Focus fader with a plurality of optocouplers

Abstract

The apparatus is a cross fader with a plurality of optocouplers wired in parallel electrical relationship with each other. A slider interrupts the light signal of at least one of the optocouplers and the resultant information is communicated to a chip which determines the position of the slider and thereby calculates the resultant mix of first and second electronic audio signals to derive a third electronic audio signal which is the output signal.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cross fader including: 
 a device for receiving a first electronic signal and a second electronic signal, said first and second electronic signals representing respective audio signals;    a plurality of optocouplers, each optocoupler including a space through which a light beam travels, said spaces of said plurality of optocouplers being aligned to form a path;    a slider with a range of travel in said path, said slider interrupting a light beam of selective optocouplers depending upon a position of said slider within said range of travel;    a processing device receiving information from said plurality of optocouplers thereby determining which of said light beams are interrupted thereby determining a position of said slider, said processing device further determining a mix of said first electronic signal and said second electronic signal dependent upon the position of said slider and output said mix as a third electronic signal.    
     
     
         2 . The cross fader of  claim 1  wherein said spaces of said plurality of optocouplers are aligned to form a straight path.  
     
     
         3 . The cross fader of  claim 2  wherein said series of optocouplers are wired in parallel electrical relationship with other.  
     
     
         4 . The cross fader of  claim 3  wherein said slider includes a first portion which extends through a slot in a plate and includes a handle for manual use, and which further includes a second portion, perpendicular to said first portion, which extends into said spaces of said plurality of optocouplers.