Apparatus for integrating a plurality of audio systems

• US 4,560,838 A
• Filed: 01/20/1984
• Issued: 12/24/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oasis Lifestyle, LLC, Water Jet Corporation
• Original Assignee: Water Jet Corporation
• Inventors: Meisenheimer, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dwyer, James L.
• Application Number:
  US06/572,701
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 179/81 R, 179/81 B, 381/80, 381/81, 381/85, 381/107, 381/55, 381/72, 381/119, 381/123, 381/98, 381/99, 369/1, 369/2, 369/3
• US Class Current: 379/101.01
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/348 Muting in response to a mechanical action or to power supply variations, e.g. during tuning; Click removal circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08

Abstract

An apparatus for integrating a plurality of audio systems, for enabling a selected one of a plurality of audio inputs to be transmitted as an audio output. It is adapted to integrate, for example, a stereo sound system and a telephone sound system, so as to be operable from a control panel adapted to be mounted in the wall of a bathtub or the like.

The apparatus is adapted to enable elements of the integrated system to be shared in common by a plurality of audio inputs, so as to generate a selected audio output.

The apparatus includes a voltage-controlled amplifier, for controlling the selected audio input signal with a direct-current control voltage. It further includes a plurality of parallel circuits, for generating the direct-current control voltage, one such circuit for each of the plurality of audio inputs, and elements for switching from one such circuit to another.

Each such parallel control voltage generating circuit, and the associated audio input signal, are switchable by the switching elements into and out of connection with the voltage-controlled amplifier, in response to the control input signal associated with the selected audio input signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus for integrating a plurality of audio systems, adapted to enable selection of one of a plurality of audio input signals, and to enable the selected one of the plurality of audio input signals to be transmitted as an audio output signal, comprising:

(a) means for enabling selection of one of the plurality of audio input signals;

(b) means for controlling the selected audio input signal responsive to a direct-current control voltage;

(c) a plurality of parallel means for generating the direct-current control voltage, each associated with an audio input signal; and

(d) means for automatically selectively switching the control voltage generating means and the audio input signals relative to the signal controlling means so as to connect one of the control voltage generating means and the associated selected audio input signal to the signal controlling means responsive to a control input signal generated in association with the selected one of the plurality of audio input signals.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the signal controlling means comprise a voltage-controlled amplifier.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which each of the plurality of parallel control voltage generating means includes means for generating a variable voltage, switching means, connected to the selective switching means and the variable voltage generating means, and an integrating amplifier, the input of which is connected to the switching means, the output of which is switchable by the selective switching means relative to the signal controlling means for connection thereto or disconnection therefrom.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the selective switching means includes a plurality of parallel switches, each connected to the output of one of the control-voltage generating means, and means for switching the parallel switches responsive to the state of the selective switching means.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which one of the plurality of audio input signals comprises a stereo audio signal.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which one of the plurality of audio input signals comprises a telephone audio signal.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1, in which the selection enabling means are adapted to be mounted in the wall of a bathtub or the like.