Electronic device circuitry for communicating with accessories
Electronic devices and accessories such as headsets for electronic devices are provided. A microphone may be included in an accessory to capture sound for an associated electronic device. Buttons and other user interfaces may be included in the accessories. An accessory may have an audio plug that connects to a mating audio jack in an electronic device, thereby establishing a wired communications link between the accessory and the electronic device. The electronic device may include power supply circuitry for applying bias voltages to the accessory. The bias voltages may bias a microphone and may adjust settings in the accessory such as settings related to operating modes. User input information may be conveyed between the accessory and the electronic device using ultrasonic tone transmission. The electronic device may also gather input from the accessory using a voltage detector coupled to lines in the communications path.
1. An electronic device that communicates with an accessory over a wired communications path, wherein the accessory generates ultrasonic tones, the electronic device comprising:
an audio jack having contacts that are electrically connected to respective lines in the wired communications path, wherein the lines include a microphone line and at least one speaker line; and
an ultrasonic tone detector that detects the ultrasonic tones from the accessory over the microphone line and the audio jack, wherein the ultrasonic tones are at frequencies above an audible hearing range.
2. The electronic device defined in claim 1 further comprising voltage detection circuitry that measures voltages on the microphone line.
3. The electronic device defined in claim 1 , wherein the contacts of the audio jack comprise:
a tip contact;
at least one ring contact; and
a sleeve contact.
4. The electronic device defined in claim 3 , wherein the microphone line is electrically connected to the sleeve contact of the audio jack.
5. An electronic device that communicates with an accessory over a wired communications path, comprising:
an audio jack having contacts that are electrically connected to respective lines in the wired communications path, wherein the lines include a microphone line and at least one speaker line;
an ultrasonic tone detector that detects incoming ultrasonic tones from the accessory over the microphone line and the audio jack, wherein the incoming ultrasonic tones are at frequencies above an audible hearing range;
voltage detection circuitry that measures voltages on the microphone line; and
control circuitry that generates control signals, wherein the voltage detection circuitry comprises:
an adjustable switch that has a plurality of inputs each of which receives a different reference voltage and that has an output, wherein the adjustable switch has at least one control input that receives the control signals and wherein the control signals adjust the adjustable switch; and
a comparator having a first input connected to the microphone line and having a second input connected to the output of the adjustable switch.
6. The electronic device defined in claim 5 further comprising adjustable power supply circuitry that supplies a bias voltage to the microphone line, wherein the control circuitry controls the adjustable switch while the microphone line receives the supplied bias voltage to determine what type of accessory is connected to the electronic device.
7. The electronic device defined in claim 5 wherein the accessory comprises at least one speaker and wherein the electronic device comprises audio amplifier circuitry that drives audio signals onto the speaker over the speaker line.