APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COMMUNICATIONS TO AND FROM FIXED POSITION COMMUNICATION DEVICES OVER A FIXED BANDWIDTH COMMUNICATION LINK
First Claim
1. A method for controlling transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth link from a plurality of fixed position communication devices within a system, the method comprising:
- determining an identifier associated with each fixed position communication device of the plurality of communication devices;
determining a reporting period during which messages are to be transmitted by the plurality of communication devices;
determining a plurality of transmission increments within the reporting period;
allocating each transmission increment to a respective group of the plurality of communication devices, wherein each group of fixed position communication devices includes multiple communication devices; and
determining transmission times for messages from the plurality of communication devices, such that a transmission time for any particular fixed position communication device is based on (a) the identifier for the particular communication device, (b) a duration of a transmission increment allocated to a group of fixed position communication devices that includes the particular communication device, and (c) a quantity of communication devices in the group of communication devices that includes the particular communication device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method control transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth communication link from fixed position client or communication devices to a central controller. In one exemplary embodiment, the central controller determines an identifier associated with each communication device, a reporting period during which messages are to be transmitted by the communication devices, and transmission increments within the reporting period. The central controller allocates each transmission increment to a respective group of multiple communication devices. The central controller then determines transmission times for messages from the communication devices, such that a transmission time for any particular communication device is based on (a) the identifier for the particular communication device, (b) a duration of a transmission increment allocated to a group of communication devices that includes the particular communication device, and (c) a quantity of communication devices in the group of communication devices that includes the particular communication device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth link from a plurality of fixed position communication devices within a system, the method comprising:
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determining an identifier associated with each fixed position communication device of the plurality of communication devices; determining a reporting period during which messages are to be transmitted by the plurality of communication devices; determining a plurality of transmission increments within the reporting period; allocating each transmission increment to a respective group of the plurality of communication devices, wherein each group of fixed position communication devices includes multiple communication devices; and determining transmission times for messages from the plurality of communication devices, such that a transmission time for any particular fixed position communication device is based on (a) the identifier for the particular communication device, (b) a duration of a transmission increment allocated to a group of fixed position communication devices that includes the particular communication device, and (c) a quantity of communication devices in the group of communication devices that includes the particular communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for a fixed position communication device of a plurality of fixed position communication devices within a system to control transmission of at least one message over a fixed bandwidth communication link, the method comprising:
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receiving at least one control message from a central controller, the at least one control message including transmission time determination parameters, the transmission time determination parameters including (a) an identifier associated with the communication device, (b) a number representing a quantity of fixed position communication devices within the system, (c) a number representing a quantity of transmission increments within a reporting period during which messages are to be transmitted by the plurality of communication devices, and (d) identification of a transmission increment assigned to a group of fixed position communication devices containing the communication device; and determining a transmission time for the at least one message based on the transmission time determination parameters. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A central controller operable to control transmission of messages in a system from a plurality of fixed position client devices to the central controller over a fixed bandwidth communication link, the central controller comprising:
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a client device manager operable to; establish a reporting period during which the messages are to be transmitted by the plurality of client devices; determine a plurality of transmission increments within the reporting period; allocate each transmission increment to a respective group of the plurality of client devices; determine transmission times for the messages based on (a) identifiers for the plurality of client devices, (b) respective durations of transmission increments allocated to respective groups of fixed position client devices, and (c) a quantity of client devices in each group of client devices; and generate at least one control message that includes indications of the transmission times; and a client device interface operably coupled to the client device manager and the communication link, the client device interface operable to communicate the at least one control message to the plurality of client devices over the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A fixed position communication device operable in a system to control transmission of at least one message over a fixed bandwidth communication link, the system including a plurality of fixed positions communication devices, the communication device comprising:
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a communications interface operable to receive at least one control message from a central controller over the communication link, the at least one control message including transmission time determination parameters, the transmission time determination parameters including (a) an identifier associated with the communication device, (b) a number representing a quantity of the communication devices within the system, (c) a number representing a quantity of transmission increments within a reporting period during which messages are to be transmitted by the plurality of communication devices, and (d) identification of a transmission increment assigned to a group of fixed position communication devices containing the communication device; and a device control manager operably coupled to the communications interface, the device control manager operable to determine a transmission time for the at least one message based on the transmission time determination parameters. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A system operable to control transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth communication link, the system comprising:
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a plurality of fixed position client devices, each client device including; a communications interface operable to receive at least one control message indicating a transmission time for transmitting at least one report message; and a device control manager operably coupled to the communications interface, the device control manager operable to generate the at least one report message and supply the at least one report message to the communications interface for transmission at the transmission time; an central controller that includes; a client manager operable to; determine a transmission period during which report messages are to be transmitted by the plurality of client devices, determine a plurality of transmission increments within the transmission period, allocate each transmission increment to a respective group of the plurality of client devices, determine transmission times for the report messages based on (a) identifiers for the plurality of client devices, (b) respective durations of transmission increments allocated to respective groups of the plurality of client devices, and (c) a quantity of client devices in each group of client devices, and generate control messages that include indications of the transmission times; and a client interface operably coupled to the client manager and the communication link, the client interface being operable to communicate the control messages to the plurality of client devices over the communication link. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification