EP2223394B1

EP2223394B1 - Connector for connecting at least one output device to a rendering device and method for managing the connection

Info

Publication number: EP2223394B1
Application number: EP07857727.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jeroen De Weerd
Original assignee: Vodafone GmbH
Current assignee: Vodafone GmbH
Priority date: 2007-12-17
Filing date: 2007-12-17
Publication date: 2015-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-17
Also published as: EP2223394A1; WO2009077004A1

Description

The present invention relates to a connector for connecting at least one output device to a rendering device and to a method for managing the connection.
Mobile phones have become a preferred solution to ensure that a user can be reached regardless of his current location. In order to successfully establish a communication connection with the user of the mobile phone, it is, however, mandatory that the user will be alerted when a call comes in. In general a ring tone will inform the user accordingly. Also vibrating systems have been introduced to indicate an incoming call.
These known solutions, however, require that the user is either close enough to the mobile phone to feel the vibration and/or is able to hear the ring tone. Especially the latter requirement is often not fulfilled. If the user is for example listening to music or watching TV, the volume of the media output to him may be turned up to high and may not allow the user to hear the ring tone. Also in the event where the user is wearing a head set or earphones to listen to the media, he will not be aware of an incoming call, as he will not hear the ring tone.
In order to address this problem, enhanced acoustic devices have been suggested, wherein a control system is implemented to stop the rendering of music or other audio, when an incoming phone call reaches a mobile phone. Such an enhanced acoustic device is for example described in JP 2001 10 31 35 A . One disadvantage of this solution is that the usages of other devices, which the user may already own and which are not provided with the control system, will still bear the risk of missing a call. JP 11154994A describes a notification device which can be attached to a rendering device to notify a user, who is listening to content being rendered from the rendering device via wired head phones, of an incoming call on his mobile phone. The notification device will either interrupt or mix the rendered signal with a notification signal informing the user about the call. One drawback of this solution is the fact that the notification device will inform the user on all incoming calls on phones close to the notification device and may thus disturb the user.
Furthermore EP 1 850 569 A1 describes a module for transferring a warning signal to headphones of an audio player is described. The module comprises a Bluetooth logic block, a Bluetooth communication block as well as a Bluetooth switching block. When a telephone call is received, the telephone will notify the Bluetooth in the module. Then the Bluetooth logic and communication blocks activate the switching logic to switch a switch to a telephone connection.
EP 0 939 497 A1 relates to an adapter for a telephone. In this adapter a detection portion for detecting a call-incoming signal transmitted thereto from a portable telephone is provided. Upon detection of such signal the detection unit transmits a command signal to a switchhook portion.
US 2006/0046656 A1 describes a Bluetooth device, which is connectable to audio equipment. The connection between a mobile communication device and the Bluetooth device is carried out between a Bluetooth transceiver at the mobile communication device and a Bluetooth transceiver at the Bluetooth device. The communication between the two transceivers is a communication according to the Bluetooth specification.
WO 00/70779 relates to a combined-use assembly of mobile telephone and audio. In this assembly, a controller is used to switch between a connection from a mobile telephone and an audio apparatus to earphones. In a semi-automatic version, the controller provides alert sound tones to earphones to inform the user of an incoming call, so that the user can change the connection manually. The controller is connected to an income call sensor. The income call sensor can for example sense radio frequency signals, light signals or sound signals.
US 2007/0225035 A1 relates to a headset audio accessory. This accessory comprises a wireless communication circuit. In this circuit a processing circuit as well as an antenna are provided. The antenna may receive wireless transmission from a cellular phone. The cellular phone is a conventional cell phone adapted to transmit wirelessly according to hands-free profile HFP or headset profile HSP of the Bluetooth communication standard. The communication between the accessory unit and the cellular phone may thus be a Bluetooth communication connection.
One drawback of the prior art solutions is that the reliable detection of signals can only be realized by a complex design of the connectors which comprises Bluetooth units.
The problem to be solved by the present invention is thus to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art solutions.
The invention is based on the finding that the problem can be solved by providing means to control the connection of a rendering device and an output device within the connection itself and depending on current needs and circumstances.
According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a connector for connecting at least one output device to a rendering device. The connector is characterized in that it comprises at least one interruption unit for managing the connection of the output device to the rendering device, at least one detection unit for detecting at least one external signal and at least one adjustment unit for adjusting the detection unit, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the detection unit and/or adjusts the frequency band within which the detection unit detects external signals.
The external signal according to the present invention is a signal originating from a device which is different to the rendering device and the output device. Preferably the external signal is an electromagnetic wave signal emitted by a mobile phone. The external signal may for example be in the frequency range of a mobile communication network, for example 900 MHz.
By providing a connector which includes the functionalities necessary for managing the transmission of audio signals to the user as a separate entity from the rendering device and the output device, the application of the present invention is extremely flexible. The connector may be used with different output devices and/or rendering devices. Hence, a user will not be forced to replace any of his presently owned rendering devices or output devices, if he wants to be alerted of incoming calls or other events.
The rendering device may be any device capable of rendering media, such as a stereo system, a TV, a CD-Player, a DVD player. In particular, the rendering device is a device for rendering audio content and emitting audio signals to an output device. The device may be portable such as an MP3-player or Ipod ®. The output device is preferably connected to the rendering device in a wired fashion, i.e. by a cable which may be part of the output device or could be connected thereto. The output device may for example be a loudspeaker, head set or earphones.
The detection unit preferably detects external signals without necessitating a predetermined connection to the device from which the external signal originates to be established beforehand. Since the detection of the external signals is, hence, initiated from the connector, the connector can have a simple design compared to entities such as Bluetooth enabled head sets or earphones. Those entities require a considerable amount of processing power, in order to be able to establish a connection with for example a mobile phone and to then receive signals from the mobile phone via this connection.
Finally, by providing an adjustment unit at the connector, the reliability of the connector is increased. The adjustment unit for adjusting the detection unit preferably comprises a manipulation button or other manipulation or operating means. In this case, the user of the connector will be able to adjust the detection unit according to his specific needs and the current circumstances, e.g. his present location. It is, however, also possible that the adjustment unit automatically adjusts the detection unit. This can for example be done by using external signals detected at the detection unit for determination of the reliability of the received signals. If for example the amount of detected signals exceeds a threshold value, the adjustment unit may automatically switch to a different setting where less signals are detected.
According to the present invention, the adjustment unit may adjust the sensitivity of the detection unit. The sensitivity of the detection unit will determine whether signals of specific signal strength will be detected by the detection unit or not. By providing the possibility to adjust the sensitivity of the detection unit, it will be possible to limit the detected signals to signals of relevance for the user. If the signals to be detected originate from the mobile phone of the user, it can be assumed that the mobile phone will be close to the connector and the sensitivity can thus be set to be low. Thereby, for example only signals having signal strength above a preset threshold value will be detected. This means that only signals from devices close to the connector will then be detected by the detection unit and will initiate the subsequent processes within the connector such as interrupting the connection from the rendering device to the output device. The adjustment of the sensitivity of the detection unit is helpful, as the surrounding conditions of the connector, i.e. the environment where the user is currently using the rendering device may change. In crowded places where a lot of communication devices are present, such as in public transportation, the sensitivity of the detection unit should be set to low, so that only external signals originating from the communication device closest to the user will be detected. It should be noted that dependent on the lay-out of the detection unit and in particular the sensors used, it is also possible that a setting High, instead of the setting Low, may indicate that only signals above a preset threshold value will be detected, that means only signals from communication devices nearby will be detected.
Alternatively or additionally, to the adjustment of the sensitivity of the detection unit, the adjustment unit may adjust the frequency band within which the detection unit detects external signals. In addition to or instead of adjusting the sensitivity of the detection unit, the adjustment unit may thus adjust the frequency range within which the detection unit will detect signals. Thereby, a user having a GSM phone could select the GSM frequency band, a user having 3G could select the frequencies corresponding with 3G and so on to eliminate responses to phones from another network or another frequency band of the same network. These different frequency bands may for example be selected by the user based upon his present location. Thereby, the connector can be adjusted to the frequency band used in the country or region where the user is presently located, for example America, Europe, Asia and so on. For example, the frequency band of GSM 900 or GSM 1800 may be selected by the user when he is located in Europe or Asia, whereas the GSM 850 or GSM 1900 frequency band may be selected when the user is in the USA or Canada. The frequency band to which the detection unit may be adjusted may preferably be the band used for uplink traffic, that means from the mobile phone to the transceiver station, e.g. base station or node B. As described above, the adjustment unit may also adjust the settings of the detection unit automatically, i.e. without user input. For the adjustment of the frequency range for signals to be detected, this automatic adjustment may be performed by the detection of a specific network. Once the network is detected, the frequency range within which the detection unit will detect signals may automatically be adjusted accordingly.
According to one embodiment, the adjustment unit adjusts the detection unit to detect signals in the frequency range of at least one control channel of a mobile communication standard, in particular GSM, UMTS and/or any 3G or 4G-standard. The frequency range may be for example 890-915 MHz and/or 935-960 MHz for a GSM-800 standard network. It is to be noted, that the indicated frequency bands are only examples and that the detection unit may be set to and / or adjusted to any frequency band which is being used in the respective mobile communication network. By monitoring signals within such frequency ranges, signals on control channels can be detected. Hence, the connector will be able to detect signals such as the call setup signal, which is generated by a mobile phone, when a call comes in.
The adjustment unit may adjust the signal or signal sequence to be detected by the detection unit. The specific sequence of signals in a frequency range may for example be representative of a call setup signal from a mobile phone. The sequence of signals may also be the signal representative of an incoming call, the ring tone of a mobile phone or a tone issued by the mobile phone, when an SMS is received or is to be received. By not only monitoring individual signals in the surrounding of the connector, the reliability of the relevance of the detected external signals can be increased.
Especially for connectors where the adjustment unit can be manipulated by input means such as a button, it is preferable that the adjustment unit comprises an adjustment selector for selecting preset adjustment settings. Instead of having to adjust the detection unit to specific values for sensitivity, frequency and / or signals, the user can select a predefined setting which may include values for the respective parameters. The settings from which the user may select may for example be the country where he currently is located and the current environment, e.g. public transport or home. For each of these settings the relevant parameters will be stored in the connector and the detection unit will be adjusted according to the selected setting. Thereby, the handling of the connector is further facilitated.
According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment unit comprises an adjustment display for displaying at least part of settings set and/or selected within the adjustment unit. For displaying the sensitivity of the detection unit, for example, LED's may be used and the number of LED's illuminated indicates the level of sensitivity. For displaying the selected frequency band a display screen may be provided on the connector, or LED's may be used where the illumination of an LED will indicate the selected frequency band. This indication can be realized by marking different frequency bands to which the connector can be adjusted on the housing of the connector adjacent to the respective LED. The display of the currently selected setting will be helpful for the user both for initially selecting a setting or adjusting the detection unit as well as for confirmation purposes.
The connector may comprise a filter unit for filtering detected signals. The filter may be used to filter detected signals according to a threshold of the signal strength and / or to filter a preset signal sequence out of a number of signals detected. The latter filter may for example be used to detect signal frequencies in advanced communication networks such as 3G or 4G networks. In particular, a filter may be used to eliminate location update signals. This is advantageous as these signals are emitted from mobile phones on a regular basis. The user does not need to and does not want to be notified of these signals. The filter unit preferably is part of the detection unit of the connector. The filter may for example be realized by a capacitor, which will only charge if a signal of sufficient strength and duration is received.
If a filter unit is provided in the connector, the adjustment unit is preferably connected to the filter for adjusting filter settings. Thereby, an additional flexibility is provided as the user may also adjust the filter settings according to his current needs.
The detection unit and the interruption unit are preferably connected for transmittal of a detection signal to the interruption unit. The detection signal may be a control signal activating or deactivating the interruption unit or parts of it. The detection signal reflects the fact that a signal according to the settings of the detection unit and/or a filter has been detected. Upon detection of such a signal the detection signal may be transmitted to the interruption unit and the connection between the rendering device and the output device can be managed, e.g. interrupted.
The interruption unit may include an interruption element such as a switch or a relay, preferably a solid-state relay. The interruption element is preferably reversible so that the connection from the rendering device to the output device may be re-established once the user has been informed on for example the incoming call.
According to one embodiment, the interruption unit comprises means for inputting a preset audio signal into the connection from the connector to the output device. The means for inputting the preset audio signal may include a storage unit, where the preset audio signal is being stored. The interruption element used to interrupt the connection between the rendering device and the output device may also be used to establish a connection to the storage device. In this case the interruption element is preferably a switch. By inputting a preset audio signal for example a ring tone can be fed to the output device. This is advantageous in that the user will be able to identify the reason for the interruption of audio output from the rendering device. In particular, if the interruption unit only disconnects the transmission of audio signals from the rendering device to the output device for a short period of time, the user may mistake the interruption to be part of the audio signal of the rendering device, e.g. a pause between songs.
According to one embodiment, the connector comprises at least one operation button for activating or deactivating at least one unit of the connector. Preferably the operation button is connected to the interruption unit of the connector. In this case, the user may deactivate the interruption unit by actuating the operation button. This may for example be advantageous in cases where the user does not want to respond to the incoming call, where the detected signal did not originate from the mobile phone of the user or where the user does not want to be disturbed at all. By pressing or otherwise actuating the button, the connection between the rendering device and the output device can be re-established by for example returning the interruption element into its original state, where the connection is not interrupted. It is also possible, that the operation button may be connected to the detection unit or a filter unit, if provided. If, for example, a capacitor is used as a filter, the operating button may when actuated bridge the capacitor and thus result in discharging the capacitor. The interruption unit which was activated by the detection unit will at that stage return into its inactive state where the connection between the rendering device and the output device is not interrupted. The operation button will hereinafter also be referred to as a reject button.
The power supply for the connector may be a power source, such as a battery within the connector. It is, however, also possible that the connector comprises a power receiving unit for receiving and/or converting power from at least the rendering device. If the output device is equipped with a power supply, the connector may also obtain the power from this device. By providing a power receiving unit, the lay-out of the connector is facilitated even more, as no power source has to be provided therein. The power receiving unit is preferably included in or connected to connecting means of the connector to the rendering device and/or the output device. These connecting means may be plugs or sockets.
According to one embodiment, the connector comprises at least one receiving means for receiving an attachment unit of the output device and at least one insertion means for inserting into at least one receiving unit at the rendering device. The receiving means may be a socket and the insertion means may be a plug. Besides enabling signal transmission, the attachment entities may also serve to provide power to the connector, if the connector is set up to obtain its power from one of the devices.
By providing such mechanical attachment entities, the assembly of the setup, including the connector, can be easily performed and the connector may also be removed easily. The removal of the connector may be desirable, if the connector can not be set to a passive state. In that case, the user can remove the connector, if he does not want to be disturbed, while listening to the audio output of the rendering device, e.g. while listening to music.
Preferably, the receiving means and the insertion means are designed to be complementary to standard plugs and sockets provided on commercial output devices and rendering devices. By providing standard receiving and insertion means, the connector can be used with different devices without necessitating amendments to the connector or the devices.
The connector may be designed according to different standards. Hence, the present invention also encompasses connectors which are provided with for example two insertion means and do not comprise receiving means. Such an embodiment of the connector may be used with an output device and a rendering device according to a standard where both devices have receiving means.
The connector may represent only a part of the connection between the rendering device and the output device. In this case the connector may be an adapter. This adapter may be attached for example to the rendering device and an attachment unit of the output device, such as a plug at the end of a cable of the output device, may be inserted into receiving means of the connector. The connector may, however, also comprise a cable, wherein the receiving means and/or insertion means for attachment to the respective devices are provided at the ends of the cable. This embodiment of the connector may be used for devices, where corresponding attachment units and/or receiving units are provided on the device.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a method for managing the connection from a rendering device to at least one output device with a connector interposed between the rendering device and the output device, wherein the connector comprises at least one interruption unit for managing the connection of the output device to the rendering device, at least one detection unit for detecting external signals and an adjustment unit for adjusting the detection unit . The method is characterized in that upon detection of at least one external signal detected according to settings of the adjustment unit at the connector the transmission of signals from the rendering device to the output device is being altered, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the detection unit and/or adjusts the frequency band within which the detection unit detects external signals. The alteration of the transmission may be an interruption of the transmission of signals from the rendering device to the output device. Alternatively or additionally, the alteration may be the feeding of a preset audio signal such as a ring tone, to the output device.
