart phone has provided various multi-media services such as data communication, a camera, a DMB, playback of a moving image, a short message service (SMS), and schedule management as well as a voice call function.

Among the above multi-media services, an audio output function separately includes a MIDI speaker and plays a bell sound and a moving image through the MIDI speaker to improve quality of a sound.

Since sound quality in an audio output through a speaker is degraded and the output audio damages other users, a case of using an ear phone is increased. In a case of a user often listening to the audio, the earphone is generally inserted into the electronic device.

However, when a telephone is received in a state that the user wears the earphone, since a bell sound is output through the earphone, the user may immediately recognize reception for the telephone. However, when the user does not wear the earphone in a state that the earphone is inserted into the electronic device, because a bell sound output through the earphone is small, the user cannot easily recognize presence of reception for the telephone.

Accordingly, when the earphone is used in a state that the earphone is inserted into the electronic device, the user needs to recognize whether to wear the earphone and to output the audio in a method that the user easily recognizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As the disclosure allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, a particular embodiment will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. In describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of well-known functions or configurations will be omitted in order to not necessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. Numerals (e.g., first, second, etc.) used in the description of the present disclosure are only for distinguishing one element from another element.

An electronic device according to the present disclosure may be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, suffixes “module” and “unit” may be given to components of the electronic device in consideration of only facilitation of description and do not have meanings or functions discriminated from each other.

The electronic device may include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, personal digital assistants (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation system and/or so on. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that a configuration according to an embodiment disclosed in this specification should be applicable to fixed or stationary terminals, such as a digital TV or a desktop computer, except for applications disclosed to be specific only to a mobile terminal.

A further description may be provided with regard to an electronic device, although such teachings may apply equally to other types of devices.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an example embodiment. Other embodiments and arrangements may also be provided.FIG. 1shows an electronic device100having various components, although other components may also be used. More or less components may alternatively be implemented.

FIG. 1shows that the electronic device100includes a wireless communication unit110, an audio/video (A/V) input unit120, a user input unit130, a sensing unit140, an output unit150, a memory160, an interface unit170, a controller180and a power supply190.

The wireless communication unit110may be configured with several components and/or modules. The wireless communication unit110may include a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless Internet module113, a short-range communication module114and a position-location module115. The wireless communication unit110may include one or more components that permit wireless communication between the electronic device100and a wireless communication system or a network within which the electronic device100is located. In case of non-mobile devices, the wireless communication unit110may be replaced with a wire communication unit. The wireless communication unit110and the wire communication unit may be commonly referred to as a communication unit.

The broadcast receiving module111may receive a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast managing entity via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast managing entity may refer to a system that transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information.

At least two broadcast receiving modules111may be provided in the electronic device100to pursue simultaneous reception of at least two broadcast channels or facilitation of broadcast channel switching.

Examples of broadcast associated information may include information associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast service provider, etc. For example, broadcast associated information may include an electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) and an electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast signal may be a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and/or a data broadcast signal. The broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast receiving module111may receive broadcast signals transmitted from various types of broadcast systems. As a non-limiting example, the broadcasting systems may include digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), a data broadcasting system known as media forward link only (MediaFLO®) and integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T). The receiving of multicast signals may also be provided. Data received by the broadcast receiving module111may be stored in the memory160, for example.

The mobile communication module112may communicate wireless signals with one or more network entities (e.g. a base station or Node-B). The signals may represent audio, video, multimedia, control signaling, and data, etc.

The wireless Internet module113may support Internet access for the electronic device100. This wireless Internet module113may be internally or externally coupled to the electronic device100. Suitable technologies for wireless Internet may include, but are not limited to, WLAN (Wireless LAN)(Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), and/or HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access). The wireless Internet module113may be replaced with a wire Internet module in non-mobile devices. The wireless Internet module113and the wire Internet module may be referred to as an Internet module.

The short-range communication module114may facilitate short-range communications. Suitable technologies for short-range communication may include, but are not limited to, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), as well as networking technologies such as Bluetooth and ZigBee.

The position-location module115may identify or otherwise obtain a location of the electronic device100. The position-location module115may be provided using global positioning system (GPS) components that cooperate with associated satellites, network components, and/or combinations thereof.

