Patent ID: 7149210
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A wide-area multi-service communications network comprising: multiple switching elements being configured to switch data from input channels to output channels in response to control signals, said multiple switching elements being configured to operate in both circuit switching and packet switching modes of operation; transmission lines with multiple channels interconnecting each of said multiple switching elements to at least another one of said multiple switching elements; access lines with multiple channels connecting the switching elements to users; and control channels being configured to carry control signals, said control signals being configured to dynamically control said multiple switching elements being configured to switch said data, and said control channels being configured separately from each of said input channels and said output channels carrying said data; wherein said control signals are configured to arrive in advance of said data being controlled thereby; wherein an individual one of said control signals can switch a specified number of said input channels and said output channels carrying said data for a specified length of time; wherein said input channels and said output channels carrying said data are dynamically assigned to particular data flows so as to efficiently utilize said input channels and said output channels; and wherein continuous and bursty data flows are transported without distortion.