U.S. patent number 3,626,097 [Application Number 04/861,347] was granted by the patent office on 1971-12-07 for accessing controller for multiple-input plural output signal control console device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Audio Designs and Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert A. Bloom, Don E. Haddock.
United States Patent |
3,626,097 |
Bloom , et al. |
December 7, 1971 |
ACCESSING CONTROLLER FOR MULTIPLE-INPUT PLURAL OUTPUT SIGNAL
CONTROL CONSOLE DEVICE
Abstract
An accessing controller for a signal control console device
having a multiplicity of signal input channels selectively and
variously connectable through said controller to a plurality of
signal output channels of the console device and featuring both
channel interlocked or cancellation type and channel accumulating
or cumulative-type switching units selectively activated from a
single keyboard switching unit selector also affording a selection
of the activated signal channel or channels of a switching unit
selected thereby as well as a selection of any one or more of a
plurality of clearing function controls exercised by the controller
over the several switching units.
Inventors: |
Bloom; Robert A. (Oak Park,
MI), Haddock; Don E. (Warren, MI) |
Assignee: |
Audio Designs and Manufacturing,
Inc. (Roseville, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
25335551 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/861,347 |
Filed: |
September 26, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04H
60/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04H
7/00 (20060101); G09b 005/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;179/1B,1AT
;307/115 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Claffy; Kathleen H.
Assistant Examiner: Olms; Douglas W.
Claims
We claim:
1. An accessing controller for a signal control console device
having a multiplicity of signal input channels variously and
selectively connectable through said accessing controller to a
plurality of signal output channels of the console device, said
controller comprising, in combination,
a normally disabled distributor switching unit for each signal
input channel, at least one unit having a plurality of selectively
enabled output channels therefrom connected to corresponding output
channels of said console device,
distributor unit selector means connected to said distributor
switching units enabling a selected one of said units for operation
from the signal input channel for that unit and
a plurality of output channel selector means each connected to
select a corresponding output channel in each of the distributor
switching units.
2. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 1 wherein the
switching units comprise units of different character including a
switching unit having a single output channel and a plurality of
signal input channels.
3. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 1 including
means whereby the selection of the output channel of a selected
distributor switching unit by the different output channel selector
means cancels and disconnects the previously selected output
channel of a selected distributor switching unit from the signal
input channel of that unit and connects the said different output
channel thereto.
4. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 3 wherein the
cancellation of the previously selected output channel is effected
electrically within the distributor switching unit.
5. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 3 including
clearing means for clearing a selected output channel of a selected
distributor switching unit independently of the selection of a
different output channel thereof.
6. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 5 further
including clearing means clearing all of the output channels of a
distributor switching unit independently of the selection of a
different output channel thereof.
7. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 5 further
including clearing means simultaneously clearing all of the output
channels from a selected distributor switching unit independently
of the selection of a different output channel thereof.
8. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 4 wherein the
cancellation is effected through a pulse forming capacitor charging
network for disabling the energization of the switching relays.
9. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
output channel selector means includes a plurality of momentary
contact push button activated switches.
10. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
distributor unit selector means includes a multiple position rotary
selector switch.
11. An accessing controller for a signal control console device
having a multiplicity of signal input channels variously and
selectively connectable through said accessing controller to a
plurality of signal output channels of the console device, said
controller comprising, in combination,
a normally disabled distributor switching unit for each signal
input channel, at least one unit having a plurality of selectively
enabled output channels therefrom connected to corresponding output
channels of said console device,
distributor unit selector means connected to said distributor
switching units enabling a selected one of said units for operation
from the signal input channel for that unit and
output channel selector means connected to select a predetermined
signal output channel of the selected distributor unit for
connection with the signal input channel of that unit.
12. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 11 wherein the
selection of a different output channel of a selected distributor
switching unit from the output channel then in effect by the output
channel selector means connects the input channel of the selected
switching unit to the additionally selected output channel of the
selected switching unit as well as output channel in effect.
13. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 11 wherein
some of the distributor switching units are of the character
described in claim 3 and others of the distributor switching units
are of the character described in claim 5.
14. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 11 wherein
said distributor switching units are comprised of relay switches
controlled from said output channel selector means and controlling
the connection to a selected output channel of a signal input
channel of a selected distributor switching unit.
15. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 14 wherein
said distributor switching units are comprised of reed type
switching relays.
16. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 11 wherein
each distributor switching unit comprises a program signal input
channel and an echo signal input channel and a plurality of program
signal output channels and a plurality of echo signal output
channels of which at least one program signal output channel and
echo signal output channel are effective from an activated
distributor switching unit at a time.
17. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 16 wherein
said accessing controller is interlocked against the simultaneous
selection of a pair of program channels and a pair of echo
channels.
18. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 11 wherein
each distributor switching unit also includes visual indicator
means indicating that the selected distributor switching unit has
been activated and the selected output channel connected to the
signal input channel thereof.
19. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 11 wherein
each of said distributor switching units includes a separate mixing
resistor in each of its plurality of output signal channels
connected to the signal input thereto.
20. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 11 wherein
signal input to each distributor switching unit is supplied thereto
from a microphone a different one of which is provided for each
distributor switching unit and wherein a plurality of output
channels of said console device are supplied to a multichannel
signal utilization device.
21. An accessing controller for a signal channel control console
device having a multiplicity of signal input channels variously and
selectively connectable through said accessing controller to a
plurality of signal output channels of the console device, said
controller comprising, in combination,
a plurality of units of normally disabled distributor switching
means, each unit comprising a plurality of such switching means
each having an input side and an output side, one side connectable
to a signal input channel and the other side to a signal output
channel of the console device, all of one kind of said sides of
said switching means of at least one of said units being connected
with at least one signal channel of one kind selected from the
signal input and signal output channels of the console device and a
plurality of the other kind of said sides of said switching means
of this one unit being connected respectively to separate signal
channels different in an input and output kind from that selected
for connection with said one kind of sides of the switching means
of this one unit,
unit control means connectable with said units of distributor
switching means, operable to condition for operation a
predetermined unit of said units of distributor switching means,
and
switching means selector means connected with said units of
distributor switching means operable to select for operation a
predetermined distributor switching means of the unit conditioned
by said unit control means and effect operation of this
predetermined switching means to connect the signal input and
output channels of the console device with which this predetermined
switching means is connected.
22. An accessing controller in accordance with claim 21 wherein
said units each comprise a plurality of channel switching sections
each section including a first transistor having a collector and an
emitter, an SCR device having an anode and a gate, a diode
connected between the collector of said transistor and the gate of
the SCR device, a relay coil connected to the anode of the SCR
device, a source of energizing potential, and a resistor connected
between the power source and the collector of said transistor.
23. The invention in accordance with claim 19, further including a
second transistor of similar conductivity type to said
first-mentioned transistor, said second transistor having its
collector connected to the emitter of said first mentioned
transistor and its own emitter connected to reference
potential.
24. An accessing controller for a signal channel control console
device having a multiplicity of signal input channels variously and
selectively connectable through said accessing controller to a
plurality of signal output channels of the console device, said
controller comprising in combination,
a plurality of units of normally disabled distributor switching
means, each unit connected with at least one of said signal input
channels of the console device, each unit having a plurality of
selectively enabled signal output channels, one connected with each
of said switching means of its unit, the said signal output
channels being connectable with at least one signal output channel
of the console device and each said switching means of a unit being
operable to connect a signal input channel associated with its unit
and the signal output channel connected with this switching means
of the same unit,
unit control means connected with said units of distributor
switching means operable to condition for operation a predetermined
unit of said units of distributor switching means, and
switching means selector means connected with said units of
distributor switching means operable to select for operation a
predetermined distributor switching means of the unit conditioned
for operation by said unit control means and effect operation of
this predetermined switching means to connect the signal output
channel with which it is connected and thereby a signal output
channel of the console device with which this signal output channel
is connected with a signal input channel of the console device,
with which the conditioned unit of distributor switching means is
connected.
Description
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to signal control console equipment such as
is employed in sound recording and broadcasting studios, for
example. More particularly, the invention relates to a selectively
operable accessing controller for such equipment for selectively
and variously accessing or connecting a multiplicity of signal
input channels, such as a plurality of microphone inputs, to a
plurality of signal output channels supplied from the console
device to a multichannel signal utilization display, recording
and/or monitoring device.
The invention has among its objects to provide improvements in such
equipment from the standpoint of simplifying the construction and
operation and improving the performance thereof. Other objects are
to provide improved control console equipment possessed of maximum
distribution capacity or capability effected from a minimum number
of accessing or distribution and function controls.
