Patent ID: 6728382
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: H04H

Abstract:
A control device for an audio processor having a plurality of channels and a plurality of functions in the channels, comprising:a control panel; a plurality of sets of function select controls on the control panel, the sets coupled with corresponding channels in the plurality of channels, the sets including select switches for a predetermined set of functions executable in the corresponding channels, the select switches having first and second states, and comprising elements first and second visually distinguishable modes by which an operator is able to determine the state of the select switch by looking at the select switch; a function control section on the control panel, including controls for setting parameters for a selected function in a selected channel; and logic coupled with the plurality of sets of function select controls and the function control section which, in response to the state of the select switch for a selected function in the set of function select controls corresponding to a selected channel, enables the audio processor to apply the selected function to the controls in the function control section to enable at least one of monitoring and control of the parameters associated with the selected function for the selected channel by the operator using the function control section; wherein the plurality of sets of function select controls are arranged on the control panel in a row, and the select switches in the plurality of sets are arranged in respective single columns within the plurality of sets so that the select switches for a particular function in the predetermined set of functions across the plurality of channels form a single band on the control panel to enable the operator to identify the states of select switches for a particular function in the plurality of functions by looking along a band of select switches on the control panel; and wherein the function select controls include in/out switches coupled with corresponding functions in the plurality of predetermined functions, the in/out switches including a first state enabling the audio processor to execute the corresponding function in the corresponding channel, and a second state not enabling the audio processor to execute the corresponding function in the corresponding channel; and wherein the in/out switches include a third state indicating that resources for executing the corresponding function in the corresponding channel are not allocated by the audio processor.