Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) 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 (A6, A7, B6, B7) 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Interface circuitry is provided for a host device, the interface circuitry for controlling data connections between the host device and a peripheral device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This application relates to transfer of digital audio data between a host device (200) and an accessory apparatus (101) that may be connected to the host device via a suitable connector (106), such as a USB connector. A path selector (240, 270) is operable to establish either a first digital data path (201) or a second digital data path (202) for transfer of digital data. The first digital data path (201) includes a first data bus host (103) and a general purpose digital data interface (131) suitable for bulk data transfer between the first data bus host and the applications processor (110) of the device. This may be a default USB path. The second digital data path (202) includes a second data bus host (230) and at least one pair of second path data interfaces (140, 141). The second data bus host (230) 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.

Abstract: 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 acknowledge 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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 acknowledge 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.

Abstract: There is provided a USB audio accessory device, comprising: an audio transducer, configured to generate an audio transducer signal; interface circuitry, configured to receive analogue and digital representations of the audio transducer signal; and a USB-C connector for connecting to a USB host device, coupled to the interface circuitry. The interface circuitry is operable, in a first mode of operation, to output simultaneously the analogue representation of the audio transducer signal over a first pin of the USB-C connector, and the digital representation of the audio transducer signal over second and third pins of the USB-C connector.

Abstract: 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.