Patent ID: 7447430

Claim:
An optical cross connect apparatus for allocating optical signals from first to third reception ports to first and second transmission ports; wherein, when an optical signal fed from the first reception port is found to be OFF, connection between the first reception port and the first transmission port is maintained; and when an optical signal fed from the second reception port is found to be OFF, connection source for the second transmission port which is connected to the second reception port, is changed from the second reception port to the third reception port; further comprising: an optical switch for associating optical signals fed from the first to third reception ports with the first and second transmissions ports; an optical level monitor section for monitoring optical levels of said optical signals fed from the first to third reception ports; and a control section for controlling said optical switch in accordance with results of monitoring by said optical level monitor section; wherein said control section includes a path switching management section for recording a path switching management table, references said path switching management table when said optical level monitor section detects that one of optical input signals fed from the first to third reception ports is OFF, and judges whether said optical switch should be operated.