The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 02, 1996
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1994
John L Adams, Felixstowe, GB;
Avril Smith, Carterton, GB;
British Telecommunications public limited company, London, GB;
Abstract
A broadband switching network is shown having a plurality of interconnected switching units arranged to transfer cells asynchronously therebetween. A switch control establishes connections for the asynchronous transmission of these cells between ports. A bandwidth control detects the rate at which cells are supplied to an input port; and, in response, requests switch control to allocate bandwidth to the connection. When bandwidth has not been allocated, received cells are downgraded or rejected by a usage control device. The usage control device only allows high priority cells to remain as such when bandwidth has been allocated. The network facilitates logical connections to be established without dial-up procedures. However, customers may be charged in terms of their actual usage made of the network.