Abstract: A method for controlling the access of a data transmitter unit to a signal line, enabling approximately full utilization of the bandwidth of the signal line for data transfer, avoidance of collisions, conveyance of the transmitted data amount independently of the signal line length, and ensuring access to the signal line when the unit is to transmit. An apparatus for performing the method, comprising an input (1) and an output (2), a delay unit (3), a data transmitter unit (4) and an activation circuit (5).

Abstract: An information processing system includes a transmitter, which converts parallel information to serial, and a receiver, which receives the serial information and reconverts the same to parallel for use by a further processing unit. Structure is provided to eliminate a requirement for a separate transmission line for transmission of a synchronization signal for synchronizing the receiver to function properly in receiving information. More coupling points are provided at the transmitter than at the receiver, for coupling information into the serial information path. The additional coupling points are used to transmit flag information together with the data being transmitted, the flag information being used to produce a detection signal. The detection signal is used to gate the received signals from a receiving signal path to various storage devices, thus converting the received serial information to parallel form in response to the flag signals which are serially transmitted together with the data.