POSITIVE DISCONNECT UNIT
A disconnect unit may include a first interface, configured to communicate with an accessory, a second interface, configured to communicate with a communication device, a relay, configured to physically connect and disconnect a communication path between the first interface and the second interface, and a codec unit, configured to maintain a software-level connection with the communication device via the second interface on behalf of the accessory.
1 . A disconnect unit, comprising:
a first interface, configured to communicate with an accessory;
a second interface, configured to communicate with a communication device;
a relay, configured to physically connect a communication path between the first interface and the second interface; and
a codec unit, configured to maintain a software-level connection with the communication device via the second interface on behalf of the accessory.
2 . The disconnect unit of claim 1 , wherein the relay is configured to physically disconnect the communication path in a default operating state.
3 . The disconnect unit of claim 1 , wherein the relay is configured to physically connect the communication path in a connected operating state.
4 . The disconnect unit of claim 1 , wherein the relay comprises an electromechanical device configured to physically connect the communication path between the first interface and the second interface.
5 . The disconnect unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a user interface, configured to receive an input;
wherein the relay is configured to physically connect the communication path in response to the input received at the user interface.
6 . The disconnect unit of claim 1 , wherein the codec unit is configured to maintain the software-level connection with the communication device when the communication path is physically disconnected.
7 . The disconnect unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a timer unit, configured to count a first time period during which the disconnect unit may operate with the communication path physically connected.
8 . The disconnect unit of claim 7 , wherein the timer unit is configured to send a signal to the relay to physically disconnect the communication path in response to determining that the first time period has expired.
9 . The disconnect unit of claim 7 , wherein the timer unit is configured to count a second time period after the first time period has expired, and
wherein the timer unit is configured to send a signal to the relay to physically disconnect the communication path in response to determining that the second time period has expired.
10 . An electrical circuit, comprising:
a first interface, configured to communicate with an accessory;
a second interface, configured to communicate with a communication device;
a relay, configured to physically connect a communication path between the first interface and the second interface; and
a codec unit, configured to maintain a software-level connection with the communication device via the second interface on behalf of the accessory.
11 . The electrical circuit of claim 10 , wherein the codec unit is electrically coupled to the second interface.
12 . The electrical circuit of claim 10 , wherein the relay is electrically coupled to the first interface.
13 . The electrical circuit of claim 10 , wherein when the communication path is physically connected by the relay, the relay is electrically coupled to the codec unit.
14 . The electrical circuit of claim 10 , wherein the codec unit is configured to maintain the software-level connection with the communication device via the second interface on behalf of the accessory when the relay physically disconnects the communication path.
15 . A method of positively disconnecting a communication path between a first interface in communication with a communication device and a second interface in communication with an accessory to prevent inadvertent signal transmissions, comprising:
physically disconnecting the communication path between the first interface and the second interface in a default operating state by a relay disposed along the signal path;
maintaining a software-level connection with the communication device via the second interface on behalf of the accessory; and
physically connecting the communication path in a connected operating state to enable signal communication between the accessory and the communication device.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the relay comprises an electromechanical device configured to physically connect the communication path between the first interface and the second interface.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the relay is configured to physically connect the communication path in response to an input received at a user interface.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein maintaining a software-level connection comprises maintaining the software-level connection with the communication device via the second interface by a codec unit in communication with the first interface.
19 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
counting, by a timer unit, a first time period during which the disconnect unit may operate with the communication path physically connected.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
sending, from the timer unit, a signal to the relay to physically disconnect the communication path in response to determining that the first time period has expired.