Apparatus and method for enabling digital and analog data communication over a data bus

摘要

An electronic apparatus such as an audio apparatus enables both digital and analog data to be communicated over a data bus such as a universal serial bus (USB) with a single low-cost connector such as a USB connector. According to an exemplary embodiment, the electronic apparatus includes a connector operative to couple the electronic apparatus to one of a digital device and an analog device. A controller is operative to determine whether the connector is coupled to the digital device or the analog device. A switch is operative to couple the connector to one of a digital element and an analog element responsive to the determination.

主权项

1. An electronic apparatus, comprising:
interface means for coupling said electronic apparatus to one of a digital device during a digital mode of said electronic apparatus and an analog device during an analog mode of said electronic apparatus; control means for detecting when said interface means is in a connected state and coupled to one of said digital device and said analog device, and for detecting when said interface means is in a disconnected state and not coupled to said digital device or said analog device; switching means for coupling said interface means to one of a digital processing unit of said electronic apparatus and an analog processing unit of said electronic apparatus responsive to a control signal from said control means; and memory means for storing digital data; and wherein: during said digital mode, said interface means is in said connected state and digital signals are received from said digital device via said interface means and processed by said digital processing unit to generate said digital data, and said digital data is stored in said memory means; during said analog mode, said interface means is in said connected state and said digital data is retrieved from said memory means and processed by said analog processing unit to generate analog signals, and said analog signals are output to said analog device via said interface means; in response to said control means detecting said interface means is in said connected state, said control means causes said digital processing unit to initiate a communication process with an external device connected to said electronic apparatus via said interface means to determine if said external device is said digital device or said analog device; in response to said control means determining that said external device is said digital device, said electronic apparatus operates in said digital mode; in response to said control means determining that said external device is said analog device, said electronic apparatus operates in said analog mode; and in response to said control means detecting that said interface means is switched from said connected state to said disconnected state while said electronic apparatus is operating in said analog mode, said control means causes said electronic apparatus to switch to said digital mode.