The position-location module115may precisely calculate current 3-dimensional position information based on longitude, latitude and altitude by calculating distance information and precise time information from at least three satellites and then by applying triangulation to the calculated information. Location and time information may be calculated using three satellites, and errors of the calculated location position and time information may then be amended or changed using another satellite. The position-location module115may calculate speed information by continuously calculating a real-time current location.

The microphone122may receive an external audio signal while the electronic device is in a particular mode, such as a phone call mode, a recording mode and/or a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may then be processed and converted into digital data.

The electronic device100, and in particular the A/V input unit120, may include a noise removing algorithm (or noise canceling algorithm) to remove noise generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal. Data generated by the A/V input unit120may be stored in the memory160, utilized by the output unit150, and/or transmitted via one or more modules of the wireless communication unit110. Two or more microphones and/or cameras may also be provided.

The user input unit130may generate input data responsive to user manipulation of an associated input device or devices. Examples of such devices may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., static pressure/capacitance), a jog wheel and/or a jog switch. A specific example is one in which the user input unit130is configured as a touchpad in cooperation with a display, as will be described below.

The sensing unit140may provide status measurements of various aspects of the electronic device100. For example, the sensing unit140may detect an open/close status (or state) of the electronic device100, a relative positioning of components (e.g., a display and a keypad) of the electronic device100, a change of position of the electronic device100or a component of the electronic device100, a presence or absence of user contact with the electronic device100, and/or an orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the electronic device100.

The electronic device100may be configured as a slide-type electronic device. In such a configuration, the sensing unit140may sense whether a sliding portion of the electronic device100is open or closed. The sensing unit140may also sense presence or absence of power provided by the power supply190, presence or absence of a coupling or other connection between the interface unit170and an external device, etc.

The sensing unit140may include a proximity sensor141, a motion detecting sensor142, a brightness detecting sensor143, a distance detecting sensor144, and/or a heat detecting sensor145. Details of the proximity sensor141and the other sensors142,143,144and145may be explained below.

The motion detecting sensor142may detect a motion state of the electronic device100by an external force such as an external shock, an external vibration and/or the like. The motion detecting sensor142may detect a motion extent. The motion detecting sensor142may be provided with a rotational body and detect a motion of the device by detecting a property of a mechanical movement of the rotational body. Based on speed, acceleration and direction of the motion, the motion detecting sensor142may detect either the motion extent or a motion pattern and then output the detected one to the controller180. The motion detecting sensor142may include a gyro sensor.

The brightness detecting sensor143may detect a brightness of light around the electronic device100and then output the detected brightness to the controller180.

The distance detecting sensor144may include an ultrasonic sensor or the like. The distance detecting sensor144may measure a distance between the electronic device100and a user and then output the detected distance to the controller180.

The heat detecting sensor145may be provided around the display151of the device body. The heat detecting sensor145may detect the temperature on user's contact with the device body and then output the detected temperature to the controller180.

The output unit150may generate an output relevant to a sight sense, an auditory sense, a tactile sense and/or the like. The output unit150may include a display151, an audio output module152, an alarm153, a haptic module154and/or the like.

The display151may display (output) information processed by the device100. For example, in case that the device is in a call mode, the display151may display a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) associated with the call. If the electronic device100is in a video communication mode or a photograph mode, the display151may display a photographed and/or received picture, a UI or a GUI.

The display151may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, and a 3-dimensional display.

The display151may have a transparent or light-transmittive type configuration to enable an external environment to be seen through. This may be called a transparent display. A transparent OLED (TOLED) may be an example of a transparent display. A backside structure of the display151may also have the light-transmittive type configuration. In this configuration, a user may see an object located behind the device body through the area occupied by the display151of the device body.

At least two displays151may also be provided. For example, a plurality of displays may be provided on a single face of the device100by being built in one body or spaced apart from the single face. Alternatively, each of a plurality of displays may be provided on different faces of the device100.

If the display151and a sensor for detecting a touch action (hereafter a touch sensor) are constructed in a mutual-layered structure (hereafter a touchscreen), the display151may be used as an input device as well as an output device. For example, the touch sensor may include a touch film, a touch sheet, a touchpad and/or the like.

The touch sensor may convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display151or a variation of electrostatic capacity generated from a specific portion of the display151to an electric input signal. The touch sensor may detect a pressure of a touch as well as a position and size of the touch.

If a touch input is provided to the touch sensor, signal(s) corresponding to the touch input may be transferred to a touch controller. The touch controller may process the signal(s) and then transfer corresponding data to the controller180. The controller180may therefore know which portion of the display151is touched.

FIG. 1shows that the proximity sensor141can be provided within the electronic device100enclosed by the touchscreen or around the touchscreen. The proximity sensor141may detect a presence or non-presence of an object approaching a prescribed detecting surface or an object existing around the proximity sensor141using an electromagnetic field strength or infrared ray without mechanical contact. The proximity sensor141may have a longer durability than the contact type sensor and may also have a greater usage than the contact type sensor.

The proximity sensor141may include one of a transmittive photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective photoelectric sensor, a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor, an electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor and/or the like. If the touchscreen is an electrostatic type, the proximity sensor141may detect proximity of a pointer using a variation of an electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touchscreen (touch sensor) may be classified into the proximity sensor.

An action in which a pointer approaches the touchscreen without contacting the touchscreen may be called a proximity touch. An action in which a pointer actually touches the touchscreen may be called a contact touch. The location of the touchscreen proximity-touched by the pointer may be the position of the pointer that vertically opposes the touchscreen when the pointer performs the proximity touch.

The proximity sensor141may detect a proximity touch and/or a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch duration, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch shift state, etc.). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch action and/or the detected proximity touch pattern may be outputted to the touchscreen.

The audio output module152may output audio data that is received from the wireless communication unit110in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast receiving mode and/or the like. The audio output module152may output audio data stored in the memory160. The audio output module152may output an audio signal relevant to a function (e.g., a call signal receiving sound, a message receiving sound, etc.) performed by the electronic device100. The audio output module152may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer and/or the like.

The alarm153may output a signal for announcing an event occurrence of the electronic device100. An event occurring in the electronic device100may include one of a call signal reception, a message reception, a key signal input, a touch input and/or the like. The alarm153may output a signal for announcing an event occurrence by way of vibration or the like as well as a video signal or an audio signal. The video signal may be outputted via the display151. The audio signal may be outputted via the audio output module152. The display151or the audio output module152may be classified as part of the alarm153.

The haptic module154may bring about various haptic effects that can be sensed by a user. Vibration is a representative example for the haptic effect brought about by the haptic module154. Strength and pattern of the vibration generated from the haptic module154may be controllable. For example, vibrations differing from each other may be outputted in a manner of being synthesized together or may be sequentially outputted.

The haptic module154may generate various haptic effects including a vibration, an effect caused by such a stimulus as a pin array vertically moving against a contact skin surface, a jet power of air via outlet, a suction power of air via inlet, a skim on a skin surface, a contact of an electrode, an electrostatic power and the like, and/or an effect by hot/cold sense reproduction using an endothermic or exothermic device as well as the vibration.

The haptic module154may provide the haptic effect via direct contact. The haptic module154may enable a user to experience the haptic effect via muscular sense of a finger, an arm and/or the like. Two or more haptic modules154may be provided according to a configuration of the electronic device100.

The memory160may store a program for operations of the controller180. The memory160may temporarily store input/output data (e.g., phonebook, message, still picture, moving picture, etc.). The memory160may store data of vibration and sound in various patterns outputted in case of a touch input to the touchscreen.

The memory160may include at least one of a flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory (e.g., SD memory, XD memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and/or the like. The electronic device100may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory160in the Internet.

The interface unit170may play a role as a passage to external devices connected to the electronic device100. The interface unit170may receive data from an external device. The interface unit170may be supplied with a power and then the power may be delivered to elements within the electronic device100. The interface unit170may enable data to be transferred to an external device from an inside of the electronic device100. The interface unit170may include a wire/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wire/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for coupling to a device having an identity module, an audio input/output (I/O) port, a video input/output (I/O) port, an earphone port and/or the like.

The identity module may be a chip or card that stores various kinds of information for authenticating use of the electronic device100. The identify module may include a user identity module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) and/or the like. A device provided with the above identity module (hereafter an identity device) may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. The identity device may be connected to the electronic device100via the port.

The interface unit170may play a role as a passage for supplying a power to the electronic device100from a cradle that is connected to the electronic device100. The interface unit170may play a role as a passage for delivering various command signals, which are inputted from the cradle by a user, to the electronic device100. Various command signals inputted from the cradle or the power may work as a signal for recognizing that the electronic device100is correctly loaded in the cradle.

