Component selection control system

The invention provides a component selection control system comprising signal output components 2 to 5, signal input components 4, 5, and an amplifier unit 1 having these components 2 to 5 connected thereto. The signal output components 2 to 5 have respective on-off switches 23, 33, 44, 54 provided on signal output lines 73 to 76 for delivering audio signals to the amplifier unit 1 therethrough, and the amplifier unit 1 has a common input terminal g. The signal output lines 73 to 76 of the output components 2 to 5 are connected to one another at a point connected to a common signal line 71, which is connected to the common input terminal g of the amplifier unit 1. This arrangement greatly reduces the numbers of signal lines and terminals required for connecting the components 2 to 5 to the amplifier unit 1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to component selection systems which comprise a plurality of components such as a tuner, CD player, tape recorder, MD player, DVD player and amplifier and which are adapted to select one signal output component from among these components to feed an audio signal and/or video signal (AV signal) output from the selected component to other signal input component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Audio component systems are already in wide use which comprise a plurality of audio components such as a tuner, CD player, tape recorder and MD player as connected to one another.

For example,FIG. 4shows an audio component system which comprises audio components, i.e., a tuner20, CD player30, tape recorder40and MD player50, which are connected to an amplifier unit9. A speaker6is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier unit9for delivering as its sound output an audio signal sent out from one audio output component selected by the amplifier unit9, e.g., from the CD player30. Further one audio output component selected by the amplifier unit9, e.g., the tuner20, feeds an audio signal to one audio input component, e.g., to the MD player50, which records the audio signal.

The amplifier unit9has a plurality of signal input terminals a, b, c, d having connected thereto signal output lines81to84extending from the audio output components, and a plurality of signal output terminals e, f having connected thereto signal input lines85,86extending from the audio input components.

The signal input terminals a, b, c and d are connected via a selector91to a signal processing system comprising a preamplifier92, audio signal processing circuit93and post amplifier94, and an audio signal is delivered to the speaker6via the signal processing system. The output terminal of the preamplifier92is connected to the signal output terminals e, f through a plurality of on-off switches95,96, and an audio signal is delivered from the terminal e or f to the tape recorder40or MD player50.

The selector91and the on-off switches95,96are controlled by a control circuit98to realize an operation in accordance with the manipulation of an input unit97by the user. For example, when the audio signal to be produced by the CD player30is to be recorded on an MD (mini disk) by the MD player50, the input unit97is manipulated to select the CD player30as a signal output component and the MD player50as a signal input component, whereupon the selector91is switched to the input terminal connected to the CD player30, the on-off switch95connected to the tape recorder40is opened, and the on-off switch96connected to the MD player50is closed.

Consequently, the audio signal from the CD player30is fed to the MD layer50by way of the selector91, preamplifier92and on-off switch96and recorded on the MD.

With the conventional audio component system described, however, the signal output lines81to84and the signal input lines85,86each comprise three conductors, i.e., a right-channel signal conductor, left-channel signal conductor and ground conductor. Accordingly, for example when the connection of the four audio components20,30,40,50are to be connected to the amplifier unit9as illustrated, there is a need to use twelve signal conductors in all, and the amplifier unit9needs to be provided with twelve signal input or output terminals for the connection of these twelve signal conductors. The numbers of the signal conductors and signal input or output terminals required increase with an increase in the number of audio components providing the system.

As a result, the signal input and output terminal portions of the amplifier unit9occupy an increased area, not only making the amplifier unit9greater in size but also entailing the problem of an increased parts cost due to the increase in the number of signal conductors or lines and the problem of a cumbersome signal line connecting procedure by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a component selection control system which is greatly reduced in the numbers of signal conductors or lines and terminals conventionally required for the connection of components.

The present invention provides a component selection control system comprising a plurality of signal output components for outputting AV signals including audio signals and/or video signals, at least one signal input component for receiving the AV signal, and a signal processing control unit having connected thereto the signal output components and the signal input component. The signal processing control unit is operable to process the AV signal delivered from desired one of the signal output components as required for sound and/or image reproduction and to feed the AV signal delivered from the desired signal output component to the signal input component.

The signal output components each have an on-off switch provided on a signal output line for delivering the AV signal to the signal processing control unit therethrough. The signal processing control unit has a common input terminal for receiving the AV signal from the desired signal output component. The signal output lines of the signal output components are connected to one another at a point connected to the common input terminal of the control unit. One signal output component for feeding its AV signal to the signal processing control unit is selected by controlling the on-off switches for opening or closing.

With the component selection control system of the invention described, one of the signal output components desired is selected to feed the AV signal to be delivered from the selected output component to the signal input component. In this case, the on-off switch provided in the desired signal output component is closed, and the on-off switches of the other output components are opened, whereby the AV signal delivered from the signal output component is fed to the common input terminal of the signal processing control unit through the closed on-off switch.

Since the on-off switches of the other signal output components are turned off, it is unlikely that the AV signals delivered from these output components will be fed to the control unit.

The AV signal fed to the signal processing control unit is processed as required for sound and/or image reproduction, then sent to a subsequent circuit and output as a sound and/or image. Alternatively, the AV signal fed to the control unit is fed to the signal input component and recorded by the input component.

With the component selection control system of the invention described, the signal output lines extending from the respective signal output components are connected, as connected to one another, to the common input terminal of the signal processing control unit, so that the numbers of signal lines and terminals to be connected to the common input terminal are reduced from the corresponding numbers of lines and terminals conventionally used to a fraction of the number of signal output components.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the signal processing control unit has a common output terminal for delivering the AV signal to the signal input component. The common output terminal is connected to a signal input line of the input component. With this embodiment, the AV signal delivered from the selected signal output component to the signal processing control unit is fed from the common output terminal to the signal input component and recorded by the input component.

The component selection control system can be composed of a plurality of signal input components for receiving AV signals. The signal input components each have an on-off switch provided on a signal input line to be supplied with the AV signal from the signal processing control unit. The input signal lines are connected to one another at a point, which is connected to the common signal output terminal of the control unit.

In the case where desired one of the signal output components and desired one or more of the signal input components are selected to feed the AV signal to be delivered from the selected output component to the selected input component or components, the on-off switch in the selected output component is closed, the on-off switches of the other output components are opened, and the on-off switch in the signal input component is closed, whereby the AV signal delivered from the output component is fed to the common input terminal of the signal processing control unit through the closed on-off switch and further delivered from the control unit delivers through the common output terminal to the signal input component through the closed on-off switch thereof.

With the component selection control system of the invention described, the signal input lines extending from the respective signal input components are connected, as connected to one another, to the common output terminal of the signal processing control unit, so that the numbers of signal lines and terminals to be connected to the common output terminal are reduced from the corresponding numbers of lines and terminals conventionally used to a fraction of the number of signal input components.

The component selection control system of the invention is greatly reduced in the number of signal lines and terminals conventionally required for the connection of components. This diminishes the area to be occupied by the terminal portion of the signal processing control unit, not only making the system smaller in size but also ensuring a reduced cost and facilitating the signal line connection procedure to be performed by the user owing to a reduction in the number of signal lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

The present invention as embodied into an audio component system will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIG. 1, the audio component system embodying the invention comprises audio components, i.e., a tuner2, CD player3, tape recorder4and MD player5, which are connected to an amplifier unit1. A speaker6is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier unit1for delivering as its sound output an audio signal sent out from one audio output component selected by the amplifier unit1, e.g., from the CD player3. Further one audio output component selected by the amplifier unit1, e.g., the tuner2, feeds an audio signal to one audio input component, e.g., to the MD player5, which records the audio signal.

The tuner2comprises an audio output circuit21for regenerating an audio signal from broadcast waves received and outputting the signal, an on-off switch23provided on a signal output line73extending from the audio output circuit21, and a control circuit22for controlling the operation of the circuit21and the switch23.

The CD player3comprises an audio output circuit31for regenerating an audio signal from a CD and outputting the signal, an on-off switch33provided on a signal output line74extending from the audio output circuit31, and a control circuit32for controlling the operation of the circuit31and the switch33.

The taper recorder4comprises an audio output circuit41for regenerating an audio signal from a magnetic tape and outputting the signal, an audio input circuit42for recording an audio signal on a magnetic tape, an on-off switch44provided on a signal output line75extending from the audio output circuit41, an on-off switch45provided on a signal input line77extending from the audio input circuit42, and a control circuit43for controlling the operation of the output circuit41, the input circuit42and the switches44,45.

The MD player5comprises an audio output circuit51for regenerating an audio signal from an MD and outputting the signal, an audio input circuit52for recording an audio signal on an MD, an on-off switch54provided on a signal output line76extending from the audio output circuit51, an on-off switch55provided on a signal input line78extending from the audio input circuit52, and a control circuit53for controlling the operation of the output circuit51, the input circuit52and the switches54,55.

The signal output lines73to76extending from the audio output circuits21,31,41,51are connected to one another at a point, which is connected to a common signal line71. The signal line71is connected to a common input terminal g provided on the amplifier unit1. The signal input lines77,78extending from the audio input circuits42,52are connected to each other at a point, which is connected to a common signal line72. The signal line72is connected to a common input terminal h provided on the amplifier unit1.

The amplifier unit1comprises a signal processing system16comprising a preamplifier11, an audio signal processing circuit12and a post amplifier13and connected to the common input terminal g. The audio signal passed through the signal processing system16is delivered to the speaker6. The output terminal of the preamplifier11is further connected to the common output terminal h by a signal output line17. The audio signal output from the common output terminal h is fed to the tape recorder4or the MD player5through the common signal line72and the signal input line77or78.

For simplified illustration,FIG. 1shows the signal output lines73to76, the signal input lines77,78and the common signal lines71,72each in the form of a single signal line, whereas these signal lines each comprise three conductors, i.e., a left-channel signal conductor, right-channel signal conductor and ground conductor.

An input unit14which is to be manipulated by the user is connected to a control circuit15, which is connected by a control bus7to the control circuits22,32,43,53included in the respective components2to5to realize an operation specified by the user's manipulation.

For example, when the audio signal to be output by the CD player3is to be recorded on an MD by the MD player5, the input unit14is manipulated to select the CD player3as a signal output component and the MD player5as a signal input component, whereupon the control circuit15of the amplifier unit1feeds control signals to the respective control circuits22,32,43,53of the components2to5, causing the control circuits22,32,43,53to turn on or off the respective on-off switches23,33,44,45,54,55. Stated more specifically, the switch33of the CD player3is turned on, and the switch23of the tuner2, the switch44for the audio output circuit41of the tape recorder4and the switch54for the audio output circuit51of the MD player5are turned off. Further the switch55for the audio input circuit52of the MD player5is turned on.

As a result, the audio signal delivered from the audio output circuit31of the CD player3is fed to the common input terminal g of the amplifier unit1via the switch33, signal output line74and common signal line71. The audio signal fed to the terminal g is amplified by the preamplifier11and then delivered from the common output terminal h via the signal output line17.

Even if an audio signal is output from the audio output circuit21of the tuner2, the audio output circuit41of the tape recorder4or the audio output circuit51of the MD player5at this time, the signal will not flow into the common signal line71since the switches23,44,54are off.

The audio signal delivered from the common output terminal h of the amplifier unit1is passed through the common signal line72to the signal input line78of the MD player5and further fed to the audio input circuit52via the switch55to record the audio signal on the MD.

Incidentally, the audio signal delivered from the common output terminal h of the amplifier unit1can be recorded on both the magnetic tape and the MD at the same time by closing the switch45of the tape recorder4and the switch55of the MD player5and setting both the taper recorder4and the MD player5in a recording mode.

FIG. 2shows the control operation of the control circuit15of the amplifier unit1in the audio component system, andFIG. 3shows the control operation of the control circuits22,32,43,53.

With reference toFIG. 2, the control circuit15of the amplifier unit1first inquires in step S1whether one of function keys on the input unit14has been depressed. When the answer is affirmative, step S2follows to output a function code corresponding to the depressed function key. The sequence thereafter returns to step S1to wait for the depression of function key.

With reference toFIG. 3, on the other hand, each of the control circuits22,32,43,53of the components inquire first in step S11whether the function code has been received. When the answer is affirmative, step S12follows, in which the control circuit inquires whether the function code is addressed to itself. When the answer is affirmative, the circuit closes the on-off switch of its own, whereas if the answer is negative, the circuit opens the on-off switch of its own. Step S11then follows to wait for the reception of a function code.

According to the control procedures described above, the user manipulates the input unit14of the amplifier unit1to select the desired signal output component and also select the desired signal input component, whereby the audio signal delivered from the desired output component can be fed to the desired input component for recording.

With the audio component system of the present invention shown inFIG. 1, the signal output lines73to76extending from the respective signal output components2to5are connected, as connected to one another, to the common signal line71, while the signal input lines77,78extending from the respective signal input components4,5are connected, as connected to each other, to the common signal line72, so that even in the case where the signal output lines and the signal input lines each comprise three conductors, i.e., a left-channel signal conductor, right-channel signal conductor and ground conductor, only three conductors, i.e., left-channel signal conductor, right-channel signal conductor and ground conductor, need to be used for each of the common signal lines71,72to be connected respectively to the common input terminal g and the common output terminal h of the amplifier unit1, with three terminals provided on the amplifier unit1for use as the common input and output terminals g, h for connection to the three signal conductors.

The number of common signal lines and the number of common input terminal and common output terminal remain unincreased even if the system comprises an increased number of components. Accordingly the space required for providing the common input and output terminals on the amplifier unit1can be much smaller than in the prior art wherein an input terminal and an output terminal are provided for each component. This diminishes the size of the amplifier unit1.

The reduction in the number of signal lines to be connected to the amplifier unit1not only entails a reduced parts cost but also facilitates the signal line connecting procedure to be performed by the user. Further with the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, each component has an on-off switch and a control circuit for controlling the switch of its own, so that additional components are connectable to the system easily. The system is highly amenable to expansion.

The system of the invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiment in construction but can be modified variously by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, it is possible to construct a component selection control system which includes a VCR, DVD or like video device as its component. In this case, the signal processing system may comprise a video processing circuit for displaying video signals on an image monitor in place of the audio signal processing circuit12and amplifiers11,13.