WO2016050730A1

WO2016050730A1 - Headset controller

Info

Publication number: WO2016050730A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/072356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erling Skjoldborg
Original assignee: Gn Netcom A/S
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2015-09-29
Publication date: 2016-04-07

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headset controller and to a method for operating a headset controller. The invention may e.g. be used to exchange audio signals between a personal computer and a headset. A headset controller (1) may comprise a first electrical connector (3) for detachably connecting a sound interface device (30, 40) and a second electrical connector (8) for detachably connecting a USB host (36). The headset controller (1) may be adapted to receive an analog audio input signal (A₀) at the first electrical connector (3), provide an analog audio output signal (A₁, A₂) at the first electrical connector (3), receive a digital audio input signal (U_i, D₁, D₂) at the second electrical connector (8) and provide a digital audio output signal (Uo, D0) at the second electrical connector (8). The headset controller (1) may further comprise a signal converter (4) adapted to provide the digital audio output signal (U_o, D₀) in dependence on the analog audio input signal (A0) and provide the analog audio output signal (A₁, A₂) in dependence on the digital audio input signal (U_i, D₁, D₂). The signal converter (4) may comprise a control unit (24) adapted to engage in an enumeration process with a first USB host (36) connected to the second electrical connector (8) wherein the control unit (24) reports configuration data to the first USB host (36) defining one or more USB audio endpoints. In an improved headset controller (1), the signal converter (4) may further comprise a sensor unit (23) connected to receive a sensor input signal (S_i) from the first electrical connector (3) and adapted to determine a device configuration of a first sound interface device (30, 40) connected to the first electrical connector (3) in dependence on the sensor input signal (S_i) as well as to provide a sensor output signal (S_o) to the control unit (24) indicating the determined device configuration, and the control unit (24) may further be adapted to report the configuration data in dependence on the device configuration indicated in the sensor output signal (S_o). This may allow an audio application running on a PC (36) to e.g. select between providing a monaural signal, a binaural signal or a multi-channel signal to the sound interface device (30, 40) in dependence on the actual device configuration and thus provide the type of audio signal best suited for the particular sound interface device (30, 40) connected.

Description

HEADSET CONTROLLER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a headset controller and to a method for operating a headset controller. The invention may e.g. be used to exchange audio signals between a personal computer and a headset.

BACKGROUND ART

A headset controller is a device that is typically arranged in an audio signal path between a headset and a communication device, such as e.g. a mobile phone or a personal computer (PC). Prior art headset controllers typically comprise one or more control elements that may e.g. allow a user to control the sound output level of the headset, to mute the headset microphone and to accept or reject incoming calls.

Some known headset controllers are further configured to serve as an audio converter between a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port of a PC and a wired analog headset with an analog audio jack. Such a headset controller thus allows utilizing a wired analog headset for conducting phone conversations through a softphone application on the PC and further provides a user interface for controlling both the headset and the softphone application.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved headset controller.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method of operating a headset controller.

This and other objects of the invention are achieved by the invention defined in the independent claims and further explained in the following description. Further objects of the invention are achieved by embodiments defined in the dependent claims and in the detailed description of the invention. Within this document, the term "sound interface" refers to an interface suitable for transmitting a sound signal to a user in dependence on an audio output signal and/or for providing an audio input signal in dependence on a voice sound received from a user. The term "sound interface device" refers to an audio device that comprises or provides a sound interface. A sound interface device thus comprises a sound transmitter and/or a sound receiver. A "sound output device" is a sound interface device that comprises one or more sound transmitters, and a "sound input device" is a sound interface device that comprises one or more sound receivers. A sound transmitter preferably comprises one or more sound output transducers for providing the sound signal in dependence on the audio output signal. A sound receiver preferably comprises one or more sound input transducers for providing the audio input signal in dependence on the received voice sound. Examples of known sound output transducers include loudspeaker drivers and vibrators, e.g. based on electrodynamic, electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric and/or thermoelectric principles. Examples of known sound input transducers include microphones and vibration sensors, e.g. based on electrodynamic, electromagnetic, electrostatic, piezoelectric, thermoelectric and/or optical principles. Examples of sound interface devices include handsets, headsets, headphones, earphones, loudspeakers, microphones and speakerphones.

Within this document, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well (i.e. to have the meaning "at least one"), unless expressly stated otherwise.