The above and other objects together with the structure and
operation of the invention will appear and be understood from
consideration of the detailed description of the preferred
embodiment of the invention made with reference to and following
the accompanying description of drawings:
WHEREIN,
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagrammatic representation of the
organization of a control console device incorporating an accessing
controller in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an electrical schematic circuit diagram of a keyboard
control section of the accessing controller of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is an electrical schematic circuit diagram of a channel
interlocked or cancellation type of controlled channel switching
unit of the accessing controller of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an electrical schematic circuit diagram of a channel
accumulating type of controlled channel switching unit of the
accessing controller of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is another form of channel accumulating type of controlled
channel switching unit of the accessing controller of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With respect to the block diagrammatic representation of FIG. 1,
the numeral 10 represents a console device which, in addition to
the various amplifiers, mixers and attenuators customarily provided
in such equipment, includes the subject accessing controller 12 of
the present invention. The controller 12 has a multiplicity of
signal input channels and a plurality of signal output channels of
which the signal output channels do not necessarily correspond in
number to the number of signal input channels. The signal input
channels are supplied from a plurality of external, electrical
signal sources, as microphones 14-1 through 14-N, each of which is
connected over a separate signal channel to a different one of the
inputs of the console 10.
Each microphone input channel is supplied to the controller 12
through a different amplifier 16-1 through 16-N contained in the
console and having a program channel output P and an echo channel
output E in customary fashion. The program and echo channel outputs
of each of the microphone amplifiers and thus of the microphone
input channels are supplied to the accessing controller 12 through
which controller the microphone signal input channels may (as
program signal and echo signal input channels) be individually
selected and variously connected (as program output and echo output
channels) to any one or plurality of signal output channels of the
console device. The signal output channels are supplied from the
console device to a multichannel signal utilization or monitoring
device, such as a studio-type tape recorder 18 and/or one or more
amplified audio reproducers shown as loud speakers 20 of which the
amplifiers 22 for the loud speaker channels are shown contained in
the console.
The accessing controller 12 comprises a keyboard switcher or
control means illustrated as a unit 30 affording a selection of
input and output channels as well as a clearing function control
over a plurality of selectively operable channel distributor-type
switching means illustrated as functional units or groups 32 and
channel combining type switching means illustrated as functional
units or groups 34, each unit or group comprising a plurality of
normally disabled switching means such as the 300 numbered
switching means of FIGS. 3-5 through which the signal channel
connections are effected. These units or groups may, as hereafter
noted, comprise sub units or sub groups where both program and echo
signal channels are involved.
The distributor switching units or groups 32 are of two different
forms, either or both of which may be employed in the subject
controller system, and will be referred to as a type I or type II
distributor switching unit herein. These are schematically
illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Both types I and II have a program
signal input channel Pi and an echo signal input channel Ei
connected thereto and a plurality of signal output channels, which
are allocated between a first group of 16 program output channels
labeled Program 1-16 Output and a second group of four echo output
channels labeled Echo 1-4 Output which may be considered subunits
or sub groups of the composite unit or group 32. In addition, each
switching unit 32 or 34 includes a pair of indicating or display
sections 36 and 38 of which the section 36 indicates that that
particular switching unit has been selected for operation and the
section 38 provides a visual display indicating the activated
output channel or channels that are being supplied from the output
of the switching unit to the signal utilization device. The
principal difference between the type I and II distributor
switching units is that the type I unit is a channel interlocked
unit equipped with a self-cancellation feature which permits only
one program and/or echo output channel to be effective at any one
time therefrom. No cancellation is provided in the type II unit,
which is a cumulative or accumulating type device in which the
selection of a different output channel thereof also connects that
channel as well as the previously selected output channel thereof
to the output channel of the console device. The unit 34, which may
be referred to as a type III distributor switching unit is similar
functionally to the type II unit but operates in relation to a
plurality of program input channels and a single program output
channel as hereinafter described in connection with FIG. 5.
The keyboard switcher or control unit 30 includes a switching unit
or group selector or control section 50, a specific channel or
switching means selector section 52 and a function control
selection section 54. Section 50 is connected over a plurality of
switching unit selector control lines labeled A1-A32, each of which
is connected to a respectively different one of the distributor and
combining switching units 32 and 34. The channel selector section
52 is connected over a plurality of channel selector control lines
labeled B1-B20, which are bussed in parallel to corresponding
output channel or switching means selector sections of each of the
distributor type switching units or groups 32 and to corresponding
input channel or switching means selector sections of each of the
combining type switching units or groups 34. The function control
selector section 54 provides for clearing of the switching units
and is connected over a group of function control lines labeled
B22-25 and A34 bussed in parallel over cable 44 connected to each
of the distributor and the combining-type switching units 32 and
34.