The controller180may control overall operations of the electronic device100. For example, the controller180may perform control and processing relevant to a voice call, a data communication, a video conference and/or the like. The controller180may have a multimedia module181for multimedia playback. The multimedia module181may be implemented within the controller180or may be configured separate from the controller180.

The controller180may perform pattern recognizing processing for recognizing a handwriting input performed on the touchscreen as a character and/or recognizing a picture drawing input performed on the touchscreen as an image.

The power supply190may receive an external or internal power and then supply the power required for operations of the respective elements under control of the controller180.

Embodiments of the present disclosure explained in the following description may be implemented within a recording medium that can be read by a computer or a computer-like device using software, hardware or combination thereof.

According to the hardware implementation, arrangements and embodiments may be implemented using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors and electric units for performing other functions. In some cases, embodiments may be implemented by the controller180.

For a software implementation, arrangements and embodiments described herein may be implemented with separate software modules, such as procedures and functions, each of which may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software codes may be implemented with a software application written in any suitable programming language and may be stored in memory such as the memory160, and may be executed by a controller or processor, such as the controller180.

FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating a combination of an electronic device and an earphone according to an embodiment,FIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating a front surface of the electronic device according to an embodiment, andFIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a signal transfer principle from the earphone.

Referring toFIG. 2, the electronic device100may be connected with an earphone plug210of an earphone200being an external device through the interface unit170. The interface unit170may be an earphone jack or socket.

The interface unit170of the electronic device is a configuration to transmit and receive a signal to and from the earphone200being the external device, and may be formed corresponding to a shape of the earphone plug210of the earphone.

The earphone200may include the earphone plug210, a connector220, an operating unit230, and earphone output units240aand240b. The earphone plug210may connect with the electronic device100to receive and transfer an electric signal from and to the electronic device100. Left/right earphone output units240aand240b(also earbuds, buds, speaker, etc.) may be electrically isolated from a region corresponding to a microphone (not shown) formed at the earphone. Further, regions of the earphone plug210corresponding to the left/right earphone output units240aand240bmay be electrically isolated from a region of the earphone plug210corresponding to a microphone through a ground.

The connector220transfers a signal from the earphone plug210to the left/right earphone output units240aand240b. The operating unit230may adjust magnitude of an electric signal from the electronic device100, that is, a volume of a sound signal. Further, a microphone may be additionally attached to the operating unit230. The operating unit230may be referred to as a switch, button, or the like.

The left/right earphone output units240aand240bmay be inserted into ears of the user, and may convert an electric signal to be transferred through the earphone plug210into a sound signal to transfer the converted sound signal to the user.

That is, the earphone200may transfer an electric signal to the left/right earphone output units240aand240bthrough the interface unit170, and may transfer a sound from the microphone formed at the operating unit230to the electronic device100through a microphone region of the earphone plug210.

Since whether to transfer the sound to the earphone200through the interface unit170is determined according to a control signal generated from the controller180of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1, the controller180ofFIG. 1may select an output unit of a sound.

Accordingly, when the earphone200is connected to the electronic device100, the controller180ofFIG. 1does not transfer the sound to the earphone200but may output the sound through an external speaker152of the electronic device100in certain situations, for example, when it is determined that the earphone200is not worn by the user.

Referring toFIG. 3, the electronic device100may process the signal in conjunction with a signal detection module171, a signal output module172, and a controller180.

When the earphone plug210of the earphone is combined through the interface unit170of the electronic device, the controller180of the electronic device are electrically connected to a left earphone output unit region (L)211or a right earphone output unit (R)212, and a microphone region (M)213and may transmit or receive to or from respective regions.

The interface unit170of the electronic device100may include a signal detection module171and a signal output module172. The controller180may control the signal detection module171or the signal output module172according to whether an operation state of the earphone200is an output mode or an input mode.

In detail, when the earphone200is used in the output mode, the controller180may transfer the electric signal to the left earphone output unit region (L)211or the right earphone output unit (R)212through the signal output module172. Accordingly, the controller180may output an audio signal through an earphone output unit.

When the earphone200is used in the input mode, the controller180may detect an electric signal from at least one on the left earphone output unit region (L)211, the right earphone output unit (R)212, and the microphone region (M)213.

According to the embodiment, a sound signal input from the left or right earphone output unit as well as a sound signal input from the microphone may be detected through a signal detection module171of the electronic device.

The earphone output unit performs a function of outputting a sound signal by a following principle, but may receive a reflective signal with respect to the output sound signal. An operation principle of the earphone output unit will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4.

Referring toFIG. 4, the earphone output unit may convert the electric signal from the electronic device100into a sound signal to output the converted sound signal.

In detail, the earphone output unit may include a magnet a, a coil b, and a diaphragm c, and the coil b may be connected to an earphone connector d to receive an electric signal from the earphone connector d.

As the coil b induces a magnetic force according to a received electric signal, a distance between the magnet a and the coil b is changed so that a thin film such as the diaphragm c may vibrate due to the distance difference to form a sound wave in air.

Due to the above principle, the earphone output unit may convert the electric signal into the sound signal to output the converted sound signal.

Further, when the reflective signal is received through the diaphragm c on the contrary, that is, when vibration of the diaphragm c is received, the earphone output unit may change a distance between the magnet a and the coil b, and converts the distance difference into an electric signal.

Accordingly, when the reflective signal corresponding to the sound signal output through the earphone output unit vibrates the diaphragm c (e.g., when the user wears the earphone), the signal detection module271may acquire an electric signal from each region211or212of the earphone plug through the connector d.

The controller180may control the signal detection module171or the signal output module172to divide an operation mode the earphone200into an input mode and an output mode. For example, the controller180may fundamentally set the operation mode of the earphone200as an output mode, and may set the operation mode of the earphone200as an input mode for a time set at a predetermined time.

Further, the controller180may set the operation mode of the earphone200as an output mode, and may set at the input mode at a predetermined time during use of the output mode. The predetermined time may include a case where a preset period comes when the period is set, a case of switching a played music during playback of music, and a case of receiving a specific event such as upon reception of the telephone and upon reception of a message alarm. The predetermined time may be set to include various cases except for the foregoing embodiments.

When acquiring the electric signal through the signal detection module271, the controller180may detect magnitude or a frequency of the acquired electric signal, and compare a variation amount in the magnitude or the frequency of the acquired electric signal with a reference value to determine whether the earphone is worn. The variation amount in the magnitude or the frequency of the electric signal may include a variation amount in the magnitude or the frequency of the electric signal in the output mode or a variation amount in the magnitude or the frequency of the electric signal in the input mode. The reference value may be set by taking magnitude or a frequency and a noise of an audio signal in the output mode. For example, the reference value may be set as a sum of maximum magnitude of the audio signal and an offset value respect to the noise in the output mode.

The controller180may determine whether a left or right earphone is worn by comparing a variation amount in the magnitude or the frequency of the electric signal acquired from each region211or212of the earphone plug with the reference value.

In detail, when the variation amount in the magnitude or the frequency of the electric signal is equal to or greater than the reference value, the controller180determines that the earphone200is worn. When the variation amount in the magnitude or the frequency of the electric signal is less than the reference value, the controller180determines that the earphone200is not worn.

When it is determined that the earphone is worn, the controller180outputs the sound through the earphone. When it is determined that the earphone is not worn, the controller180outputs the sound through the external speaker152.

The controller180acquires an electric signal separated from a left earphone plug region (L)211corresponding to a left earphone or a right earphone plug region (R)212to control to reduce a volume of the sound output through one side earphone when one of the left earphone or the right earphone is worn.

Since one of the two worn earphones may be removed from the ear in order to hear an external sound, there is a need to control so that the user can clearly hear the external sound by reducing a volume of the sound output through the worn earphone.

The controller180may set the operation mode of the earphone so that the input mode and the output mode are simultaneously operated. As described above, the controller180may set to be operated in the input mode only at a predetermined time.

Further, when receiving the electric signal acquired from the signal detection module of the wireless earphone, the controller180may analyze the received electric signal to determine whether the wireless earphone is worn.

Hereinafter embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to a first embodiment, andFIGS. 6 and 7are diagrams illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to a first embodiment.

According to the first embodiment, a controller180ofFIG. 1may acquire an electric signal from an earphone plug (S110), detect magnitude of the acquired electric signal (S120), and compare a variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal with a reference value (S130).

The controller180ofFIG. 1may determine whether the earphone is worn based on a result of analyzing the electric signal (S140). In this case, the controller180ofFIG. 1may independently determine with respect to left/right earphones whether the earphone is worn.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may control an output operation of the sound according to whether the earphone is worn. In detail, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine whether to output the sound through an external speaker or an earphone, and may adjust a volume of the sound output through the earphone.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may determine to set the operation mode of the earphone as an output mode or an input mode. When the operation mode of the earphone is set as the input mode, the controller180ofFIG. 1may acquire the electric signal from the earphone plug through the signal detection module.