Likewise, the term "any" is intended to include both the singular and the plural form, unless expressly stated otherwise. Correspondingly, the terms "has", "includes", "comprises", "having", "including" and "comprising" specify the presence of respective features, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of further entities. The term "and/or" generally includes any possible combination of one or more of the associated items. Steps or operations of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the order disclosed, unless this is expressly stated.

Furthermore, when an element or entity is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element or entity, this includes direct connection (or coupling) as well as connection (or coupling) via intervening elements or entities, unless expressly stated otherwise. Also, unless expressly stated otherwise, when a signal is referred to as being "provided" or "conveyed" by a first entity to a second entity, this includes directly or indirectly transmitting the signal in its original form as well as any direct or indirect transmission that modifies the original signal and/or converts the signal into another domain and/or representation before it arrives at the second entity, provided that the information comprised by the signal received by the second entity is sufficient for the second entity to perform the specified actions with respect to the signal. Ordinal attributes like "first", "second", "primary", "secondary", "main" and "auxiliary" are intended to allow a reader to distinguish between different entities, and should not be construed as implying any order, hierarchy, dependency or precedency unless expressly stated otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a headset controller according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows details of the headset controller of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows the headset controller of FIG. 1 in a first scenario, and FIG. 4 shows the headset controller of FIG. 1 in a second scenario.

The figures are schematic and simplified for clarity, and they just show details essential to understanding the invention, while other details may be left out. Where practical, like reference numerals or literal identifiers are used for identical or corresponding parts.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The headset controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing 2 with a top cover (not shown) removed to reveal otherwise concealed components and parts. The housing 2 comprises a

3.5 mm phone socket 3 and a signal converter 4. A host cable 5 is attached at one of its ends 6 to the housing 2 and at its opposite end 7 to a Type A USB plug 8. The host cable 5 electrically connects each of four contacts 9 of the USB plug 8 with respective USB terminals 10 of the signal converter 4. Wires 11 inside the housing 2 electrically connect each of four contacts 12 of the phone socket 3 with respective phone terminals 13 of the signal converter 4. The housing 2 further comprises three user-accessible control buttons 14 electrically connected through further wires 15 to respective control terminals 16 of the signal converter 4. The control buttons 14 constitute respective control elements of a user interface 17. In the following, the USB terminals 10 are collectively referred to as the USB interface, the phone terminals 13 are collectively referred to as the headset interface and the control terminals 16 are collectively referred to as the control interface. FIG. 2 shows details of the signal converter 4 which comprises an A/D-converter 20, two D/A- converters 21, a switch matrix 22, a sensor unit 23 and a control unit 24 with a non-volatile memory 25. The A/D-converter 20 is connected to receive an analog microphone signal A₀ from the headset interface 13 through the switch matrix 22 and a microphone control signal C₀ from the control unit 24 and is adapted to provide a digital microphone signal D₀ in dependence on the analog microphone signal A₀ and the microphone control signal C₀. Each D/A-converter 21 is connected to receive a respective digital earphone signal Di, D₂ and a respective earphone control signal Ci, C₂ from the control unit 24 and is adapted to provide a respective analog earphone signal Ai, A₂ to the headset interface 13 through the switch matrix 22 in dependence on the respective digital earphone signal Di, D₂ and the respective earphone control signal Ci, C₂. The switch matrix 22 is connected to receive a switch control signal C_x from the control unit 24 and is adapted to route or convey the analog microphone signal A₀ and the two analog earphone signals Ai, A₂ between the headset interface 13 and respectively the A/D-converter 20 and the D/A- converters 21 in dependence on the switch control signal C_x.

The sensor unit 23 is connected to receive a sensor input signal S, from the headset interface 13 and is adapted to determine a device configuration of a sound interface device (30, 40, see FIGs. 3 and 4) connected to the headset interface 13 in dependence on the sensor input signal S, as well as to provide a sensor output signal S₀ to the control unit 24 indicating the determined device configuration. The control unit 24 is connected to receive a USB input signal U, from the USB interface 10, a user input signal B, from the control interface 16, the digital microphone signal D₀ from the A/D-converter 20 as well as the sensor output signal S₀ from the sensor unit 23 and is adapted to provide the microphone control signal C₀, the digital earphone signals Di, D₂, the earphone control signals Ci, C₂ and the switch control signal C_x in dependence on the USB input signal U,, the user input signal B,, the digital microphone signal D₀ and the sensor output signal S₀. The control unit 24 is further adapted to provide a USB output signal U₀ to the USB interface 10 in dependence on the USB input signal U,, the digital microphone signal D₀, the user input signal B, and the sensor output signal S₀.

FIG. 3 shows a first scenario wherein the headset controller 1 is used together with a stereo headset 30 comprising a voice microphone 31 and two earphone drivers 32. A phone plug 33 of the stereo headset 30 is shown inserted into the phone socket 3, and a headset cable 34 electrically connects the phone plug 33 with the voice microphone 31 and the two earphone drivers 32. The USB plug 8 of the headset controller 1 is shown inserted into a USB socket 35 of a PC 36. The shown stereo headset 30 is an example of a binaural sound interface device and of a binaural sound output device, while the voice microphone 31 is an example of a sound input device and each of the two earphone drivers 32 is an example of a sound output device.

FIG. 4 shows a second, similar scenario with a mono headset 40 comprising a voice microphone 31 and only one earphone driver 32 instead of the stereo headset 30. The shown mono headset 40 is an example of a monaural sound interface device and of a monaural sound output device.

In each of the first and second scenarios, a user may use the respective headset 30, 40 as a sound interface device, e.g. for conducting phone conversations with remote parties through the PC 36, for listening to music or other audio content stored on or streamed to the PC 36 and/or for recording voice messages on the PC 36. Such use may involve the exchange of audio signals with an audio application running on the PC 36, and the headset controller 1 may function as an interface between the sound interface device 30, 40 and the USB socket 35 of the PC 36, through which the audio application can receive and transmit audio signals from/to the sound interface device 30, 40. The PC 36 may operate as a "USB host" and may thus comprise a USB host controller (not shown) that controls communication through one or more USB sockets 35 with "USB devices" external to the PC 36, such as e.g. the headset controller 1.

When a phone plug 33 is inserted into the phone socket 3, the sensor unit 23 attempts to determine the device configuration of the headset 30, 40 or of another type of sound interface device connected to the phone plug 33. The sensor unit 23 may preferably determine a contact layout of the phone plug 33 by determining for each of the contacts 12 of the phone socket 3 whether the respective contact 12 is connected to a common signal ground, to an output of a voice microphone 31 and/or to an input of an earphone driver 32. The sensor unit 23 may preferably further determine the number of voice microphones 31 and/or the number of earphone drivers 32 connected to the phone plug 33. The sensor unit 23 preferably includes the contact layout and the number of voice microphones 31 and/or earphone drivers 32 in the determined device configuration and provides an indication hereof in the sensor output signal S₀ to the control unit 24. The sensor unit 23 may preferably further determine the presence or absence of sound interface devices 30, 40 at the phone socket 3 and include determined presence or absence information in the sensor output signal S₀.

The sensor unit 23 may comprise any suitable measurement circuit and/or apply any suitable measurement method for determining the contact layout, such as e.g. measuring one or more impedances between two or more contacts 12 and/or measuring a level and/or a frequency of an electric signal A₀, S, received through the phone socket 3. As a further example, the sensor unit 23 may comprise a sensor (not shown) that can detect a magnetic property and/or a mechanical property of the phone plug 33 and the sensor unit 23 may map different values of the detected property or properties into different contact layouts and/or different device configurations, such that the sensor unit 23 may determine the contact layout and/or the device configuration of the connected sound interface device 30, 40 from a magnetic and/or mechanical "key" property the phone plug 33. A measurement circuit thus receives one or more sensor input signals S, from the phone socket 3 and may optionally provide a signal to the phone socket 3 in order to cause a connected headset 30, 40 to provide the one or more received sensor input signals S,. The control unit 24 receives the sensor output signal S₀ and retrieves the indicated device configuration. Preferably, the control unit 24 may provide the switch control signal C_x in dependence on the indicated device configuration such that the switch matrix 22 connects - through the respective contacts 12 - an output of a detected voice microphone 31 of the headset 30, 40 to the input A₀ of the A/D-converter and/or one or more inputs of respective detected earphone drivers 32 to the respective outputs A_x, A₂ of the D/A-converters 21.

