Simplified switching control device, and a network system for employing the device: and a simplified switching control method, and a communication method for employing the method

A switching device, which switches signals between N input terminals and N output terminals, comprising:

• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with a predetermined one of N different channels, wherein said respective predetermined channels of said fixed channel transmission means do not overlap;
• variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving said signal carried by a given channel of said N channels, and for outputting a signal to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N output terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means.

A network, in which a plurality of terminal equipments are connected by a switching device, comprising:

• a plurality of terminal equipments;
• and
• a switching device, which receives signals from said terminal equipments at N input terminals thereof and outputs signals to said terminal equipment from N output terminals,? thereof wherein said switching device comprises:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals,
• variable channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with one of N different channels,
• fixed channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel transmission means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, wherein said given channel of said fixed channel reception means does not overlap another channel of said fixed channel reception means,
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering, in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel, and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means.

A network, in which a plurality of terminal equipments are connected by a switching device, comprising:

• a plurality of terminal equipments;
• and
• a switching device, which receives signals from said terminal equipments at N input terminals thereof and outputs signals to said terminal equipments from N output terminals thereof, said switching device comprising:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with a predetermined one of N different channels, wherein said respective predetermined channels of said fixed channel transmission means do not overlap;
• variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving said signal carried by a given channel of said N channels, and for outputting a signal to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N output terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means.

A network, which transmits signals with N channels, comprising:

• terminal equipments connected to said N channels;
• separation means for separating a signal that is to be output to a connected terminal equipment from signals that are transmitted with said channels, and for outputting said signal to said connected terminal equipment;
• insertion means for inserting signals into said channels;
• and
• a switching device, which has N input terminals and N output terminals, for switching signals transmitted with said channels so as to be transmitted with predetermined channels, said switching device comprising:
• buffer means one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• variable channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with one of N different channels;
• fixed channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel transmission means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, wherein said given channel of said fixed channel reception means does not overlap another channel of said fixed channel reception means;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering, in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means.

A network, which transmits signals with N channels, comprising:

• terminal equipments connected to said N channels;
• separation means for separating a signal that is to be output to a connected terminal from signals that are transmitted with said channels, and for outputting said signal to said connected terminal;
• insertion means for inserting signals into said channels;
• and
• a switching device, which has N input terminals and N output terminals, for switching signals transmitted with said channels so as to be transmitted with predetermined channels, said switching device comprising,
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with a predetermined one of N different channels, wherein said respective predetermined channels of said fixed channel transmission means do not overlap;
• variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving said signal carried by a given channel of said N channels, and for outputting a signal to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N output terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means.

A network, in which a plurality of switching devices are connected, comprising:

• a plurality of switching devices each having N input terminals and N output terminals;
• channels with which output terminals belonging to a first output terminal group comprising some of said N output terminals of each of said switching devices are connected to input terminals belonging to a first input terminal group comprising some of said N input terminals of each of other switching devices, the number of said some of said N output terminals being equal to that of said some of said N input terminals;
• and
• a plurality of terminal equipments connected to input terminals of a second input terminal group, of each of said switching devices, that includes input terminals other than those of said first input terminal group, and connected to output terminals of a second output terminal group that includes output terminals other than those of said first output terminal group,
• wherein at least one of said switching device comprises:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• variable channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with one of N different channels;
• fixed channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel transmission means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, wherein said given channel of said fixed channel reception means does not overlap another channel of said fixed channel reception means;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering, in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means, and wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is transmitted by said variable channel transmission means which transmits a signal input from said first input terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means which respectively output signals to said first output terminal group, is greater than a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means, which respectively transmit signals to said second output terminal group, and wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is transmitted by said variable channel transmission means, which respectively transmit a signal input from said second input terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means which respectively output signals to said second output terminal group is greater than a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means which respectively output signals to said first output terminal group.

A network, in which a plurality of switching devices are connected, comprising:

• a plurality of switching devices each having N input terminals and N output terminals;
• channels with which output terminals belonging to a first output terminal group comprising some of said N output terminals of each of said switching devices are connected to input terminals belonging to a first input terminal group comprising some of said N input terminals of each of other switching devices, the number of said some of said N output terminals being equal to that of said some of said N input terminals;
• and
• a plurality of terminal equipments connected to input terminals of a second input terminal group, of each of said switching devices, that includes input terminals other than those of said first input terminal group, and connected to output terminals of a second output terminal group that includes output terminals other than those of said first output terminal group,
• wherein at least one of said switching device comprises:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with a predetermined one of N different channels, wherein said respective predetermined channels of said fixed channel transmission means do not overlap;
• variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving said signal carried by a given channel of said N channels, and for outputting a signal to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N output terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means, and wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is received by said variable channel reception means which respectively transmit signals to said first output terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively output signals from said first input terminal group is greater than a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively transmit signals from said second input terminal group, and wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is received by said variable channel reception means, which respectively transmit signals to said second output terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively output signals from said second input terminal group is greater than a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively output signals from said first input terminal group.