The keyboard switcher or control unit 30 is shown in electrical
schematic circuit form in FIG. 2 as including (1) a 32 position
rotary selector switch 50S through which any one of up to 32
different distributor and combining type switching units may be
selected for operation in the console; (2) 20 momentarily actuable
key-operated SPDT switches arranged in a first group of sixteen
selector switches labeled S1 through S16 and in a second group of
four additional selector switches labeled S17/1, S18/2, S19/3 and
S20/4, the first group controlling the 16 program output channels
of the units or groups 32 and the second group the four echo output
channels of the units 32 and both groups of switches controlling
the input channels connecting the output channel of the units or
groups 34; and (3) three additional momentary key-operated switches
constituting the function selector section 54 of the keyboard,
including a DPDT switch labeled PROGRAM CLEAR and two additional
SPDT switches labeled ECHO CLEAR and CLEAR, respectively.
The rotary selector switch 50S, which is of the
make-before-break-type construction for reasons later explained,
serves to make +24 v. operating supply voltage available from
terminal B-27 and over conductor 201 and bus 202 to the input or
rotor arm 52S of the selector switch 50S. The rotor arm of the
selector switch is adapted to be selectively manually positioned on
any one of the 32 output contacts thereof, each of which contacts
is shown connected to a different one of a group of 32 output
lines, labeled A1 through A32.
The switch blade or pole of each of the channel selector switches
S1-S20 is connected to electrical ground reference applied to
ground bus conductor 204 from the terminal labeled B-26. Assuming
for purposes of illustration that the switches S1-S20 are to serve
as output channel selector switches it will be seen that upon
depression of the corresponding key button actuator assigned to a
particular output channel selector switch, the switch blade thereof
is displaced from its illustrated position in engagement with the
back or upper contact of the switch to its front or lower contact
to which is connected a corresponding one of a plurality of output
control lines labeled B1-B20.
The back contact of each channel selector switch S1-S20 is
connected to one side of an 18K interlock resistor RI and to the
anode of an interlock diode DI, a different one of each of which
resistors and diodes is provided for each output channel selector
switch S1 through S20. The other side of each interlock resistor RI
is connected to the B + bus conductor 202, while the other side or
cathode of each of the diodes DI associated with the grouping of 16
output program selector switches S1 through S16 is connected to the
common bus conductor 205. The latter bus conductor is shown
connected over conductors 206 and 207 to the base electrode or
control element of a transistor Q1 preferably contained within the
keyboard switcher unit provided for these 16 switches which control
the 16 output channels of a type I or II distributor switching unit
or group 32 or the 16 input channels of a combining type switching
unit or group 34. The cathodes of the diodes associated with the
output channel selector switches S17 through S20 are connected over
bus 208 and conductor 209 to the base electrode of a similar
transistor switch Q2 provided for these four switches, which
control the four Echo Output channels of a type I or II distributor
switching unit 32 or input channels 17 through 20 of a combining
type switching unit 34.
When transistor Q1 and/or Q2 is turned on, ground potential is
applied to the line labeled B-22, Program Clear (Interlocked)
and/or line B-23 Echo Clear (Interlocked) in order to clear a
selected Program and/or Echo Output channel of a type I distributor
switching unit. One or the other or both of the transistors Q1 and
Q2 are turned on upon activation respectively of the Program Clear
switch and/or the Echo Clear switch. Q1 and Q2 are also turned on
upon the movement of the rotary selector switch 50S from one
contact to another while an output channel selector button is
depressed. These transistors are also turned on, from a double key
depression of a pair of output channel selector switches in the
program grouping or in the echo grouping respectively, of the
output channel selector switches in a type I distributor switching
unit.
In addition to the function control lines B-22 and B-23, the
keyboard control unit is shown as having three additional function
control lines labeled B-24 Program Clear (Cumulative), B-25 Echo
Clear (Cumulative) and A-34. B+1 lines B-24 and B-25 are normally
employed to execute clearing functions in a cumulative type
switching unit and are shown as being connected respectively to the
front contact of one section of the Program Clear switch and to the
front contact of the Echo Clear switch of FIG. 2. Line A-34
supplies 24 v. operating potential to the B+1 terminal points of
all of the switching units 32 and 34 and is interrupted upon the
simultaneous depression of the Program Clear switch and the Clear
switch.
FIG. 3 illustrates the schematic electrical circuit diagram of a
Type I distributor switching unit 32 shown as having (1) a pair of
signal inputs labeled Program Input and Echo Input at the lower
portion of the drawing; (2) twenty signal output channels which are
allocated in two groups comprising a first group of 16 signal
output channels labeled Program I Output through Program 16 Output
and a second group of four signal output channels labeled Echo I
Output through Echo 4 Output; (3) 20 output channel selector
control terminals which are connected to respective ones of the
output channel selector control lines B1-B20 of the output channel
selector push-button switches S1-S20 of FIG. 2; (4) a Program Clear
function control line labeled Program Clear, which is connected to
line B-22 of FIG. 2; (5) an Echo Clear function control line
labeled Echo Clear connected to line B-23 of FIG. 2; and (6) two
operating voltage supply busses labeled B+1 and B+2 of which the
bus B+1 is connected to line A34 of FIG. 2 and the bus B+2 is
connected to the particular one of the output contacts A1-A32 of
the rotary distributor switch 50S that is connected to that
distributor unit.
Internally the distributor unit 32 comprises as shown a group of 20
reed relay type distributor switching means stations or sections
300-1 through 300-20 each corresponding to and controlling a
different one of the signal output channels of the distributor
unit; a Program Clear circuit control section labeled Program
Clear; and an Echo Clear circuit control section labeled Echo
Clear.
The Program signal input channel and Echo signal input channel are
supplied to each distributor switching unit or group from its
respectively corresponding or associated microphone and input
amplifier 16, as mentioned in connection with FIG. 1, and are shown
as being connected internally of a distributor unit 32 to one side
of each of a plurality of 24K mixing resistors RM. The other side
of each mixing resistor is connected through a corresponding one of
a plurality of normally open switch contacts labeled SW1 through
SW16 and SWE1 through SWE4 of the 20 reed relays provided in each
switching unit 32. The actuating coil K1 of the reed contact relay
associated with Program 1 signal Output channel is shown
schematically in the control circuit section or station 300-1
labeled PROG. No. 1 in FIG. 3, it being understood that a similar
control circuit is included in each of the other output channel
selector stations functionally depicted herein and labeled PROG.
No. 2 -PROG. No. 16 and ECHO No. 1 -ECHO No. 4. Energization of a
relay coil is controlled from an SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier)
device one of which is provided for each of the 20 reed relay coils
contained in each type 32 or 34 switching unit. Each relay coil
also has an indicating lamp as 38-1 connected thereacross for
signalling that its associated output channel has been
activated.
In addition to the reed relay K, SCR and an indicating lamp 38,
each of the 20 output channel control circuit sections 300 includes
an NPN-transistor Q4 therein, whose emitter is connected to the
collector of another NPN-transistor Q3, only one of which is
provided in each type 32 or 34 switching unit. In addition to the
transistor Q3 and twenty transistors Q4, the distributor switching
unit of FIG. 3 also includes the transistors Q5-Q13 of which the
transistors Q5-Q8 are associated with the Program Clear circuit
thereof and the transistors Q10-Q13 with the Echo Clear circuit.
Transistor Q9 is associated with two lamps 36 which provide a
visible indication that the switching unit group in which they are
contained has been activated.
Assuming that the distributor unit of FIG. 3 represents the
distributor unit corresponding to and associated with the signal
inputs to the console supplied from microphone M1 or 14-1 and that
the rotary selector switch 50S of the keyboard switcher unit is
positioned on its output contact 1, distributor switching unit 1
will be selected and will be the only distributor unit having +24
v. operating voltage supplied to all of the points labeled B+2
thereon. It will be noted also that the emitter electrode of
transistor Q8 is connected to the B+1 bus supplied from terminal
A34 of FIG. 2, and its base electrode is branched through a pair of
3.9K resistors to the collectors of transistors Q6 and Q7 of which
transistor Q6 supplies an inversion of transistor Q5 connected
anteriorly thereof. Transistor Q5 will be turned on whereby
transistor Q6 will be off. With Q7 on, transistor Q8 will conduct
base current through transistor Q7 and will be turned on. With
transistor Q8 on, the +24 v. supplied to the emitter thereof from
terminal B+1 over line A34 will be available on buss conductor 318
connected to one side of the reed relay operating coils in
switching sections 300-1 to 300-16 and to one side of the
distributor unit indicating lamps 36. Transistor Q9 receives base
current drive from terminal B+2, whereby the collector of
transistor Q9 will be essentially at ground and the indicating
lamps 36 will be turned on.