In some embodiments, a headset controller 1 may be intended for use with sound interface devices 30, 40 having a predetermined contact layout. In such embodiments, the sensor unit 23 may refrain from determining the contact layout and may omit the contact layout from the device configuration indicated in the sensor output signal S₀. Also, the switch matrix 22 may be replaced by wires, electronic circuits and/or manually controllable switches that provide the required connections. Alternatively, the switch matrix 22 may e.g. be controlled by the control unit 24 in dependence on a contact layout defined e.g. by a user during an initial configuration phase of the headset controller 1 and/or in dependence on a contact layout or a corresponding command received from the USB host controller.

When the headset controller 1 is first connected to the USB socket 35 of the PC 36, the USB host controller of the PC 36 initiates an enumeration process wherein the control unit 24 of the headset controller 1 provides or reports configuration data to the USB host controller that define a number of "USB audio endpoints" that the headset controller 1 supports. The enumeration process is prescribed by the USB standard (versions 1.0 through 3.1 have been published at the time of writing). During the enumeration process, a "USB device" shall report configuration data to the "USB host" that enumerate and define a number of logical "endpoints" in the USB device as well as their direction ("IN"/"OUT" - relative to the USB host). A USB "audio device", for instance, may receive a digital audio signal from a USB host through a logical "pipe" (or channel) of type "stream" that is logically connected to an OUT endpoint and transmit a digital audio signal to the USB host through a stream pipe logically connected to an IN endpoint. In the present context, the term "USB audio endpoint" refers to an endpoint through which a USB device may receive and/or transmit a digital audio signal from/to a USB host, for instance by means of "isochronous" transfers that allow for continuous, uninterrupted audio transmission. In the first scenario, and upon determining that the sensor output signal S₀ indicates that a binaural sound output device 30, 32 is connected to the phone socket 3, the control unit 24 may e.g. report the configuration data such that they define one USB audio IN endpoint for transmitting a microphone audio signal to the PC 36 and two USB audio OUT endpoints for receiving respective earphone audio signals from the PC 36. This may allow the USB host controller and thus an audio application running on the PC 36 to determine that a stereo headset 30 or another binaural sound interface device is connected and the audio application may thus provide a stereophonic output to the headset 30. In the second scenario, and upon determining that the sensor output signal S₀ indicates that a monaural sound output device 40, 32 is connected to the phone socket 3, the control unit 24 may e.g. report the configuration data such that they define one USB audio IN endpoint and one USB audio OUT endpoint. This may allow the audio application to detect that a mono headset 40 or another monaural sound interface device is connected and the audio application may thus provide a monophonic output to the headset 40.

In any scenario, the control unit 24 may report the configuration data such that they define one or more further USB audio OUT endpoints and/or one or more further USB audio IN endpoints for other purposes. For instance, the headset controller 1 may support a further USB audio OUT endpoint for receiving an alert audio signal to be converted into a sound alert by a speaker driver (not shown) comprised by the headset controller 1. Also, the control unit 24 may omit the USB audio IN endpoint from the reported configuration data, e.g. upon determining that the sensor output signal S₀ does not indicate that a microphone 31 is connected to the phone socket 3. In some embodiments, the control unit 24 may e.g. report the configuration data such that they define multiple USB audio IN endpoints for each connected sound input device 31 and/or multiple USB audio OUT endpoints for each connected sound output device 31. In such embodiments, the switch matrix 22, the sensor unit 23, the control unit 24 and the number of A/D-converters 20 and D/A-converters 21 may be adapted accordingly.

After termination of the enumeration process, the USB host controller and/or the control unit 24 may open and close the pipes that are logically connected to the USB audio endpoints defined in the reported configuration data in ways well known in the prior art, e.g. in dependence on respective requests by an audio application and/or by the user. The user may for instance indirectly request opening or closing of one or more of the pipes by manipulating e.g. a call button 14, a muting button 14 or the like of the user interface 17 of the headset controller 1, a similar control of a user interface of the headset 30, 40 and/or a similar control of a user interface of the PC 36. This may allow the user to e.g. mute a microphone 31, shut off one or more earphone drivers 32, accept or reject an incoming call and/or terminate an ongoing phone conversation. The headset controller 1 thus allows the use of a wired analog headset 30, 40 as a sound interface device for conducting softphone conversations through a USB port 35 of the PC 36 and further provides a user interface 17 for controlling the headset 30, 40 and/or the softphone application. Correspondingly, the control unit 24 may preferably provide one or more control signals U₀ to the USB host 36 through the USB interface 10 in dependence on user actions detected by the user interface 17. For instance, upon detecting an incoming call, a softphone application running on the PC 36 may command the USB host controller to send a call alert signal to the headset controller 1, which may then notify the user of the call. The headset controller 1 may e.g. comprise a speaker driver and sound generator (not shown) for generating a sound signal and/or a lamp, an LED or a display (not shown) for notifying the user by means of a visual signal. Upon being notified, the user may press an accept button 14, and the control unit 24 may detect this user action and send an accept signal to the USB host controller.

In the first scenario, the USB host controller may upon receiving the accept signal command the control unit 24 to open a first isochronous stream pipe to one of the two defined USB audio OUT endpoints, a second isochronous stream pipe to a second one of the two defined USB audio OUT endpoints and a third isochronous stream pipe from the defined USB audio IN endpoint. The USB host controller may subsequently transmit e.g. a left-ear signal through the first pipe and a right- ear signal through the second pipe and may further receive a microphone signal through the third pipe. The control unit 24 may decode the USB input signal U,, retrieve the left-ear and right-ear signals therefrom, i.e. from the OUT pipes, and convey the retrieved signals as respective digital earphone signals Di, D₂ to the D/A-converters 21. The D/A-converters 21 may convert the digital earphone signals Di, D₂ into the respective analog earphone signals A_x, A₂ and provide these through the switch matrix 22 to the phone socket 3 and thus to the earphone drivers 32 of the headset 30.

Similarly, when an IN pipe connected to a USB audio IN endpoint defined in the reported configuration data is open, the A/D-converter 20 may convert the analog microphone signal A₀ into the digital microphone signal D₀, which the control unit 24 may convey to the USB host controller through the IN pipe in the USB output signal U₀.

The control unit 24 may control the operation of the A/D-converter 20 and/or of the D/A- converters 21 through the respective control signals C₀, Ci, C₂. The control unit 24 may e.g. start and stop audio signal conversion, control output levels and/or amplifications, change data rates etc. in any of the A/D-converter 20 and/or the D/A-converters 21 by providing corresponding commands in the respective control signals C₀, Ci, C₂. Correspondingly, the A/D-converter 20 and/or the D/A-converters 21 may comprise circuits adapted to execute the commands provided in the control signals C₀, Ci, C₂. The control unit 24 may control the operation of the A/D- converter 20 and/or the D/A-converters 21 in dependence on various input, such as e.g. a command received from the USB host controller in the USB input signal U,, a user action indicated in the user input signal B,, audio data derived from the digital microphone signal D₀ and/or a device configuration indicated in the sensor output signal S₀.

An audio application running on the PC 36 may provide a monaural signal, a binaural signal or a multi-channel signal to a sound interface device 30, 40 depending on an audio output setting stored in a memory of the PC 36, such as e.g. an audio output setting managed by an operating system running on the PC 36 or an audio output setting managed by the audio application itself. Preferably, however, the audio application additionally or alternatively selects between providing a monaural signal, a binaural signal or a multi-channel signal to the sound interface device 30, 40 in dependence on configuration data reported to the USB host controller by the control unit 24 of the headset controller 1. This may allow the audio application to provide the type of audio signal best suited for the particular sound interface device 30, 40 connected. The control unit 24 may preferably monitor the sensor output signal S₀ for changes, and when the control unit 24 detects a change of the device configuration indicated in the sensor output signal S₀, the control unit 24 may preferably cause the USB host controller to initiate an enumeration process, so that the control unit 24 can redefine the USB audio endpoints to reflect the detected change. In the case that the headset controller 1 becomes connected to the PC 36 while not being connected to a headset 30, 40 or another sound interface device, the control unit 24 may preferably report the configuration data such that they reflect the latest positively determined and/or reported device configuration. For this purpose, the control unit 24 may repeatedly store device data in the memory 25 indicating the latest positively determined and/or reported device configuration, i.e. the latest determined and/or reported device configuration that indicates the presence of a connected sound interface device 30, 40, and the control unit 24 may further report the configuration data in dependence on the stored device data when an enumeration process is initiated while the sensor output signal S₀ indicates the absence of sound interface devices 30, 40 at the phone socket 3. The headset controller 1, and in particular the signal converter 4, preferably receives electric power through the USB connector 8 and/or the USB interface 10. The headset controller 1 may further comprise a preferably rechargeable battery (not shown) for powering the headset controller 1 when it is not connected to a USB host 36. The "pigtail" USB plug 8 mentioned in the above description and shown in FIGs. 1, 3 and 4 is an example of a USB connector suitable for detachably connecting the headset controller 1 to a USB host 36. The above description applies likewise to other embodiments wherein the USB plug 8 is replaced by other types of detachable USB connectors, such as e.g. a mini USB connector, a micro USB connector or a Type B USB socket (not shown), e.g. arranged in the housing 2 and connected to the USB interface 10 by means of wires internal to the housing 2. For some embodiments, a separate USB cable (not shown) may be needed for connecting the headset controller 1 to a USB host 36.

