Amplifier power supply controlled by audio signal
First Claim
1. A method of supplying power from a constantly available power source (20) to an audio amplifier means for an acoustic transducer (12) amplifier means of the type utilizing first and second input leads (16, 18) having a difference in potential responsive to an audio signal, said method comprising the steps of producing a control signal by sensing (24) the existence of an audio signal by determining the difference in potential between the input leads (16, 18), and closing a power circuit (44) in response to the control signal to allow power from the power source (20) to power the audio amplifier means (14) so that the audio amplifier means does not receive power in the absence of an audio signal being sent to the audio amplifier means, and generating (24) a ground reference signal from the differential input leads (16, 18) and amplifying (26) the ground referenced signal to produce the control signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power control circuit (22) for selectively supplying power from a constantly available power source (20) to an amplified speaker (12) by sensing the existence of an audio signal in a differential stage by determining the differential potential signal between leads (16, 18) to produce a ground reference signal which is amplified by a transistor (28) and thereafter rectified (52) to provide a direct current signal which operates a relay driver transistor (42) which, in turn, operates a relay switch (46) to supply power to the speaker amplifier (14). The discontinuance of power to the speaker amplifier is delayed for a period of time after the discontinuance of the audio signal to the differential stage (24) by placing a capacitor (58) between the rectifier and the relay driver transistor (42) to power the relay driver transistor for a period of time after the audio signal is no longer being provided.
38 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A method of supplying power from a constantly available power source (20) to an audio amplifier means for an acoustic transducer (12) amplifier means of the type utilizing first and second input leads (16, 18) having a difference in potential responsive to an audio signal, said method comprising the steps of producing a control signal by sensing (24) the existence of an audio signal by determining the difference in potential between the input leads (16, 18), and closing a power circuit (44) in response to the control signal to allow power from the power source (20) to power the audio amplifier means (14) so that the audio amplifier means does not receive power in the absence of an audio signal being sent to the audio amplifier means, and generating (24) a ground reference signal from the differential input leads (16, 18) and amplifying (26) the ground referenced signal to produce the control signal.
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5. A power control circuit (22) for selectively supplying power from a constantly available power source (20) to an audio amplifier means (14) for an audio transducer (12) of the type utilizing first and second input leads (16, 18) having a difference in potential responsive to an audio signal, said control circuit (22) comprising;
- sensing means (24,
26) for sensing the existence of an audio signal by determining the difference in potential between the input leads (16,
18) to produce a control signal, switch means (40) for powering the audio amplifier means (14) from the power source (20) in response to said control signal so that the power amplifier means (14) does not receive power in the absence of an audio signal being sent to the circuit audio amplifier means, said sensing means (24,
26) including a differential stage (24) for generating a ground referenced signal from the differential input signals (16,
18) and an amplifier (26) for amplifying the ground referenced signal to produce the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- sensing means (24,
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18. An amplified audio speaker assembly (10) comprising;
- a transducer means (12) for converting variations of electrical energy in an audio signal into corresponding variations of acoustic energy, audio signal into corresponding variations of acoustic energy, audio amplifier means (14) supported by said transducer means (12) for amplifying the audio signal supplied to said transducer means, said assembly including input signal leads (16,
18) for receiving an audio signal, said assembly including a power lead (20) for attachment to a source of constant power to supply power to said audio amplifier means (14), and control circuit means (22) supported by said transducer means (12) and including sensing means (24,
26) for sensing the existence of an audio signal by determining the difference in potential between the input leads (16,
18) to produce a control signal and switch means (40) for providing power to said audio amplifier means (14) from said power lead (20) in response to said control signal so that said audio amplifier means (14) does not receive power in the absence of an audio signal being recieved on said input leads (16,
18), said sensing means (24,
26) including a differential stage (24) for generating a ground referenced signal from the differential input signal (16,
18) and an amplifier (26) for amplifying the ground referenced signal to produce the control signal, said differential stage (24) also providing the ground referenced signal to said audio amplifier means (14). - View Dependent Claims (19)
- a transducer means (12) for converting variations of electrical energy in an audio signal into corresponding variations of acoustic energy, audio signal into corresponding variations of acoustic energy, audio amplifier means (14) supported by said transducer means (12) for amplifying the audio signal supplied to said transducer means, said assembly including input signal leads (16,
Specification