Mobile device and control method thereof

Abstract

A mobile device includes a connector, an audio generator, a biological signal processor, a switch element, and a controller. The switch element has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the switch element is coupled to the connector, and the second terminal of the switch element is selectively coupled to either the audio generator or the biological signal processor according to a control signal. The controller is coupled to the audio generator and the biological signal processor, and is configured to generate the control signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile device, comprising:
 a connector;   an audio generator;   a biological signal processor;   a switch element, having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the switch element is coupled to the connector, and the second terminal of the switch element is selectively coupled to either the audio generator or the biological signal processor according to a control signal; and   a controller, coupled to the audio generator and the biological signal processor, and generating the control signal.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when an external device is coupled to the connector, the switch element initially couples the connector to the biological signal processor. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the controller controls a switching operation of the switch element according to information from the external device. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the external device is an external earphone or an external sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the external sensor is an external electrode. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein if the connector receives a first biological signal from the external device, the first biological signal is transmitted through the switch element to the biological signal processor, such that the biological signal processor processes the first biological signal. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein if the connector does not receive any biological signal from the external device, the switch element changes its switching operation and couples the connector to the audio generator, instead of the biological signal processor. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a housing; and   a plurality of sensors, embedded in the housing, and coupled to the biological signal processor.   
     
     
         9 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the sensors are electrodes. 
     
     
         10 . The mobile device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein if no external device is coupled to the connector or if the connector does not receive any biological signal from the external device, the biological signal processor tries to receive and process a second biological signal from the sensors. 
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising the steps of:
 providing a mobile device, wherein the mobile device comprises a connector, an audio generator, a biological signal processor, a switch element, and a controller, and wherein the controller is coupled to the audio generator and the biological signal processor;   generating a control signal by the controller; and   coupling the connector to either the audio generator or the biological signal processor by the switch element according to the control signal.   
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 when an external device is coupled to the connector, initially coupling the connector to the biological signal processor by the switch element.   
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 controlling a switching operation of the switch element by the controller according to information from the external device.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the external device is an external earphone or an external sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the external sensor is an external electrode. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 if the connector receives a first biological signal from the external device, transmitting the first biological signal through the switch element to the biological signal processor, and processing the first biological signal by the biological signal processor.   
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 if the connector does not receive any biological signal from the external device, coupling the connector to the audio generator, instead of the biological signal processor, by the switch element.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the mobile device further comprises a housing and a plurality of sensors, and wherein the sensors are embedded in the housing and are coupled to the biological signal processor. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the sensors are electrodes. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 if no external device is coupled to the connector or if the connector does not receive any biological signal from the external device, trying to receive and process a second biological signal from the sensors by the biological signal processor.