Cirrus Logic Inc.

Robert David Rand

John Laurence Pennock

Morgan Timothy Prior

Thomas Ivan Harvey

Andrew James Howlett

Ross Crawford Morgan

Tony Stephen Doy

Nigel Burgess

Richard Colin Fitzgerald

Graeme Gordon Mackay

Jonathan Taylor

Robert James Hatfield

Bradley Allan Lambert

Pradeep Saminathan

Jon Eklund

Charles Keepax

Sunil Saunders

Peter Horsfall

John Laurance Pennock

In an example, an audio system, which may comprise an integrated circuit, comprises an amplifier and a combiner. The amplifier is configured to output a first amplified audio signal to a speaker. The combiner is configured to: receive the first amplified audio signal from the amplifier, receive a second audio signal, combine the first amplified audio signal and second audio signal into a combined signal, and output the combined signal.

Echo cancellation

This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device () and a peripheral device () via a USB Type-C connector () of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller () for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts () of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A, A, B, B) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analogue audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.

Connectors for audio data transfer

There is provided an apparatus for providing an output signal to an audio transducer, comprising: a first signal path for receiving a first digital audio input signal, applying a first digital gain, and outputting an amplified first digital audio input signal; a second signal path, for receiving a second digital audio input signal, applying a second digital gain, and outputting an amplified second digital audio input signal; converter circuitry, coupled to the first and second signal paths, for converting at least the amplified first and second digital audio input signals into the analogue domain, and outputting an analogue audio input signal; and an analogue gain element, for applying an analogue gain to the analogue audio input signal and outputting the output signal. The apparatus further comprises a control circuit, coupled to the first and second signal paths, operative to select the analogue gain based on a combination of at least the first and second digital audio input signals or signals derived therefrom, and to select the first and second digital gains so as to compensate for the analogue gain.

Systems, apparatus and methods for dynamic range enhancement of audio signals

This application relates to transfer of digital audio data between a host device and an accessory apparatus that may be connected to the host device via a suitable connector, such as a USB connector. A path selector is operable to establish either a first digital data path or a second digital data path for transfer of digital data. The first digital data path includes a first data bus host and a general purpose digital data interface suitable for bulk data transfer between the first data bus host and the applications processor of the device. This may be a default USB path. The second digital data path includes a second data bus host and at least one pair of second path data interfaces. The second data bus host does not form part of the applications processor and each of said second path data interfaces comprises a digital audio interface suitable for streaming of audio data. The path selector selectively establishes the first data path for bulk digital data transfer or the second data path for streaming of audio data where latency is important.

Audio transfer

This application relates to methods and apparatus for audio signal processing, for example by a codec. An audio signal processing module has at least one input for receiving first and second input signals and an output path for outputting an output audio signal. The first and second input signals may be supplied by a first audio component and may correspond to the same source audio data. A controller is configured to compare the first and second input signals and to select one of the first or second input signals as the basis for a signal to be supplied to said output path based on the comparison. The controller may determine a measure of similarity in content between the first and second input signals.

Audio signal processing

The present disclosure relates to a system for providing substantially synchronised haptic and audio outputs. The system includes a signal processor which is configured to receive an audio signal from a main processor of the system and to receive a haptic signal, which may be received from the main processor, or may be retrieved from memory, or else may be generated in real-time by the signal processor. The signal processor calculates a delay to be applied to the haptic signal or the audio signal and outputs a delayed version of the audio signal and the haptic signal, or a delayed version of the haptic signal and the audio signal, to appropriate output stages.

Haptic output systems

The present disclosure relates to a system for providing an acknowledgement output at an output transducer of a device in response to detection of a trigger signal. The system includes an input transducer, a signal processor, a main processor separate from the signal processor and an output driver. The signal processor monitors an input signal received at the signal processor from the input transducer and outputs an acknowledgement signal to the output driver if the received input signal corresponds to the trigger signal. The signal processor also outputs an interrupt signal to the main processor to cause the main processor to enter an active state. In this way an acknowledgement output can rapidly be provided to a user of the system, as there is no need to wait until the main processor has entered its active state and processed the trigger signal.

Always-on detection systems

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for peripheral device discovery, the detection of orientation of a connector having multiple degrees of rotational symmetry, and the provision of appropriate signal paths between a host device and a peripheral device. Some embodiments provide a characteristic impedance within the peripheral device that is coupled between rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector and thus enables detection of the connector orientation. The value of the characteristic impedance may be used in some embodiments to determine the type or model of peripheral device. Some embodiments are concerned with the enablement of appropriate signal paths to a peripheral device having a transducer (e.g. a loudspeaker) coupled only to rotationally symmetric contacts of the connector, such as headphones implemented in a 'balanced' configuration.

Connectors for data transfer

Circuits for monitoring a socket are disclosed, including a circuit comprising a first node arranged to be electrically connected to a first pole of an electrical plug when the electrical plug is inserted into a corresponding socket, a second node arranged to be connected to a first voltage, wherein the first node is arranged to be connected to the first pole when the electrical plug is inserted into the socket, a variable resistance connected between the first node and a third node, wherein the third node is arranged to receive a second voltage, detection circuit arranged to detect the presence of the electrical plug or moisture in the socket based on a voltage at the first node, and a control circuit arranged to control the variable resistance to a first resistance value and, in response to the detection circuit detecting the presence of the electrical plug or moisture in the socket when the variable resistance is at the first resistance value, to a second resistance value, whereby the detection circuit distinguishes between the electrical plug and moisture within the socket.

Circuit for monitoring a socket

Interface circuitry is provided for a host device, the interface circuitry for controlling data connections between the host device and a peripheral device. The interface circuitry comprises: a discovery module, operable to detect mating of a connector of the peripheral device with a connector of the host device, and to store an indication of the current mating status of the connector of the host device; and a data connection management module, configured to: responsive to detection of mating between the connector of the peripheral device and the connector of the host device by the discovery module, establish a digital data connection between the connector of the peripheral device and the connector of the host device; responsive to detection of a deactivation event and based on the stored indication of the mating, deactivate the digital data connection; and responsive to detection of an activation event and based on the stored indication of the mating, re-establish the digital data connection between the connector of the peripheral device and the connector of the host device.

Methods and apparatus for management of data connections to a peripheral device

An electronic device, comprising one or more input devices, for receiving biometric input from a user and generating one or more biometric input signals; an applications processor; a mixer configurable by the applications processor to provide a first signal path between one or more of the input devices and the applications processor; and a biometric authentication module coupled to the one or more input devices via a second signal path that does not include the mixer, for performing authentication of at least one of the one or more biometric input signals.

Methods and apparatus for authentication in an electronic device

This application relates to transfer of digital audio data between a host device () and an accessory apparatus () that may be connected to the host device via a suitable connector (), such as a USB connector. A path selector () is operable to establish either a first digital data path () or a second digital data path () for transfer of digital data. The first digital data path () includes a first data bus host () and a general purpose digital data interface () suitable for bulk data transfer between the first data bus host and the applications processor () of the device. This may be a default USB path. The second digital data path () includes a second data bus host () and at least one pair of second path data interfaces (). The second data bus host () does not form part of the applications processor and each of said second path data interfaces comprises a digital audio interface suitable for streaming of audio data. The path selector selectively establishes the first data path for bulk digital data transfer or the second data path for streaming of audio data where latency is important.

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Peebles, United Kingdom

Robert David Rand