Modular video signal matrix switcher with color-coded components

A video signal matrix switcher, comprising

• a frame structure;
• a first plurality of printed circuit boards mounted in said frame structure and arranged in a first row, the first plurality of printed circuit boards including:
• a plurality of switching module boards, all of said switching module boards being substantially identical to each other, and each switching module board including circuitry for selectively connecting input terminals of the board with output terminals of the board, each of the switching module boards having an indicia of a first color;
• at least one second printed circuit board that is substantially different from said switching module boards and has an indicia of a second color that is different from said first color;
• and
• a third printed circuit board that is substantially different from said switching module boards and from said at least one second printed circuit board, said third printed circuit board including an indicia of a third color different from said first and second colors;
• and
• a second row of printed circuit boards arranged parallel to and spaced from said first row of printed circuit boards, said second row including:
• a plurality of first rear printed circuit boards each positioned opposite a respective one of said switching module boards, each of said rear printed circuit boards including an indicia of said first color;
• at least one second rear printed circuit board, positioned opposite said at least one second printed circuit board, said at least one second rear printed circuit board being different from said first rear printed circuit boards and including an indicia of said second color;
• and
• a third rear printed circuit board positioned opposite said third printed circuit board, said third rear printed circuit board being different from said first rear printed circuit boards and from said second rear printed circuit boards, and including an indicia of said third color;
• said matrix switcher further including means for interconnecting said circuit boards.

A video signal matrix switcher, comprising:

• a housing;
• a midplane structure positioned inside said housing between front and rear sides of said housing, said midplane structure including a generally planar member having a first side oriented towards the front side of said housing and a second side oriented towards the rear side of said housing, said midplane structure also including a first plurality of connectors mounted on said first side of said planar member, a second plurality of connectors mounted on said second side of said planar member, and means for interconnecting said connectors;
• a plurality of switching, module boards, each connected to a respective one of said first connectors and extending towards the front side of said housing and including circuitry for selectively connecting input terminals of the board with output terminals of the board, each of the switching module boards having an indicia of a first color;
• a plurality of first rear boards, each aligned with a respective one of said switching module boards and connected to a respective one of said second plurality of connectors and extending towards the rear side of said housing, each of said first rear boards having an indicia of said first color;
• an output module board connected to a respective one of said first connectors and extending towards the front side of said housing and including circuitry for generating a character video signal and for combining the character video signal with a video signal output from one of the switching module boards, the output module board having an indicia of a second color different from the first color;
• a second rear board aligned with the output module board and connected to a respective one of the second plurality of connectors and extending towards the rear side of said housing, said second rear board having an indicia of said second color;
• a controller board connected to a respective one of said first connectors and extending towards the front side of said housing, said controller board having mounted thereon a microprocessor which controls operation of said switching module boards and said output module board, said controller board also having an indicia of a third color different from said first and second colors;
• a third rear board aligned with the controller board and connected to a respective one of the second plurality of connectors and extending towards the rear side of said housing, said third rear board having an indicia of said third color;
• a power supply board connected to a respective one of said first connectors and extending towards the front side of said housing, said power supply board having mounted thereon circuitry for converting an AC line power signal into at least one DC power level, said power supply board including an indicia of a fourth color different from said first, second and third colors;
• and
• a fourth rear board aligned with the power supply board and connected to a respective one of the second plurality of connectors and extending towards the rear side of said housing, said fourth rear board having an indicia of said fourth color.