Automatic video and audio source selector for entertainment center

Claim 2

An automatic electronic control system for an entertainment system utilizing video and audio signal sensors for the preferential selection of a first signal source with means for returning it to a second signal source upon cessation of the signal from said first signal source, said control system comprising: at least a first pair of input signal terminal means for connection to a preferential first multi-signal source, at least a second pair of input signal terminal means for connection to a second multi-signal source, at least a pair of output terminals for connection to at least a dual channel signal output system, switching means for selectively connecting either said first pair of input signal terminal means or said second pair of input signal terminal means to said output terminals, a first sensing circuit interconnecting said first pair of input signal terminal means and said switching means, said switching means upon energization of said automatic electronic control system connecting said second pair of input signal terminal means to said output terminals, said first sensing circuit upon sensing a signal at said first pair of input signal terminal means generating a control signal to actuate said switching means to connect said first pair of input signal terminal means to said output terminals, said switching meaNs being actuated to reconnect said second pair of signal terminal means to said output terminals upon termination of said signal from said first sensing circuit.

Claim 3

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first pair of input signal terminal means are provided one for receiving video signals and the other for receiving audio signals, and said first sensing circuit upon sensing a video signal at said first pair of input signal terminal means generating a control signal to actuate said switching means to connect said first pair of input signal terminal means to said output terminals.

Claim 4

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first pair of input signal terminal means are provided one for receiving video signals and the other for receiving audio signals, and said first sensing circuit upon sensing an audio signal at said first pair of input signal terminal means generating a control signal to actuate said switching means to connect said first pair of input signal terminal means to said output terminals.

Claim 5

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first pair of input signal terminal means are provided for receiving a pair of stereo audio signals.

Claim 6

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 pair of signal terminal means to said output terminals for a predetermined interval of time.

Claim 7

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: a switch connected to said first sensing circuit for controlling the transmission of said control signal of said first sensing circuit to said switching means.

Claim 8

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 6 wherein: said switch comprises a proximity switch.

Claim 9

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 1 in further combination with: a third input signal terminal means for connection to a second video-stereo-audio preferential signal source, said output terminals comprising three terminals for receiving video-stereo-audio signals, said switching means selectively connecting either of said first, second and third input signal terminal means to said output terminals, a second video sensing circuit interconnecting said third input signal source and said switching means, said second video sensing circuit upon sensing a video signal from said third input signal terminal means generating a signal to actuate said switching means to connect said third input signal terminal means to said output terminals, and means for selectively actuating one of said first and second audio sensing circuits.

Claim 10

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 8 wherein: said means for selectively actuating one of said first and second sensing circuits comprises a pair of proximity switches one for each of said first and second sensing circuits.

Claim 11

An automatic electronic control system for an entertainment system utilizing video and/or audio signal sensors for the preferential selection of a first signal source with means for returning it to a second signal source upon cessation of the signals from said first signal source, said control system comprising: first input signal terminals for connection to a preferential first video-audio signal source, second input signal terminals for connection to a second stereo-audio signal source, output signals terminals for connection to a multi-channel output system, a first video sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals, a second sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals, a switching network having input, output and control terminals, said input terminal of said first video sensing circuit being connected to said first input signal terminals and saId output terminals being connected to said input terminals of said switching network, said control terminal of said first video sensing circuit being connected to said control terminal of said control terminal of said second sensing circuit, said input terminal of said second sensing circuit being connected to said output signal terminals and said output terminal of said second sensing circuit being connected to an input terminal of said switching network, switching means for selectively connecting either said first input signal source or said second input signal source through said first and second input signal terminals to said output signal terminals, means for connecting an output terminal of said switching network to said switch means for controlling the transmission of signals from said first and second input signal terminals to said output signal terminals, said switching network upon energization of said control system generating a signal and transmitting it through its output terminal to said switching means to transmit signals on said second signal terminals to said output signal terminals, said first video sensing circuit sensing a video signal at said first input signal terminals and generating a control signal at said input terminal of said switching network, said switching network upon receipt of said control signal of said first video sensing circuit transmitting a signal from one of its output terminals to said switching means to connect said first input signal terminal to said output signal terminals, said second sensing circuit upon termination of signals from said first input signal terminals existing at said output signal terminals transmitting a signal from its output terminal to said switching network to reconnect said second signal input terminals to said output signal terminals and a signal from its control terminal for transmittal to the control terminal of said first video sensing circuit to disable said first video sensing circuit.

Claim 12

An automatic electronic control system for an entertainment system utilizing video and/or audio signal sensors for the preferential selection of a first signal source with means for returning it to a second signal source upon cessation of the signals from said first signal source, said control system comprising: first input signal terminals for connection to a preferential first video-audio signal source, second input signal terminals for connection to a second stereo-audio signal source, output signals terminals for connection to a multi-channel output system, a first video sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals, a second sensing circuit comprising input, output and control terminals, a switching network having input, output and control terminals, said input terminal of said first video sensing circuit being connected to said first input signal terminals and saId output terminals being connected to said input terminals of said switching network, said control terminal of said first video sensing circuit being connected to said control terminal of said control terminal of said second sensing circuit, said input terminal of said second sensing circuit being connected to said output signal terminals and said output terminal of said second sensing circuit being connected to an input terminal of said switching network, switching means for selectively connecting either said first input signal source or said second input signal source through said first and second input signal terminals to said output signal terminals, means for connecting an output terminal of said switching network to said switch means for controlling the transmission of signals from said first and second input signal terminals to said output signal terminals, said switching network upon energization of said control system generating a signal and transmitting it through its output terminal to said switching means to transmit signals on said second signal terminals to said output signal terminals, said first video sensing circuit sensing a video signal at said first input signal terminals and generating a control signal at said input terminal of said switching network, said switching network upon receipt of said control signal of said first video sensing circuit transmitting a signal from one of its output terminals to said switching means to connect said first input signal terminal to said output signal terminals, said second sensing circuit upon termination of signals from said first input signal terminals existing at said output signal terminals transmitting a signal from its output terminal to said switching network to reconnect said second signal input terminals to said output signal terminals and a signal from its control terminal for transmittal to the control terminal of said first video sensing circuit to disable said first video sensing circuit.

Claim 13

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 10 wherein said switching network comprises: means for delaying the actuation of said switching means to reconnect said second signal terminals to said output signal terminals for a predetermined interval of time whereby short interruptions of signals on said first input signal terminals will not cause a switching of said control system back to said second input signal terminals.

Claim 14

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 10 wherein: said switching network comprises a selection switch for manually energizing said switching means for connecting said first signal terminals to said output signal terminals.

Claim 15

The automatic electronic control system set forth in claim 12 wherein: said selection switch comprises a proximity switch.