Method and system for operating accessory controls

1. A method for operating accessory controls, comprising the steps of:

at a portable electronic device, receiving an accessory;

measuring at least one parameter generated at least in part by an identifier in the accessory; and

in response to the measuring step, activating an audio amplifier in the portable electronic device, wherein the audio amplifier is only activated if the accessory contains more than one speaker.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of maintaining the audio amplifier in a deactivated state if the accessory contains only one speaker.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of comparing the measured parameter against a table of predetermined measurements that correspond to predetermined operational settings.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the accessory is a headset for coupling to the portable electronic device and the headset is at least one of a stereo headset accessory and a mono headset accessory.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the headset is at least one of a four-pole headset with push-to-talk capability and a five-pole headset with push-to-talk capability.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the identifier is at least one of a resistive element, an open circuit and a short circuit and the measured parameter is a voltage.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

generating an interrupt signal when at least part of an accessory control is activated; and

in response to the generating step, measuring another parameter created at least in part by the activation of the accessory control.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the accessory control is a number of control switches that correspond to functions to be performed by a portable electronic device and wherein the control switches are in parallel with the identifier.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the control switches are buttons on the accessory that control the operation of a digital music file player.

10. An accessory for coupling to a portable electronic device, comprising:

an interface for coupling to the portable electronic device;

an identifier, wherein the identifier generates at least in part a parameter; and

at least one speaker, wherein only if the accessory contains more than one speaker, the parameter generated at least in part by the identifier causes an audio amplifier that drives one of the speakers, to be activated, wherein the audio amplifier is in the portable electronic device.

11. The accessory according to claim 10 , wherein the parameter generated at least in part by the identifier causes the audio amplifier to be deactivated if the accessory contains only one speaker.

12. The accessory according to claim 10 , wherein the audio amplifier is in the portable electronic device and wherein the generated parameter is measured against a table of predetermined measurements that correspond to predetermined operational settings.

13. The accessory according to claim 10 , wherein the accessory is at least one of a stereo headset accessory and a mono headset accessory.

14. The accessory according to claim 13 , wherein the accessory is at least one of a four-pole headset with push-to-talk capability and a five-pole headset with push-to-talk capability.

15. The accessory according to claim 10 , wherein the identifier is at least one of a resistive element, an open circuit and a short circuit and the generated parameter is a voltage.

16. The accessory according to claim 10 , further comprising an accessory control having a number of control switches that correspond to functions to be performed by the portable electronic device, wherein the control switches are in parallel with the identifier.

17. The accessory according to claim 16 , wherein when one of the control switches of the accessory control is activated, the control switch causes an interrupt signal to be generated and another measurable parameter to be created.

18. The accessory according to claim 16 , wherein the control switches are buttons on the accessory that control the operation of a digital music file player.

19. A system for operating accessory controls, comprising:

an accessory having an identifier and an interface, wherein the identifier generates at least in part a parameter; and

a portable electronic device having at least two audio amplifiers for driving corresponding speakers of the accessory, an interface and a processor, wherein the accessory interface couples to the portable electronic device interface;

wherein the processor is programmed to measure the generated parameter and in response, activate the two amplifiers only if the accessory has more than one speaker.

20. The system according to claim 19 , wherein the processor is programmed to maintain one of the amplifiers in a deactivated state if the accessory contains only one speaker.

21. The system according to claim 19 , wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a table of predetermined measurements that correspond to predetermined operational settings, wherein the processor is further programmed to compare the generated parameter against the table.

22. The system according to claim 19 , wherein the accessory further comprises an accessory control that when activated, generates an interrupt to the processor of the portable electronic device and wherein the processor is further programmed to measure a parameter created at least in part by the activation of the accessory control.

23. The system according to claim 22 , wherein the accessory control includes a number of control switches that correspond to functions to be performed by the processor of the portable electronic device and wherein the control switches are in parallel with the identifier of the portable electronic device.

24. The system according to claim 23 , wherein the portable electronic device further comprises a digital music file player and wherein the control switches are buttons on the accessory that control the operation of the digital music file player.

25. A portable electronic device, comprising:

an interface for receiving an accessory having an identifier;

at least two audio amplifiers for driving speakers of the accessory; and

a processor, wherein the processor is programmed to measure a parameter generated at least in part by the identifier of the accessory and in response, activate both amplifiers only if the accessory includes more than one speaker.

26. The portable electronic device according to claim 25 , wherein the processor is further programmed to maintain one of the audio amplifiers in a deactivated state if the accessory contains only one speaker.

27. The portable electronic device according to claim 25 , further comprising a table of predetermined measurements that correspond to predetermined operational settings, wherein the processor is further programmed to compare the generated parameter against the table.