According to one embodiment, the different alterations of the transmission of signals from the rendering device to the output device may be selected according to the settings of the adjustment unit. For example, a first level of sensitivity may be set within the adjustment unit at which the transmission to the output device is to be interrupted. At a second level of sensitivity, a ring tone may be fed to the output device instead of the signals received from the rendering device.
Advantages and features described with respect to the connector also apply to the method accordingly and vice versa.
The units of the connector according to the present invention can be realized as software or hardware and may at least partially be combined.
The invention will now be described again with reference to the enclosed figures, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a system to be used with the inventive method;
Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the connector according to the invention; and
Figure 3 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the connector according to the invention.

The system 1 in Figure 1 comprises a rendering device, which is depicted as an MP3-player 2. The MP3-player 2 is connected to a head set 3. Signals representing audio content, such as music, can be transmitted to the head set 3 via the cable 4 of the head set 3.
Between the MP3-player 2 and the headset 3, in particular its cable 4, a connector 5 is interposed. The connector 5 comprises a socket 51 as receiving means at one end and a plug 52 as insertion means at the opposite end. The plug 52 is depicted as being inserted into a receiving unit 21 of the MP3-player 2.
As the connector 5 is inserted into the receiving unit 21 of the MP3-player 2, the socket 51 of the connector 5 can serve for receiving the plug 31 of the head set 3. The connector 5 is thus interposed in the connection between the MP3-player 2 and the head set 3. The power for operating the connector 5 may be obtained from the MP3-player 2 via the plug 52. Alternatively, a power source such as a battery (not shown) may be provided within the connector 5. When no connector 5 is used, the plug 31 of the cable 4 of the head set 3 will be inserted directly into the receiving unit 21 of the MP3-player 2.
Also shown in Figure 1 is a mobile phone 6, which is the terminal of a cellular communication network. Within cellular networks the mobile phone 6 is set up to send and receive signals form a base station 7. The signalling between the mobile phone 6 and the base station 7 is schematically indicated in Figure 1.
Depending on the network standard, the frequency used for signalling between the mobile phone 6 and the base station 7 is different. In a GSM-900 network the uplink signalling from the mobile phone 6 to the base station 7 will for example be carried on in a frequency range or channel of 890-915 MHz and the downlink signalling from the base station 7 to the mobile phone 6 will be carried out in a frequency range or channel of 935-960 MHz. Depending on the network other frequencies will be used. For example, for a GSM-1800 network the uplink signalling will be carried out in the frequency range of 1710 - 1785 MHz and the downlink signalling. It is to be noted that these frequency bands are only examples and that the present invention may be applied to any frequency band which is being used in the respective network. Within these frequency channels logical channels are established. For example control channels are used. These control channels will only carry cellular system data. Via these channels for example the signalling for call setup will be conducted.
If a phone call is to be established with the mobile phone 6, the base station 7 may transmit a paging message to the mobile phone 6. The mobile phone 6 may, upon receipt of the signal, respond by sending its identifying information again to the base station 7, along with a message confirming that it received the paging message via a control channel. At that point voice channels for conducting the phone call will be assigned.
According to the present invention, the connector 5 is equipped with a detection unit 53 for detecting signals external to the MP3-player 2 and the head set 3. In particular, the connector 5 may be set to detect signals in a frequency range that comprises the control channel of a cellular network and / or signals of specific signal strength.
One embodiment of the connector 5 is schematically shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment the connector 5 is equipped with two plugs 52, 52' but does not include a socket 51. The connector 5 may, alternatively, have the same layout as the connector 5 shown in Figure 1.
The connector 5 comprises a detection unit 53 and an interruption unit 54. Furthermore the depicted embodiment of the connector 5 comprises a storage unit 55. The units are shown schematically in Figure 2.
The detection unit 53 may be a diode for detection of signals within a preset frequency or frequency range. The detection unit 53 may be set up to detect only signals within the preset frequency range, if the signal strength is above a threshold value. Alternatively, the detection unit 53 may be set to only further process the stronger signal, if more than one signal or sequences of signals are being detected. This filtering of signals will lower the risk that signals originating from a mobile phone 6, which does not belong to the user of the MP3-player 2, will be detected, as it can be assumed that the mobile phone 6 belonging to this user will be in a closer vicinity to the MP3-player 2 than the mobile phone 6 of other users.
