Abstract:
Provided is a method of removing an earphone noise of a portable terminal includes: recognizing a connection of an earphone through an interface unit; applying power to a mike bias port in case the earphone is recognized; sensing a signal which indicating a detachment of the earphone from the interface unit during applying power to the mike bias port; and discharging the power of the mike bias port when the detachment occurs.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 (a) of a Korean patent application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on May 29, 2009 and assigned Serial No. 10-2009-0047547, and the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method of removing an earphone noise and an apparatus thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method of removing a noise generated by the power of microphone bias (MIC_Bias) of a portable terminal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A portable terminal provides various features such as a playing function of listening or watching an audio file or a video file that are previously stored, a camera function for photographing or taking a video, a digital broadcasting function for watching broadcast data transmitted from a broadcasting station, a wireless internet function for the usage of internet, and a message function for transmission of a short message or a multimedia message. Among these functions, an audio file playing function, in particular, is a function of playing various audio files that are prestored outputting the audio file through a speaker, and uses an earphone. 
     In operation, when a portable terminal uses a four-pole earphone, noise can be generated when detaching the four-pole earphone. In particular, noise can be generated while the L terminal or the R terminal of the four-pole earphone is in contact with the portable terminal when detaching the four-pole earphone from the interface unit. That is, the portable terminal turns the microphone (hereinafter “mike”) bias power off of the earphone from the point of when the four-pole earphone is not recognized. However, although the supply of the mike bias power is turned off, the mike bias power is not fully discharged within a time that the L terminal and the R terminal of the four-pole earphone are detached from the interface unit. Hence, the portable terminal recognizes that the L terminal and the R terminal of the four-pole earphone are still in contact with the mike terminal, so that it generates a noise. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a method of removing an earphone noise of a portable terminal and an apparatus thereof, which is capable of suppressing the generation of a noise by implementing a discharge switch which performs a discharge function in a mike bias port so as to rapidly discharge a mike bias power when detaching an earphone from the portable terminal. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method of removing an earphone noise of a portable terminal includes: applying power to a mike bias port when the earphone coupled to the portable terminal via an interface unit; sensing a detachment of the earphone from the interface unit during operation; and discharging the power of the mike bias port when the detachment of the earphone occurs. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portable terminal includes: a n interface unit which detachably coupled to an earphone; and a controller which controls to generate a first signal and apply power to a mike bias port in case the earphone is coupled through the interface unit, and to generate a second signal and discharge the power of the mike bias port through a discharge process unit when detachment of the earphone occurs. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a schematic configuration of a portable terminal to which an earphone is connected according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram which schematically illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of an interface unit of a portable terminal and an earphone according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a mike bias power discharge function of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a mike bias power discharge function of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. For the purposes of clarity and simplicity, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. 
     A four-pole earphone is illustrated as a representative example of an earphone according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. However, the earphone according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is not limited to it, but can include various earphones which are connected to a portable terminal. 
     Moreover, the teachings of the present invention can apply to other types of communication and information devices, multimedia devices, and the applications thereof such as, a portable terminal having a call function, a mobile phone, a smart phone, an international mobile telecommunication  2000  (IMT-2000), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) terminal, Global Standard for Mobile Communication (GSM) terminal, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) terminal, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) terminal, World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax) terminal and a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) terminal. 
       FIG. 1  is a drawing illustrating a schematic configuration of a portable terminal to which an earphone can be connected according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a portable terminal body  10  and an earphone  20  attachable to the portable terminal body  10 . The portable terminal body  10  can be classified into various types, for example, a slide type, a folder-type, a bar type, and a full-touch type. It is preferable that the portable terminal of the present invention has an interface unit  150  by which the portable terminal body  10  is detachable coupled to the earphone  20 . 
     The interface unit  150  can be connected an external device, such as an external speaker function or the like. 
     The earphone  20  can include a connection unit, which is detachable to the interface unit  150  of the portable terminal, a pair of ear speaker, and an ear-microphone which collects an audio signal of a user in the voice phone call. Moreover, the earphone  20  can include a Send/End key for requesting or terminating a call. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram which schematically illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the portable terminal body  10  of the present invention includes an input unit  110 , a display unit  120 , a storage  130 , an audio processing unit  140 , an interface unit  150 , a wireless communications unit  160 , and a controller  100 . The controller  100  can include a discharge processing unit. 
     The input unit  110  inputs numeric information and character information, and includes a numeric key, a character key and/or a function key for setting various functions. The input unit  110  generates an input signal for activating a voice call function, an input signal for selecting a file stored in the storage  130 , and an input signal for playing a selected file according to user&#39;s input. These generated input signals are sent to the controller  100 . 