The four-contact, 3.5 mm phone socket 3 mentioned in the above description and shown in FIGs. 1, 3 and 4 is an example of an analog connector suitable for detachably connecting the headset controller 1 to a headset 30, 40 or to another type of sound interface device. The above description applies likewise to other embodiments wherein the phone socket 3 is replaced by a phone socket 3 with three contacts 12 or five contacts 12 or even more contacts 12 and/or by one or more other suitable types of detachable headset connectors. In such embodiments, the switch matrix 22, the sensor unit 23, the control unit 24 and the number of A/D-converters 20 and D/A- converters 21 may be adapted accordingly. Also, the headset controller 1 may enumerate multiple audio devices to the USB host 36 in order to allow an audio application to communicate through multiple sound interface devices 30, 40 simultaneously.

In any embodiment, the headset controller 1, and in particular the signal converter 4, preferably comprises one or more electronic circuits, such as e.g. analog circuits, digital circuits,

microprocessors, signal processors or the like, adapted to perform the described operations as is already known for similar devices of the prior art. Such electronic circuits are preferably mainly implemented as digital circuits operating on digital signals, but any portions hereof may be implemented as analog circuits operating on analog signals. Functional blocks of digital circuits may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or any combination hereof. Digital circuits may perform the functions of multiple functional blocks in parallel and/or in interleaved sequence, and functional blocks may be distributed in any suitable way among multiple hardware units, such as e.g. signal processors, microcontrollers and other integrated circuits.

The headset controller 1 may be operated according to a method comprising: receiving a sensor input signal S, from a first electrical connector 3 suitable for detachably connecting a sound interface device 30, 40; determining a device configuration of a first sound interface device 30, 40 connected to the first electrical connector 3 in dependence on the sensor input signal S,; providing a sensor output signal S₀ indicating the determined device configuration; composing configuration data defining one or more USB audio endpoints in dependence on the device configuration indicated in the sensor output signal S₀; engaging in an enumeration process with a first USB host 36 and therein reporting the configuration data to the first USB host 36 through a second electrical connector 8 suitable for detachably connecting a USB host 36; providing a digital audio output signal U₀, D₀ at the second electrical connector 8 in dependence on an analog audio input signal A₀ received at the first electrical connector 3 and on the determined device configuration and/or providing an analog audio output signal Ai, A₂ at the first electrical connector 3 in dependence on a digital audio input signal U,, Di, D₂ received at the second electrical connector 8 and on the determined device configuration. The detailed description given herein and the specific examples indicating preferred

embodiments of the invention are intended to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the invention and should thus be seen mainly as an illustration of the invention. The person skilled in the art will be able to readily contemplate further applications of the present invention as well as advantageous changes and modifications from this description without deviating from the scope of the invention. The mere mentioning of such changes or modifications herein is meant to be non-limiting for the scope of the invention.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and the invention may be embodied in other ways within the subject-matter defined in the following claims. As an example, features of the described embodiments may be combined arbitrarily, e.g. in order to adapt the methods or devices according to the invention to specific requirements or uses.

Reference numerals and literal identifiers that appear in brackets in the claims are intended to be non-limiting for their scope.

Claims

1. A headset controller (1) comprising a first electrical connector (3) for detachably connecting a sound interface device (30, 40) and a second electrical connector (8) for detachably connecting a USB host (36), the headset controller (1) being adapted to receive an analog audio input signal (A₀) at the first electrical connector (3), provide an analog audio output signal (Ai, A₂) at the first electrical connector (3), receive a digital audio input signal (U,, Di, D₂) at the second electrical connector (8) and provide a digital audio output signal (U₀, D₀) at the second electrical connector (8), the headset controller (1) further comprising a signal converter (4) adapted to provide the digital audio output signal (U₀, D₀) in dependence on the analog audio input signal (A₀) and provide the analog audio output signal (Ai, A₂) in dependence on the digital audio input signal (U,, Di, D₂), the signal converter (4) comprising a control unit (24) adapted to engage in an enumeration process with a first USB host (36) connected to the second electrical connector (8) wherein the control unit (24) reports configuration data to the first USB host (36) defining one or more USB audio endpoints,