When the earphone is not worn, as shown inFIG. 6, since a reflective signal with respect to a signal output from the earphone is scattered in air, the acquired electric signal may have a wave substantially similar to that of the electric signal in the output mode.

When the earphone is used in the output mode from time point t=0 to a current time and is used in the input mode from time point t=t0 to a preset time, the electric signal may be detected through the signal detection module.

The controller180ofFIG. 1detects magnitude of the electric signal acquired from time point t0 to a preset time (t0˜t1), and may calculate and compare a variation amount between magnitude of the detected electric signal and magnitude of the electric signal in the output mode with the reference value.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may set a sum of a maximum value of the electric signal and a difference between the maximum value and a minimum value of the electric signal. In this case, the reference value may be set as ‘b+(b−a),’ where b is the maximum value and a is the minimum value.

Since the variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal is less than the reference value, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine that the earphone is not worn. When the earphone is not worn, the controller180ofFIG. 1may control the electronic device to perform a sound control operation according to a preset operation state of the electronic device.

Conversely, when the earphone is worn, as shown inFIG. 7, since a reflective signal with respect to the signal output from the earphone is again transferred to the earphone through, for example, a blocked ear canal, it may be understood that the acquired electric signal is larger than a wave of the electric signal in the output mode.

When the earphone is used in the output mode from time point t=0 to a current time and is used in the input mode from time point t=t0 to a preset time, the controller180ofFIG. 1may detect the electric signal through the signal detection module from time point t0 The controller180ofFIG. 1may detect magnitude of the electric signal acquired from time point t0 to a preset time (t0˜t1), and calculate and compare a variation amount between the detected magnitude of the electric signal and magnitude of the electric signal in the output mode with a reference value.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may set the reference value as a sum of a maximum value of the electric signal in the output mode and a difference between the maximum value and a minimum value of the electric value. In this case, the reference value may be set as ‘b+(b−a),’ where b is the maximum value and a is the minimum value.

Since the variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal is equal to or greater than the reference value, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine that the earphone is worn. When the earphone is worn, the controller180ofFIG. 1may control the electronic device to perform a sound control operation according to a preset operation state of the electronic device.

FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to a second embodiment, andFIGS. 9 and 10are diagrams illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to a second embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, the controller180ofFIG. 1generates at least one of a high frequency signal and an ultrasonic signal (S210), and may output the generated signal through an earphone (S220). The controller180ofFIG. 1may mix with the high frequency signal or the ultrasonic signal among an audio signal output, or may temporarily stop the audio signal output but output the high frequency signal or the ultrasonic signal.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may acquire an electric signal from an earphone plug (S230), and may detect a frequency of the electric signal (S240). In this case, the controller180ofFIG. 1may output the generated signal and then set the operation mode of the earphone as an input mode, and acquire a reflective signal.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may compare with the detected frequency of the electric signal with a generated frequency of a signal (S250), and may determine whether the earphone is worn (S260). When the detected frequency of the electric signal is substantially equal to or exceeds the generated frequency of a signal, the controller180ofFIG. 1determines that the earphone is worn. When the detected frequency of the electric signal is less than the generated frequency of a signal, the controller180ofFIG. 1determines that the earphone is not worn.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may the operation mode of the earphone as the input mode only at predetermined time point. The predetermined time point may include cases where specific events occur including a case where a preset period comes, when a phone call is received, and when a SMS is received.

Next, the controller180ofFIG. 1may control an output operation of a sound as a preset operation according to whether the earphone is worn (S270).

In detail, for example, a case where the controller180ofFIG. 1outputs a high frequency signal or an ultrasonic signal from t1 to t2 while using the earphone in the output mode from 0 to a current time point, and simultaneously use the earphone in the input mode and the output mode from t3 to t4 will be described in the embodiment.

When the earphone is not worn, as shown inFIG. 9, since a reflective signal with respect to the signal output from the earphone is scattered in air, the acquired electric signal may be similar to a wave of the electric signal in the output mode. Accordingly, the controller180ofFIG. 1may detect a similar frequency in the input mode of the earphone.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may compare a frequency of the acquired electric signal from t3 to t4 through the signal detection module with a frequency of a high signal or an ultrasonic signal. When the detected frequency is less than the frequency of the generated signal, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine that the earphone is not worn.

