Apparatus for data communication switching
First Claim
1. A method of data transmission from a plurality of data input devices, each having a data transmit output for transmitting data signals to a data output device and a clear to send input for receiving a signal enabling the sending of data signals to a data output device having a clear to send output and a data receive input, said method comprising the steps of:
- generating a seizure signal for each input device in response to a data signal being transmitted on said data transmit output for any one of said each input device; and
transmitting said generated seizure signal for each data input device to said other input devices whereby said seizure signal generated in response to said data signal being transmitted by one of said input devices prevents said other input devices from transmitting a data signal to said output device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A serial communication apparatus for directing data from a plurality of data input devices to a single data output device comprising a plurality of serial input connectors, a serial output connector, and logic and driver circuitry. The logic and driver circuitry automatically regulate the conditions under which a data input device transmits data to the data output device. In the illustrated embodiment of four data input devices, when all are idle, any of them may transmit data to the output device. If one data input device attempts to transmit data while the another data input device is transmitting data, then the logic and driver circuitry causes the second input device to pause until the first input device data transmission is complete. If both input devices attempt simultaneous data transmission, the logic and driver circuitry resolves the contest and allows only one data input device to transmit to the output device at a time.
71 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of data transmission from a plurality of data input devices, each having a data transmit output for transmitting data signals to a data output device and a clear to send input for receiving a signal enabling the sending of data signals to a data output device having a clear to send output and a data receive input, said method comprising the steps of:
-
generating a seizure signal for each input device in response to a data signal being transmitted on said data transmit output for any one of said each input device; and transmitting said generated seizure signal for each data input device to said other input devices whereby said seizure signal generated in response to said data signal being transmitted by one of said input devices prevents said other input devices from transmitting a data signal to said output device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A communications apparatus for coupling a plurality of data input devices to a data output device, said apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of input connectors for coupling a plurality of data input devices to the apparatus, each connector including a clear to send output and a data transmit input; an output connector for coupling a data output device to the apparatus, the output connector including a clear to send input and a data transmit output; and means for selectively coupling one of the data transmit inputs from one of said input connectors to the data transmit output of said output connector and disabling the data transmit inputs of said unselected input connectors in response to a data signal being transmitted on said one of the data transmit inputs. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification