System and Method for Selectively Switching Between a Plurality of Audio Channels

Abstract

A system and method for selectively switching between a plurality of audio channels are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure will enable a user to listen to desired audio content, e.g., music with a total lack of distraction while selectively allowing certain important and selected sounds to interrupt the audio content. The system for selectively switching between a plurality of audio channels includes an audio content device (ACD) for supplying audio content on a first channel; at least one microphone input device for generating an acoustic signal from sound external to the system on a second channel; an audio signal processing control unit (ASPCU) for receiving the audio content on the first channel and the acoustic signal on the second channel and for selectively switching between the first and second channel; and an audio output device (AOD) for audibly producing sounds from the selected channel.

We/I claim: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 providing a first audio content from an audio content device on a first channel to an audio output device;   receiving a trigger signal, by the audio content device, on a second channel;   processing the trigger signal to determine audio content on the second channel;   switching, by a signal processor within the audio content device, from the first channel to the second channel;   providing a second audio content on the second channel, by the audio content device, to the audio output device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the switching is performed by a switching mechanism having a first position and a second position controlled by the signal processor, wherein in the first position the first audio content is provided from the first channel and in the second position the second audio content is provided from the second channel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audio content device provides the first audio content and the second audio content to the audio content device through a hardwired port over a wire. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the audio content device provides the first audio content and the second audio content to the audio content device through a wireless port over a wireless connection. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the signal processor receives the trigger signal, determines if the trigger signal matches one of the predetermined signals stored in the memory storage device, and, if the trigger signal matches the one predetermined signals, positions the switching mechanism to a second position to provide the second audio content on the second channel from the audio content device to the audio output device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 upon switching from the first channel to the second channel, the audio content device receiving manual instructions;   switching back, by the signal processor, from the second channel to the first channel based on the manual instructions;   providing first audio content from the first channel from the audio content device to the audio output device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an audible signal based on the trigger signal to the audio content device. 
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 an audio output device;   an audio content device, having:
 a memory storage device; 
 a signal processor coupled to the memory storage device; 
 a switching mechanism coupled to the signal processor; 
 a first channel coupled to the switching mechanism; 
 a second channel coupled to the switching device. 
 wherein the signal processor configured to:
 provide a first audio content on the first channel to the audio output device; 
 receive a trigger signal on the second channel; 
 process the trigger signal to determine audio content on the second channel; 
 switch from the first channel to the second channel; 
 provide a second audio content on the second channel to the audio output device. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the switching mechanism includes a first position and a second position controlled by the signal processor, wherein in the first position the first audio content is provided from the first channel and in the second position the second audio content is provided from the second channel. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the audio content device provides the first audio content and the second audio content to the audio content device through a hardwired port over a wire. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the audio content device provides the first audio content and the second audio content to the audio content device through a wireless port over a wireless connection. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the signal processor receives the trigger signal, determines if the trigger signal matches one of the predetermined signals stored in the memory storage device, and, if the trigger signal matches the one predetermined signals, positions the switching mechanism to a second position to provide the second audio content on the second channel from the audio content device to the audio output device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the signal processor is further configured to:
 upon switching from the first channel to the second channel, receive manual instructions;   switch back, by the signal processor, from the second channel to the first channel based on the manual instructions;   provide first audio content from the first channel from the audio content device to the audio output device.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the signal processor is further configured to provide an audible signal based on the trigger signal to the audio content device. 
     
     
         15 . An audio content device, comprising:
 a memory storage device;   a signal processor coupled to the memory storage device;   a switching mechanism coupled to the signal processor;   a first channel coupled to the switching mechanism;   a second channel coupled to the switching device.   wherein the signal processor configured to:
 provide a first audio content on the first channel to an audio output device; 
 receive a trigger signal on the second channel; 
 process the trigger signal to determine audio content on the second channel; 
 switch from the first channel to the second channel; 
 provide a second audio content on the second channel to the audio output device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the switching mechanism includes a first position and a second position controlled by the signal processor, wherein in the first position the first audio content is provided from the first channel and in the second position the second audio content is provided from the second channel. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the audio content device provides the first audio content and the second audio content to the audio content device through a port wherein the port is selected from a group consisting of a hardwired port and a wireless port over a wireless connection. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the signal processor receives the trigger signal, determines if the trigger signal matches one of the predetermined signals stored in the memory storage device, and, if the trigger signal matches the one predetermined signals, positions the switching mechanism to a second position to provide the second audio content on the second channel from the audio content device to the audio output device. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , further wherein the signal processor is further configured to:
 upon switching from the first channel to the second channel, receive manual instructions;   switch back, by the signal processor, from the second channel to the first channel based on the manual instructions;   provide first audio content from the first channel from the audio content device to the audio output device.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the signal processor is further configured to provide an audible signal based on the trigger signal to the audio content device.