The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 02, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 19, 1999
Timothy P. Johnston, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Dana J. Koppes, Columbus, OH (US);
Gary T. Brint, Scott's Valley, CA (US);
Jeffrey P. Stram, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Plantronics, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Abstract
A rotary matrix switch allows arbitrary selection from among different electrical connection configurations between m input terminals and n output terminals by rotation of a shaft or dial. A rotary shaft has a plurality of contact mechanisms at spaced locations and angular positions. The locations of the contact mechanisms correspond to individual contacts between the input and output terminals. The contact mechanisms may be lobes, indentations, conductive strips, or the like. Rotation of the shaft selectively engages ones of the contact mechanism to connect electrically various input and output terminals. The rotary shaft is removable to allow for the ability to make field upgrades and provide new configurations of connections. One embodiment of the invention can function as a telephone headset adapter, wherein rotation of a shaft allows the user to choose easily from among different handset port wiring configurations.