×

Priority-based arbitrator on a token-based communication medium

  • US 5,566,177 A
  • Filed: 10/09/1994
  • Issued: 10/15/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of arbitrating access to a token-based communication medium among a plurality of modules, wherein a token is circulated among said modules on said medium, wherein each of said modules has a limit on the time between a request for transfer of a unit of data and transfer of said unit of data on said medium each of said modules being assigned a priority i, where i is an integer, thus having a plurality of priorities, said method comprising:

  • a. maintaining a count for each of said modules of a number of units of data transferred by lower priority modules on said medium, thereby generating a plurality of counts each of said modules being assigned a corresponding limit for its said count, where latter said corresponding limit is an integer; and

    b. transferring at least a unit of data by one of said modules if at least first conditions are satisfied, said first conditions being;

    said one module has a request to transfer data on said medium said one module has said token, and each count, of said counts, of all of said modules having priority higher than said one module, has not reached latter said corresponding limit.

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