Electronic Interfacing with a Head-Mounted Device

Abstract

Power is delivered from a power source in a head-mounted device to a separate accessory that is coupled to the head-mounted device. Power and signals are delivered on a common conductor that couples the head-mounted device to an accessory. One or both of the head-mounted device and the accessory are configured based on the signals. Power may be received at an accessory from the head-mounted device through a dedicated power conductor. Power may be delivered from a power source in a portable accessory to a head-mounted device that is coupled to the portable accessory and uses the power for circuitry in the head-mounted device that delivers audio to a user.

1 . A method comprising:
 upon coupling of a first device to a second device,   providing power from the second device to the first device;   receiving a signal conveying a preset value from the first device at the second device;   on the basis of the preset value, determining whether the first device is compatible with the second device; and   if the first device is determined to be compatible with the second device, providing the power from the second device to the first device at a greater power level than if the first device is not determined to be compatible with the second device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 if the first device is determined to be compatible with the second device, accepting signals from the first device at the second device. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communicating of the signal and the providing of the power are carried out over a shared conductor between the first device and the second device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first device comprises at least one of a headphone and a headset. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second device comprises at least one of a portable music player, a radio, or a cell phone. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first device comprises at least one of a portable music player, a radio, or a cell phone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second device comprises at least one of a headphone and a headset. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus comprising:
 a connector for coupling to a cable bearing one or more electrical conductors;   a power supply for providing power to at least one conductor in the cable; and   a processor coupled to the connector and to the power supply and configured to:
 receive a signal conveying a preset value on one of the conductors in the cable, 
 on the basis of the preset value, determine whether a source of the signal is compatible with the apparatus, and 
 if the source of the signal is determined to be compatible with the apparatus, cause the power supply to provide the power to the at least one conductor at a greater power level than if the source of the signal is not determined to be compatible with the apparatus. 
   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the processor is further configured to accept signals from the source of the signal if the source was determined to be compatible with the second device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the power supply provides power to the source over the same electrical conductor on which the signal was received. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising:
 a cable bearing one or more electrical conductors; and   a processor coupled to the conductor and configured to:
 receive power from at least one of the conductors in the cable, 
 in response to receiving the power, transmit a signal conveying preset value on one of the conductors in the cable, and 
 use the power from the at least one conductor to operate additional circuitry. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the processor is further configured to transmit additional signals. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the processor is configured to receive the power and transmit the signal over the same electrical conductor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising at least one of a headphone and a headset. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising at least one of a portable music player, a radio, or a cell phone. 
     
     
         16 . A system comprising a first device and a second device,
 the first device comprising:
 a cable bearing one or more electrical conductors; and 
 a first processor coupled to the conductors in the cable and configured to:
 receive power from the second device over at least one of the conductors in the cable, and 
 in response to receiving the power, transmit a signal conveying preset value to the second device on one of the conductors in the cable; 
 
   the second device comprising:
 a connector for coupling to the cable; 
 a power supply providing the power to the first device over the at least one conductor; and 
 a second processor coupled to the connector and to the power supply and configured to:
 receive the signal from the first device on the one conductor, 
 on the basis of the preset value, determine whether the first device is compatible with the second device, and 
 if the first device is determined to be compatible with the second device, cause the power supply to provide the power to the first device over the one or more conductors at a greater power level than if the first device is not determined to be compatible with the second device. 
 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first processor is configured to receive the power and transmit the signal over the same electrical conductor. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the power supply provides the power to the first device over the same electrical conductor on which the signal was received. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the first device comprises at least one of a headphone and a headset. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the second device comprises at least one of a portable music player, a radio, or a cell phone. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the first device comprises at least one of a portable music player, a radio, or a cell phone. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the second device comprises at least one of a headphone and a headset.