Control system for switching networks

Claim 2

In a multistage switching network of the type providing a plurality of paths through grouped links for interconnecting circuits connected to opposite ends of the network, an improved control system locating and completing free paths through said network between marked circuits at opposite ends of the network, the control system including a plurality of scanners eAch having a plurality of scan lines, each of the scan lines associated with a portion of the paths, the scanners including means for generating a plurality of scan pulses in succession, the generating means including means for applying the scan pulses each to a different one of the plurality of scan lines, and means for enabling the plurality of scanners in sequence to identify path portions including one of the links of a unique one of the free paths between the marked circuits, the improvement comprising: means associated with each of the scan lines for receiving one of the scan pulses, means connected to the receiving means and responsive to the one scan pulse for connecting the associated path portion of the network, to the scanner; and means connected to each of the receiving means of at least one of the scanners for selectively inhibiting all but one of the connecting means associated with the at least one scanner.

Claim 3

An improved control system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said inhibiting means is connected to the receiving means of all of the scanners so that each of said scanners can be individually inhibited.

Claim 4

An improved control system as defined in claim 1 wherein: said inhibiting means includes a manually operated switching circuit.

Claim 5

A control system as defined in claim 3 wherein: each of the scan pulse generating means includes a counter connected to a decoder, the decoder having a plurality of outputs each connected to a different one of the scan lines, each of the connecting means includes a gating circuit having a separate normally enabled gate for each scan line, and separate ones of the switching circuits are connected to separate ones of the gating circuits so that when preset the switching circuit inhibits all but one of the gates in the connected gating circuit.

Claim 6

An improved control system as defined in claim 4, further including: a plurality of matrix selector circuits, each including a group of links that define unique paths for interconnecting circuits connected to opposite ends of the network, said matrix selector circuits including means for opening the links included therein; a manually operated selector switching circuit that can be preset to designate a matrix selector circuit for defining a group of links to be used in selecting a free path; and circuit means connecting the selector switching circuit to said matrix selector circuit so that, when the selector circuit is preset to designate a matrix selector circuit, the group of links in all but those included in a designated matrix selector circuit are opened.

Claim 7

In a multistage switching network of the type providing a plurality of paths through grouped links for interconnecting circuits connected to opposite ends of the network, an improved control system locating and completing free paths through said network between marked circuits at opposite ends of the network, the control system including at least three scanners each having a plurality of scan lines, each of the scan lines associated with a portion of the paths, the scanners including means for generating a plurality of scan pulses in succession, the generating means including means for applying the scan pulses each to a different one of the plurality of scan lines, and means for enabling the plurality of scanners in sequence to identify path portions including one of the links of a unique one of the free paths between the marked circuits, the improvement comprising: first means for connecting the scan lines of a first of the at least three scanners to groups of links between two stages of said network to select a group of links having a link forming a portion of a free path between the marked circuits; second means for connecting the scan lines of a second one of the at least three scanners to individual links within the groups scanned by the first scanner to select a free link with a group forming a portion of a free path between the marked circuits; ciRcuit means for connecting the scan lines of a third of the at least three scanners to scan individual links between the stages of said networks other than that scanned by said first and second scanners to select a free link forming a portion of a free path between marked circuits; circuit means for enabling the first, second and third scanner circuit in sequence so that said scanner circuits locate and complete a free path through said network; and preselect circuit means connected to at least one of said first, second and third scanners for inhibiting said at least one scanner from applying the scan pulse to all but a single preselected output scan line.

Claim 8

In a multistage switching network of the type providing a plurality of paths through grouped links for interconnecting circuits connected to opposite ends of the network, an improved control system locating and completing free paths through said network between marked circuits at opposite ends of the network, the control system including at least three scanners each having a plurality of scan lines, each of the scan lines associated with a portion of the paths, the scanners including means for generating a plurality of scan pulses in succession, the generating means including means for applying the scan pulses each to a different one of the plurality of scan lines, and means for enabling the plurality of scanners in sequence to identify path portions including one of the links of a unique one of the free paths between the marked circuits, the improvement comprising: first means for connecting the scan lines of a first of the at least three scanners to groups of links between two stages of said network to select a group of links having a link forming a portion of a free path between the marked circuits; second means for connecting the scan lines of a second one of the at least three scanners to individual links within the groups scanned by the first scanner to select a free link with a group forming a portion of a free path between the marked circuits; ciRcuit means for connecting the scan lines of a third of the at least three scanners to scan individual links between the stages of said networks other than that scanned by said first and second scanners to select a free link forming a portion of a free path between marked circuits; circuit means for enabling the first, second and third scanner circuit in sequence so that said scanner circuits locate and complete a free path through said network; and preselect circuit means connected to at least one of said first, second and third scanners for inhibiting said at least one scanner from applying the scan pulse to all but a single preselected output scan line.

Claim 9

An improved control system as defined in claim 6 wherein: said preselect circuit means is connected to each of said scanners.

Claim 10

A control system as defined in claim 7 wherein: said preselect circuit means includes a separate manually operated switching circuit for each of said scanner circuits, that can be separately preset to designate the output scan lines to be scanned in locating a free path, and circuit means connecting said switching circuits to separate ones of said scanners so that the scanners can be separately inhibited.

Claim 11

A control system as defined in claim 8 wherein: each of said scanners includes a counter connected to a decoder, the decoder having a plurality of outputs each connected to a different one of the scan lines, and a normally enabled gating circuit including a separate gate corresponding to each of the scan lines, and separate ones of said switching circuits are connected to separate ones of said gating circuit so that when preset said switching circuit enables only one of said gates in the connected gating circuits.

Claim 12

A control system as defined in claim 9, further including: a plurality of matrix selector circuits, each including a group of links that define unique paths for interconnecting circuits connected to opposite ends of the network, said matrix selector circuits include means for opening the links included therein; a manually operated selector switching circuit that can be preset to designate a matrix selector circuit for defining a group of links to be used in selecting a free path; and circuit means connecting the selector switching circuit to said matrix selector circuits so that, when the matrix selector circuit is preset to designate a matrix selector circuit, the group of links in all but those included in the designated matrix selector are opened.