GB2411064A

GB2411064A - Video switching device

Info

Publication number: GB2411064A
Application number: GB0401381A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Skelton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-01-23
Filing date: 2004-01-23
Publication date: 2005-08-17
Also published as: GB0401381D0

Abstract

A video switching device 2 that allows multiple video sources 1, 4, 5, 6 to be connected to a television 3 that includes a video signal detector to facilitate use with a camera or camcorder 6, and/or one or more fixed connections 7, 8 for recording between devices not necesarily connected to the output, and/or one or more fixed connections from the output to allow the output to be viewed in multiple locations. The main output connector and one of the input connectors may be located in a plug - through adaptor at the end of a cable connected to the main body of the device (fig.2).

Description

(l - :: 241 1 064 Page 1

Description

The invention relates to a device intended to enable the user to connect multiple video devices to a single television by means of video and audio or SCART connections and to be able to watch one or more of the video sources on one or more televisions via video and audio or SCART connections while at the same time to record the output of another of the video sources on a video recorder also attached to the device.

Hitherto many televisions have presented a problem to users as they are equipped with only a single set of video and audio or SCART connections. In the days when the typical user had only a video recorder to attach to it this was no problem, but today many people have for instance a video recorder, a DVD player, a digital television adapter (often two in fact), one or more video games, a camcorder.

It is irksome to have to swap the cables around at the rear of the equipment every time one wants top watch something different, so clearly a switching solution is required to allow them all to be connected at once but so that only one may be seen on the television at any time.

A further problem appears when for instance the user wishes to record a program for later viewing, but wishes to watch another source at the same time.

If the user wishes to view the output from a camcorder on the television he or she potentially has a problem in that the switching signal used to control a video switching device is not available from a camcorder, so he will still need to disconnect cables.

Finally the user may wish to have access to the video output from any or all of the video sources available in another room, potentially using a wireless transmission device. Most of said devices have only a single output connector or set of connectors available which if used of course cannot be connected to a television also.

In the preferred embodiment the switching device, in addition to allowing the output to switch between several different devices, will be equipped with one or more sets of fixed (non switched) connections. One of these may run from the input connections of the output connector to the output connections of one of the input connectors that can be used for recording to a video recorder, another of these may run for instance from the input connections of one of the input connectors to the output connections of another input connector that can be used for recording to a video recorder.

In the preferred embodiment one or more of the input connectors may connect to a video detecting circuit, such that when a video signal is detected even in the absence of a more conventional signal the device will be able to switch to said input. Furthermore the device will be able to generate a conventional signalling signal to control any other devices connected to it that may require it.

In the preferred embodiment the switching device, the output connections, in addition to feeding one connector for use by the main television, may also be connected to either one or more additional connectors solely used as outputs, and/or may connect to the output connections of one or more of the input connector that can be used for connection to another television or transmitting device.

In one embodiment the device could be equipped with additional connectors such that the audio output can be passed to an alternative playout device in addition to the television. This output could switch on and off automatically.

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Page 2 In another embodiment the main output connector 21 and one of the input connectors 22 could be located in a plug-through adaptor 11 at the end of a cable 14 permanently connected to the main body 13 of the device. This would allow the user to simply connect that portion of the device in series with an existing connection 18 from an existiong video source 10 to a television 12, thus saving confusion, and to then connect any additional equipment 15, 16, 17, 19, 20 to the main body of the device.

Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment

Claims

i *e is it c Page 3 Claims 1 A video switching device possibly equipped

with SCART connectors intended for connecting multiple video sources to a single television
2 A device substantially as in claim 1 that includes one or sets of fixed connections for audio and video signals, one of which may run from the input connections of the main output connector to the output connections of one of the input, others of which may run from the input connections of one of the input connectors to the output connections of another input connector.
3 A device substantially as in claim 1 one or more of the input connectors may connect internally to a video detecting circuit, such that when a video signal is detected even in the absence of a more conventional signal the device will be able to switch to said input.

Furthermore the device will be able to generate a conventional signalling signal to control any other devices connected to it that may require it.
4 A device substantially as in claim 3 which on detection of a video signal is be able to generate a conventional signalling signal to control any other devices connected to it.
A device substantially as in claim 1 wherin the output signal in addition to feeding one output connector or set of connectors for use by the main television, may also be connected to either one or more additional output connectors or sets of connectors solely used as outputs.
6 A device substantially as in claim 5 wherin the output signal in addition to feeding one output connector or set of connectors for use by the main television, may also be connected to the output connections of one or more of the input connectors or sets of connectors.
7 A device substantially as in claim 1 wherin the main output connector or set of connectors and one of the input connectors or sets of connectors are located in a plug-through adapter at the end of a cable connected to the main body of the device.
8 A device substantially as in claim 7 wherin the plug-through adapter contains electronic circuitry or other switching devices to allow the connection from the local input either to be connected to or disconnected from the output connector or set of connectors and in the apropriate case to allow one of the input connectors or sets of connectors located on the main body of the device to connect to the output connector in its place.
9 A device substantially as in claim 1 equipped with additional output connectors such that the audio output can be passed to an alternative playout device.
A device substantially as in claim wherin the additional audio output is automatically switched off when no signalling signal is present.
11 A device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.