Patent ID: 6327253
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A switching system for dynamically configuring connections between devices which control flow of data between the devices, comprising:an input for receiving data and a plurality of outputs to which data received through the input is directed;a switch for directing data from the input to one of the plurality of outputs in response to command data;means for directing flow control information between the devices for controlling the flow of data between connected devices; and means for ensuring that flow of data between connected devices completes prior to changing connections between the devices by the switch;wherein the switch is a circuit switch, and,wherein the means for directing flow control information between the devices includes an input for receiving a request signal from a first device and for directing the request signal to a second device, and an input for receiving a valid data signal from the second device and for directing the valid data signal to the first device, andwherein the means for ensuring includes means for changing connections between the devices by the switch in response to a signal from the first device or the second device.