FLEXIBLE ASSIGNMENT OF SCHEDULED AND REQUEST TRANSMISSIONS
First Claim
1. A method for communicating using a shared communication medium involving a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:
- (a) sending a first request over the shared communication medium from a first node in the plurality of nodes, the shared communication medium organized to include signal space comprising request signal space and transmission signal space, the request signal space and the transmission signal space having different locations within the signal space, wherein the request signal space includes request segments and the transmission signal space includes transmission segments, the first request occupying a portion of a transmission segment;
(b) receiving an assignment associating the first request with a transmission segment, the assignment taking into account location of the portion of the transmission segment within the transmission signal space; and
(c) from the first node, sending a data transmission in the transmission segment associated with the first request in accordance with the assignment.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are presented for conducting communications using a shared communication medium. A first request is sent over the shared communication medium. The shared communication medium is organized to include a signal space comprising request signal space and transmission signal space. The request signal space and the transmission signal space have different locations within the signal space. The request signal space includes request segments and the transmission signal space includes scheduled transmission segments. The first request occupies a portion of a transmission segment. An assignment is received associating the first request with a scheduled transmission segment. The assignment takes into account the location of the portion of the transmission segment within the transmission signal space. A data transmission is sent in the scheduled transmission segment associated with the first request.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for communicating using a shared communication medium involving a plurality of nodes, the method comprising:
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(a) sending a first request over the shared communication medium from a first node in the plurality of nodes, the shared communication medium organized to include signal space comprising request signal space and transmission signal space, the request signal space and the transmission signal space having different locations within the signal space, wherein the request signal space includes request segments and the transmission signal space includes transmission segments, the first request occupying a portion of a transmission segment; (b) receiving an assignment associating the first request with a transmission segment, the assignment taking into account location of the portion of the transmission segment within the transmission signal space; and (c) from the first node, sending a data transmission in the transmission segment associated with the first request in accordance with the assignment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for communicating using a shared communication medium involving a plurality of nodes including a first node and a second node, the method comprising:
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(a) at the second node, receiving a first request over the shared communication medium from the first node, the shared communication medium organized to include signal space comprising request signal space and transmission signal space, the request signal space and the transmission signal space having different locations within the signal space, wherein the request signal space includes request segments and the transmission signal space includes transmission segments, the first request occupying a portion of a transmission segment; (b) at the second node, making an assignment associating the first request with a transmission segment, the assignment taking into account location of the portion of the transmission segment within the transmission signal space, and sending a corresponding assignment message; and (c) at the second node, receiving a data transmission from the first node in the transmission segment associated with the first request. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for communicating using a shared communication medium involving a plurality of nodes, comprising:
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(a) a first node capable of sending a first request over the shared communication medium, the shared communication medium organized to include signal space comprising request signal space and transmission signal space, the request signal space and the transmission signal space having different locations within the signal space, wherein the request signal space includes request segments and the transmission signal space includes transmission segments, the first node capable of sending the first request in a portion of a transmission segment; (b) wherein the first node is capable of obtaining an assignment associating the first request with a transmission segment, the assignment taking into account location of the portion of the transmission segment within the transmission signal space; and (c) wherein the first node is capable of sending a data transmission in the transmission segment associated with the first request in accordance with the assignment. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for communicating using a shared communication medium involving a plurality of nodes, comprising:
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(a) a second node capable of receiving a first request over the shared communication medium from a first node, the shared communication medium organized to include signal space comprising request signal space and transmission signal space, the request signal space and the transmission signal space having different locations within the signal space, wherein the request signal space includes request segments and the transmission signal space includes transmission segments, the second node capable of receiving the first request in a portion of a transmission segment; (b) wherein the second node is capable of making an assignment associating the first request with a transmission segment, the assignment taking into account location of the portion of the transmission segment within the transmission signal space, and sending a corresponding assignment message; and (c) wherein the second node is capable of receiving a data transmission from the first node in the transmission segment associated with the first request.
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Specification