Path finding system

Claim 2

In combination with a switching network having a plurality of input inlets and a plurality of output inlets arranged in grids, said grids connected via at least one of a plurality of links, with each link having a unique path to any one input and any one output inlet of said grids connected thereby, a path finding system for interconnecting a marked input inlet with a single one of one or more marked output inlets comprising: first scanning means for identifying a link having an available path to the marked input inlet and to at least one marked output inlet; second scanning means for selecting a marked output inlet having an available path to the identified link, and circuit means for applying an energizing potential to the marked input inlet and the selected output inlet via the identified link.

Claim 3

The path finding system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of links are arranged in cables and said first scanning means includes a first scanner for identifying a cable having a link with an available path to the marked input inlet and a link with an available path to at least one marked output inlet and a second scanner for identifying a link in the identified cable having both available paths.

Claim 4

The path finding system of claim 2 wherein said first scanning means includes recycle means for enabling said first scanner to search for another cable in response to a signal from said second scanner indicating that a link having both available paths cannot be found.

Claim 5

In combination with a switching network which includes an input grid having a plurality of input inlets, each being connectable to any one of a plurality of outlets thereof via a single unique path, an output grid having a plurality of modules with each module having a plurality of outlets, each of which is connectable via inlets thereof to any one of a plurality of output inlets of the output grid via a single unique path, and a plurality of links, each being connected between a single input grid outlet and a single module outlet, a path finding system for interconnecting a marked input inlet with a single one of one or more marked output inlets comprising: first scanning means for identifying a link having an available path to the marked input inlet and to at least one marked output inlet; identification means for identifying the module to which the identified link is connected; second scanning means for selecting a marked output inlet having an available path to the identified module, and circuit means for applying an energizing potential to the marked input inlet and selected output inlet via the identified free link.

Claim 6

In combination with a switching network which includes an input grid having a plurality of input inlets, each being connectable to any one of a plurality of outlets thereof via a single unique path, an output grid having a plurality of modules with each module having a plurality of outlets, each of which is connectable via inlets thereof to any one of a plurality of output inlets of the output grid via a single unique path, and a plurality of links, each being connected between a single input grid outlet and a single module outlet, a path finding system for interconnecting a marked input inlet with a single one of one or more marked output inlets comprising: first scanning means for identifying a link having an available path to the marked input inlet and to at least one marked output inlet; identification means for identifying the module to which the identified link is connected; second scanning means for selecting a marked output inlet having an available path to the identified module, and circuit means for applying an energizing potential to the marked input inlet and selected output inlet via the identified free link.

Claim 7

The path finding system of claim 4 wherein the plurality of links are arranged in cables and said first scanning means includes a first scanner for identifying a cable having a link with an available path to the marked input inlet and a link with an available path to at least one marked output inlet and a second scanner for identifying a link in the identified cable having both available paths.

Claim 8

The path finding system of claim 5 wherein said first scanning means includes recycle means for enabling said first scanner to search for another cable in response to a signal from said second scanner indicating that a link having both available paths cannot be found.

Claim 9

The path finding system of claim 5 wherein the modules are arranged in groups, each group having the same number of consecutively numbered modules and the cables are arranged in as many groups as there are groups of modules, with each cable having as many consecutively numbered links therein as there are modules in a group so that each group of cables is associated with a module group and each link in a cable is connected to an outlet of the same numbered module in its associated module group.

Claim 10

The path finding system of claim 7 wherein said identification means includes a plurality of group selector circuits, each being connected between said second scanning means and the inlets of a different one of said module groups to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween in response to an identification signal from said first scanning means when one of the cables connected to its respective module group has been identified and circuit means responsive to a signal from said second scanner for applying scanning pulses to the inlets of the module having the same number as the identified Link.

Claim 11

The path finding system of claim 8 wherein each cable includes a cable identification lead connected between the group selector circuit of its associated module group and said first scanning means and said identification signal is applied to the identification lead of the identified cable.