A switching method for a switching device, which switches signals between N input terminals and N output terminals, and which comprises:

• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• variable channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with one of N different channels;
• and fixed channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel transmission means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, said given channels of said fixed channel reception means not overlapping one another, said switching method comprising the steps of:
• synchronously altering, in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel;
• and
• controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration of channels with which said variable channel transmission means transmit signals.

A switching method for a switching device, which switches signals between N input terminals and N output terminals, and which comprises:

• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with a predetermined one of N different channels, said predetermined channels of said fixed channel transmission means not overlapping one another;
• and variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving said signal carried by a given channel of said N channels, and for outputting a signal to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, said switching method comprising the steps of:
• synchronously altering, in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N output terminals receive a signal, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• and
• controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration of channels with which said variable channel reception means receive signals.

A communication method in a network, which has a plurality of terminal equipments connected by a switching device that receives signals from said terminal equipments at N input terminals thereof and outputs signals to said terminal equipments from N output terminals thereof, said switching device comprising:

• input buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• variable channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said input buffer means, with one of N different channels;
• and fixed channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel transmission means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, said given channels of said fixed channel reception means not overlapping one another, said communication method comprising the steps of:
• transmitting a first signal from one of said terminal equipments toward said switching device;
• storing said first signal in one of said input buffer means in said switching device;
• synchronously altering in said switching device, according to predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel, and
• reading from said input buffer means said first signal in synchronization such that a channel with which said variable channel transmission means transmits a signal from said input buffer means storing said first signal matches a reception channel for said fixed channel reception means corresponding to an output terminal connected to one of said terminal equipments that is a transmission destination of said first signal.

A communication method in a network, which has a plurality of terminal equipments connected by a switching device that receives signals from said terminal equipments at N input terminals thereof and outputs signals to said terminal equipments from N output terminals thereof, said switching device comprising:

• input buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said input buffer means, with one of N different channels, said given channels of said fixed channel transmission means not overlapping one another;
• and variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel reception means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, said communication method comprising the steps of:
• transmitting a first signal from one of said terminal equipment toward said switching device;
• storing said first signal in one of said input buffer means in said switching device;
• synchronously altering in said switching device, according to predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel, and
• reading from said input buffer means said first signal in synchronization such that a channel with which said fixed channel transmission means transmits a signal from said input buffer means storing said first signal matches a reception channel for said variable channel reception means corresponding to an output terminal connected to one of said terminal equipments that is a transmission destination of said first signal.

A communication method for a network system in which signals are transmitted with N channels and which comprises:

• terminal equipments connected to said N channels;
• separation means for separating a signal that is to be output to a connected terminal equipment from signals that are transmitted with passed along said channels, and for outputting said signal to said connected terminal equipment;
• insertion means for inserting signals into said channels;
• and
• a switching device, which has N input terminals and N output terminals, for switching signals transmitted with said channels so as to be transmitted with predetermined channels, said switching device comprising:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• variable channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with one of N different channels;
• fixed channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel transmission means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, wherein said given channel of said fixed channel reception means do not overlap one another;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering, in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means,
• said communication method comprising the steps of:
• transmitting a first signal from one of said terminal equipment toward said switching device, added with an address indicating said separation means to which a destination terminal equipment is connected and an address indicating a channel with which said separation means separates a signal;
• storing said first signal in one of said input buffer means in said switching device;
• synchronously altering in said switching device, according to predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel;
• reading from said input buffer means said first signal in synchronization such that a channel with which said variable channel transmission means transmits a signal from said input buffer means storing said first signal matches a reception channel for said fixed channel reception means corresponding to an output terminal to which said first signal is to be output with a destination channel;
• and
• separating said first signal by said separation means that corresponds to said address that indicates said separation means in said first signal, and outputting said first signal to a destination terminal equipment.

A communication method for a network system in which signals are transmitted with N channels and which comprises:

• terminal equipments connected to said N channels;
• separation means for separating a signal that is to be output to a connected terminal equipment from signals that are transmitted with passed along said channels, and for outputting said signal to said connected terminal equipment;
• insertion means for inserting signals into said channels;
• and
• a switching device, which has N input terminals and N output terminals, for switching signals transmitted with said channels so as to be transmitted with predetermined channels, said switching device comprising:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals;
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with a predetermined one of N different channels, wherein said respective predetermined channels of said fixed channel transmission means do not overlap;
• variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving said signal carried by a given channel of said N channels, and for outputting a signal to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals;
• variable channel control means for synchronously altering, in accordance with predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N output terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• and
• buffer control means for controlling said buffer means which read signals to be output in synchronization with said alteration by said variable channel control means,
• said communication method comprising the steps of:
• transmitting a first signal from one of said terminal equipment toward said switching device, added with an address indicating said separation means to which a destination terminal equipment is connected and an address indicating a channel with which said separation means separates a signal;
• storing said first signal in one of said input buffer means in said switching device;
• synchronously altering in said switching device, according to the predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception respectively corresponding to said N output terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• reading from said input buffer means said first signal in synchronization such that a channel with which said variable channel transmission means transmits a signal from said input buffer means storing said first signal matches a reception channel for said variable channel reception means corresponding to an output terminal to which said first signal is to be output with a destination channel;
• and
• separating said first signal by said separation means that corresponds to said address that indicates said separation means in said first signal, and outputting said first signal to a destination terminal equipment.

