US3732548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching center for a data network
Assignee: STC PLC
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Filing: 1971-08-19
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-08-19
Abstract
Abstract A switching center for a data network in which dedicated storage is provided for channels in each direction the channels handling a mixture of circuit switched (end-to-end connections) and packet switched (store and forward) messages. The switching center interconnects with other centers and with local area channels which may or may not have been concentrated.
Inventors
- 👤 G Howells
- 👤 E Hunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/50; H04L12/52
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A switching center for a synchronous digital data network including terminal equipments for a plurality of pairs incoming and outgoing data transmission means respectively, a first storage device having for each terminal equipment a dedicated storage location, a second storage device having storage locations dynamically allocated for the receipt of address characters from an incoming transmission means whereby an address of an outgoing transmission means can be assembled to enable transfer of data characters from an incoming transmission means to a storage location in the first transmission means associated with the addressed outgoing transmission means, each dedicated storage location being divided into at least two portions one of which is used to store an address of a different storage location in which an incoming data character from an incoming terminal equipment is to be stored, the other portion being used to store a data character received from an incoming terminal equipment to which a different storage location is dedicated, and means for sequentially and cyclically connecting the terminal equipments with the first storage device whereby an incoming character may be inserted in the storage location specified by the address held in the location dedicated to the incoming terminal equipment via which the character is received and a character already held in a storage location may be extracted from that location and transferred to an outgoing terminal equipment to which the storage location holding that character is dedicated, said incoming and outgoing terminal equipments being associated with one pair of incoming and outgoing transmission means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
254 words
A switching center for a synchronous digital data network including terminal equipments for a plurality of pairs incoming and outgoing data transmission means respectively, a first storage device having for each terminal equipment a dedicated storage location, a second storage device having storage locations dynamically allocated for the receipt of address characters from an incoming transmission means whereby an address of an outgoing transmission means can be assembled to enable transfer of data characters from an incoming transmission means to a storage location in the first transmission means associated with the addressed outgoing transmission means, each dedicated storage location being divided into at least two portions one of which is used to store an address of a different storage location in which an incoming data character from an incoming terminal equipment is to be stored, the other portion being used to store a data character received from an incoming terminal equipment to which a different storage location is dedicated, and means for sequentially and cyclically connecting the terminal equipments with the first storage device whereby an incoming character may be inserted in the storage location specified by the address held in the location dedicated to the incoming terminal equipment via which the character is received and a character already held in a storage location may be extracted from that location and transferred to an outgoing terminal equipment to which the storage location holding that character is dedicated, said incoming and outgoing terminal equipments being associated with one pair of incoming and outgoing transmission means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A center according to claim 1 in which each dedicated storage location includes a third portion which is used to store functional information specifying a mode of utilization of the contents of that location whereby the address is used to indicate either another dedicated storage location in the first storage device for storage of an incoming data character or a dynamically allocated storage location in the second storage device for the receipt of an Address character.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A center according to claim 2 in which the functional information alternatively specifies a mode of utilization of the contents of the location whereby the address is used to indicate a different storage location from which character is to be extracted for transfer via the terminal equipment to which the location containing the functional information is dedicated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A center according to claim 1, in which each dedicated storage location includes a portion which is used to store signalling supervision information, the center including signal character checking means and a third storage device wherein signal characters received from terminal equipments may be stored, the supervisory information controlling the checking of incoming signal characters and subsequent transfer to the third storage device of a checked signal character together with the address of the storage location dedicated to the terminal equipment from which the signal character is received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A center according to claim 4 in which each dedicated storage location includes a portion which is used to store timing information for determining whether predetermined operations as defined by the functional information have occurred within specified time periods.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
A center according to claim 2 including a fourth storage device having a plurality of dynamically allocatable storage locations for the receipt from and transfer to incoming or outgoing terminal equipments respectively of blocks of characters, and means for inserting into said third storage device blocks of characters received from an incoming terminal and means for transferring blocks of characters from said third storage device to outgoing terminals equipments specified by address information contained within the blocks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
A center according to claim 6 in which the functional information contained in a dedicated storage location in the first storage device specifies a mode of operation in which the address portion of the location is used to indicate a dynamically allocated storage location in the fourth storage device into which a sequence of characters received from the terminal equipment to which the dedicated storage location is dedicated is inserted for assembly into a block of characters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
A center according to claim 6 in which the functional information contained in a dedicated storage location in the first storage device specifies a mode of operation in which the address portion of the location is used to indicate a dynamically allocated storage location in the fourth storage device containing a block of characters from which characters are extracted in a predetermined sequence for emission via the terminal equipment to which the dedicated storage location is dedicated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A center according to claim 7 in which a dedicated storage location includes a portion which is used to store information specifying the number of characters in the block being output from the dynamically allocated storage location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A center according to claim 9 in which the portion containing the information specifying the number of characters is substituted for the portion which, in a circuit switched mode, is used to store a data character.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
A center according to claim 1 in which the first storage device is divided into separate groups of dedicated storage locations one of which is associated solely with those incoming and outgoing transmission means operating at a single character transmission rate being the highest such rate in an otherwise multiple mixed multiplexed transmission structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |