Video matrix system

Abstract

A modular video matrix system for selectively interconnecting a plurality of audio, visual and optionally game controller signals from media source devices to display to or play on any one or all connected audio visual receiving display monitors or display stations. The video matrix allowing the user to decide which sources such as video games or DVD are to be displayed to or played on which monitors without disturbing or reconfiguring signal cabling interconnecting the source, receivers and the video matrix. The video matrix provided with a remote control to provide remote configuration of inputs to outputs.

1 . A video matrix system for selectively interconnecting a plurality of audio video source signals to a plurality of display stations, the system comprising: 
 a video matrix device body, the body having a top face, a bottom face, a rear face, a front face and two opposing side faces;    a plurality of input source groups secured to a face of the device body, each group configured to receive signals from a media source, each group comprising: 
 a video connector to detachably engage and electrically connect a video input cable from the media source to the video matrix; and  
 two audio connectors to detachably engage and electrically connect audio input cables from the media source to the video matrix;  
   a plurality of display monitor output groups secured to a face of the device body, each output group to convey signals to a display station, each group configured to interface to one display station, each monitor output group comprising: 
 a video connector to detachably engage and electrically connect a video output cable from the video matrix to the display station; and  
 two audio connectors to detachably engage and electrically connect audio output cables from the video matrix to the display station; and  
   a means for selectively electrically interconnecting a user chosen input source group to a user chosen display monitor output group, the means comprising: 
 a plurality of input source selection means secured to a face of the video matrix device body, wherein there is a one to one relationship between each input source selection means and each input source group; and  
 a plurality of display monitor selection means secured to a face of the video matrix device body, wherein there is a one to one relationship between each display monitor selection means and each display monitor output group; and  
 electronic circuitry to electrically interconnect selected input source group to chosen display monitor group.  
   
     
     
         2 . The video matrix system of  claim 1 , wherein the video matrix device further comprises an all displays selection means, said all displays selection means interconnecting and relaying audio and video signals from the selected input source group to all display monitor groups.  
     
     
         3 . The video matrix system of  claim 2  wherein the selection means comprises momentary contact pushbuttons.  
     
     
         4 . The video matrix system of  claim 2  wherein the selection means comprises touch sensitive membrane switches.  
     
     
         5 . The video matrix system of  claim 2 , wherein each of one or more input source groups further comprise a game controller connector to detachably engage and electrically connect an electrical cable terminated to a game controller input on a electronic game machine; and wherein each of one or more display monitor output groups further comprise a game controller connector to detachably engage and electrically connect an electrical cable terminated to a game controller.  
     
     
         6 . The video matrix system of  claim 5 , wherein the electronic interconnection circuitry comprises electrically operated relays for game controller signals.  
     
     
         7 . The video matrix system of  claim 5 , wherein the electronic interconnection circuitry comprises solid state switching circuitry and solid state amplifiers for audio and video signals, and electrically operated relays for game controller signals.  
     
     
         8 . The video matrix system of  claim 5 , further comprising one or more game controller adapter sets, each set configured to interface the game controller of a specific game system type to the video matrix device, each adapter set comprising: 
 a game controller input adapter having two electrical connector ends, the adapter configured on one end to detachably mate with and electrically connect to a specific game system game controller connector type, the adapter configured on remaining connector end to detachably mate with and electrically connect to game controller connector of display monitor output group; and    a game controller output adapter having two electrical connector ends, the output adapter configured on one end to detachably mate with and electrically connect to a specific game system game controller input connector type, the adapter configured on remaining connector end to detachably mate with and electrically connect to the game controller connector of input source group.    
     
     
         9 . The video matrix system of  claim 5 , wherein the video matrix device video connectors are RCA type phono plugs; and wherein the video matrix device audio connectors are RCA type phono plugs.  
     
     
         10 . The video matrix system of  claim 5 , wherein the video matrix device game controller connectors are computer USB type connectors.  
     
     
         11 . The video matrix system of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more remote mountable audio video connection plates, said plate having: 
 connectors for an one input source group secured to the plate, the input source group configured to receive signals from a media device, the input source group comprising: 
 a RCA type video connector to detachably engage and electrically connect a video input cable from the media source to the plate;  
 two RCA type audio connectors to detachably engage and electrically connect audio input cables from the media source to the plate; and  
 a USB type game controller connector to detachably engage and electrically connect an electrical cable terminated to a game controller input on a electronic game machine;  
   connectors for one display monitor output group secured to the plate, the display monitor output group configured to interface to one display station, the monitor output group comprising: 
 a RCA type video connector to detachably engage and electrically connect a video output cable from the plate to the display station;  
 two RCA type audio connectors to detachably engage and electrically connect audio output cables from the plate to the display station; and  
 a USB type game controller connector to detachably engage and electrically connect an electrical cable terminated to a game controller,  
   said plate sized and configured to mount as a cover plate over a standard electrical receptacle box.    
     
     
         12 . The video matrix system of  claim 8 , further comprising a remote control device, said remote control device to provide remote modification of input and output group interconnections as well as video matrix device setup, said remote control comprising: 
 a thin substantially rectangular housing having a top face;    a touch operated input keypad comprising: 
 an input means for inputting numbers 1 through 9 by use of said keypad;  
 an input means for inputting alphabet letter A through Z by use of said keypad;  
 a connect key;  
 a label key; and  
   a radio frequency wireless communication means whereby the remote control device can communicate commands to the video matrix device.    
     
     
         13 . The video matrix system of  claim 12 , wherein the video matrix device further comprises alphanumeric liquid crystal displays associated with and secured in proximity to the input source selection means and the display monitor selection means, the liquid crystal displays displaying user programmable labels to selection means identifying devices, monitors to which each is connected, the liquid crystal display text labels programmable from the remote control device.  
     
     
         14 . A modular video matrix system for interfacing to and routing media signals between a plurality of media source devices and media consumer devices, the video matrix system comprising: 
 a connector board having signal back plane and buss;    a plurality of modular media signal interface cards of a plurality of types, each card type configured and adapted to connect with and electrically interface to one or more media device types selected from the group consisting of video game systems, television receivers, video recording devices, video playback devices, DVD players, DVD recorders, video recorders, computer systems, computer monitors, stereo receivers, stereo amplifiers, home theater systems, video surveillance cameras, video surveillance monitors, video game controllers, USB devices, cable television receivers, SCART equipped audio visual equipment, S-video equipped audio visual equipment, and satellite television receivers, each card configured to interface to one or more device related media signals, the group also referred to as a media signal group;    a chassis having card slots for receiving two or more modular signal interface cards, the connector board secured within said chassis;    a mounting means for removably securing a modular signal interface card in the chassis card slot;    a plurality of card connectors secured to the connector board, the card edge connectors sized, positioned and adapted to supportively receive and electrically connect with the modular media interface cards;    a programmable microprocessor based logic system secured within said chassis, the logic system providing user programmable interconnection of media source devices to media consumer devices through the media signal interface cards; and    a user input means for selectively electrically interconnecting through the logic system a user chosen modular interface card source media signal group to a user chosen modular interface card consumer media signal group.    
     
     
         15 . The modular video matrix system of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic interconnection circuitry comprises microprocessor controlled electrically operated relays for game controller signals.  
     
     
         16 . The video matrix system of  claim 14 , wherein the electronic interconnection circuitry comprises microprocessor controlled solid state switching circuitry and solid state amplifiers for audio and video signals, and electrically operated relays for game controller signals.  
     
     
         17 . The video matrix system of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more remote mountable media device connection plates in a plurality of configurations, each plate configuration having media signal interface connectors configured to adapt to the one or more media device types, said plates mountable on a wall surface in a remote room; and electrical connectors and electrical cables to connect said remote media connection plate signals to the modular video matrix system.