Automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device and method therefor

A method of operating a combined audio system and automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device comprising the steps of:

• providing audio system means having a plurality of components for transforming audio signals to audible signals;
• providing an automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device comprising the steps of:
• providing audio attenuating means having at least first audio input/output connection means and second audio input/output connection means for attenuating said audio signals, said audio attenuating means having at least a first and a second configuration together providing a plurality of degrees of audio signal attenuation;
• providing a plurality of network interface means each having at least one input from a telephone system and at least one connection to said audio attenuating means for controlling said audio attenuating means in response to changes to said at least one input from said telephone system;
• and
• providing a plurality of signal means each having a voltage difference between two inputs from said telephone system of each of said plurality of network interface means coupled to a base junction of each of a plurality of transistors for controlling said transistors.

A combined audio system and automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device, comprising, in combination:

• audio system means having a plurality of components for transforming audio signals to audible signals;
• an automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device comprising:
• audio attenuating means having at least first audio input/output connection means and second audio input/output connection means for attenuating said audio signals, said audio attenuating means having at least a first and a second configuration together providing a plurality of degrees of audio signal attenuation;
• and
• network interface means having at least one direct electrical conduit input from a telephone system and at least one connection to said audio attenuating means for controlling said audio attenuating means in response to changes of signals on said at least one direct electrical conduit input from said telephone system, said at least one direct electrical conduit input from said telephone system providing all power necessary to operate said automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device from said telephone system.

A method of operating a combined audio system and automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device, comprising the steps of:

• providing audio system means having a plurality of components for transforming audio signals to audible signals;
• operating an automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device comprising the steps of :
• providing audio attenuating means having at least first audio input/output connection means and second audio input/output connection means for attenuating said audio signals, said audio attenuating means having at least a first and a second configuration together providing a plurality of degrees of audio signal attenuation;
• and
• providing network interface means having at least one direct electrical conduit input from a telephone system and at least one connection to said audio attenuating means for controlling said audio attenuating means in response to changes of signals on said at least one direct electrical conduit input from said telephone system, said at least one direct electrical conduit input from said telephone system providing all power necessary to operate said automatic electronic audio signal attenuating device from said telephone system.