Conversely, when the earphone is worn, as shown inFIG. 10, since a reflective signal with respect to the signal output from the earphone is again transferred to the earphone through, for example, a blocked ear canal, it may be understood that the frequency of the acquired electric signal is similar to the frequency of the generated frequency.

The controller180ofFIG. 1may compare a frequency of an electric signal acquired from t3 to t4 with a frequency of a generated high frequency signal or a generated ultrasonic signal. When the detected frequency is substantially equal to the frequency of the generated signal, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine that the earphone is worn.

In this case, when a difference between the detected frequency and the frequency of the generated signal is within an error range, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine that the earphone is worn.

Further, the controller180ofFIG. 1sets a reference value of the frequency. When the detected frequency is equal to or greater than the reference value, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine that the earphone is worn. When the detected frequency is less than the reference value, the controller180ofFIG. 1may determine that the earphone is not worn. In this case, the reference value may include a frequency of the generated signal.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to a third embodiment, andFIGS. 12 and 13are diagrams illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to a third embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, the controller180ofFIG. 1forms a communication channel with a wireless earphone (S310). When receiving an electric signal from the wireless earphone (S320), the controller180ofFIG. 1may extract magnitude or a frequency of the received electric signal (S330).

The controller180ofFIG. 1may compare the detected magnitude or frequency of the electric signal with a reference value (S340), may determine whether the wireless earphone is worn (S350), and may control an output operation of a sound (S360).

According to the third embodiment, what is different from the first and second embodiments is that a signal detection module is a constituent element of the wireless earphone200.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, the electronic device100may form a communication channel with a wireless earphone300. The wireless earphone300includes a body310, an output unit320, and a fixing unit330.

The body310of the wireless earphone300may include a signal detection module340and a controller350. Further, the body310of the wireless earphone300may further include a signal generation module to generate a high frequency signal or an ultrasonic signal.

When receiving a control signal regarding an operation mode of the wireless earphone300from the controller180of the electric device shown inFIG. 1, the wireless earphone300may output a sound signal through the wireless earphone according to the control signal or receive a sound signal through the wireless earphone.

The wireless earphone300converts the received sound signal into an electric signal and transmits the converted electric signal to the electric device. The controller180of the electronic device may determine whether the earphone is worn by analyzing the received electric signal, and may control a sound operation.

A method of determining whether the earphone is worn by analyzing the received electric signal, and a method of controlling a sound operation have been described above.

When receiving the high frequency signal or the ultrasonic signal together with a control signal associated with an operation mode of the wireless earphone300from the controller180of the electronic device shown inFIG. 1, the wireless earphone300may output the high frequency signal or the ultrasonic signal, and may receive an electric signal of a reflective wave.

Furthermore, the wireless earphone300may set a function of the controller so that the controller changes an operation state of a wireless earphone according to a control signal received from the electronic device to detect a sound signal.

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to solve problems of known electronic devices having earphones, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device to determine whether an earphone is being worn, and to control an operation according to presence of wearing of the earphone.

In order to accomplish the above objects of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device including: a signal detection module configured to acquire an electric signal from an earphone plug; and a controller to acquire the electric signal through the signal detection module, to detect magnitude of the acquired electric signal, to determine whether an earphone is worn by comparing a variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal with a reference value, and to control an output operation of a sound according to whether the earphone is worn.

The controller may be configured to determine that the earphone is worn when the variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal is equal to or greater than the reference value, and may be configured to determine that the earphone is not worn when the variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal is less than the reference value.

The controller may be configured to control the sound to be output through the earphone when it is determined that the earphone is worn, and may be configured to control the sound to be output through an external speaker when it is determined that the earphone is not worn.

The signal detection module may be configured to acquire the electric signal separated from a region of the earphone plug corresponding to a left earphone or a region of the earphone plug corresponding to a right earphone.

The controller may be configured to control to reduce a volume of a sound output through a corresponding earphone when one of the left earphone and the right earphone is worn.

The controller may be configured to acquire the electric signal through the signal detection module only when receiving a specific event.

