Patent ID: 7187774

Claim:
A mute switch circuit for an audio component, comprising: a switch element having a control gate responsive to a mute control signal and a controllable path between a first terminal and a second terminal for selectively supplying an audio signal from an input node to an output node; a first bipolar transistor having a base coupled to the input node, an emitter coupled to the first terminal of the switch element, and a collector coupled to a voltage supply; a second bipolar transistor having a base coupled to the second terminal of the switch element and an emitter coupled to the output node; a first current source coupled between the emitter of the first bipolar transistor and a ground reference terminal; a third bipolar transistor having a base coupled to a voltage reference, a collector coupled to the voltage source, and an emitter coupled to the second terminal of the switch element; and a second current source coupled between the emitter of the third bipolar transistor and the ground reference terminal.