Audio apparatus demonstrating

• US 5,606,624 A
• Filed: 09/12/1994
• Issued: 02/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Damato, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, PING
• Application Number:
  US08/304,794
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 340/692, 340/825.36, 360/12, 40/457, 40/463-465, 345/214, 381/61, 381/18, 381/17, 381/24, 381/90, 381/42, 381/88, 381/87, 381/188, 381/123, 379/41, 379/51, 379/101
• US Class Current: 381/332
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/00 Indicating arrangements; Control arrangements, e.g. balance control
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/40 Visual indication of stereophonic sound image

Abstract

Audio apparatus demonstrating includes audio apparatus to be demonstrated. A display structure supports the audio apparatus and a digital computer controller. A CD-ROM is coupled to the audio apparatus and the digital computer controller with recorded sound signals for audible reproduction by the audio apparatus in response to selection signals furnished by the digital computer controller. A start demonstration switch is coupled to the digital computer controller. A proximity sensor provides a proximity signal to the digital computer controller when a person enters a predetermined zone around the apparatus to cause the digital computer controller to select a change in the record signal reproduced by the audio system from a first signal to a second signal which second signal encourages the person within the zone to actuated the start demonstration switch and initiate a demonstration of the audio apparatus including audibly reproducing sound signals recorded on the CD-ROM.

Claims

1. Audio system demonstrating apparatus comprising,

an audio system to be demonstrated,

display structure supporting said audio system and a digital computer controller,

a CD-ROM coupled to said audio system and said digital computer controller having sound signals recorded thereon for audible reproduction by said audio system in response to selection signals furnished by said digital computer controller,

a start demonstration switch coupled to said digital computer controller, and

a proximity sensor for providing a signal to said digital computer controller when a person enters a predetermined zone around said apparatus to cause said computer controller to select a change in the recorded signal reproduced by said audio system from a first signal to a second signal which second signal encourages the person within said zone to actuate said start demonstration switch and initiate a demonstration of said audio system including audibly reproducing sound signals recorded on said CD-ROM.

2. Audio system demonstrating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said computer controller is constructed and arranged to accept setup selection of a first mode rendering said apparatus responsive to said proximity sensor providing a signal to said digital computer controller when a person enters said predetermined zone to cause occurrence of said second signal only when a person is in said predetermined zone and setup selection of a second mode periodically causing occurrence of said second signal independently of the presence of a person in said predetermined zone.

3. Audio system demonstrating apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said start demonstration switch is illuminable and said digital computer controller is constructed and arranged to cause said start demonstration switch to flash upon occurrence of said second signal.

4. Audio system demonstrating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a wireless communication link coupled to said digital computer controller,

said digital computer controller constructed and arranged to transmit information signals characterizing said audio demonstrating apparatus through said wireless communication link to a central location station remote from said apparatus.

5. Audio system demonstrating apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said wireless communication link comprises a cellular telephone.

6. Audio system demonstrating apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said start demonstration switch is illuminable and said digital computer controller is constructed and arranged to cause said start demonstration switch to flash upon occurrence of said second signal.

7. A method of demonstrating audio apparatus through actuation of a start demonstration switch comprising,

sensing the presence of a person within a predetermined zone around said apparatus to provide a proximity signal,

reproducing a recorded first signal with said apparatus to provide a first audible signal,

furnishing said proximity signal to a digital computer controller to cause said digital computer controller to select a change in the recorded signal reproduced by said apparatus from said first signal to a second signal which second signal encourages the person within said zone to actuate said start demonstration switch,

and reproducing a recorded demonstration signal to provide an audible demonstration signal in response to actuation of said start demonstration switch.

8. Audio system demonstrating apparatus comprising,

an audio system to be demonstrated,

display structure supporting said audio system and a digital computer controller,

a CD-ROM coupled to said audio system and said digital computer controller having sound signals recorded thereon for audible reproduction by said audio system in response to selection signals furnished by said digital computer controller,

a start demonstration switch coupled to said digital computer controller, and

a wireless communication link coupled to said digital computer controller,

said digital computer controller constructed and arranged to transmit information signals characterizing said audio demonstrating apparatus through said wireless communication link to a central location station remote from said apparatus.

9. Audio system demonstrating apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said wireless communication link comprises a cellular telephone.