This invention relates generally to scalable switching systems and more particularly to switching systems for directing media signals from a plurality of media sources to a plurality of output devices.
There is an increasing rise of entertainment options available to various people and in today's public establishments, such as bars, restaurants, clubs, and the like. For example, there is an increasing number of available television channels and programming. Similarly, there is an increasing number of entertainment sources available to people such as cable TV, satellite TV, radio, satellite radio, or other programming options provided over networks such as Internet. This increase in entertainment options is also increasing the demand for the provision of multiple media streams in a single place. For example, at a bar or restaurant setting it is now common to have multiple audio sources and video sources such as television screens showing multiple media sources at one time. Similar systems may be built into a home where multiple televisions or output devices are connected to multiple media sources. Switching systems are necessary to connect or control the multiple sources that may be provided at multiple outlets.
Known devices that provide switching of media sources among multiple output devices are generally specially made inflexible devices and are expensive. Such switching systems typically comprise a single box with a specific set of available media input connections and output connections. Therefore, if the switching device does not fit a particular media system, either the media system will not be able to be fully optimized to provide a full media experience, or an even more expensive and specially or custom made switching device will need to be purchased. Accordingly, such known switching devices are generally not readily scalable and applicable to a variety of applications.
Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, a scalable switch system for connecting a plurality of output devices to a plurality of media source includes an array of input connectors configured to receive media signals from an array of a plurality of output connectors configured to provide media signals. The scalable switch system includes a first array of a plurality of first jumper connectors electrically connected to the array of plurality of input connectors such that at least one input connector of the array of input connectors electrically connects to a first jumper connector. The input connector connected to the first jumper connector of the array of jumper connectors is electrically connected to a termination resistance when the first jumper connector for the input connector is in a first jumper configuration.
A second array of a plurality of second jumper connectors is configured to electrically connect one of at least two input connectors to an output connector of the plurality of output connectors in the array of output connectors. The switch system may include a switching circuit in communication with the first array of jumper connectors, the second array of jumper connectors, and the array of output connectors. A controller circuit in communication with the switching circuit controls the switching configuration of the switching circuit to associate signals received at the input connectors with certain of the output connectors.
Depending on the configurations of the array of the jumper connectors, a termination resistance can be matched to the input connectors in accordance with the needs of a given media system. For example, the first jumper connectors in the first array can provide electrical connections for the input connectors with a termination resistance that is preselected and about the same for more than one of the the input connectors.
Similarly, certain of the input connectors may be arranged via the jumper connections made by the jumper connectors to be available to connect to one or more output connectors. For example, the second array of second jumper connectors can be configured to route media signal received at the first array of input connectors to any of the first, second, and/or third arrays of output connectors.
The configuration of jumper connectors provides a quickly and easily configurable and scalable device suitable for many applications. By variously configuring the jumper connectors, one can join together multiple scalable switch devices in one system to provide multiple arrangements suitable for various numbers of media sources and output devices. In one example, two scalable switching devices are joined together to provide double the number of output connectors as compared to the number of input connectors. For example, one scalable switch device will be connected so that its input connectors are connected to a termination resistance while a second scalable switch device is configured such that its input connectors do not connect to a termination resistance. By connecting the media inputs in parallel between the two sets of input connectors provided by the two switch devices, the output connectors available for the multiple media sources is doubled. Such configurations of the scalable switching devices disclosed herein can provide a variety of connections between multiple media sources and multiple output devices.
The hardware used to create the jumper connectors configuration allows the switching device to be manufactured for a much reduced cost as compared to switching devices that are otherwise commercially available. Additionally, through configuration of the jumper connectors, multiple switching devices may be banded together for use on a single system to provide scalability to a variety of potential uses. These and other benefits may become clearer upon making a thorough review and study of the following detailed description.
The above needs are at least partially met through provision of the scalable switching device and system described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to
With reference to
The scalable switch device 200 also includes an array of output connectors 220 configured to provide and which provide media signals. Like the input connectors 210, the output connectors 220 include sub-arrays 222, 224 and 226 of pluralities of output connectors, corresponding to the three signals provided in a component media system. The scalable switching device 200 can also include at least one serial connector 230 and 235 through which control signals are provided from a separate computing device or a control system to a controller circuit of the scalable switch device 200. A network connection 240 may be supplied as an alternative means of communication with the scalable switching device 200. A series of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) 250 is provided to allow for visual indications of the status or state of the device 200.
With reference to
Jumpers are generally known in the art to include electrically conductive jumper pins or connectors that may be abridged by a jumper shunt, which is an electrically conductive connector that bridges the gap between two jumper pins. As shown in
The second array of jumper connectors 350 is configured to make available to electrically connect one of two input connectors to one or more output connectors of the array of output connectors. In the example of
Referring now to
The switching circuit 410 provides the ability to control via software the association of media signals received at particular input connectors 210 with particular output connectors 220. In a typical approach, the various jumper connectors do not electrically connect via hardwire input connectors 210 to output connectors 220. Instead, the configuration of the jumper connectors makes available connections from the input connectors 210 to the output connectors 220 at the option of the switching circuit 410. As will be described further below, the jumper connectors can render certain input connectors unavailable for connection through the switching circuit 410 to the output connectors 220.
With reference again to
With continuing reference to
The configuration of
By providing a first sub-array of first jumper connectors 302 that selectively connects the input connectors 210 to a termination resistance, the scalable switch 200 has the ability to match the termination resistance needs of various types of systems. For example, as shown in
With reference to
With reference to
A method of connecting a plurality of media inputs to a plurality of output devices via such a scalable switching device includes receiving media signals at an array of input connectors. The method also includes electrically connecting a first array of first jumper connectors to the array of input connectors such that at least one input connector of the array of input connectors electrically connects to a first jumper connector and the input connector connected to the first jumper connector is electrically connected to a termination resistance when the first jumper connector for the input connector is in a first jumper configuration. The method allows making available to electrically connect via a second array of second jumper connectors one of at least two input connectors to an output connector of the array of output connectors to provide the media signals at the array of output connectors. In one approach, the method includes configuring the second array of second jumper connectors to connect each of at least one input connector to at least two output connectors. By another approach, the method includes configuring the second array of second jumper connectors to make available to connect each input connector to at least one output connector.
Because of the variety of configurations available between input connectors, termination resistances, and output connectors, more than one scalable switch may be interconnected to create a scalable switching system. Such a scalable switching system can include a plurality of scalable switches configurable to receive more distinct media signals than one scalable switch has input connectors and/or be able to output more distinct media signals than one scalable switch has output connectors. A method of connecting a plurality of media inputs to a plurality of output devices via at least two scalable switching devices includes receiving media signals in parallel at an array of input connectors of at least a first scalable switching device configured to provide a termination resistance and at least a second scalable switching device configured to not provide a termination resistance. Media signals can then be provided at an array of output connectors of at least the first scalable switching device and the second scalable switching device.
For example, and as shown in
Each of the sixteen media signals input to the system from the media source 110 is split so that it is connected in parallel to each of two input connectors 210: one at the first scalable switch 1020 and one at the second scalable switch 1040. Accordingly, each media source 110 input signal has a termination resistance of 75 ohms at the video sink of the input connectors 210. This provides proper matching of the termination resistance at the switch system to the resistance at the video source, which is typically 75 ohms. A single media input signal, therefore, can be split between the first scalable switch 1020 and the second scalable switch 1040 and still maintain the proper termination resistance. By splitting between the first scalable switch 1020 and the second scalable switch 1040, the media input signal can be associated with at least one output connector at each of the scalable switches 1020 and 1040.
With reference to
So configured, the switching device as described herein provides for a variety of switching and connection capabilities. A single switching device can provide for configurations including multiple termination resistance configurations and input/output associations. By configuring the relatively simple jumper connectors, further flexibility is available by combining together multiple switching devices in a variety of fashions as discussed herein and as may be otherwise recognizable by one skilled in the art to size the switching system to many media source/media output configurations. The jumper connector configuration of the switch device allows the cost of the switching device to remain relatively low as compared to commercially available switch devices.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, various additional configurations and combinations of scalable switching systems may be contemplated and applied. Additionally, the switches as described herein may be modified to handle a variety of types of media signals such as audio signals, composite signals, high definition signals, component signals, and the like. Such modifications, alterations and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the invention concept.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/052,083, filed May 9, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
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