Claim 12

In combination with a switching network which includes an input grid having a plurality of grid inlets each of which is connectable to any one of a plurality of grid outlets via a single unique path, an output grid having a plurality of modules, each with a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of matrices, each with a plurality of inlets, with each matrix having an outlet connected to an inlet of each module so that any module outlet is connectable to any matrix inlet by a single unique path and a plurality of links each one being connected between a single module outlet and a single grid outlet, a path finding system for interconnecting a marked grid inlet with a single one of one or more marked matrix inlets comprising: first scanning means for identifying a link having an available path to the marked grid inlet and to at least one marked matrix inlet; module identification means for identifying the module to which the identified link is connected; second scanning means for identifying an inlet of the identified module having a path to at least one marked inlet; matrix identification means for identifying the matrix to which the identified module inlet is connected; third scanning means for selecting one of the marked inlets of the identified matrix having an available path to the identified link, and circuit means for applying an energizing potential to the marked grid inlet and selected matrix inlet via the identified free link.

Claim 13

In combination with a switching network which includes an input grid having a plurality of grid inlets each of which is connectable to any one of a plurality of grid outlets via a single unique path, an output grid having a plurality of modules, each with a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of matrices, each with a plurality of inlets, with each matrix having an outlet connected to an inlet of each module so that any module outlet is connectable to any matrix inlet by a single unique path and a plurality of links each one being connected between a single module outlet and a single grid outlet, a path finding system for interconnecting a marked grid inlet with a single one of one or more marked matrix inlets comprising: first scanning means for identifying a link having an available path to the marked grid inlet and to at least one marked matrix inlet; module identification means for identifying the module to which the identified link is connected; second scanning means for identifying an inlet of the identified module having a path to at least one marked inlet; matrix identification means for identifying the matrix to which the identified module inlet is connected; third scanning means for selecting one of the marked inlets of the identified matrix having an available path to the identified link, and circuit means for applying an energizing potential to the marked grid inlet and selected matrix inlet via the identified free link.

Claim 14

The path finding system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of links are arranged in cables and said first scanning means includes a first scanner for identifying a cable having a link with an available path to the marked grid inlet and a link with an available path to at least one marked matrix inlet and a second scanner for identifying a link in the identified cable having both available paths.

Claim 15

The path finding system of claim 11 wherein said first scanning means includes recycle means for enabling said first scanner to search for another cable in response to a signal from said second scanner indicating that a link having both available paths cannot be found.

Claim 16

The path finding system of claim 11 wherein the modules are arranged in groups, each group having the same number of consecutively numbered modules and the cables are arranged in as many groups as there are groups of modules, with each cable having as many consecutively numbered links therein as there are modules in a group so that each group of cables is associated with a module group and each link in a cable is connected to an outlet of the same numbered module in its associated module group.

Claim 17

The path finding system of claim 13 wherein said module identification means includes a plurality of group selector circuits, each being connected between said second scanning means and the inlets of a different one of said module groups to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween in response to a cable identification signal from said first scanning means when one of the cables connected to its respective module group has been identified and circuit means responsive to a signal from said second scanner for applying scanning pulses to the inlets of the module having the same number as the identified link.

Claim 18

The path finding system of claim 14 wherein each cable includes a cable identification lead connected between the group selector circuit of its associated module group and said first scanning means and said cable identification signal is applied to the identification lead of the identified cable.

Claim 19

The path finding system of claim 13 wherein said second scanning means includes a third scanner for identifying an inlet of The identified module having an available path to at least one marked matrix inlet.

Claim 20

The path finding system of claim 16 wherein the matrices and the inlets of each module are consecutively numbered, with each module inlet being connected to an outlet of the same numbered matrix and said matrix identification means includes a plurality of matrix selector circuits, each being connected between said third scanning means and the inlets of a different one of said matrices to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween in response to a matrix identification signal from said third scanner when the identified module inlet has the same number as its connected matrix.

Claim 21

In combination with a switching network which includes a plurality of input grids, each having grid inlets and outlets with each grid inlet being connectable to a grid outlet via a single unique path, a plurality of output grids, each having modules with a plurality of outlets and matrices with a plurality of inlets with each matrix having an outlet connected to an inlet of each module so that any module outlet is connectable to any matrix inlet via a single unique path and a plurality of links, each being connected between a single module outlet and a single grid outlet, a path finding system for interconnecting a marked grid inlet with a single one of one or more marked matrix inlets comprising: first scanning means for identifying a link having an available path to the marked grid inlet and to at least one marked matrix inlet; second scanning means for selecting a marked matrix inlet having an available path to the identified link, and circuit means for applying an energizing potential to the marked grid inlet and selected matrix inlet via the identified link.

