Adaptive window multiplexing technique

Claim 2

A data acquisition method for communicating data from a plurality of data sources to a single destination comprising the steps of: buffering packets of data ready to be communicated by said sources, said buffering occurring at said sources; defining a sequence in which said plurality of data sources will be individually addressed; addressing a first one of said data sources; permitting said first source to transfer data from its buffer to a multiplexer for a variable time dependent upon the time required for said data source to transfer all of its data in said buffer; and when said buffer has been emptied, then sequentially addressing each of the remaining data sources and permitting each of them in sequence to transfer data from its respective buffer to said multiplexer for a time dependent upon the time required for said respective data source to transfer all of its data in said buffer; buffering data at said multiplexer until said destination is ready to receive data; and transferring the data buffered at said multiplexer to said destination.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein when each of said data sources is addressed, if it has data ready to be communicated, an interruption of said sequential addressing occurs.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 wherein said multiplexer provides the sequential address to said data sources and wherein after said multiplexer addresses a data source, the addressed data source interrupts said sequential addressing and verifies that the address outputted by said multiplexer after said sequential addressing has been interrupted is the address of said data source, and if so, thereafter communicates data to said multiplexer.

Claim 5

The method of claim 2 wherein said sequential addressing is interrupted if inadequate buffering capability exists at said multiplexer.

Claim 6

The method of claim 2 including refraining from said interrupting sequential addressing if the addressed data source determines that data is to be inputted thereto.

Claim 7

The method of claim 2 wherein said interrupting step includes the data source signalling an apparatus operative in said sequential addressing.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 wherein said data sources comprise automatic number identification computers, said data comprises caller telephone numbers and destination telephone numbers, and said single destination comprises a headend station for controlling the distribution of subscriber material electronically to plural subscribers.

Claim 9

A data acquisition system for communicating data from a plurality of data sources to a single destination, comprising: a multiplexer coupled to each of said data sources and to said destination, said multiplexer including: a sequencing circuit for addressing each of said data sources in a sequence; a temporary storage device coupled to receive data transferred from said data sources; and means for transferring data from said storage device to said destination; a respective buffer at each of said data sources, each said buffer coupled to receive and store temporarily packets of data from its data source to be communicated to said single destination; a respective logic circuit at each of said data sources responsive to said sequencing circuit to detect when a respective address is being provided to said logic circuit; a respective transfer means to each of said data sources responsive to said logic circuit and coupled to said respective buffer for transferring data from its respective buffer to said multiplexer; and a signalling device coupled to said data sources and to said sequencing circuit for interrupting said sequencing circuit for a time dependent upon the time required for the currently addressed data source to transfer all of its data from its buffer to said multiplexer.

Claim 10

A data acquisition system for communicating data from a plurality of data sources to a single destination, comprising: a multiplexer coupled to each of said data sources and to said destination, said multiplexer including: a sequencing circuit for addressing each of said data sources in a sequence; a temporary storage device coupled to receive data transferred from said data sources; and means for transferring data from said storage device to said destination; a respective buffer at each of said data sources, each said buffer coupled to receive and store temporarily packets of data from its data source to be communicated to said single destination; a respective logic circuit at each of said data sources responsive to said sequencing circuit to detect when a respective address is being provided to said logic circuit; a respective transfer means to each of said data sources responsive to said logic circuit and coupled to said respective buffer for transferring data from its respective buffer to said multiplexer; and a signalling device coupled to said data sources and to said sequencing circuit for interrupting said sequencing circuit for a time dependent upon the time required for the currently addressed data source to transfer all of its data from its buffer to said multiplexer.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8 wherein said signalling device interrupts said sequencing circuit in response to detecting a predetermined condition respecting the capacity of said temporary storage device.

Claim 12

The system according to claim 8 wherein said sequencing circuit includes a counting circuit, said system including a bus coupling said counting circuit to each of said logic circuits, each of said logic circuits including a comparison circuit for comparing the count on said bus to respective preselected information, said logic circuits being responsive to a signal from said comparison circuit indicating a match for generating a signal indicating that said counting circuit should stop counting; and means communicating said signal from said logic circuit to said sequencing circuit.

Claim 13

The system according to claim 10 wherein said logic circuit is operative further for checking the address outputted by said sequencing circuit after said counting circuit stops, and for transferring data from said data source if the address after said counting circuit has stopped corresponds to the preselected information coupled to said comparison circuit.

Claim 14

The system of claim 8 wherein said data sources comprise automatic number identification computers, said data comprises caller telephone numbers and destination telephone numbers, and said single destination comprises a headend station for controlling the distribution of subscriber material electronically to plural subscribers.