characterized in that the signal converter (4) further comprises a sensor unit (23) connected to receive a sensor input signal (S,) from the first electrical connector (3) and adapted to determine a device configuration of a first sound interface device (30, 40) connected to the first electrical connector (3) in dependence on the sensor input signal (S,) as well as to provide a sensor output signal (S₀) to the control unit (24) indicating the determined device configuration, and in that the control unit (24) further is adapted to report the configuration data in dependence on the device configuration indicated in the sensor output signal (S₀).

2. A headset controller according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (24) further is adapted to report the configuration data such that they define a USB audio IN endpoint in dependence on the sensor output signal (S₀) indicating that a sound input device (30, 31, 40) is connected to the first electrical connector (3).

3. A headset controller according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit (24) further is adapted to report the configuration data such that they define a first number of USB audio OUT endpoints in dependence on the sensor output signal (S₀) indicating that a monaural sound output device (32, 40) is connected to the first electrical connector (3) and such that the configuration data define a second number of USB audio OUT endpoints in dependence on the sensor output signal (S₀) indicating that a binaural sound output device (30, 32) is connected to the first electrical connector (3), the second number of USB audio OUT endpoints exceeding the first number of USB audio OUT endpoints.

4. A headset controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor unit (23) further is adapted to determine a device configuration of the first sound interface device (30, 40) by determining an electrical impedance between two or more contacts (12) comprised by the first electrical connector (3).

5. A headset controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor unit (23) further is adapted to determine a device configuration of the first sound interface device (30, 40) by determining a level and/or a frequency of an electrical signal (A₀, S,) received through the first electrical connector (3).

6. A headset controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit (24) further is adapted to detect a change of the sensor output signal (S₀) and to cause the first USB host (36) to initiate an enumeration process in dependence on detecting the change.

7. A headset controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the control unit (24) further comprises a memory (25) and further is adapted to repeatedly store device data indicating the latest positively determined and/or reported device configuration in the memory (25) as well as to report the configuration data in dependence on the stored device data when the sensor output signal (S₀) indicates the absence of sound interface devices (30, 40) at the first electrical connector (3).

8. A headset controller according to any preceding claim and further comprising a user interface (17) with one or more control elements (14), wherein the control unit (24) further is adapted to control one or more functions of the headset controller (1) in dependence on user actions detected by the user interface (17).

9. A headset controller according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (24) further is adapted to provide the digital audio output signal (U₀, D₀) and/or the analog audio output signal (Ai, A₂) in dependence on user actions detected by the user interface (17).

10. A headset controller according to claim 8, wherein the control unit (24) further is adapted to provide a control signal (U₀) to the first USB host (36) in dependence on user actions detected by the user interface (17).

11. A headset controller according to any preceding claim and further comprising a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) comprises the first electrical connector (3) and the signal converter (4).

12. A headset controller according to claim 11, wherein the housing (2) further comprises the second electrical connector (8).

13. A headset controller according to claim 11 and further comprising a host cable (5) connecting the housing (2) with the second electrical connector (8).

14. A headset controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the first electrical connector (3) comprises a phone socket (3) with three, four, five or more electric contacts (12).

15. A method for operating a headset controller (1), the method comprising: receiving a sensor input signal (S,) from a first electrical connector (3) suitable for detachably connecting a sound interface device (30, 40); determining a device configuration of a first sound interface device (30, 40) connected to the first electrical connector (3) in dependence on the sensor input signal (S,); providing a sensor output signal (S₀) indicating the determined device configuration; composing configuration data defining one or more USB audio endpoints in dependence on the device configuration indicated in the sensor output signal (S₀); engaging in an enumeration process with a first USB host (36) and therein reporting the configuration data to the first USB host (36) through a second electrical connector (8) suitable for detachably connecting a USB host (36); providing a digital audio output signal (U₀, D₀) at the second electrical connector (8) in dependence on an analog audio input signal (A₀) received at the first electrical connector (3) and on the determined device configuration and/or providing an analog audio output signal (Ai, A₂) at the first electrical connector (3) in dependence on a digital audio input signal (U,, Di, D₂) received at the second electrical connector (8) and on the determined device configuration.