Signal router with cross-point view graphical interface
First Claim
1. A signal router comprising:
- a matrix of cross-point switches comprising an array of source channels and an array of destination channels forming cross-points, and cross-point switches at said cross-points selectively connecting selected source channels to selected destination channels when closed;
a display device displaying a pictorial representation of said matrix of cross-point switches as a first pattern of generally parallel stripes representing said array of source channels, and a second pattern of generally parallel stripes representing said array of destination channels and generally perpendicular, to said first pattern of parallel stripes to form intersections representing said cross-point switches;
input means through which cross-point switches in said matrix of cross-point switches are selected from said pictorial representation on said display device; and
a digital computer programmed to generate in response to selection of cross-point switches in said matrix of cross-point switches made from said pictorial representation through said input means, control signals closing the selected cross-point switches to connect the selected source channels to the selected destination channels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled signal router has a graphical user interface which pictorially represents the source channels and destination channels as intersecting, perpendicular sets of stripes with the intersections representing the switches of a cross-point switching matrix. Multiple signal channels are arranged in logical planes which may be displayed singly or in composite views. Links between source channels and destination channels which are effected by the cross-point switch are displayed by a visual indicator at the intersection of the selected source and destination stripes in the single plane view. In the multi-plane view, closed switches in their respective planes are represented by color coded segments of the visual indicator. Sources and destinations are linked and unlinked by selecting on the display the appropriate cross-point, or by designating a source and destination through selection of icons at the ends of the source and destination channel lines.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A signal router comprising:
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a matrix of cross-point switches comprising an array of source channels and an array of destination channels forming cross-points, and cross-point switches at said cross-points selectively connecting selected source channels to selected destination channels when closed;
a display device displaying a pictorial representation of said matrix of cross-point switches as a first pattern of generally parallel stripes representing said array of source channels, and a second pattern of generally parallel stripes representing said array of destination channels and generally perpendicular, to said first pattern of parallel stripes to form intersections representing said cross-point switches;
input means through which cross-point switches in said matrix of cross-point switches are selected from said pictorial representation on said display device; and
a digital computer programmed to generate in response to selection of cross-point switches in said matrix of cross-point switches made from said pictorial representation through said input means, control signals closing the selected cross-point switches to connect the selected source channels to the selected destination channels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A signal router comprising:
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a matrix of cross-point switches comprising an array of source channels and an array of destination channels forming cross-points, and cross-point switches at said cross-points selectively linking selected source channels to selected destination channels when closed, at least some of said source channels and destination channels having multiple signals with corresponding ones of said multiple signals for said at least some source channels and destination channels organized into separate logical signal planes;
a display device displaying symbolically said source channels and destination channels in a selected logical signal plane and links made therebetween through said matrix of cross-point switches;
input means through which said selected logical signal plane is selected and through which cross-point switches in said matrix of cross-point switches are selected for linking selected source channels and destination channels in said selected signal plane; and
a digital computer programmed to generate in response to selection of said selected cross-point switches through said input means, control signals closing the selected cross-point switches to link the selected source channels to the selected destination channels in said selected signal plane. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification