Patent ID: 8656081
Filing Date: 2014-02-18
Classification: A63F,G05B,G06F

Abstract:
1. A system for coordinating control of an output device by a plurality of different operators, the system comprising: a first control console having a first display and at least one operator operable device selection input to select at least one output device for control by the first control console and at least one device control input to control operation of at least one selected output device from the first control console; a second control console spaced apart from the first control console, the second control console also having a second display and at least one operator operable device selection input to select at least one output device for control by the second control console and at least one device control input to control operation of at least one selected output device from the second control console; and an input/output control system coupled to the first and second control consoles and to the at least one output device, the input/output control system being configured to receive signals from the device selection inputs and the device control inputs of the first and second control consoles; wherein, in response to receipt of a device selection input signal for a selected output device from the first control console before receipt of a device selection input signal corresponding to the same selected device from the second control console, the input/output control system enables a device control input of the first control console corresponding to the selected device and disables the device selection input of the second control console corresponding to the selected device; wherein, in response to receipt of a device selection input signal for the selected output device from the second control console before receipt of a device selection input corresponding to the same selected device from the first control console, the input/output control system enables a device control input of the second control console corresponding to the selected device and disables the device selection input of the first control console corresponding to the selected device; wherein said first control console further comprises a first control section and said second control console further comprises a second control section, said first and second control sections are each adapted to determine that the selected output device is available for control and no faults or other conflicts have occurred in response to input of one of said device selection input signals from one of the first or second control consoles; wherein the input/output control system includes an interface circuit coupled between the first and second control consoles and the at least one output device, said interface circuit includes a third control section configured to selectively link the first or second control consoles to the at least one selected output device, the third control section being configured to selectively block said device control signals transmitted by one of the first and second control consoles through said interface circuit such that said selected at least one output device can only receive said device control signals from one of said control consoles through said interface circuit at a time; wherein said first control console further comprises a fourth control section and said second control console further comprises a fifth control section, said fourth and fifth control sections are each adapted to respectively couple said device control inputs of said control consoles with said interface circuit, wherein said input/output device enables one of said device control inputs of the first or second control console by providing power to one of said fourth or fifth control sections when one of said first or second control sections makes said determination that the selected output device is available for control and no faults or other conflicts have occurred.