Patent ID: 8771021

Claim:
An electronic device, comprising: an audio jack for receiving insertion of an audio plug, the audio plug having two or more plug contacts, each plug contact being separated from the other plug contacts by at least one insulating ring, wherein one of the plug contacts provides an audio signal; an audio subsystem for processing signals, the audio subsystem including a high gain circuit for amplifying the audio signal; and an electrostatic discharge circuit, wherein the audio jack includes an enclosure defining an elongate cavity having an opening at one end, a first jack contact positioned within the cavity, proximate to the opening and connected to the electrostatic discharge circuit, a second jack contact within the cavity disposed further from the opening than the first jack contact so as to contact the plug contact providing the audio signal when the audio plug is fully inserted; and a mechanical switch having an open position and a closed position, wherein the mechanical switch is biased in the open position and wherein the mechanical switch is configured to be moved into the closed position as a result of full insertion of the audio plug, and wherein in the closed position the mechanical switch electrically connects the first jack contact to the second jack contact and electrically connects the second jack contact to the high gain circuit, wherein the mechanical switch comprises a sled with contacts on its ends, and wherein in a first position the sled is closer to the opening than in a second position.