Optically controlled motorized linear fader

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for a control device and control device operation. In one embodiment a control device includes a slider configured to support a control knob, a rack coupled to the slider and configured to linearly displace the slider. The rack including slots. The control device may further include a drive element configured to displace the rack and position the control knob, and an optical detection module configured to detect position of the control knob based on one or more optical signals detected relative to slots of the rack. According to another embodiment, a control console is provided including control devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A control device, comprising:
 a slider configured to support a control knob;   a rack coupled to the slider and configured to linearly displace the slider, the rack comprising a plurality of slots;   a drive element configured to displace the rack and position the control knob; and   an optical detection module configured to detect position of the control knob based on one or more optical signals detected relative to slots of the rack.   
     
     
         2 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the slider is supported by at least one rod, and configured for linear displacement along the at least one rod. 
     
     
         3 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the control knob includes a contact tab configured to detect user touch. 
     
     
         4 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the control knob includes a wiper configured to electrically couple the control knob to a control circuit of the fader based on user contact with the control knob. 
     
     
         5 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein slots of the rack are equally sized and are employed by the optical detection module to provide a linear encoder based on displacement of the rack. 
     
     
         6 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive element is coupled to a motor and relates to a drive wheel in contact with the rack. 
     
     
         7 . The control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring clip configured to maintain the drive element in contact with the rack. 
     
     
         8 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein drive element is configured to control position of the control knob based on one or more control signals received from a control unit. 
     
     
         9 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein optical detection module includes at least one light source and at least two photodetectors. 
     
     
         10 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical detection module includes a first circuit board configured to detect position of the rack with phototransistors and a second circuit board configured to provide a light source. 
     
     
         11 . The control device of  claim 10 , wherein each circuit board is arranged on an opposite side of the rack. 
     
     
         12 . The control device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical detection module includes a control unit configured to control and disable operation of the drive element. 
     
     
         13 . A control console comprising:
 a plurality of control devices;   a memory; and   a processor coupled to the plurality of control devices and memory, the processor configured to output one or more signals to one or more of the control devices,   wherein each control device includes
 a slider configured to support a control knob; 
 a rack coupled to the slider and configured linearly displace the slider, the rack comprising a plurality of slots; 
 a drive element configured to displace the rack and position the control knob; and 
 an optical detection module configured to detect position of the control knob based on one or more optical signals detected relative to slots of the rack. 
   
     
     
         14 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein the slider is supported by at least one rod, and configured for linear displacement along the at least one rod. 
     
     
         15 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein the control knob includes a contact tab configured to detect user touch. 
     
     
         16 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein the control knob includes a wiper configured to electrically couple the control knob to a control circuit of the fader based on user contact with the control knob. 
     
     
         17 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein slots of the rack are equally sized and are employed by the optical detection module to provide a linear encoder based on displacement of the rack. 
     
     
         18 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein the drive element is coupled to a motor and relates to a drive wheel in contact with the rack. 
     
     
         19 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein each control device further comprises a spring clip configured to maintain the drive element in contact with the rack. 
     
     
         20 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein drive element is configured to control position of the control knob based on one or more control signals received from the processor. 
     
     
         21 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein optical detection module includes at least one light source and at least two photodetectors. 
     
     
         22 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein the optical detection module includes a first circuit board configured to detect position of the rack with phototransistors and a second circuit board configured to provide a light source. 
     
     
         23 . The control console of  claim 22 , wherein each circuit board is arranged on an opposite side of the rack. 
     
     
         24 . The control console of  claim 13 , wherein the optical detection module includes a control unit configured to control and disable operation of the drive element.