Claim 22

In combination with a switching network which includes a plurality of input grids, each having grid inlets and outlets with each grid inlet being connectable to a grid outlet via a single unique path, a plurality of output grids, each having modules with a plurality of outlets and matrices with a plurality of inlets with each matrix having an outlet connected to an inlet of each module so that any module outlet is connectable to any matrix inlet via a single unique path and a plurality of links, each being connected between a single module outlet and a single grid outlet, a path finding system for interconnecting a marked grid inlet with a single one of one or more marked matrix inlets comprising: first scanning means for identifying a link having an available path to the marked grid inlet and to at least one marked matrix inlet; second scanning means for selecting a marked matrix inlet having an available path to the identified link, and circuit means for applying an energizing potential to the marked grid inlet and selected matrix inlet via the identified link.

Claim 23

The path finding system of claim 18 wherein the plurality of links are arranged in cables, each link in the same cable being connected between the same input and output grids and said first scanning means includes a first scanner for identifying a cable having a link with an available path to the marked grid inlet and a link with an available path to at least one marked matrix inlet and a second scanner for identifying a link in the identified cable having both available paths.

Claim 24

The path finding system of claim 19 wherein said first scanning means includes recycle means for enabling said first scanner to search for another cable in response to a signal from said second scanner indicating that a link having both available paths cannot be found.

Claim 25

The path finding system of claim 18 including grid identification means for identifying the input grid having a marked grid inlet to enable the scanning pulses from said first scanning means to be applied to links therein.

Claim 26

The path finding system of claim 21 wherein said grid identification means includes a plurality of grid selector circuits, each being connected between said first scanning means and the links of a different one of the input grids to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween in response to a signal from its connected input grid when a grid inlet thereof is marked.

Claim 27

The path finding system of claim 19 including a plurality of grid selector circuits, each being connected between said first scanning means and the links of a different one of the input grids to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween from said first scanner in response to a signal from its connected input grid when a grid inlet thereof is marked.

Claim 28

The path finding system of claim 23 wherein each grid selector circuit includes a plurality of cable selector means, each being connected between said second scanner and the links of a different one of said cables within its respective grid to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween in response to a signal from said first scanner when its connected cable has been identified.

Claim 29

The path finding system of claim 19 including module identification means for identifying the module to which the identified linK is connected.

Claim 30

The path finding system of claim 25 wherein the modules of each output grid are arranged in groups, each group having the same number of consecutively numbered modules and the cables connected to that output grid are arranged in as many groups as there are groups of modules with each cable having as many consecutively numbered links therein as there are modules in a group so that each group of cables is associated with a module group and each link in a cable is connected to an outlet of the same numbered module in its associated module group.

Claim 31

The path finding system of claim 26 wherein said module identification means includes a plurality of group selector circuits, each being connected between said second scanning means and the inlets of a different one of said module groups to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween in response to a cable identification signal from said first scanning means when one of the cables connected to its respective module group has been identified and circuit means responsive to a signal from said second scanner for applying the scanning pulses to the inlets of the module having the same number as the identified link.

Claim 32

The path finding system of claim 27 wherein each cable includes a cable identification lead connected between the group selector circuit of its associated module group and said first scanning means and said cable identification signal is applied to the identification lead of the identified cable.

Claim 33

The path finding system of claim 27 wherein said second scanning means includes a third scanner for identifying an inlet of the identified module having an available path to at least one marked matrix inlet.

Claim 34

The path finding system of claim 29 including matrix identification means for identifying the matrix to which the identified inlet is connected.

Claim 35

The path finding system of claim 30 wherein the matrices and the inlets of each module in each output grid are consecutively numbered, with each module inlet being connected to an outlet of the same numbered matrix and said matrix identification means includes a plurality of matrix selector circuits, each being connected between said third scanning means and the inlets of a different one of the matrices to be enabled to pass scanning pulses therebetween whenever any one of the group selector circuits connected to its respective output grid is enabled and said third scanner has identified a module inlet having the same number.