Electro-optical and electronic switching systems

Claim 2

A switching system comprising an array of substantially contiguous radiation sensitive electrical circuit devices, means to selectively direct radiation to any selected one of said devices comprising means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause direction of radiation to selected ones of said devices which correspond to said destination information, means to modulate said radiation in accordance with information, and separate electrical circuits connected with each of said devices to electrically transmit signals from said devices created in response to said modulated radiation.

Claim 3

The switching system as in claim 1 in which said means to selectively direct radiation comprises a cathode ray tube which generates said radiation at selected positions on its screen and said array comprises a plurality of individual photosensors.

Claim 4

The switching system as in claim 2 also comprising a stationary lens positioned between the screen of said cathode ray tube and said array to focus light generated on said screen to pre-selected areas on said array.

Claim 5

The switching system as in claim 2 also comprising an electrical amplifier in each said separate electrical circuit to amplify signals from the said photosensor connected with said circuit.

Claim 6

The switching system as in claim 3 also comprising an electrical amplifier in each said separate electrical circuit to amplify signals from the said photosensor connected with said circuit.

Claim 7

The switching system as in claim 5 also comprising digital to analogue conversion means to convert digital control signals to signals to control the horizontal and vertical axis deflection of said cathode ray tube.

Claim 8

A switching system comprising an array of individual photosensors, a cathode ray tube positioned to selectively direct light generated by said tube to any selected one of said photosensors, a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to the beam-intensity control of said tube repetitively, means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the beam deflection within said tube so that signals from each said line are directed to different pre-selected ones of said photosensors, and control means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause said means to control beam deflection to direct signals from each line to photosensors which correspond to said destination information.

Claim 9

A switching system comprising an array of individual photosensors, a cathode ray tube positioned to selectively direct light generated by said tube to any selected one of said photosensors, a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to the beam-intensity control of said tube repetitively, means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the beam deflection within said tube so that signals from each said line are directed to different pre-selected ones of said photosensors, and control means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause said means to control beam deflection to direct signals from each line to photosensors which correspond to said destination information.

Claim 10

The switching system as in claim 7 also comprising a generator of clock pulses substantially equally spaced in time, and wherein said means to periodically connect comprises a counter responsive to said clock pulses and a gate control network responsive to the status of said counter.

Claim 11

The switching system as in claim 8 wherein said means to control the deflection comprises a digital storage unit adapted to store deflection information for said tube, a data register to receive said deflection information and operatively apply it to said tube, and an address select register operative on said digital storage unit and responsive to the status of said counter.

Claim 12

The switching system as in claim 9 also comprising a supervisory control unit to control the insertion and extraction of data from said digital storage unit.

Claim 13

A switching system comprising an array of individual photosensors, at least two electron beam sources operative with at least one light generating screen in the basic design of a cathode ray tube to selectively direct said beams to selected areas of said screen, light directing means to direct light generated by all said beams on said screen to any selected one of said photosensors, and control means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause said light directing means to direct light to photosensors which correspond to said destination information.

Claim 14

A switching system comprising an array of individual photosensors, at least two electron beam sources operative with at least one light generating screen in the basic design of a cathode ray tube to selectively direct said beams to selected areas of said screen, light directing means to direct light generated by all said beams on said screen to any selected one of said photosensors, and control means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause said light directing means to direct light to photosensors which correspond to said destination information.

Claim 15

The switching system as in claim 11 wherein said at least two beam sources operative in the basic design of a cathode ray tube comprise at least two separate cathode ray tubes.

Claim 16

The switching system as in claim 11 also comprising at least one plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals operatively associated with one of said beams, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the intensity of the beam associated with said lines repetitively, and means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the beam deflection between the beam source and said screen so that signals from each of said lines are directed to different pre-selected ones of said photosensors.

Claim 17

The switching system as in claim 12 also comprising at least one plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals operatively associated with one of said beams, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the intensity of the beam associated with said lines repetitively, and means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the beam deflection within the tube so that signals from each said line are directed to different pre-selected ones of said photosensors.

Claim 18

The switching system as in claim 11 wherein said light directing means comprises an enlarging lens operatively associated with each area of said screen on which each of said beams is operative to generate light.

Claim 19

The switching system as in claim 12 wherein said light directing means comprises an enlarging lens operatively associated with each said cathode ray tube.

Claim 20

The switching system as in claim 15 also comprising at least one plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals operatively associated with one of said beams, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the intensity of the beam associated with said lines repetitively, and means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the beam deflection between the beam source and said screen so that signals from each said line are directed to different pre-selected ones of said photosensors.

Claim 21

The switching system as in claim 16 also comprising at least one plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals operatively associated with one of said beams, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the intensity of the beam associated with said lines repetitively, and means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the beam deflection within the tube so that signals from each said line are directed to different pre-selected ones of said photosensors.

Claim 22

A switching system comprising an array of individual photosensors, means comprising a cathode ray tube positioned to selectively direct light generated by said tube to selected ones of said photosensors and comprising means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause light generated to be directed to selected ones of said photosensors which correspond to said destination information, a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, a plurality of radiation generating devices, a different one of said electrical lines being connected to operate each of said devices to produce radiation modulated by the signal on the line, gating means connected to control each of said devices, gate control circuitry responsive to a cyclical input signal to open said gating means for each of said devices in response to a different status of the input signal so that all of said devices are gated open periodically and repetitively, means to direct the radiation generated by said devices to a radiation sensitive device, and a single electric circuit operatively connected to said radiation sensitive device and operatively connected to the beam-intensity control of said cathode ray tube.

Claim 23

A switching system comprising an array of individual photosensors, means comprising a cathode ray tube positioned to selectively direct light generated by said tube to selected ones of said photosensors and comprising means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause light generated to be directed to selected ones of said photosensors which correspond to said destination information, a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, a plurality of radiation generating devices, a different one of said electrical lines being connected to operate each of said devices to produce radiation modulated by the signal on the line, gating means connected to control each of said devices, gate control circuitry responsive to a cyclical input signal to open said gating means for each of said devices in response to a different status of the input signal so that all of said devices are gated open periodically and repetitively, means to direct the radiation generated by said devices to a radiation sensitive device, and a single electric circuit operatively connected to said radiation sensitive device and operatively connected to the beam-intensity control of said cathode ray tube.

Claim 24

The switching system as in claim 19 wherein said radiation generating devices are light emitting diodes.

Claim 25

The switching system as in claim 20 wherein said gate control circuitry comprises circuitry responsive to digital input information.

Claim 26

A telephone switching system comprising interfacing means to convert signals from telephones on single lines into two separate signals, one for receiving from the telephone and one for transmitting to the telephone, an array of substantially contiguous radiation sensitive electrical circuit devices, means to selectively direct radiation to any selected one of said devices, means to modulate said radiation in accordance with information received through said interfacing means, separate electrical circuits connected with each of said devices to electrically transmit signals received by the devices, and data storage and utilization means to receive information from a telephone describing the telephone transmitting and a telephone number called at the telephone transmitting and to utilize said information to control said means to selectively direct radiation so that received signals from said interfacing means from a telephone from which a telephone number is called are directed to a said circuit device connected to the receive line of the called telephone and the transmitted signal from said interfacing means from the called telephone is directed to a said circuit device connected to the receive line of the telephone from which the called telephone was called.

Claim 27

A telephone switching system comprising interfacing means to convert signals from telephones on single lines into two separate signals, one for receiving from the telephone and one for transmitting to the telephone, an array of substantially contiguous radiation sensitive electrical circuit devices, means to selectively direct radiation to any selected one of said devices, means to modulate said radiation in accordance with information received through said interfacing means, separate electrical circuits connected with each of said devices to electrically transmit signals received by the devices, and data storage and utilization means to receive information from a telephone describing the telephone transmitting and a telephone number called at the telephone transmitting and to utilize said information to control said means to selectively direct radiation so that received signals from said interfacing means from a telephone from which a telephone number is called are directed to a said circuit device connected to the receive line of the called telephone and the transmitted signal from said interfacing means from the called telephone is directed to a said circuit device connected to the receive line of the telephone from which the called telephone was called.

Claim 28

The telephone switching system as in claim 22 in which said means to selectively direct radiation comprises a cathode ray tube which generates said radiation at selected positions on its screen and said array comprises a plurality of individual photosensors.

Claim 29

The telephone switching system as in claim 23 also comprising a stationary lens positioned between the screen of said cathode ray tube and said array to focus light generated on said screen to preselected areas on said array.

Claim 30

The switching system as in claim 22 also comprising electronic application and control means to connect devices for sensing, signaling, and recording, in accordance with the requirements of telephone call processing, to the proper place within said switching system and at the correct time, and wherein said data storage and utilization means comprises supervisory control unit means, and wherein said means are responsive to control information from said supervisory control unit so that said supervisory control unit controls said electronic application and control means to fulfill the requirements of telephone call processing.

Claim 31

The switching system as in claim 23 also comprising electronic application and control means to connect devices for sensing, signaling, and recording, in accordance with the requirements of telephone call processing, to the proper place within said switching system and at the correct time, and wherein said data storage utilization means comprises supervisory control unit means, and wherein said means are responsive to control information from said supervisory control unit so that said supervisory control unit controls said electronic application and control means to fulfill the requirements of telephone call processing.

Claim 32

The switching system as in claim 24 also comprising electronic application and control means to connect devices for sensing, signaling, and recording, in accordance with the requirements of telephone call processing, to the proper place within said switching system and at the correct time, and wherein said data storage and utilization means comprises supervisory control unit means, and wherein said means are responsive to control information from said supervisory control unit so that said supervisory control unit controls said electronic application and control means to fulfill the requirements of telephone call processing.

Claim 33

A switching system comprising means to generate a directional beam of sensible emanations which travels in a substantially linear path unless disturbed, an array of substantially contiguous electrical circuit devices sensitive to said emanations, means to selectively direct said emanations to any selected one of said devices comprising means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause direction of said beam to selected ones of said devices which correspond to said destination information, means to modulate said emanations in accordance with information, and separate electrical circuits connected with each of said devices to electrically transmit signals from said devices created in response to said modulated emanations.

Claim 34

A switching system comprising means to generate a directional beam of sensible emanations which travels in a substantially linear path unless disturbed, an array of substantially contiguous electrical circuit devices sensitive to said emanations, means to selectively direct said emanations to any selected one of said devices comprising means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause direction of said beam to selected ones of said devices which correspond to said destination information, means to modulate said emanations in accordance with information, and separate electrical circuits connected with each of said devices to electrically transmit signals from said devices created in response to said modulated emanations.

Claim 35

The switching system as in claim 28 in which said means to generate a directional beam and said electrical circuit devices sensitive to said emanations are within the same evacuated envelope, said sensible emanations are cathode rays, said electrical circuit devices are electrically conductive areas, and said cathode rays are produced and directed and applied to said conductive areas within said envelope in a system operative in the basic design of a cathode ray tube.

Claim 36

The switching system as in claim 29 also comprising an electrical amplifier in each said separate electrical circuit to amplify signals from the said conductive area connected with said circuit.

Claim 37

The switching system as in claim 29 also comprising a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the modulation of a said beam of sensible emanations, and means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control said means to direct emanations so that signals from each said line are directed to different preselected ones of said sensitive devices.

Claim 38

The switching system as in claim 31 also comprising means responsive to said message destination information to determine a sequence of the said directing of said emanations which minimizes distances of beam movement between successive redirections of said emanations, and means to connect signals from said lines to carry input signals to modulate said emanations in said determined sequence.

Claim 39

The switching system as in claim 29 in which said system operative in the basic design of a cathode ray tube has at least two sources of directional beams of cathode rays, each of which beams can be selectively directed to any of said conductive areas and each of which beams can be modulated with information from different incoming messages.

Claim 40

The switching system as in claim 33 also comprising an electrical amplifier in each said separate electrical circuit to amplify signals from the said conductive area connected with said conduit.

Claim 41

The switching system as in claim 33 also comprising a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the modulation of a said beam of sensible emanations, and means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control said means to direct emanations so that signals from each said line are directed to different pre-selected ones of said sensitive devices.

Claim 42

The switching system as in claim 35 also comprising means responsive to said message destination information to determine a sequence of the said directing of said emanations which minimizes distances of beam movement between successive redirections of said emanations, and means to connect signals from said lines to carry input signals to modulate said emanations in said determined sequence.

Claim 43

The switching system as in claim 28 also comprising a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the modulation of a said beam of sensible emanations, and means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control said means to direct emanations so that signals from each said line are directed to different pre-selected ones of said sensitive devices.

Claim 44

The switching system as in claim 37 also comprising means responsive to said message destination information to determine a sequence of the said directing of said emanations which minimizes distances of beam movement between successive redirections of said emanations, and means to connect signals from said lines to carry input signals to modulate said emanations in the said determined sequence.

Claim 45

A switching system comprising an array of substantially contiguous radiation sensitive electrical circuit devices, means to selectively direct radiation to any selected one of said devices comprising means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause direction of radiation to selected ones of said devices which correspond to said destination information, means to modulate said radiation in accordance with information, separate electrical circuits connected with each of said devices to electrically transmit signals from said devices created in response to said modulated radiation, a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the modulation of said radiation, means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the direction of said radiation so that signals from each said line are directed to different ones of said devices, means responsive to said message destination information to determine a sequence of the said directing of said radiation which minimizes distances of movement of said radiation between successive redirections of said radiation, and means to connect signals from said lines to carry input signals to modulate said radiation in said determined sequence.

Claim 46

A switching system comprising an array of substantially contiguous radiation sensitive electrical circuit devices, means to selectively direct radiation to any selected one of said devices comprising means to respond to message destination information from incoming signals to cause direction of radiation to selected ones of said devices which correspond to said destination information, means to modulate said radiation in accordance with information, separate electrical circuits connected with each of said devices to electrically transmit signals from said devices created in response to said modulated radiation, a plurality of electrical lines adapted to carry input signals, means to periodically connect individual ones of said lines to control the modulation of said radiation, means coordinated with said means to periodically connect to control the direction of said radiation so that signals from each said line are directed to different ones of said devices, means responsive to said message destination information to determine a sequence of the said directing of said radiation which minimizes distances of movement of said radiation between successive redirections of said radiation, and means to connect signals from said lines to carry input signals to modulate said radiation in said determined sequence.

Claim 47

The switching system as in claim 39 which said means to selectively direct radiation comprises a cathode ray tube which generates said radiation at selected positions on its screen, and said array comprises a plurality of individual photosensors.

Claim 48

The switching system as in claim 40 also comprising a stationary lens positioned between the screen of said cathode ray tube and said array to focus light generated on said screen to preselected areas on said array.

Claim 49

The switching system as in claim 41 also comprising an electrical amplifier in each said separate electrical circuit to amplify signals from the said photosensor connected with said circuit.