Channel access scheme for use in network communications
First Claim
1. A method of allocating between multiple communication sources a communication channel in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
- dividing the communication channel into a plurality of frames;
dividing each of the frames into a plurality of slots;
dividing a first one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of first mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel; and
dividing a second one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of second mini-slots also for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel and for use by the multiple communication sources to augment an existing video connection over the communication channel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A full service channel access protocol that supports the integrated transport of voice, video and data communications is provided by dividing a communication channel into a plurality of frames, dividing each of the frames into a plurality of slots, and dividing some of the plurality of slots into a plurality of mini-slots. The mini-slots are provided for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel. Additionally, a second one of the plurality of slots is divided into a plurality of second mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel and for use by the multiple communication sources to augment an existing video connection over the communication channel. The method enables timely and power efficient communications over communication network
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of allocating between multiple communication sources a communication channel in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
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dividing the communication channel into a plurality of frames;
dividing each of the frames into a plurality of slots;
dividing a first one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of first mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel; and
dividing a second one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of second mini-slots also for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel and for use by the multiple communication sources to augment an existing video connection over the communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-readable medium for use in allocating between multiple communication sources a communication channel in a communication network, the computer-readable medium having instructions for performing the steps of:
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dividing the communication channel into a plurality of frames;
dividing each of the frames into a plurality of slots;
dividing a first one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of first mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel; and
dividing a second one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of second mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel and for use by the multiple communication sources to augment an existing video connection over the communication channel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 15)
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14. A method of allocating the resources of a communication channel in a communication network between multiple communication sources, the method comprising the steps of:
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dividing the communication channel into a plurality of frames;
dividing each of the frames into a plurality of slots;
dividing a first one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of first mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel;
determining whether a video communication source of the multiple communication sources is currently assigned communication resources in the communication channel for an existing video connection;
if it is determined that a video communication source is currently assigned communication resources in the communication channel for an existing video connection, dividing a second one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of second mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel and for use by the video communication source to augment the existing video connection over the communication channel.
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16. A method of allocating available bandwidth of a communication channel between multiple communication sources, the method comprising:
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allocating the available bandwidth into a plurality of time slices;
partitioning each of the time slices into a plurality of timeslots;
subdividing a first one of the plurality of timeslots into a plurality of first sub-timeslots that are usable by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new connection over the channel; and
subdividing a second one of the plurality of timeslots into a plurality of second sub-timeslots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a second new connection over the channel and for use by the multiple communication sources to augment an existing video connection over the communication channel.
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Specification