Abstract:
An audio system including a legacy radio system having a radio and a set of speakers, and an audio selection system electrically coupled between the radio and the set of speakers. The audio selection system is configured to detect a signal containing audio information, with the signal not coming from the radio. The audio selection system is further configured to electrically disconnect the set of speakers from the radio and to route the audio information to the set of speakers upon detection of the signal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/846,316, entitled “ METHOD AND APPARATUS TO COUPLE AN AUDIO SOURCE TO A LEGACY AUDIO SYSTEM”, filed Jul. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to audio systems, and, more particularly, to a coupling of a digital signal source to a legacy radio system. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In older audio systems there are often limited ways in which you can add audio choices. If an audio source has audio input ports then an audio signal can be connected and the signal can be selected to play on the system speakers. 
         [0006]    Many audio sources were built without contemplating alternate audio sources being directed to the speakers. For example, restored automobiles are often painstakingly restored with all, or as much as is possible, original equipment so that authenticity can be maintained. In this example let&#39;s consider a radio system, which is entirely analog and has no capability of detecting a modern day audio signal sent by a digital device. Even if the audio signal was available as at the end of a wire the radio has no ports into which to direct the audio signal. 
         [0007]    To change out the legacy radio with a more modern audio device is unthinkable, since it would destroy the look and feel of the restored system. Even if the legacy radio functions poorly or even not at all, the look and feel of the original device is highly desirable. 
         [0008]    One problem associated with prior art is the inability to offer a convenient solution that allows modern functionality, but maintains the original look and feel of a legacy system. 
         [0009]    What is needed in the art is a convenient out of sight solution to allow an audio source, such as that associated with a Bluetooth device, to be able to convey the audio to the legacy speakers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a system and a method of coupling a modern audio source to a legacy radio system. 
         [0011]    The invention in one form is directed to an audio system including a legacy radio system having a radio and a set of speakers, and an audio selection system electrically coupled between the radio and the set of speakers. The audio selection system is configured to detect a signal containing audio information, with the signal not coming from the radio. The audio selection system is further configured to electrically disconnect the set of speakers from the radio and to route the audio information to the set of speakers upon detection of the signal. 
         [0012]    The invention in another form is directed to an audio control system for use with a legacy radio system having a radio and a set of speakers. The audio control system includes an audio selection system electrically coupled between the radio and the set of speakers. The audio selection system is configured to detect a signal containing audio information, with the signal not coming from the radio. The audio selection system is further configured to electrically disconnect the set of speakers from the radio and to route the audio information to the set of speakers upon detection of the signal. 
         [0013]    The invention in yet another form is directed to a method of using a digital audio source with a legacy radio system having a radio and a set of speakers. The method includes the steps of: electrically coupling an audio selection device between the radio and the set of speakers; detecting a signal containing audio information with the audio selection device, with the signal not coming from the radio; electrically disconnecting the set of speakers from the radio; and routing the audio information to the set of speakers upon detection of the signal. 
         [0014]    An advantage of the present invention is that the audio selector can be inserted into the wiring of a legacy radio system and allow the playing of streaming audio from a Bluetooth device on the legacy speaker system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematical view of an embodiment of an audio selector according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an embodiment of an audio selector for a stereo system according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of another embodiment of an audio selector for a quadraphonic system according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of an audio selector for a quadraphonic system using an AC power source according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of another embodiment of an audio selector for a quadraphonic system of the present invention using a power supply that obtains power from an output of a legacy radio system; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of yet another embodiment of an audio selector for a quadraphonic system using simplified power system; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a schematical representation of an embodiment of a method of providing an audio signal to a legacy radio system, of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIG. 1  there is shown in a schematic form the connection of an audio selector  10 , also known as an audio insertion device  10 , to a legacy radio  12 , and speakers  14 . A transmitter  16 , which may be in the form of a Bluetooth device  16 , produces a signal  18  having audio information therein. Signal  18  is detected by audio selector  10 , which in response to the detection, electrically disconnects legacy radio  12  from speakers  14  and routes the audio information from signal  18  to speakers  14 . Legacy radio  12  has no audio signal input ports. Nor does legacy radio  12  have an ability to detect signal  18 . 
         [0025]    Now, additionally referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , there are shown embodiments of the present invention, in the form of an audio insertion device  110 ,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ,  510  which allows an audio source, such as a Bluetooth device  16 , to be coupled to legacy audio system  12 . The addition of multiples of  100  to a reference number is to indicate that the items are similar, yet of different embodiments of the present invention, and that the features of an element are similar or even identical to an element having a different multiple of  100  as the first digit of the reference number. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates the use of audio insertion device  110  relative to a two speaker stereo system  114  that may be installed in a classic automobile. The audio output of the legacy audio system  12  is connected to audio insertion device  110  at the “left in” and “right in” as shown in the upper left of  FIG. 2 . Speakers  114  of the legacy system are connected as illustrated on the right of audio insertion device  110 . 
         [0027]    Relays  120  are shown as double pole—double throw relays and are shown as being connected such that the audio signals from the legacy audio system  12  are being used to drive the legacy speakers  114 . Coils  122  of relays  120  (although show schematically separate from relays  120  it is understood that coils  122  are integral with relays  120 ) are energized by the passing of current when transistor  124  receives a signal from microcontroller  126  causing transistor  124  to be conductive. Microcontroller  126  may be in the form of a microprocessor  126  or any other control circuitry. Microcontroller  126  interfaces with a receiver  128 , which may be in the form of a Bluetooth module  128 , which attempts to receive an authenticated Bluetooth signal from Bluetooth device  16 . When no signal is being received from Bluetooth device  16  audio from the legacy system  12  is used to drive the legacy speakers  114 . 
         [0028]    When Bluetooth device  16  sends signal  18  containing audio information, as in streaming audio, to Bluetooth module  128 , Bluetooth module  128  sends a signal to microcontroller  126  indicating that a valid audio signal is being received. In turn microcontroller  126  sends a signal to transistor  124 , the signal may be in the form of a sustained voltage level, thereby causing transistor  124  to conduct allowing current to flow through coils  122 . When current is supplied to coils  122  then relays  120  change their contact positions to direct audio supplied from power amplifier  130  to the speakers  114 . Microcontroller  126  controls the timing of the energizing of coils  122  to allow the audio connection to be established before sending amplified audio signals to speakers  114 . When no streaming audio is available from Bluetooth device  16  then speakers  114  are connected to the legacy audio source  12 . 
         [0029]    In  FIG. 3  a system similar to  FIG. 2  is illustrated with four input audio channels, which are handled with twice as many relays  220  as were used in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The function of amplifier  130  is carried out with two amplifiers  230 , each supplying amplified audio to two speakers  214 . 
         [0030]    The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  is similar to the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 3 , with the power supply being from an AC source, to illustrate that the present invention can be used with legacy equipment in a non-vehicular application, such as in a home entertainment center. 
         [0031]    Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated an audio selector  410  in which a power supply  432  obtains energy from the output of legacy radio  12 , to illustrate a power source that is not directly connected to the electrical power system of a vehicle, or another source. Also the amplification features of the power amplifier(s) is incorporated into receiver  428 . 
         [0032]    Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated an audio selector  510 , which is similar to  FIG. 5 , with the electrical power being supplied from an external DC power source. 
         [0033]    Now, additionally referring to  FIG. 7 , there is illustrated a method  50  of steps taken by microcontroller  126 . At step  52 , the ports of microcontroller  126  are initialized, the mute is turned on and the relays  120  are set to pass the legacy signal to speakers  114 . Further the communication protocol is set. At step  54 , a query is sent to Bluetooth module  128  with the response received at step  56  determined to see if audio is available. If the answer is NO at step  56 , then method  50  proceeds to step  58 , where a message is sent indicating no audio is available. At step  60  an inquiry is made to Bluetooth module  128  to see if streaming audio is active, which is tested at step  62 . If the answer is NO, then at step  64  the mute is turned on and the relays  120  are set to pass the legacy audio to the legacy speakers  114 . If the answer is YES then at step  66  the mute is turned off and relays  120  are activated to thereby connect legacy speakers  114  to power amp  130  (or receiver  428  as appropriate) so that the streaming audio from Bluetooth device  16  will be sent to those speakers, thereby cutting off the audio output from the legacy audio source  12 . Although not illustrated it is also contemplated that the system may switch the audio output of the legacy source to an appropriate electrical load to dissipate the signal sent therefrom. 
         [0034]    While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.