×

Multi-nodal communication network with coordinated responsibility for global functions by the nodes

  • US 5,039,980 A
  • Filed: 01/26/1990
  • Issued: 08/13/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a communications network comprising a plurality of nodes having data transmission and receiving capabilities and all connected for data communication with each other using a data bus comprising a signal conductor, each of the nodes having a node address register in which is stored a unique node address by which each of the nodes may be identified, and each of the nodes of the type periodically entering active mode intervals during which active mode intervals the node may provide on the data bus to the other nodes, signals encoding a plurality of different messages, said messages including status messages of at least a first type, and wherein at least two nodes are capable of functioning as source nodes for at least the first type of status message, an improvement for coordinating the responsibility for transmitting on the bus a status message of the first type, wherein one of the nodes comprises a coordinator node having a memory in which is stored a status message source list associating with at least the first type of status message, the node address of one source node for the first type of status message, said coordinator node including means for transmitting on the data bus a status message source message specifying for at least the first status message type the node address of the source node associated therewith in the status message source list;

  • and wherein each of the status message source nodes includes means for transmitting on the data bus at least the first type of status message responsive to a status message source message transmitted on the data bus by the coordinator node and in which status message source message is associated with the first status message type, a node address equal to the contents of the source node'"'"'s node address register.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×