Switch device equipped with muting function

Claim 1

A switch device for switchingly select desired one out of a plurality of input signals which are simultaneously inputted, in response to manipulation of selector means, said switch device including a plurality of analog switches equal in number to said plurality of input signals, and a control circuit for applying a control signal to one of said analog switches which is selected in response to the manipulation of said selector means, each of said analog switches having an input terminal to which corresponding one of said input signals is applied, an output terminal, and a control terminal to which the control signal is supplied from said control circuit, wherein when said control signal is applied to the control terminal of said selected analog switch, the latter is turned on so that the input signal being applied to the input terminal thereof is obtained at the output terminal thereof, characterized in that: said plurality of analog switches have their output terminals connected together, and a common output terminal is led out of the connection point between said output terminals; said control circuit includes means responsive to manipulation of said selector means to switch the control signal for turning on the analog switches and at the same time provide a second control signal; means is provided for generating, in response to said second control signal, a DC voltage to change the DC voltage at said connection point in such a manner that the last-mentioned DC voltage is gradually increased up to a predetermined voltage level, maintained at said predetermined voltage level for a predetermined period of time and then gradually decreased from said predetermined voltage level; each of said analog switches includes means responsive, when said each analog switch is turned on, to said change in the DC voltage at said connection point to decrease the amplitude of the input signal derived, through the turned-on analog switch, at said connection point, to make substantially zero said amplitude when said predetermined voltage level is reached, and thereafter to increase said amplitude from zero; and said control circuit also includes means for switching the control signals for turning on said analog switches while said DC voltage at said connection point is maintained at said predetermined voltage level.