Abstract: A casing which accommodates an electric circuit for generating sounds of different tones or voice sounds has a recess 11 defined in its upper panel and a loudspeaker 12 disposed therein and mounted on the upper panel for reproducing and radiating sounds or voice sounds. A plurality of tone plates can selectively be placed, one at a time, in the recess. Each of the tone plates has dots and a bar code indicative of a sound or voice sound of its own. When one of the tone plates is inserted in the recess, the dots or bar code is detected by a sensor in the recess, and the electric circuit enables the loudspeaker to reproduce and radiate a tone or voice which is indicated by the inserted tone plate.

Abstract: In a broadcast satellite receiver having a power source circuit for supplying a power source voltage to a tuner circuit through a power switch and a socket or receptacle for connecting an external appliance, such as, a video tape recorder, to the power source circuit; power consumption by the video tape recorder connected through the socket or receptacle to the power source circuit of the receiver is detected, and the power switch is closed for operating the tuner circuit when the detected value of power consumption by the video tape recorder is characteristic of operation of the latter, for example, when the power consumption exceeds by a predetermined amount a previously detected value of power consumption in a standby condition of the video tape recorder.