Audio output device selection for a portable electronic device

Abstract

A portable electronic device can detect whether an output unit of an accessory is connected to the body of a user and determines audio output units to which its application will transmit audio signal. The portable electronic device comprises an interface connected to the accessory, an application handling unit and a control unit. The control unit determines if the accessory is attached to the body of a user, selects audio output units to be used for the electronic device and transmits audio signals to the selected audio output unit for the application.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method comprising:
 determining whether individual audio components of a first audio output unit of an accessory for a portable electronic device are attached to a body of a user;   sending an audio output signal to the first audio output unit when the individual audio components are attached to the body; and   sending the audio output signal to a second, different audio output unit of the portable electronic device when the individual audio components are not attached to the body.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 selecting the first audio output unit and another alerting unit of the portable electronic device when the individual audio components are attached to the body.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , where determining whether the individual audio components of the first audio output are attached to the body of a user includes measuring a voltage associated with the first audio output unit. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , where determining whether the individual audio components of the first audio output are attached to the body of a user includes using an infrared detector to measure heat of the body of the user. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , where determining whether the individual audio components of the first audio output are attached to the body of a user includes using a pulse detector to measure pulses associated with the body of the user. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , where determining whether the individual audio components of the first audio output are attached to the body of a user includes using a light detector to detect light conditions. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , where determining whether the individual audio components of the first audio output are attached to the body of a user includes:
 determining whether the accessory is attached to the portable electronic device, and   determining whether the individual audio components of the first audio output unit are attached to a body of a user when the accessory is attached to the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         33 . A portable electronic device comprising:
 an interface for connecting the portable electronic device to an accessory that includes a first audio output unit, the first audio output unit comprising a plurality of audio components; and   a control unit to:
 determine whether at least one audio component, of the plurality of audio components, is attached to a body of a user; 
 send an audio output signal to the first audio output unit when the at least one audio component is attached to the body; and 
 send the audio output signal to a second, different audio output unit of the portable electronic device when the at least one audio component is not attached to the body. 
   
     
     
         34 . The portable electronic device of  claim 33 , where, when determining whether the at least one audio component is attached to the body of the user, the control unit is to:
 detect a voltage associated with the plurality of audio components.   
     
     
         35 . The portable electronic device of  claim 33 , where the control unit is further to:
 select the first audio output unit when the at least one audio component is attached to the body, and   select the second audio output unit of the portable electronic device when the at least one audio component is not attached to the body.   
     
     
         36 . The portable electronic device of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 an alerting unit, and   where the control unit is further to:
 select the first audio output unit and the alerting unit when the at least one audio component is attached to the body. 
   
     
     
         37 . The portable electronic device of  claim 33 , when determining whether the at least one audio component is attached to the body of the user, the control unit is to:
 determine whether the accessory is attached to the portable electronic device, and   determine whether the at least one audio component is attached to the body of the user when the accessory is attached to the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         38 . The portable electronic device of  claim 33 , where the control unit is further to:
 send no audio output signal to the first audio output unit when the at least one audio component is not attached to the body.   
     
     
         39 . The portable electronic device of  claim 33 , where the control unit is further to:
 receive an indication that an event has occurred,   send an audio output signal associated with the event to the first audio output unit when the at least one audio component is attached to the body, and   send an audio output signal associated with the event to the second audio output unit when the at least one audio component is not attached to the body.   
     
     
         40 . The portable electronic device of  claim 39 , where the event includes an incoming phone call. 
     
     
         41 . A method comprising:
 receiving an indication that an event has occurred;   determining, in response to receiving the indication, whether an accessory is connected to a portable electronic device;   determining whether a first audio output unit of the accessory is attached to a body of a user when the accessory is connected to the portable electronic device;   selecting the first audio output unit when the first audio output unit is attached to the body of the user;   selecting a second, different audio output unit of the portable electronic device when the first audio output is not attached to the body of the user; and   send an audio signal associated with the event to the first audio output unit or the second audio output unit based on the selecting.   
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , where the event includes an incoming phone call. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 selecting the first audio output unit and an alerting unit when the at least one audio component is attached to the body of the user.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 sending no audio signal to the first audio output unit when the first audio output user is not attached to the body of the user.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , where determining whether the first audio output unit of the accessory is attached to the body of the user includes measuring a voltage associated with the first audio output unit.