Method and apparatus for transmitting digital information signals from signal transmitters to signal receivers over switching apparatus

A method for serially transmitting digital communication signals from a signal transmitter in one subscriber station to a signal receiver in another subscriber station by means of a space division multiplex switching network, comprising the steps of:

• generating in said signal transmitter digital communication signals, each digital communication signal being constituted by an information signal and having an address signal prefixed thereto indicating the specific signal receiver to which the communication signal is to be transmitted,
• storing said address signal, prior to transmission, in a first storage means in said signal transmitter,
• storing said information signal, prior to transmission, in a second register in said signal receiver,
• transmitting said digital communication signal to said space division multiplex switching network when an information signal of a predetermined length has been stored in said second storage means, a plurality of said digital communication signals being transmitted in any time sequence and
• establishing a connection through said space division multiplex switching network in accordance with location information contained in said address signal, said connection being established between an input to the switching network receiving the digital communication signal from said signal transmitter and an output of the switching network coupled to said signal receiver in said other subscriber station having an address corresponding to the address signal, said connection being established only for the period of time during which said information signal portion of said digital communication signal is being transmitted.