Audio or audio/visual interactive entertainment system and switching device therefor

摘要

The present invention concerns an audio switching device for an audio or audio/video entertainment system having multiple audio channels; the device comprising at least two audio inputs for receiving at least two respective input signals from a media source on respective input channels, and switching means for selectively switching the device, independently of an actuating signal embedded in the input signals, between a first mode of operation in which respective audio input signals are output to respective audio reproduction means for stereo/multi-channel reproduction of the audio content of the said audio signals, and a second mode in which at least one of the said audio channels is switched to a respective audio output connected to a wireless transmitter for transmission of a media source input signal, including control and or audio information, to at least one remote device for controlling movement/animation of the said remote device and/or reproducing audio content of the signal at the said remote device.

主权项

1. An audio switching device for an audio or audio/video entertainment system, the device comprising:
at least two audio inputs for receiving, in use, at least two respective input signals from a media source on respective input channels, and a switch selectively switching the audio switching device independently of an actuating signal embedded in the input signals, between:
i) a first mode of operation in which respective audio input signals are output for coupling to audio speakers of the entertainment system for stereo/multi-channel reproduction of the audio content of the audio input signals, andii) a second mode of operation in which one of the audio input channels from the media source is isolated from the speakers of the entertainment system and switched to a transmitter audio output of the switch, and a wireless transmitter connected to the transmitter audio output of the switch, the wireless transmitter arranged to effect transmission of a combination of the media source's input channels with an overlaid control tone placed at one or more specific points in the isolated one input channel's time domain, the control tone controlling a particular movement/animation, whereby audio content of the isolated one of the media source's input channels can be output at a remote toy while movement/animation of the remote toy is synchronized to the remote audio output of the audio content by virtue of the control tone.