With +24 v. supplied to the B+2 terminals of the selected
distributor unit, transistor Q3 of FIG. 3 is turned on to ground
the emitters of the 20 transistors Q4 provided in each of the
control circuit sections or stations 300 in FIG. 3. The transistors
Q4 are thus switched on preparatory to the selection of a desired
output signal channel by actuation of an output channel push
button. Since the base of each transistor Q4 of each distributor
unit is connected in parallel and if the emitter in each of Q4 in
each distributor unit were grounded thereby connecting them in
parallel also the transistor Q4 with the lowest effective
emitter-base junction voltage will clamp all base-emitter voltages
at this value. Since all transistors do not have the same effective
emitter-base junction voltage all transistors Q4 cannot be expected
to be in the on-state reliably. Otherwise stated if the bases of
all Q4 transistors were connected in parallel and if the emitters
of all Q4 transistors were parallel, the Q4 with the lowest Vbe
will clamp all base-emitter voltages to the lowest value and
prevent the Q4 transistors with the highest Vbc from being turned
on. This condition is prevented by Q3 which grounds only one Q4
emitter in the selected distributor unit thereby preventing any of
the other corresponding Q4 transistors in the other nonselected
distributor units from clamping this voltage.
Actuation of an output channel selector push button, say push
button No. 1 for effecting connection of the selected PROGRAM 1
OUTPUT signal channel of the activated distributor unit to the
program input labeled Program Input 620 of the console, grounds the
base electrode of the transistor Q4 in the PROG. No. 1 output
channel control circuit section or station 300-1 to open transistor
Q4 of this section. Turning off Q4 in PROG. No. 1 station raises
its collector from a potential previously at or near ground to
permit sufficient current to flow from B+2 through 10K collector
resistor R302 and diode D304 to the gate electrode of SCR1 to turn
it on. The reed relay coil K1 for the selected output channel will
thus be energized and will close its switch contacts SW1 to connect
the Program Input channel to the thus selected Program 1 Output
channel. With the energization of the relay coil K1, signal lamp
38-1 connected in parallel with the energized one of the reed
relays K1 will also be energized to indicate the selected output
channel of the distributor unit that is active.
The selection of an Echo Output channel in a type I distributor is
accomplished in a similar manner through depression of one of the
Echo channel key actuated selector switches labeled S17/1-S20/4 in
FIG. 3. B+ potential is supplied to the reed relay coils of the
respective Echo Output switching sections 300-17 through 300-20
through transistor Q13 of the Echo Clear circuit, which is
associated with the Echo channels of this unit and is similar in
circuit by it energization of the selected relay coil K1 for the
selected echo output channel will close its switch contacts
SWE1-SWE4, as the case may be to connect the selected echo input
channel to the echo output channel thus selected. Structure and
operation to the above described Program Clear circuit. Since the
Program and the Echo channel selection and clearing circuits of the
described distributor switching unit are independent of each other,
it will be apparent that a Program output channel and an Echo
output channel can be selected and be simultaneously effective from
a type I distributor switching unit.
As previously mentioned, the type I distributor switching unit is
of the self cancelling variety where the selection of a different
output channel cancels or disconnects the previously connected
output channel from the microphone input and connects the newly
selected channel thereto unless the previously selected output
channel is a Program channel and the newly selected output channel
is an Echo channel. In such case, no cancellation is effected, and
both the previously selected Program channel and the newly selected
Echo channel of that distributor unit will be activated. Also, two
output channel indicator lamps 38 will be illuminated, one lamp in
the program channel grouping of 16 indicator lamps and the other
lamp in the echo channel grouping of four indicator lamps.
The aforementioned cancellation is effected electrically internally
of the type I distributor switching unit through capacitor C1 and
its associated bank of 16 isolation diodes 331-346 in FIG. 3 which
effect the turn off of transistors Q7 and Q8 in the Program Clear
circuit when a different Program output channel is selected for
connection to the microphone input connected to that distributor.