     The display unit  120  displays image data outputted from the controller  100 , user data requested from a user, and also displays a supplementary feature screen. Here, the display unit  120  may include a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the display unit of the present invention is not limited to a LCD. The display unit can be applied to organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and applications thereof. If the earphone  20  is connected through the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  recognizes the earphone  20  and the display unit  120  can display the connection state of the earphone  20 . To this end, the display unit  120  can generate a pop up window informing the connection of the earphone  20  or can display an icon informing the connection of the earphone  20  to one side of the screen. 
     The storage  130  can store an operating system (OS) for booting and application programs, e.g., a file playing function, a camera function, and a watching TV function. Moreover, the storage  130  can store user data generated according to the use of portable terminal, and data received through a communications channel. The storage  130  can store application programs for supporting above-described functions. Particularly, the storage  130  can store a program that generates a control signal for applying the required bias voltage (hereinafter “a mike bias power”) in case the ear phone is connected to the interface unit  150  and a program that generates a control signal for discharging a mike bias power in case the ear phone is detached from the interface unit  150 . 
     The audio processing unit  140  outputs the audio signal sent from the controller  100  through the speaker (SPK) or transmits the audio signal such as voice signal inputted from the microphone MIC to the controller  100 . That is, the audio processing unit  140  converts voice/sound data into an audible sound through the speaker (SPK) under the control of the controller  100  outputs the sound. The audio processing unit  140  also converts the audio signal such as voice signal received from the microphone (MIC), into digital data and sends it to the controller  110 . Moreover, when the earphone  20  is connected to or separated from the interface unit  150 , the audio processing unit  140  can output an audio signal for informing of connection or separation. Here, this audio signal can be changed according to the menu setting or volume setting of portable terminal. 
     The interface unit  150  provides a connection means which enable the earphone  20  to contact the portable terminal body  10  to send and receive an audio signal. In other words, the interface unit  150  provides an interface for communications between the portable terminal body  10  and the earphone  20 , and provides a path for transmitting the voice signal sent from the ear-mike of the earphone  20  to the controller  100 . Moreover, the interface unit  150  can provide a path for transmitting the function sound/sound effect generated in the controller  100  to the earphone  20  or transmitting the receiving voice received from the wireless communications unit  160  to the earphone  20 . In particular, the interface unit  150  of the present invention can send a signal that informs that the L terminal of the earphone  20  is in contact to a Jack_s terminal or when the earphone  20  is inserted. 
     The wireless communications unit  160  performs the transceiving of a signal relating with the mobile phone communication, the short message service (SMS) or multimedia message service (MMS), the voice communications and data communications or the like. Moreover, the wireless communications unit  160  converts voice/sound data and control data into a wireless signal and transmits it to base station, and receives a wireless signal from the base station and converts it into voice/sound data and control data and sends it to the controller  100 . To this end, the wireless communications unit  160  provides a wireless frequency transmitter which up-converts and amplifies the frequency of the transmitted signal, and a wireless frequency reception unit which low-noise amplifies the received signal and down-converts the frequency. Particularly, the wireless communications unit  160  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention performs the role of transmitting the voice signals under the control of the controller  100 . The controller  100  controls the overall operation of portable terminal and a signal flow between internal blocks of portable terminal. That is, the controller  100  controls a signal flow between each configuration such as the input unit  110 , the display unit  120 , the storage unit  130 , the audio processing unit  140 , the interface unit  150  and the wireless communications unit  160 . Particularly, the controller  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can use a General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) port so as to recognize the earphone  20  connected to the interface unit  150 . 
     If the controller  100  receives a signal which informs that the L terminal of the earphone  20  is in contact with the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150  from the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can input the control signal of an enable (EN) port with a high signal so as to apply mike bias power to the mike bias port. The high signal is voltage signal of more than a preset value (e.g. 1.5 V). Here, in case the control signal of the EN port is a high signal, the controller  100  can control to open a discharge switch and apply mike bias power to the mike bias power port. If a signal indicating that the earphone  20  is detached from the interface unit  150  is sensed, the controller  100  controls to block the mike bias power. That is, if the L terminal of the earphone  20  is detached from the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can input the control signal of the EN port with a low signal so as to block the mike bias power from being applied to the mike bias port. The low signal is voltage signal of less than the preset value (e.g. 1.5 V). Here, in case the control signal of the EN port is a low signal, the controller  100  can control to close the discharge switch and to discharge the mike bias power remaining in the mike bias port through the discharge switch. The controller  100  can include a discharge process unit  102  to more effectively achieve a discharging function. Particularly, the discharge process unit  102  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention controls the discharge switch in response to the control signal of the EN port to discharge the mike bias power. 
       FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of an interface unit of a portable terminal and an earphone according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the earphone  20  includes a L terminal Ear_L  1 , a R terminal Ear_R  2 , a mike terminal MIC  3 , and a ground terminal GND  4  connected to the interface unit  150 . While being connected to the interface unit  150 , the earphone  20  having such configuration can be contacted with a signal line corresponding to each terminal of the interface unit  150 . In more detail, in case the four-pole earphone  20  is connected to the interface unit  150 , the L terminal  1  is contacted with a signal line connected to the L terminal of the interface unit  150 . Accordingly, the audio processing unit  140  can send an audio signal outputted to the L terminal of the interface unit  150  to the L terminal  1  of the earphone  20  according to the signal line. Moreover, the R terminal  2  is in contact with a signal line connected to the R terminal of the interface unit  150 . Accordingly, the audio processing unit  140  can send the audio signal outputted to R terminal of the interface unit  150  to R terminal  2  of the earphone  20  according to the signal line. Further, the mike terminal  3  is in contact with a signal line connected to the mike terminal of the interface unit  150 . Accordingly, the audio processing unit  140  can send an audio signal outputted to the mike terminal of the interface unit  150  to the mike terminal  3  of the earphone  20  through the signal line. Moreover, the ground terminal  4  can be contacted with a ground terminal of the interface unit  150 . 
     The earphone  20  can be comprised of a switch SW 1 , a mike impedance Z 1 , and a switch resistance R 1  so as to switch the call/end function. If the switch SW 1  is inputted by user, the earphone  20  can send a corresponding signal to the portable terminal body  10 . Here, the signal can be transmitted to the portable terminal through the mike terminal  3  of the earphone  20 . 
     Firstly, if the earphone  20  is connected to the interface unit  150  of the portable terminal body  10 , the controller  100  controls to apply reference power VDD to the mike bias port of the interface unit  150 . Here, when a signal which informs that the L terminal of the earphone  20  is in contact with the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150  is sent from the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can determine that the earphone  20  is connected to the interface unit  150 . At this time, the controller  100  controls in such a manner that the reference power VDD is continuously applied to the mike bias port of the interface unit  150 . 
     In detail, in case the controller  100  recognizes that the earphone  20  is connected to the interface unit  150 , the control signal of the EN port c an be inputted with a high signal so as to apply the mike bias power to the mike bias port of the interface unit  150 . At this time, if the control signal is inputted with a high signal, the controller  100  controls to open a discharge switch, and to apply the mike bias power to the mike bias port of the interface unit  150 . If power is applied to the mike bias port of the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can analyze a signal generated in the earphone  20  and execute a corresponding operation. For instance, according to a signal generated in the earphone  20 , the controller  100  can measure the current of the mike bias port of the interface unit  150  or the voltage of the mike plus port MIC+ of the interface unit  150  to execute a switch function. However, the portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the switch function, but various functions can be executed according to the signal generated in earphone. Moreover, the controller  100  can sense that the earphone  20  is removed from the interface unit  150 . Here, if the L terminal of the earphone  20  is detached from the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can control to block the reference power VDD applied to the mike bias port of the interface unit  150 . 
     In detail, if the earphone  20  is detached from the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can input the control signal of the EN port with a low signal in order to block the mike bias power applied to the mike bias port of the interface unit  150 . At this time, if the control signal is inputted with a low signal, the controller  100  can control in such a manner that the discharge switch is closed and the switch which was connected to apply the mike bias power is opened. That is, the controller  100  can control to operate the discharge switch for suppressing a noise, which is generated when removing the earphone, by rapidly discharging the mike bias power applied to the mike bias port. 
       FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a mike bias power discharge function of a portable terminal  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the controller  100  can execute the function of discharging the power of the mike bias port by using the discharge switch SW 3   403  of the discharge process unit  102 . That is, the controller  100  can control the discharge switch  403  to connect to the mike bias port in order to remove the noise generated by the contact of the terminal of the earphone  20  and the interface unit  150  by rapidly discharging the power applied to the mike bias port in the process where the earphone  20  is removed from the interface unit  150 . Hereinafter, the mike bias power discharging function of the portable terminal  10  is illustrated with reference to drawing. Firstly, the controller  100  can recognize the connection of the earphone  20  through the signal received from the interface unit  150 . That is, if the controller  100  receives a signal which informs that the L terminal of the earphone  20  is contacted with the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150  from the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can determine that the earphone  20  is connected to the interface unit  150 . If the earphone is connected to the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can change the control signal of the EN port (A) in order to apply the reference power VDD to the mike bias port (B). 
     At this time, the control signal can be a high signal, and the controller  100  controls the control switch SW 2   401  to close through the high signal, so that the controller  100  can apply the reference power VDD to the mike bias port (B). In the meantime, if the control signal of the EN port (A) is a high signal, the discharge switch SW 3   403  becomes open state, so that the reference power VDD applied to the mike bias port (B) is not discharged. That is, if the control switch  401  is closed and the discharge switch  403  is opened, the controller  100  can apply the reference power VDD to the mike bias port (B). If the reference power is applied to the mike bias port (B), the controller  100  can control to perform a corresponding function according to the signal inputted through the earphone  20 . Next, the controller  100  can sense the earphone  20  is detached from the interface unit  150 . If the L terminal of the earphone  20  is detached from the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  can change the control signal of the EN port (A) in order to turn the reference power VDD applied to the mike bias port (B) off. 
     At this time, the control signal can be a low signal, and the controller  100  can block the reference power VDD sent to the mike bias port (B) by controlling to open the control switch  401  through the low signal. In the meantime, if the control signal of the EN port (A) is a low signal, the discharge switch  403  is closed and discharges the reference power VDD remaining in the mike bias port (B). That is, if the control switch  401  is opened and the discharge switch  403  is closed, the controller  100  can discharge the reference power VDD applied to the mike bias port (B). 
     In detail, before the reference power VDD applied to the mike bias port (B) is discharged, the interface unit  150  of the portable terminal  10  can sense that a specific terminal of the earphone  20 , i.e., the L terminal or the R terminal is in contact. At this time, the controller  100  can execute a corresponding function according to the signal of the mike terminal generated in the interface unit  150 . To prevent this, the controller  100  can operate the discharge switch  403  for discharging the reference power VDD remaining in the mike bias port (B) before a specific terminal of the earphone  20  is in contact. Thus, the controller  100  can suppress the noise which is generated by being contacted with the mike terminal of the interface unit  150  in which the reference power VDD of a specific terminal of the earphone  20  is remained. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a mike bias power discharge function of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the controller  100  can recognize the connection of the earphone  20  through a signal received from the interface unit  150  (S 501 ). At this time, a signal informing that the L terminal of the earphone  20  is contacted with the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150  is received, the controller  100  can determine that the earphone  20  is connected. If the connection of the earphone  20  is recognized, the controller  100  can input the control signal of the EN port (A) with a high signal (S 503 ). At this time, if a high signal is inputted to the EN port (A), the control switch  401  is closed and the reference power VDD can be applied to the mike bias port (B). Moreover, if a high signal is inputted to the EN port (A), the discharge switch  403  is opened and the reference power VDD of the mike bias port (B) is discharged. If a high signal is inputted to the EN port (A) at step S 503 , the controller  100  controls to turn the mike bias power for supplying the reference power VDD to the mike bias port (B) on (S 505 ). At this time, the controller  100  can send the reference power VDD applied to the mike bias port (B) through the control switch  401 . 
     The controller  100  can sense that the earphone  20  is detached from the interface unit  150  (S 507 ). Here, if the L terminal of the earphone  20  is detached from the Jack_s terminal or the L terminal of the interface unit  150 , the controller  100  receives a signal which is transmitted from the interface unit  150  when the signal informs that the earphone  20  is detached, so that the controller  100  can sense the detachment of the earphone  20 . Then, the controller  100  can control to turn the mike bias power off (S 509 ). 
     The controller  100  can input the control signal of the EN port (A) with a low signal (S 511 ). At this time, if the low signal is inputted, the control switch  401  is opened and the power is not applied to the mike bias port (B). If the low signal is inputted to the EN port (A) at step S 511 , the controller  100  executes the function of discharging the power applied to the mike bias port (S 513 ). At this time, the controller  100  can discharge the reference power VDD applied to the mike bias port (B) by closing the discharge switch  403  through the low signal. According to the present invention, the noise generated when removing earphone from the portable terminal can be suppressed. Moreover, the noise generated by the contact of the terminal when removing earphone from the portable terminal can be prevented. 
     The above-described methods according to the present invention can be realized in hardware or as software or computer code that can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD ROM, an RAM, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magneto-optical disk or downloaded over a network, so that the methods described herein can be executed by such software using a general purpose computer, or a special processor or in programmable or dedicated hardware, such as an ASIC or FPGA. As would be understood in the art, the computer, the processor or the programmable hardware include memory components, e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash, etc. that may store or receive software or computer code that when accessed and executed by the computer, processor or hardware implement the processing methods described herein. 
     Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.