Arrangement and method for the localized self-control of randomly allotted time slots to audio ports

In a time-shared communication switching system having a plurality of audio ports, each of which has gating means for coupling audio signals to a common transmission medium, channel counter means for providing a plurality of time slot identity bits, each defining a distinct time slot, and a common control for addressing and providing control signals to said audio ports, the improvement comprising a memory and control means including comparator means associated with each of said audio ports, said plurality of time slotted identity bits being coupled in multiple to said audio ports, said audio ports each being addressed by the common control in a specific time slot intended to be allotted to that audio port, any one of said audio ports allottable to any time slot, with said allotment being in a random fashion, a plurality of said audio ports addressable during the same time slot whereby any number of audio ports can be multiplexed for conferencing, said control means being operated as a result of said audio port being addressed to cause the time slot identity bits corresponding to the time slot to be allotted to that audio port to be coupled into and stored in said memory, said comparator means comprising said stored time slot identity bits with each of said plurality of time slot identity bits coupled in multiple to said audio ports and upon determining a match enabling the gating means during the allotted time slot to couple the audio signals onto the common transmission medium, whereby said allotted time slot identity is stored and subsequently used independently of the common control to gate the audio signals onto the common transmission medium.