US3980831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data switching system
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1975-04-30
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Granted: 1976-09-14
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Expires: 1995-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A data switching system having a number of subscriber sets connected over a broad band transmission line capable of handling traffic within and without the voice frequency range to a switching center is described. The system handles transmissions of audio and video telephone conversations, television programs and data communications between connected parties. Subscriber sets are provided which have, in addition to the usual telephone circuit and character generator, a video receiver and transmitter, data terminals used as control elements and a common control device. The latter is connected over a subscriber line to the switching center for enabling the operation of the control elements as needed for the selected operating mode. In the switching center the subscriber line is connected parallel with more than one input of a multisectional switching network. One of the aforementioned inputs receives telephone traffic, another receives radio and television programs and others are used for video telephone and other data traffic in one or two directions. The various coupling elements in the switching network are operable independently of one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Mertel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17345; H04N7/17354; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04Q; H04Q11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
In a data switching system having a plurality of subscriber sets, each connected to a switching center by a transmission line having a bandwidth sufficiently great to be capable of handling frequencies in a range permitting transmission of telephony frequencies, radio and television program frequencies, video telephone signals and data communications between connected subscriber sets, the improvement comprising: telephone circuit means, character generator means, video transmitter and receiver means, data terminal means, common control means and a common trunk circuit in each said subscriber set, said common control means including means for selectively connecting one or more than one of the others of said means constituting said subscriber set in accordance with the selected modes of operation to said common trunk circuit, a common subscriber line having one end connected to said common trunk circuit, said switching center including a multisectional switching network having a section for receiving and switching telephone traffic, a section for receiving and switching television and radio program traffic and a section including an input for operating alone or in conjunction with said telephone switching section for receiving video telephone and other data signals, said sections of said multisectional switching network being, respectively, independently operable and a common line termination circuit having an output terminal connected to the other end of said common subscriber line and inputs connected, respectively, to outputs from said sections of said multisectional switching network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
In a data switching system having a plurality of subscriber sets, each connected to a switching center by a transmission line having a bandwidth sufficiently great to be capable of handling frequencies in a range permitting transmission of telephony frequencies, radio and television program frequencies, video telephone signals and data communications between connected subscriber sets, the improvement comprising: telephone circuit means, character generator means, video transmitter and receiver means, data terminal means, common control means and a common trunk circuit in each said subscriber set, said common control means including means for selectively connecting one or more than one of the others of said means constituting said subscriber set in accordance with the selected modes of operation to said common trunk circuit, a common subscriber line having one end connected to said common trunk circuit, said switching center including a multisectional switching network having a section for receiving and switching telephone traffic, a section for receiving and switching television and radio program traffic and a section including an input for operating alone or in conjunction with said telephone switching section for receiving video telephone and other data signals, said sections of said multisectional switching network being, respectively, independently operable and a common line termination circuit having an output terminal connected to the other end of said common subscriber line and inputs connected, respectively, to outputs from said sections of said multisectional switching network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 1 further comprising: signal generator means for producing and sending to said switching center a signal indicative of the selected mode of operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 2 wherein said common control means includes logic circuit means for monitoring the operations of the components of said subscriber set means, ascertaining the selected mode of operation and causes transmission of the signal from said generator means to said switching center.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 2 wherein said common control means includes mode selection switch means for causing the connection of components of said subscriber set needed for a selected mode of operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 1 further comprising: means in said switching center responsive to said character generator means for selecting specific portions of a selected mode of operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 5 further comprising: storage means for storing the mode identifying signals from said signal generator means and means for interpreting output signals from said character generator means differently from said mode identifying signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 6 where, when two modes of operation are actuated concurrently, means in said subscriber set emits a signal to said switching center ensuring assignment of the pulsing signals to one of the active modes of operation in addition to the signals emitted from said character generator means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 7 wherein upon completion of a given mode of operation a sign-off signal is sent to said switching center for extinguishing the storage of said mode identifying signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 8 wherein the signals emitted from said character generator means and said mode identifying signals are transmitted in the voice frequency range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 1 further comprising: a power source in said switching center connected by means of a subscriber line for supplying power to said telephone circuit means and to said character generator means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 1 wherein said switching center includes multiple sources of television and radio programs transmitting in different time or frequency channels connected by means of parallel coupling elements to said input for television and radio programs, said subscriber sets including converters adapted to receive, respectively, said different time or frequency channels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said subscriber sets are connected to a common subscriber line, said common transmission line having a sufficiently broad bandwidth so as to accomodate a number of radio and television programs being transmitted in separate bands.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improved data switching system defined in claim 11 further comprising additional receivers in a said subscriber set having a program selector controlling the program selection in said switching center.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-09-14 | 1980-03-15 | 1980-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-09-14 | 1984-03-15 | 1984-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-09-14 | 1988-03-15 | 1988-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |