Data switching system

Claim 2

In combination a switching network comprising a plurality of switching centers interconnected by special communication links, a plurality of data stations each identified by a corresponding address code and coupled to a terminal at one of said switcHing centers, a plurality of local offices each having telephone stations connected thereto, regular communications links coupling said local offices with said network, and means controlled by any calling one of said telephone stations for ordering the establishment of special link connections between any selected ones of said data stations.

Claim 3

The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said ordering means comprises means responsive to the receipt of address code signals from a calling one of said telephone stations for interrogating said network to ascertain the terminal locations of the selected data stations corresponding to said address code signals and control means for causing said switching centers to interconnect said selected data stations over said special inks independently of said calling telephone station.

Claim 4

The invention defined in claim 2 wherein said interrogating means comprises a memory store at each said switching center for recording the idle-busy status of data stations coupled to said center, means for reserving idle ones of said selected data stations, and means for determining the availability of said special links.

Claim 5

The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said ordering means also comprises signaling means effective when said selected data stations are reserved for transmitting an execute signal to said one calling telephone station to inform the customer thereat that the ordered connection can be established.

Claim 6

The invention defined in claim 4 wherein each said data station comprises means for sending an enabling code to its associated switching center, and said ordering means also comprises means for enabling the sending means of one of said selected data stations.

Claim 7

A communications system comprising a plurality of switching centers; a plurality of data stations coupled to said switching centers and each including means for transmitting a coded signal; a plurality of telephone stations; and a arrangement actuated by a calling one of said telephone stations for interconnecting selected data stations comprising, control means responsive to address signals from said calling telephone station for extending a voice connection between said calling telephone station and switching centers coupled to each selected data station, means effective when said voice connection is established for signaling said calling telephone station, means at one of said switching centers controlled by said signaling means for actuating the transmitting means associated with one of said selected data stations, and means at said switching centers responsive to a coded signal from said actuated transmitting means for interconnecting said selected data stations.

Claim 8

A communications system comprising a plurality of switching centers; a plurality of data stations coupled to said switching centers and each including means for transmitting a coded signal; a plurality of telephone stations; and a arrangement actuated by a calling one of said telephone stations for interconnecting selected data stations comprising, control means responsive to address signals from said calling telephone station for extending a voice connection between said calling telephone station and switching centers coupled to each selected data station, means effective when said voice connection is established for signaling said calling telephone station, means at one of said switching centers controlled by said signaling means for actuating the transmitting means associated with one of said selected data stations, and means at said switching centers responsive to a coded signal from said actuated transmitting means for interconnecting said selected data stations.

Claim 9

The invention defined in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of communication links interconnecting said switching centers, and wherein said voice connection includes a particular one of said links and said actuating means includes a detector means coupled to said particular link and responsive to said signaling means.

Claim 10

The invention defined in claim 7 wherein said control means comprises means for designating certain of said links for interconnecting said selected data stations and means for registering said designated links at said switching centers and wherein said interconnecting means includes means for interrogating said register means.

Claim 11

A communication system comprising first and second switching centers; a plurality of data stations connected to said centers and each including means effective when enabled for sending a discrete signal to its associated switching center; a plurality of communication links interconnecting said centers; and a plurality of telephone stations comprising means for transmitting to said centers a plurality of command signals including address signals corresponding to first and second data stations; said first center comprising first test means responsive to a first address signal from a calling one of said telephone stations for ascertaining the availability Of the corresponding first data station, means responsive to a second address signal from said calling telephone station for identifying available ones of said links, means for extending a first connection between said calling station and said centers, means for storing the identity of said available links in a register associated with said first data station, and means for forwarding said second address signal over said first connection to said second center; said second center comprising second test means responsive to said second address signal for determining the availability of said second data station and means responsive to said determining means for transmitting an execute signal over said first connection to said first center and to said calling telephone station, said first center further comprising means responsive to said execute signal for enabling said first data station sending means; and means at said centers responsive to said discrete signal sent by said first data station for interconnecting said first and second data stations.

Claim 12

A communication system comprising first and second switching centers; a plurality of data stations connected to said centers and each including means effective when enabled for sending a discrete signal to its associated switching center; a plurality of communication links interconnecting said centers; and a plurality of telephone stations comprising means for transmitting to said centers a plurality of command signals including address signals corresponding to first and second data stations; said first center comprising first test means responsive to a first address signal from a calling one of said telephone stations for ascertaining the availability Of the corresponding first data station, means responsive to a second address signal from said calling telephone station for identifying available ones of said links, means for extending a first connection between said calling station and said centers, means for storing the identity of said available links in a register associated with said first data station, and means for forwarding said second address signal over said first connection to said second center; said second center comprising second test means responsive to said second address signal for determining the availability of said second data station and means responsive to said determining means for transmitting an execute signal over said first connection to said first center and to said calling telephone station, said first center further comprising means responsive to said execute signal for enabling said first data station sending means; and means at said centers responsive to said discrete signal sent by said first data station for interconnecting said first and second data stations.

Claim 13

The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said command signals transmitted by said calling telephone station include a first control signal indicating that said first and second data stations have not been tested for availability and said forwarding means includes means for changing said first control signal to a second control signal to inform said second center that said first data station is available.