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Title: Automatic audio source selector for stereo entertainment center
Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An automatic electronic control system for an entertainment system utilizing audio signal sensors for the preferential selection of a first signal source with means for turning it to a second signal source upon cessation of the signal from said first signal source, said control system comprising: a first input signal terminal for connection to a preferential first signal source, a second input signal terminal for connection to a second signal source, switching means comprising input, output and control terminals for selectively connecting either said first input signal source or said second input signal source to an audio output terminal, an audio output terminal connected to said switching means output terminal for connection to a speaker system, a first audio sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals for interconnecting said first input signal terminal and said switching means, a second audio sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals, said input terminal of said first audio sensing circuit being connected to said first input signal terminal and said output terminal of said first audio sensing circuit being connected to an input terminal of said switching means, said control terminal of said first audio sensing circuit being connected to said control terminal of said second audio sensing circuit, said input terminal of said second audio sensing circuit being connected to said switching means output terminal and said output terminal of said second audio sensing circuit being connected to an input terminal of said switching means, said second input signal terminal being connected to an input terminal of said switching means, said switching means upon energization of said control system connecting said second input signal terminal to said audio output terminal, said first audio sensing circuit upon sensing a signal at said first input signal terminal generating a control signal to actuate said switching means to connect said first input signal terminal to said audio output terminal, said second audio sensing circuit upon termination of signals from said first input signal terminal existing at said audio output signal terminal transmitting a signal from its output terminal to a control terminal of said switching means to reconnect said second signal input terminal to said audio output signal terminal. 2. The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: means for delaying the actuation of said switching means to reconnect said second signal terminal to said audio output terminal for a predetermined interval of time. 3. The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: a switch connected to said first audio sensing circuit for controlling the transmission of said control signal of said first audio sensing circuit to said switching means. 4. The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 3 wherein: said switch comprises a proximity switch. 5. An automatic electronic control system for an entertainment system utilizing audio signal sensors for the preferential selection of a first signal source with means for turning it to a second signal source upon cessation of the signal from said first signal source, said control system comprising: a first input signal terminal for connection to a first signal source, a second input signal terminal for connection to a second signal source, an audio switching network having input, output and control terminals, a third input signal terminal connected to an input of said audio switching network, an audio output signal terminal connected to said switching network output terminal for connection to a speaker system, a first audio sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals for interconnecting said first input signal terminal and said switching network, a second audio sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals for connecting said second input signal terminal and said switching network, said input terminal of said first audio sensing circuit being connected to said first input signal terminal and said output terminal of said first audio sensing circuit being connected to an input terminal of said audio switching network, said control terminal of said first audio sensing circuit being connected to said control terminal of said second audio sensing circuit, said input terminal of said second audio sensing circuit being connected to said second input signal terminal and said output terminal of said second audio sensing circuit being connected to an input terminal of said audio switching network, a third audio sensing circuit having input and output terminals for selectively connecting either said third input signal source or preferentially said first input signal source or said second input signal source to said audio output signal terminal, means for connecting an output terminal of said audio switching network to said input terminal of said third audio sensing circuit and for connecting the output terminal of said third audio sensing circuit to a control terminal of said audio switching network for controlling the transmission of signals from said first, second and third input signal terminals to said audio output signal terminal, said audio switching network upon energization of said control system generating a signal and transmitting it through its output terminal to said third audio sensing circuit to transmit signals on said third signal input terminal to said audio output signal terminal, said first audio sensing circuit sensing a signal at said first input signal terminal and generating a control signal at an input terminal of said audio switching network, said audio switching network upon receipt of said control signal of said first audio sensing circuit transmitting a signal from its output terminal to said third audio sensing circuit to connect said first input signal terminal to said audio output signal terminal, said third audio sensing circuit upon termination of signals from either said first or second input signal terminals existing at said audio output signal terminal transmitting a signal from its output terminal to said audio switching network to reconnect said third signal input terminal to said audio output signal terminal. 6. The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 5 further comprising; means for delaying the actuation of said switching network to reconnect said third signal terminal to said audio output signal terminal for a predetermined interval of time whereby short interruptions of signals on said first or second input signal terminals will not cause a switching of said control system back to said third input signal terminal. 7. The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 5 wherein; said audio switching network comprises a selection switch means for manually energizing said switching network for connecting any one of the input signal terminals to said audio output signal terminal. 8. The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 7 wherein; said selection switch means comprises a plurality of proximity switches. Other info: Inventors: Gates, Jr., William A. (Phoenix, AZ, US) Application Number: 511104 Filing Date: 1974-10-02 Publication_date: 1976-04-20 Assignee: Primary Class(es): 381/123 369/2, 369/6 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Claffy, Kathleen H. Assistant Examiner: Stellar, George G. Attorney: Lindsley; Warren F. B. |
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