A communication method for a network in which a plurality of switching devices are connected and which comprises:

• a plurality of switching devices each having N input terminals and N output terminals;
• channels with which output terminals belonging to a first output terminal group comprising some of said N output terminals of each of said switching devices are connected to input terminals belonging to a first input terminal group comprising some of said N input terminals of each of other switching devices, the number of said some of said N output terminals being equal to that of said some of said N input terminals;
• and
• a plurality of terminal equipments connected to input terminals of a second input terminal group, of each of said switching devices, that includes input terminals other than those of said first input terminal group, and connected to output terminals of a second output terminal group that includes output terminals other than those of said first output terminal group,
• wherein at least one of said switching device comprises:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals,
• variable channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with one of N different channels,
• fixed channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving a signal carried by a given channel of said N channels of said variable channel transmission means, and for outputting a signal which is received with said given channel to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals, said given channel of said fixed channel reception means not overlapping, said communication method comprising the steps of:
• transmitting a first signal from one of said terminal equipments toward at least one of said switching devices;
• storing said first signal in one of said input buffer means in at least one of said switching devices;
• synchronously altering in at least one of said switching devices, according to predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel transmission means respectively corresponding to said N input terminals output signals, so that two or more of said variable channel transmission means do not simultaneously output signals with the same channel, and
• reading from said input buffer means said first signal in synchronization such that a channel with which said variable channel transmission means transmits a signal from said input buffer means storing said first signal matches a reception channel for said fixed channel reception means corresponding to an output terminal that is connected to one of said terminal equipments that is a transmission destination of said first signal, and
• wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is transmitted by said variable channel transmission means which transmits a signal input from said first input terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means which respectively output signals to said first output terminal group is greater than a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means which respectively transmit signals to said second output terminal group, and wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is transmitted by said variable channel transmission means, which respectively transmit a signal input from said second input terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means which respectively output signals to said second output terminal group is greater than a sum of time periods for outputting with channels respectively received by said fixed channel reception means which respectively output signals to said first output terminal group.

A communication method for a network in which a plurality of switching devices are connected and which comprises:

• a plurality of switching devices each having N input terminals and N output terminals;
• channels with which output terminals belonging to a first output terminal group comprising some of said N output terminals of each of said switching devices are connected to input terminals belonging to a first input terminal group comprising some of said N input terminals of each of other switching devices, the number of said some of said N output terminals being equal to that of said some of said N input terminals;
• and
• a plurality of terminal equipments connected to input terminals of a second input terminal group, of each of said switching devices, that includes input terminals other than those of said first input terminal group, and connected to output terminals of a second output terminal group that includes output terminals other than those of said first output terminal group,
• wherein at least one of said switching devices comprises:
• buffer means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for temporarily storing a signal that is sent by one corresponding input terminal of said N input terminals,
• fixed channel transmission means, one of which is provided for each of said N input terminals, for outputting a signal, which is received from said buffer means, with a predetermined one of N different channels, said predetermined channel of said fixed channel transmission means not overlapping,
• variable channel reception means, one of which is individually provided for each of said N output terminals, for receiving said signal carried by a given channel of said N channels, and for outputting a signal to a corresponding output terminal of said N output terminals,
• said communication method comprising the steps of:
• transmitting a first signal from one of said terminal equipments to at least one of said switching devices;
• storing said first signal in one of said input buffer means in at least one of said switching devices;
• synchronously altering in at least one of said switching devices, according to predetermined patterns, channels with which said variable channel reception means respectively corresponding to said N receive terminals receive signals, so that two or more of said variable channel reception means do not simultaneously receive signals with the same channel;
• and
• reading from said input buffer means said first signal in synchronization such that a channel with which said fixed channel transmission means transmits a signal from said input buffer means storing said first signal matches a reception channel for said variable channel reception means corresponding to an output terminal that is connected to one of said terminal equipments that is a transmission destination of said first signal,
• wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is received by said variable channel reception means which respectively transmit signals to said first output terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively output signals from said first input terminal group is greater than a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively transmit signals from said second input terminal group, and wherein weighting is performed for said predetermined respective patterns each for altering a channel with which a signal is received by said variable channel reception means, which respectively transmit signals to said second output terminal group, so that a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively output signals from said second input terminal group is greater than a sum of time periods for receiving with channels respectively transmitted by said fixed channel transmission means which respectively output signals from said first input terminal group.