Multi-channel audio switch
An audio switch for theatre environments comprising a plurality of analog audio inputs such as 5.1 or 6.1 multi-channel analog audio inputs. An audio output is provided as well as means for selectively coupling any one of the audio inputs to the audio output. The audio switch includes a control interface configured to couple to an external control system. The means for selectively coupling operates in response to control signals received over the control interface
1 . An audio switch comprising:
a plurality of analog audio inputs;
an audio output;
a control interface configured to couple to an external control system; and
means for selectively coupling any one of the audio inputs to the audio output in response to control signals received over the control interface.
2 . The audio switch of claim 1 wherein at least some of the analog audio inputs comprise multi-channel analog audio inputs.
3 . The audio switch of claim 2 wherein the analog audio inputs comprise 5.1 audio inputs.
4 . The audio switch of claim 2 wherein the analog audio inputs comprise 6.1 audio inputs.
5 . The audio switch of claim 1 wherein the means for selectively coupling further comprises:
a relay coupled to a selected one of the audio inputs and coupled to the audio output, wherein the relay has an un-powered state in which the selected audio input is coupled by the relay to the audio output and the remaining audio inputs are decoupled from the audio output.
6 . The audio switch of claim 1 further comprising a pre-amplifier component coupled to at least one of the audio inputs.
7 . The audio switch of claim 6 wherein the pre-amplifier is externally controllable to provide a level of pre-amplification determined by an external control signal.
8 . The audio switch of claim 6 further comprising an audio balancing component coupled to at least one of the audio inputs and operable to eliminate hum caused by inadequate grounding
9 . The audio switch of claim 1 further comprising a pre-amplifier component coupled to between an output side of the relay and the audio output.
10 . The audio switch of claim 9 wherein the pre-amplifier is externally controllable to provide a level of pre-amplification determined by an external control signal.
11 . The audio switch of claim 1 wherein the means for selectively coupling is externally controllable to allow an external control component to couple a selected one of the plurality of audio inputs to the audio output.
12 . The audio switch of claim 1 further comprising an audio mixer component coupled to the means for selectively coupling, wherein the audio mixer components is configured to couple to an external local audio source.
13 . The audio switch of claim 12 wherein the external local audio source comprises a microphone.
14 . The audio switch of claim 12 wherein the external local audio source comprises a DVD player.
15 . A cinema audio system comprising:
a projector operable to display media in a theatre auditorium;
a sound processor operable to generate a multi-channel analog audio signal synchronized with the displayed media;
at least one other device producing a multi-channel analog audio signal;
a switch having a plurality of analog audio inputs, wherein a first of the plurality of analog inputs is coupled to the sound processor to receive the multi-channel analog audio signal of the sound processor, and a second of the plurality of analog inputs is coupled to the at least one other device, wherein the switch comprises an audio output; and
means for selectively coupling any one of the plurality of the switch's audio inputs to the audio output.
16 . The cinema audio system of claim 15 further comprising a back-end cinema audio system driving speakers in the theatre auditorium, wherein the back-end cinema audio system comprises fewer multi-channel analog audio signal inputs than are provided by the switch and the audio output of the switch is coupled to one of the multi-channel analog audio signal inputs of the back-end cinema audio system.
17 . The cinema audio system of claim 15 wherein the projector comprises a film projector operable to display film-based media and the sound processor comprises:
a reader coupled to read audio information encoded on the film-based media;
a decoder coupled to the reader and operable to decode the audio information and generate a multi-channel analog audio signal.
18 . The cinema audio system of claim 15 wherein the projector comprises a film projector operable to display film-based media and wherein the sound processor comprises:
a player coupled to read audio information from a media source separate from the film-based media;
a synchronization component coupled to the player and to the film projector and operable to synchronize the audio information with the display of the film-based media.
19 . The cinema audio system of claim 16 wherein the at least one other device comprises a digital media adapter comprising a plurality of digital audio signal inputs.
20 . The cinema audio system of claim 16 wherein the at least one other device comprises a microphone.
21 . The cinema audio system of claim 16 wherein the at least one other device comprises a computer playing a multimedia file.
22 . The cinema audio system of claim 15 wherein the projector comprises a digital cinema projector.