초록 ▼

A communication network includes a plurality of nodes which are connected by transmission lines, preferably of optical fibers. One or more terminals such as general purpose computers are connected to selected ones of the nodes also via the transmission lines. Each of the nodes comprises a plurality

A communication network includes a plurality of nodes which are connected by transmission lines, preferably of optical fibers. One or more terminals such as general purpose computers are connected to selected ones of the nodes also via the transmission lines. Each of the nodes comprises a plurality of input channels, a like plurality of output channels and a connection controller for controlling the connecting condition between the input and output channels. Each of the input channels is paired with one of the output channels. The input and output channels of one pair of a first node are connected through the transmission lines to the output and input channels, respectively, of one pair of a second node or a first terminal, and the input and output channels of another pair of the first node are connected through the transmission lines to the output and input channels, respectively, of one pair of a third node or a second terminal.

대표청구항 ▼

A node for use in a communication network as connected to one or more other nodes and/or terminals of various peripheral devices, comprising: a plurality of input channels; a like plurality of output channels, each of which corresponds to one of said plurality of input channels thereby forming a lik

A node for use in a communication network as connected to one or more other nodes and/or terminals of various peripheral devices, comprising: a plurality of input channels; a like plurality of output channels, each of which corresponds to one of said plurality of input channels thereby forming a like plurality of input-output channel pairs; and connection control means for scanning said input channels for receipt of an input signal and for controlling a connection ondition between said plurality of input and output channels, wherein said connection control means stores information to flag which one of said plurality of input channels has received an input signal, without inspecting the contents thereof, for a predetermined time period from reception of said input signal or until reception of another input signal by another of said input channels within said predetermined time period, and thereupon causes said other input signal to be supplied as an output signal to an output channel corresponding to said flagged one input channel.