Device for the control of data flows

Abstract

A commutation device for the selective control of data transport. At least two data inputs and data outputs, each of the latter having a buffer for storing a data word. A number of possibilities of data transport can be selectively controlled, four for a single connection and two different ones for pair-wise connection. Seven input control lines are provided, two lines for receiving a signal which indicates whether information is present on the associated input line, two lines for indicating the selected output buffer, two erase lines for making a data buffer freely accessible after output of data from the data buffer, and one priority line for granting priority to one of the two input lines if both lines select the same data buffer. There are four output control lines, two lines which indicate that the data present on the input lines have been taken up in the selected output buffer, and two lines which indicate whether an output buffer contains data. The commutation device can effect the data transport itself and can be grouped in specific arrangements to form a buffer in which the data partly determine their own path.