Patent ID: 10110750

Abstract:
Data switching means (6.070, 6.072) for directing messages from a plurality of sources (6.040, 6.042, 6.044, 6,045) and having a common destination (6.108) to a link (6.078) to the common destination, including a first multiplexer (6.070) having a data link (6.074) adapted to receive upstream messages from a plurality of sources, and one or more upstream ports (12.410.1, 12.410.2) each upstream port having a specific port identity, wherein each upstream message includes address information (16.602) identifying the multiplexer and a selected one of the upstream port identities, the transmission means being adapted to link upstream message to the selected upstream port, the selected upstream port being linked to message delivery means (6.072) adapted to address the upstream message to a destination address associated with the message delivery means. Format conversion means can be included to convert the messages from a first format to a second format.