With Program 1 Output channel selected, SCR1, reed relay K1 and
indicating lamp 38-1 will be activated, and capacitor C1 will have
a very slight charge thereon with the polarity indicated.
Upon the selection of another program output channel, say Program
No. 2 by depression of push button No. 2 on the keyboard switcher
unit 30, ground potential will be supplied through output channel
selector switch S2 to lower the positive side of the capacitor C1.
The potential on the other or negative side of C1 will likewise be
reduced momentarily, thereby forming a negative going pulse to
lower the potential of the base of transistor Q7 sufficiently with
respect to its emitter to open Q7 and shut off Q8, whereby SCR1
drops out. SCR2 in Prog. No. 2 section 300-2 turns on in a manner
previously described in connection with the activation of SCR1 in
Prog. No. 1 station switching circuit.
If the previously connected active output channel of a selected
type I distributor switching unit is an Echo output channel instead
of a Program output channel, its cancellation upon the selection of
another echo output channel is effected through the pulse forming
cancellation circuit comprised of the capacitor C2 and bank of four
diodes D347-350 which are associated with the Echo Clear control
circuit and the four Echo channel selector control circuits or
stations of FIG. 3.
The Program channels and Echo channels can also be cleared
independently of the selection of another Program or Echo output
channel by actuating the Program Clear switch and the Clear switch
or by actuating the Program Clear switch alone or the Echo Clear
switch alone, depending upon whether the output channel to be
cancelled or cleared is a Program channel or an Echo channel.
Actuating the Program Clear button displaces the D.P.D.T. Program
Clear switch of FIG. 2 and removes ground potential from the back
or upper contact of the upper pole or switch section thereof to
permit this point to rise in potential toward +24 v. supplied over
a circuit traced from bus 202, 9.1K resistor R221, diode D221,
conductor 212, bus 205, conductor 206 and conductor 207 to the base
of transistor Q1. The series circuit 9.1K resistor supplies
sufficient base current drive to transistor Q1 to turn it on and
lower the potential of output control line B-22 to substantially
zero or ground level. Accordingly, Q7 in the Program Clear circuit
of FIG. 3 will be turned off as long as the Program Clear actuator
key button in the keyboard switcher or control unit 30 is held
depressed. Therefore, transistor Q8 will drop out and interrupt the
cathode current to the energized SCR in the distributor switching
unit, deenergizing the reed relay connected thereto and clear the
previously connected program output channel therefrom.
Depressing the Echo Clear switch actuator of the keyboard switcher
or control unit 30 displaces the SPDT Echo Clear switch in FIG. 2
from its position shown to its opposite or front contact position
and supplies +24 v. through 9.1K resistor R222 and diode D222 to
bus 208 and conductor 209 to the base of transistor Q2. This
effects the turn on of transistor Q2 and grounds function control
output line B-23, which is connected to the base of transistor Q12
in the Echo Clear circuit of FIG. 3. Transistor Q12 corresponds to
transistor Q7 in the Program Clear circuit and likewise effects the
turn off of transistor Q12 and Q13 to drop out the active SCR in
the Echo output channel selector portion of the active distributor
switching unit.
The simultaneous depression of both the Program Clear switch and
the Clear switch of the keyboard switcher or control unit 30 of
FIG. 2 removes the +24 v. potential on output line A34 therefrom
which is connected to the B+1 terminal points of all of the
distributor switching units 32 and combining type switching units
34 thereby clearing out all of the channels of an active switching
unit, irrespective of whether the active channel is a Program or
Echo channel.
It will be seen also that the Program Clear and Echo Clear lines
B-22 and B-23 of FIG. 2 are also conditioned to execute a clearing
function on the active Program and/or Echo output channels of a
selected distributor switching unit whenever the rotary selector
switch 50S of the keyboard switcher or control unit 30 is moved
from one output contact position to another to select or activate a
different distributor or combining switching unit 32 or 34 and a
channel selector button is held depressed. Each of the output
contacts 1-32 of the rotary selector switch has one end of an 18K
resistor connected thereto, the other end of each of which
resistors is connected to bus 215 and then over separate 1K
resistors and diodes D225 and D226 to conductors 207 and 208 to the
base electrodes of transistors Q1 and Q2 respectively. The rotary
selector switch 50S is of the make-before-break-type construction,
as previously mentioned so that, as the switch arm 52S is moved
from one contact to an adjacent contact, current will be supplied
through a pair of 18K resistors in parallel to the base electrodes
of Q1 and Q2. This current is insufficient to turn on the
transistor Q1 or Q2. But, with the additional current supplied
through one of the interlock resistor RI1-20 and diode DI1-20
associated with a depressed one of the channel selector switches,
the total current now supplied to Q1 or Q2 will turn on the
transistor associated with the depressed Program channel or Echo
channel selector switch, as the rotary switch arm 52S is rotated
from one contact position to another.