There is provided an electronic device including: a signal detection module configured to acquire an electric signal from an earphone plug; and a controller configured to generate one of a high frequency signal and an ultrasonic signal, to output the generated signal through an earphone, to acquire an electric signal through the signal detection module, to detect a frequency of the acquired electric signal, to determine whether the earphone is worn by comparing the detected frequency of the electric signal with a frequency of the generated signal, and to control an output operation of a sound according to whether the earphone is worn.

The controller may be configured to determine that the earphone is worn when the detected frequency of the electric signal is equal to the frequency of the generated signal, and may be configured to determine that the earphone is not worn when the detected frequency of the electric signal is less than the frequency of the generated signal.

The controller may be configured to output the generated signal when a specific event occurs or only during a preset period, and may be configured to acquire the electric signal through the signal detection module.

There is provided an electronic device including: a communication unit; and a controller configured to receive an electric signal from a wireless earphone through the communication unit, to detect magnitude or a frequency of the electric signal, to determine whether the wireless earphone is worn by comparing a variation amount in the magnitude of the electric signal or the frequency of the electric signal with a reference value, and to control an output operation of a sound according to whether the wireless earphone is worn.

The controller may be configured to generate at least one of a high frequency signal or an ultrasonic signal, and be configured to control to transmit the generated signal to the wireless earphone through the communication unit so that the generated signal is output through the wireless earphone.

The controller may be configured to generate and output at least one of a high frequency signal or an ultrasonic signal from the wireless earphone, and be configured to acquire and convert a reflective wave with respect to the output signal into an electric signal, and be configured to control the wireless earphone to transmit the electric signal.

The controller may be configured to transmit a control to request acquisition of the electric signal to the wireless earphone when receiving a specific event.

There is provided a method for controlling an electronic device, the method including: acquiring an electric signal from an earphone plug; detecting magnitude of the acquired electric signal; determining whether an earphone is worn by comparing a variation amount in the detected magnitude of the electric signal with a reference value; and controlling an output operation of a sound according to whether the earphone is worn.

There is provided a method for controlling an electronic device, the method including: generating one of a high frequency signal or an ultrasonic signal to output the generated signal through an earphone; acquiring an electric signal from the earphone plug of the earphone; detecting a frequency of the acquired electric signal; determining whether the earphone is worn by comparing the detected frequency with a frequency of the generated signal; and controlling an output operation of a sound according to whether the earphone is worn.

There is provided a method for controlling an electronic device, the method including: forming a communication channel with a wireless earphone; receiving an electric signal from the wireless earphone; detecting magnitude or a frequency of the received electric signal; determining whether the wireless earphone is worn by comparing a variation amount in the detected magnitude of the electric signal or the frequency of the electric signal; and controlling an output operation of a sound according to whether the wireless earphone is worn.

The details of other embodiments are contained in the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, since presence of wearing the earphone may be determined by detecting an electric signal from an earphone plug, the present disclosure is flexibly applicable to an earphone according to the related art without an additional configuration.

Further, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, when a specific sound signal is output through an earphone as well as when the sound signal is not output, the present disclosure may determine whether to wear the earphone using a high frequency signal or a ultrasonic signal.

Moreover, since embodiments of the present disclosure may set to determine presence of wearing the earphone only when a specific event is generated, power consumption can be reduced.

In addition, embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to a wireless earphone as well as a wired earphone by inserting a simple circuit capable of detecting an electric signal of the wireless earphone.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it can be easily determined whether the earphone is worn without adding a new configuration in an earphone according to the related art or by inserting only a simple signal detection circuit.

The above-described method of controlling the electronic device may be written as computer programs and may be implemented in digital microprocessors that execute the programs using a computer readable recording medium. The method of controlling the electronic device may be executed through software. The software may include code segments that perform required tasks. Programs or code segments may also be stored in a processor readable medium or may be transmitted according to a computer data signal combined with a carrier through a transmission medium or communication network.

The computer readable recording medium may be any data storage device that can store data that can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, DVD±ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable recording medium may also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distribution fashion.

An electronic device may include a first touch screen configured to display a first object, a second touch screen configured to display a second object, and a controller configured to receive a first touch input applied to the first object and to link the first object to a function corresponding to the second object when receiving a second touch input applied to the second object while the first touch input is maintained.

A method may be provided of controlling a electronic device that includes displaying a first object on the first touch screen, displaying a second object on the second touch screen, receiving a first touch input applied to the first object, and linking the first object to a function corresponding to the second object when a second touch input applied to the second object is received while the first touch input is maintained.