Abstract: A redundant controller engine (RCE) of a system includes a first, second and at least a third redundant processing unit (RPU). The RCE includes an arbitrator in communication with the first, second and third RPUs which sends a message for a corresponding time requiring a decision to the first, second and third RPUs, and receives the decisions made by the first, second and third RPUs. The arbitrator accepts a first two matching decisions for the corresponding time received from the first, second and third RPUs, and sending the matching decision for the corresponding time to the system. The arbitrator has a first message processing unit (MPU) and a second MPU. The first MPU sends the message for the corresponding time to and receives the decisions for the corresponding time from the first, second and third RPUs. A method for processing data from a system. An apparatus for conferencing.

Abstract: A redundant controller engine (RCE) of a system includes a first, second and at least a third redundant processing unit (RPU). The RCE includes an arbitrator in communication with the first, second and third RPUs which sends a message for a corresponding time requiring a decision to the first, second and third RPUs, and receives the decisions made by the first, second and third RPUs. The arbitrator accepts a first two matching decisions for the corresponding time received from the first, second and third RPUs, and sending the matching decision for the corresponding time to the system. The arbitrator has a first message processing unit (MPU) and a second MPU. The first MPU sends the message for the corresponding time to and receives the decisions for the corresponding time from the first, second and third RPUs. A method for processing data from a system. An apparatus for conferencing.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a broadcast network. The broadcast network comprises N transmit stations, with each transmit station being capable of transmitting a signal and N being an integer .gtoreq.1. There are also M receive stations, where M is an integer .gtoreq.2; I switching stages where I is an integer .gtoreq.0 and a broadcast hub. The broadcast hub and I switching stages are connected such that they are capable of linking the N transmit stations to the M receive stations so that any one of the N transmit stations can transmit a signal to L of the receive stations, where L is an integer and 2.ltoreq.L.ltoreq.M, but each receive stations can receive a signal from only one of the N transmit stations at any given time. The broadcast hub and switching stages link more than one of the N transmit stations to desired receive stations at any given time.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a conferencing network. The conferencing network is comprised of a ring array comprised of K conferencing modules, where K is greater than or equal to 3 and is an integer. The K conferencing modules are capable of being in desired states. The conferencing network also includes means for controlling the ring array such that the conferencing modules are placed in the desired states. Switching stages comprised of switches can also be implemented into the conferencing network.

Abstract: A rearrangeable fully available multistage switching network having N.sub.T inputs and M.sub.T outputs, preferably where N.sub.T =M.sub.T, comprising a plurality of switching elements arranged in an array of .theta. stages, where .theta..gtoreq.3. The inner groups of stages define a plurality of nested modules where each of the switches in an outer stage is connected to associated subordinate inner modules such that at least one set, f.sub.i, of said connections between stages is redundant, that is, greater than 1.