The transistors Q1 or Q2 are also activated to cancel the effect of
an inadvertent double key depression of a pair of output channel
selector switches in the group of 16 program output channel
selector switches or in the group of four echo output channel
selector switches of a distributor type switching unit 32. With
transistors Q1 and Q2 off, actuation of any one of the Program
output channel or Echo output channel selector switches displaces
the selected switch arm from and removes ground potential from the
front contact thereof enabling +24 v. to be supplied from terminal
B-27 and through the 18K resistor RI and diode DI associated with
the selected switch to the base of transistor Q1 or Q2. This
current is insufficient to turn on the transistors Q1 or Q2.
However, when two such switches in a Program channel grouping or an
Echo channel grouping of these switches are simultaneously actuated
by an inadvertent double key depression, the additional effect of
the current through an additional 18K interlock resistor and diode
will be supplied in parallel to supply sufficient base current
drive to the associated transistor to turn it on, thereby grounding
the line B-22 or B-23 from the keyboard switcher unit.
FIG. 4 represents the electrical schematic circuit diagram of a
type II distributor type switching unit 32, which will be seen to
be similar to a type I distributor unit except for the omission
from FIG. 4 of the cancellation circuits of FIG. 3 comprised of the
capacitor C1 and bank of 16 diodes D331-346 and the capacitor C2
and bank of four diodes D347-350. Accordingly, the Program Clear
control circuit and the Echo Clear control circuit of FIG. 4 will
also be somewhat simpler. As shown, these circuits are respectively
comprised of the transistors Q14, Q15 and Darlington Q16 for the
Program Clear circuit and of the transistors Q17, Q18 and
Darlington pair Q19 for the Echo Clear circuit. Transistor Q20
effects the ground switching function to turn on the indicating
lamps 36' of FIG. 4.
In view of the omission of the cancellation effecting circuitry,
the type II distributor switching unit provides an accumulation of
Program and Echo output channels therefrom as successively
different Program output channels and Echo output channels are
selected in an active type II distributor switching unit. In the
Program Clear circuit of FIG. 4, Q14 will be turned on when a type
II distributor unit is selected and activated by the rotary
selector switch of the keyboard switcher or control unit 30.
Transistor Q15 will thus be off and Q16 will be on to supply
current to any activated one of the SCR devices in the Program or
Echo stations and to the indicating lamp 36'. Actuation of the
Program Clear switch grounds the base of Q14 to supply a positive
going pulse through C3 to turn on Q15 which momentarily turns off
Q16 to drop out any activated one of the SCR devices. The Echo
Clear circuit operates similarly on the Echo output channels.
Depression of the Program Clear and Echo Clear switch actuators
simultaneously clears all of the previously activated program
and/or echo output channels of a selected distributor switching
unit.
Otherwise the operation of the type II distributor switching unit
is similar to that already described for the type I distributor
switching unit of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 illustrates the schematic of a twenty input single output
accumulative type switching unit or group. This is also referred to
above as a type III distributor. The operation of the individual
switching stations 300"-1 to 20, each composed of Q"4, SCR", reed
relay K" and lamp 38", and the effect of transistor Q"3 are the
same as previously described with respect to FIG. 3. Since there is
but a single output channel associated with all of the 20 input
channels, it is only necessary to provide a single clearing
circuit. This clearing circuit is identical to the Program Clear
circuit of FIG. 4, the lighting circuit of which will also be seen
to be identical to the lighting circuit for the lamp 36" of FIG.
5.
From the foregoing description of the invention it will be evident
that a novel accessing controller for multiple input plural output
signal control console devices has been provided including many
significant features which will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. Although the invention has been described in connection with
console equipment for sound recording and broadcasting studios,
other applications such as for video and the like will readily
suggest themselves as will various other changes and modifications
of the described structures, all without departing from the spirit
and intent of the invention.
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