Signal switching system

Claim 2

A signal switching system, comprising input means (S1) for receiving a group of separate parallel input signals (S1A...S1E), said separate parallel input signals comprising at least a data-representing signal and a timing signal and a control signal both relating to said data-representing signal, output means (U1) receiv­ing a group of separate parallel output signals (U1A...U1E) and switching means having plural inputs and outputs for said signals, characterised by parallel-to-series time multiplexing means (M1) for sampling said separate parallel input signals of said group sequentially, to produce a corresponding single time-multiplexed serial signal; series-to-parallel time demultiplexing means (DM1) responsive to said single time-multiplexed serial signal to produce a plurality of separate parallel signals (U1A...U1E) corresponding to said group of separate parallel input signals (S1A...S1E); and signal switching means (42) having an input terminal (40) supplied with said single time-multiplexed serial signal from said parallel-to-series time multiplexing means (M1) for con­trolledly directing said time-multiplexed serial signal to or away from said series-to-parallel time demultiplexing means (DM1).

Claim 3

The system of Claim 1 characterised by second series-to-parallel time demultiplexing means (DM2) respo­sive to said time-multiplexed signal to produce a plurality of corresponding separate parallel signals (U2A...U2E); said signal switching means (50) being effective to switch said single time-multiplexed serial signal between the input (54) to said second time-demultiplexing means (DM2) and the input (53) to said first-named time-demultiplex­ing means (DM1).

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: said input means comprises a first casing containing said parallel-to-serial time multiplexing means, and first quick-disconnect RS232 plug means secured to said first casing, enabling supply of said parallel input signals to said parallel-to-series time multiplexer when said first quick-disconnect RS232 plug means is connected to said input means.

Claim 5

The system of Claim 3, comprising: signal output means, a second casing containing said series-to-parallel demultiplexer, and second quick-disconnect RS232 plug means secured to said second casing, enabling supply of said single time-multiplexed serial signal to said signal output means when said second quick-disconnect RS232 plug means is connected to said signal output means.

Claim 6

The system of Claim 1, comprising: second input means for receiving another group of separate parallel input signals; another parallel-to-series time multiplexing means for sampling said other group of parallel input signals sequentially to produce another corresponding single time-multiplexed serial signal; another series-to-parallel time demultiplexing means responsive to said other time-­multiplexed serial signal to produce another plurality of separate parallel signals corresponding to said other group of separate parallel input signals; said other group of parallel input signals comprising at least another data-representing signal, and another timing signal and another control signal relating to said other data-representing signal; said signal switching means having an input terminal responsive to said other single time-­multiplexed serial signal controlledly to direct it to or away from said demultiplexer.

Claim 9

The system of Claim 6, wherein each of said groups of parallel input signals comprises a data signal and a plurality of other timing and control signals related to said data signal.

Claim 10

The system of Claim 6, wherein said signal switching means comprises a matrix switch having a plurality of input terminals supplied with respective different ones of said time-multiplexed serial signals from said plurality of multiplexers, a plurality of output terminals connected to respective different ones of said plurality of demultiplexers, and electrically controllable switching elements for connecting any selected one of said input terminals to any selected one of said output terminals of said switching means.

Claim 11

A signal switching system for controlledly supplying signals at any one of a first group of multi­contact serial ports to any one of a second group of multi­contact serial ports, comprising: a first set of communications lines each having at one end a casing having secured thereto quick-­disconnect plug means comprising a set of contacts mating with the contacts of a corresponding one of said first group of ports, each said casing containing time-multiplexing means for sampling the parallel signals on said contacts of said each port and for producing a corresponding single time-­multiplexed serial signal; a second set of communications lines each having at one end a casing having secured thereto quick-­disconnect plug means comprising a set of contacts mating with the contacts of a corresponding one of said second group of ports, each said casing of said second set of lines also comprising a set of contacts mating with a corresponding one of said second group of ports, each of said casings of said second set of lines containing time-demultiplexing means for converting the time-multiplexed serial signal supplied to it at its other end to separate parallel signals substantially the same as the signals on the contacts of the corresponding port of said first group of ports; matrix switch means having a plurality of input terminals at least equal in number to said first group of ports and supplied with a different one of said time-­multiplexed serial signals, and having a plurality of output terminals at least equal to the number of said second group of ports; said switch means comprising switching elements connected between each of said input terminals and each of said output terminals thereof, each of said switching elements being controllable between a signal-conductive state and a signal-nonconductive state; and switch-control means for controlledly operating each of said switching elements to either its signal-conductive or its signal-nonconductive state, to effect transfer of the signals at any of said first group of ports to any of said second group of ports.

Claim 12

A signal switching system for controlledly supplying signals at any one of a first group of multi­contact serial ports to any one of a second group of multi­contact serial ports, comprising: a first set of communications lines each having at one end a casing having secured thereto quick-­disconnect plug means comprising a set of contacts mating with the contacts of a corresponding one of said first group of ports, each said casing containing time-multiplexing means for sampling the parallel signals on said contacts of said each port and for producing a corresponding single time-­multiplexed serial signal; a second set of communications lines each having at one end a casing having secured thereto quick-­disconnect plug means comprising a set of contacts mating with the contacts of a corresponding one of said second group of ports, each said casing of said second set of lines also comprising a set of contacts mating with a corresponding one of said second group of ports, each of said casings of said second set of lines containing time-demultiplexing means for converting the time-multiplexed serial signal supplied to it at its other end to separate parallel signals substantially the same as the signals on the contacts of the corresponding port of said first group of ports; matrix switch means having a plurality of input terminals at least equal in number to said first group of ports and supplied with a different one of said time-­multiplexed serial signals, and having a plurality of output terminals at least equal to the number of said second group of ports; said switch means comprising switching elements connected between each of said input terminals and each of said output terminals thereof, each of said switching elements being controllable between a signal-conductive state and a signal-nonconductive state; and switch-control means for controlledly operating each of said switching elements to either its signal-conductive or its signal-nonconductive state, to effect transfer of the signals at any of said first group of ports to any of said second group of ports.

Claim 13

The system of Claim 9, wherein each of said first and second groups of ports is an RS-232 port, and the signals in the contacts thereof are in RS-232 format.

Claim 14

The system of Claim 9, wherein each of said switching elements is a semiconductor device.

Claim 15

The system of Claim 9, wherein at least some of said first group of ports are modem ports and at least some of said second group of ports are computer front-end ports.