Method and apparatus for providing real-time switching of high bandwidth transmission channels

Patent 5042062 Issued on August 20, 1991. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 23, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3766324

Parallel control of a telephone switching network
Patent #: 3997736
Issued on: 12/14/1976
Inventor: Gorman, II

Arrangement for wideband transmission via a switched network
Patent #: 4577312
Issued on: 03/18/1986
Inventor: Nash

Method and apparatus for establishing a wideband communication facility through a communication network having narrow bandwidth channels
Patent #: 4704716
Issued on: 11/03/1987
Inventor: Bowers , et al.

Digital communication network architecture for providing universal information services Patent #: 4763317
Issued on: 08/09/1988
Inventor: Lehman , et al.

Inventors

Assignee

AT&T Bell Laboratories

Application

No. 425644 filed on 10/23/1989

US Classes:

348/14.11, Switching370/384, Having a supervisory signaling feature370/431, CHANNEL ASSIGNMENT TECHNIQUES370/524, Using a dedicated signaling channel (i.e., D-channel)379/93.14, Having switching station379/219PLURAL EXCHANGE NETWORK OR INTERCONNECTION

Examiners

Primary: Dwyer, James L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Watland; R. T., Visserman; P.

International Class

H04M 011/00

Abstract

Broadband terminals, such as video terminals and a video conferencing system, are directly connected to broadband digital access crossconnect systems and connections between the terminals are established via the crossconnects and DS1 or DS3 interconnecting links under control of telephone exchanges associated with the different crossconnects. A broadband terminal is connected to an associated exchange, as well as, a crossconnect and a connection from one terminal to another may be requested by transmitting a special code to the exchange together with a directory number assigned to the desired broadband terminal. The central office, on the basis of the directory number, area code and exchange code, selects a broadband interconnecting link from the crossconnect to which the originating terminal is connected to the crossconnect to which the terminating terminal is connected. Furthermore, the originating exchange transmits the identity of the selected link and the directory number via a common channel signaling system to the exchange associated with the requested terminal. Both the originating and terminating exchanges transmit connect messages to their associated crossconnects to establish a broadband path between the two terminals.

Other References

J. S. Linnell et al., "New Customer-Controlled DS3 Video Switch", Telephony Magazine, pp. 53-60, Jun. 16, 1986
Northern Telecom Marketing Bulletins dated Oct. 12, 1989, entitled, "S/DMS AccessNode Residential Fiber Access Applications", Fiber World Wire Central Consolidation, S/DMS TransportNode, S/DMS AccessNode Business Access Applications, S/DMS SuperNode System, S/DMS SuperNode Remote Access in the Fiber World, Fiber World SERVICES, Fiber World Operations, Administration, Maintenance & Provisioning, SONET Overview
Northern Telecom Product Announcements dated Oct. 1989, entitled, "Northern Telecom Introduces Sonet-Based DMS Supermode Product Family", Northern Telecom Introduces Sonet-Based Fiber Transport System, Northern Telecom Introduces Sonet-Based Fiber Access System, Background Information-The Technology Behind Fiber World
News Release-Northern Telecom Introduces, "Fiberworld", Family of Fiber Optic Transmission/Switching Products-dated Oct. 12, 1989
Copies of Slides dated Oct. 10, 1989, entitled "Fiber World"
Copies of Slides dated Oct. 9, 1989, and Oct. 10, 1989, entitled, "The Products", by John Taylo