The interruption unit 54 comprises an interruption element 541, such as a switch or a solid-state relay, for interrupting the connection between the plug 52 and the opposite plug 52' of the connector 5. By interrupting this connection, the signals, in particular the audio signals transmitted from the MP3-player 2 will no longer reach the head set 3. The interruption unit 54 may further be connected to a storage unit 55, where at least one preset audio signal may be stored. This signal can for example be a ring tone. The interruption unit 54 or a separate managing unit (not shown) provided within the interruption unit 54 or separately may establish a connection between the storage unit 55 and the plug 52' which will be connected to the cable 4 to the head set 3. Thereby, the preset audio signal of the storage unit may be fed into the connection to the head set 3 and the respective audio signal will be output at the head set 3.
Once the detection unit 53 detects an external signal within the frequency range preset within the detection unit 53, in particular a call setup signal, a detection signal will be transmitted to the interruption unit 54. The interruption unit 54 will interrupt the connection between the two plugs 52, 52' and thereby the connection from the MP3-player 2 to the head set 3 will be interrupted. Simultaneously, the audio signal stored in the storage unit 55 may be fed into the connection between the interruption unit 54 and the plug 52'. The detection signal may be transmitted once upon first detection of the external signal.
Once the detection unit 53 does no longer detect the external signal within the preset frequency or frequency range or at the required signal strength, the detection unit 53 may emit a termination signal to the interruption unit 54. Upon receipt of this termination signal, the interruption unit 54 will re-establish the status it had before the initial detection signal was received. In particular, the connection between the two plugs 52 and 52' will be re-established. The audio signals from the MP3-player 2 will now be transmitted to the head set 3 and the user can listen to the music again.
Alternatively, it will also be possible, that the detection unit 53 only emits the initial detection signal to the interruption unit 54 and the interruption element 541 is activated for a given time. In that case, the connection between the plugs 52 an 52' will be re-established once the given time period has lapsed.
If a preset audio signal had been fed to the connection to the head set 3 from the storage unit 55, the transmission of this audio signal will also be suppressed, once the original external signal is no longer detected by the detection unit 53 or once the given period of time after the detection signal has passed. According to the present invention, the interruption of the connection and the feeding of the preset audio signal, such as a ring tone, may be maintained for a predetermined period of time after the last detection of the external signal by the detection unit 53. Thereby it is ensured that the user will have sufficient time to realize the alert.
In the embodiment as shown in Figure 2, the detection unit 53 is connected to an adjustment unit 56. The adjustment unit 56 is further connected to a display unit 57 for displaying settings and / or parameters set by the adjustment unit 56. Finally, a filter unit 58 is shown in Figure 2 as part of the detection unit 53.
The adjustment unit 56 may be manipulated by a manipulation button 59 which is schematically shown in Figure 3. The settings or parameters selected or adjusted by the manipulation button 59 can be displayed via the display unit 57. In Figure 3 the display unit 57 is shown as comprising three LED's 57', 57", 57"'. The LED's 57', 57", 57"' may for example indicate the sensitivity of the detection unit 53 which is currently set. If only one LED 57', 57", 57"' is illuminated, the sensitivity is set to be Low.
In Figure 3 also a reject button 591 is shown. The reject button 591 may be connected to the detection unit 53, the filter unit 58 and/or the interruption unit 54. If the reject button 591 is connected to the interruption unit 54, the actuation of the reject button 591 in a stage where the interruption unit 54 is active, i.e. interrupts the connection between the plugs 52, 52', will result in a re-establishment of the connection, i.e. in a deactivation of the interruption unit 54.
The operation of the connector according to the invention will now be described again. A user, who wants to listen to music on his MP3-player 2, may adjust the settings of the detection unit 53 and/or the filter unit 58 of the connector 5 according to his needs. By turning or pushing the manipulation button 59, the user may for example select a sensitivity at which the detection unit 53 should operate. If the user is in an environment with a large number of other people, he will select the sensitivity to be Low, so that only signals exceeding a threshold value will be detected by the detection unit 53. The selected sensitivity will be shown to the user by means of the display unit 57. For example, to display the setting of low sensitivity, only one LED 57' may be illuminated.
With this setting the user can listen to music but will still be alerted if a phone call is received at his mobile phone 6. At that point, the user may check his mobile phone 6 to determine who the caller is. If the user does not wish to answer the phone call, he can push the reject button 591. This will re-establish the previously interrupted connection between the MP3-player 2 and the head set 3, so that the user can continue to listen to music.
The present invention is not limited to a connector as shown in the Figures. Different lay-outs of the connector can be used. Also the units within the connector as shown in Figure 2 can be laid out differently and may in particular be partially combined. Also additional units may be provided.
The connector 5 may also be used for other rendering devices. For example a TV or a stereo system can be connected to loud speakers with the connector being interposed in the connection.
This invention allows a user to listen to the music via wired headphones and not miss any incoming phone calls. The invention does not require any of the equipment to be adapted and is independent from the device producing the audio signals and the wired headphones. It is very easy to use. The user plugs in the connector between the rendering device and the output device and will be able to listen to music and will still be alerted of an incoming call. As the user can adjust the settings of the connector, in particular the sensitivity of a detection unit or a frequency range to be monitored, the likelihood of the user being disturbed while listening to music for an unjustified reason is minimized. The settings can always be adapted to the current needs and circumstances, such as the present environment.

Reference Numbers

1: System
2: Rendering device
21: Receiving unit
3: Head set
31: Plug
4: Cable of head set
5: Connector
51: Socket / Receiving means
52: Plug
53: Detection unit
54: Interruption unit
541: Interruption element
55: Storage unit
56: Adjustment unit
57: Display
58: Filter unit
59: Manipulation button
591: Reject button
6: Mobile phone
7: Base station

Claims

Connector for connecting at least one output device (3) to a rendering device (2), whereby the connector (5) comprises at least one interruption unit (54) for managing the connection of the output device (3) to the rendering device (2), characterised by at least one detection unit (53) for detecting at least one external signal and at least one adjustment unit (56) for adjusting the detection unit (53), wherein the adjustment unit (56) is adapted to adjust the sensitivity of the detection unit (53) and/or the frequency band within which the detection unit (53) detects external signals.
Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment unit (56) adjusts the detection unit (53) to detect signals in the frequency range of at least one control channel of a mobile communication standard, in particular GSM and/or UMTS.
Connector according to anyone of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment unit (56) adjusts the signal or signal sequence to be detected by the detection unit (53).
Connector according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjustment unit (56) comprises an adjustment selector for selecting preset adjustment settings.
Connector according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the adjustment unit (56) comprises an adjustment display (57) for displaying at least part of settings set and/or selected within the adjustment unit (56).
Connector according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the connector (5) comprises a filter unit (58) for filtering detected signals.
Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the adjustment unit (56) is connected to the filter (58) for adjusting filter settings.
Connector according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that the detection unit (53) and the interruption unit (54) are connected for transmittal of a detection signal to the interruption unit (54).
Connector according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the interruption unit (54) comprises an interruption element (541) for interrupting the connection of signal transfer of the rendering device (2) to the output device (3).
Connector according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the interruption unit (54) comprises means (55) for inputting a preset audio signal into the connection from the connector (5) to the output device (3).
Connector according to anyone of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connector comprises an operation button (591) for activating or deactivating at least one unit (53, 54, 58) of the connector (5).
Connector according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one receiving means (51) for receiving an attachment unit (31) of the output device (3) and at least one insertion means (52) for inserting into at least one receiving unit (21) at the rendering device (2).
Method for managing the connection from a rendering device (2) to at least one output device (3) with a connector (5) interposed between the rendering device (2) and the output device (3), wherein the connector (5) comprises at least one interruption unit (54) for managing the connection of the output device (3) to the rendering device (2), at least one detection unit (53) for detecting external signals and an adjustment unit (56) for adjusting the detection unit (53);
characterized in that upon detection of at least one external signal detected according to settings of the adjustment unit (56) at the connector (5) the transmission of signals from the rendering device (2) to the output device (3) is being altered, wherein the adjustment unit (56) adjusts the sensitivity of the detection unit (53) and/or adjusts the frequency band within which the detection unit (53) detects external signals.
Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the connector (5) interrupts the connection between the rendering device (2) and the output device (3) and/or feeds a preset signal into the connection to the output device (3).