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.

Abstract: A computer routing band switcher is controlled by icons on a display screen which are programmable to represent any one of a number of devices, which can have multiple inputs and outputs, connected to a cross-point switching matrix. Routing is implemented by selection through use of a touch screen or a mouse of an icon representing a desired source device followed by one or more icons representing desired destination devices. In response to inputs through use of the icons, the computer generates control signals for the switching matrix which, instead of cables, utilizes printed circuit boards with a high density pattern of input and output signal tracks separated by shielding tracks and selectively interconnected by a plurality of modular cross-point switching units arranged together with the output tracks in groups, with only one unit in each group connected to any one input track, but with all of the units in each group connected to all of the output tracks.