Patent ID: 7991145

Claim:
An automated switching apparatus for electrically cross-connecting any line or lines in a set of input lines to any line or lines in a set of output lines, said apparatus comprising: a switch matrix comprising a plurality of sliding contact means for selectively connecting any of the input lines to any of the output lines; drive means for moving the contact means on the switching apparatus; position detection means for detecting the position of the contact means on the switching apparatus; and control means connected to said drive means and to said position detection means for accurately moving the contact means to a desired position on the switching apparatus wherein, said switch matrix includes a plurality of electrically conducting main contact pads disposed thereon and arranged in a plurality of contact trains, and said contact means includes a set of main contact springs that are slidably engageable with said main contact pads for cross-connecting the lines, and said switch matrix further comprises a first and a second set of detector pads disposed thereon in proximity with said contact trains, and wherein the contact means further includes corresponding sets of detector springs that are slidably engageable with said first and second set of detector pads for detecting the precise position of the contact means.