Data collection and analysis system - has consoles with units producing path occupation and accept signals

摘要

In each console is an emitter for data path occupation signals which indicate to other consoles that the path is occupied by another console. Receivers prevent consoles emitting, in the case where they are ready to transmit, path occupation signals when the path is not available. Detectors in the consoles detect if the path is available, and generate an accept signal at the end of a predetermined time interval, when they have detected that other consoles are no longer using the path. Each console has a unit which periodically authorises the console to transmit a path occupations signal when a path occupation signal has not been positioned by another console and when the detectors have delivered the accept signal.