US5377180A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data switching device
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1992-12-08
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Granted: 1994-12-27
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Expires: 2012-12-08
Abstract
Abstract Switching modules of a digital network switch have switching ports connected to external ports by a connections network. The modules are arranged in groups. Some of the connection ports of the switching modules in each group are designated for back-up use within that group. In the event of failure of a module in a group, the connections network serving that group is controlled to connect back-up ports in that group to the affected external ports.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Laurent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/15; H04L49/1553; H04L49/55; H04L49/552; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5614; H04L2012/5625; H04L2012/5627; H04L49/30; H04L49/555
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A data switching device comprising a first plurality of external ports for connection to the exterior, a second plurality of switching modules comprising a total of said first plurality of switching ports, and a connections network, each of said switching ports being connected to a respective one of said external ports by said connections network, characterized in that said second plurality of switching modules is arranged in a third plurality of groups, each group comprising a respective plurality of said switching modules, and each group having associated therewith the external ports connected to said respective plurality of said switching modules, a fourth plurality, less than said second plurality, of said switching modules each further comprises a respective connection port for backing up a switching port of a switching module which has failed, each of said groups including at least a respective one of said fourth plurality of switching modules, and said connection network includes means for connecting, from each external port associated with a given group, to a respective one of said connection ports of a switching module of said given group, at least one of said connection ports being arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A data switching device comprising a first plurality of external ports for connection to the exterior, a second plurality of switching modules comprising a total of said first plurality of switching ports, and a connections network, each of said switching ports being connected to a respective one of said external ports by said connections network, characterized in that said second plurality of switching modules is arranged in a third plurality of groups, each group comprising a respective plurality of said switching modules, and each group having associated therewith the external ports connected to said respective plurality of said switching modules, a fourth plurality, less than said second plurality, of said switching modules each further comprises a respective connection port for backing up a switching port of a switching module which has failed, each of said groups including at least a respective one of said fourth plurality of switching modules, and said connection network includes means for connecting, from each external port associated with a given group, to a respective one of said connection ports of a switching module of said given group, at least one of said connection ports being arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 1, in which the modules each comprises a respective output for supplying information about a correct/incorrect operating condition, and said connections network comprises control inputs, characterized in that said outputs are connected to said control inputs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said second plurality is less than said first plurality.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that each connection port is arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said second plurality is less than said first plurality.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that each connection port is arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
244 words
A data switching device comprising a first plurality of external ports for connection to the exterior, and a second plurality of switching modules comprising a total of said first plurality of switching ports, and a connections network, each of said switching ports being connected to a respective one of said external ports by said connections network, characterized in that said second plurality of switching modules is arranged in a third plurality of groups, each group comprising a respective plurality of said switching modules, and each group having associated therewith the external ports connected to said respective plurality of said switching modules, each of said groups comprises a respective link interconnecting the switching modules of said group, and said device further comprises at least one group-connecting link interconnecting between a respective one of the switching modules of each of said third plurality of groups, a fourth plurality, less than said second plurality, of said switching modules each further comprises a respective connection port for backing up a switching port of a switching module which has failed, each of said groups including at least a respective one of said fourth plurality of switching modules, and said connection network includes means for connecting, from each external port associated with a given group, to a respective one of said connection ports of a switching module of said given group, at least one of said connection ports being arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
244 words
A data switching device comprising a first plurality of external ports for connection to the exterior, and a second plurality of switching modules comprising a total of said first plurality of switching ports, and a connections network, each of said switching ports being connected to a respective one of said external ports by said connections network, characterized in that said second plurality of switching modules is arranged in a third plurality of groups, each group comprising a respective plurality of said switching modules, and each group having associated therewith the external ports connected to said respective plurality of said switching modules, each of said groups comprises a respective link interconnecting the switching modules of said group, and said device further comprises at least one group-connecting link interconnecting between a respective one of the switching modules of each of said third plurality of groups, a fourth plurality, less than said second plurality, of said switching modules each further comprises a respective connection port for backing up a switching port of a switching module which has failed, each of said groups including at least a respective one of said fourth plurality of switching modules, and said connection network includes means for connecting, from each external port associated with a given group, to a respective one of said connection ports of a switching module of said given group, at least one of said connection ports being arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that each connection port is arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 7, in which the modules each compriseS a respective output for supplying information about a correct/incorrect operating condition, and said connections network comprises control inputs, characterized in that said outputs are connected to said control inputs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that each connection port is arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
240 words
A data switching device comprising a first plurality of external ports for connection to the exterior, and a second plurality of switching modules comprising a total of said first plurality of switching ports, and a connections network, each of said switching ports being connected to a respective one of said external ports by said connections network, characterized in that said second plurality of switching modules is arranged in a third plurality of groups, each group comprising a respective plurality of said switching modules, and each group having associated therewith the external ports connected to said respective plurality of said switching modules, each of said groups comprises a respective link interconnecting the switching modules of said group, and said device further comprises at least one group-connecting link interconnecting between a respective one of the switching modules of each of said third plurality of groups, a fourth plurality, less than said second plurality, of said switching modules each further comprises a respective connection port for backing up a switching port of a switching module which has failed, each of said groups including at least a respective one of said fourth plurality of switching modules, and said connection network includes means for connecting, from each external port associated with a given group, to a respective one of said connection ports of a switching module of said given group, each connection port being arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
240 words
A data switching device comprising a first plurality of external ports for connection to the exterior, and a second plurality of switching modules comprising a total of said first plurality of switching ports, and a connections network, each of said switching ports being connected to a respective one of said external ports by said connections network, characterized in that said second plurality of switching modules is arranged in a third plurality of groups, each group comprising a respective plurality of said switching modules, and each group having associated therewith the external ports connected to said respective plurality of said switching modules, each of said groups comprises a respective link interconnecting the switching modules of said group, and said device further comprises at least one group-connecting link interconnecting between a respective one of the switching modules of each of said third plurality of groups, a fourth plurality, less than said second plurality, of said switching modules each further comprises a respective connection port for backing up a switching port of a switching module which has failed, each of said groups including at least a respective one of said fourth plurality of switching modules, and said connection network includes means for connecting, from each external port associated with a given group, to a respective one of said connection ports of a switching module of said given group, each connection port being arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 11, in which the modules each comprises a respective output for supplying information about a correct/incorrect operating condition, and said connections network comprises control inputs, characterized in that said outputs are connected to said control inputs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that each connection port is arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A data switching device as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that each connection port is arranged for backing up at least two of said switching ports.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-26 | 1998-06-27 | 1998-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | 2002-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-26 | 2006-06-27 | 2006-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |