Selecting a protocol class of service for a network variable
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a service class for a variable in a network, the network for sensing information and controlling one or more devices based upon the information, the network comprising a first node, a second node, and a network management node, the first node, the second node, and the network management node coupled in communication with a medium, the first node including a first storage having stored therein a value of the variable, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining a number of reader nodes and writer nodes that are involved in communication of the value; and
if the number of reader nodes and writer nodes that are involved in communication of the value is greater than a threshold value, then changing a service class associated with the variable to prevent transmission of acknowledgments in response to communication of the value.
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Abstract
An improved apparatus and method for communicating information in a networked system wherein network variables are employed to accomplish such communication. Network variables allow for standardized communication of data between nodes in a network. A first node may be programmed, for example, to sense certain information and to report the information as a network variable X. A second node may be programmed to receive the variable X and to control devices based on the current value of the variable. The present invention provides for defining connections between the first and second node to facilitate such communication and for determining addressing information to allow for addressing of messages, including updates to the value of the variable X, between the nodes.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a service class for a variable in a network, the network for sensing information and controlling one or more devices based upon the information, the network comprising a first node, a second node, and a network management node, the first node, the second node, and the network management node coupled in communication with a medium, the first node including a first storage having stored therein a value of the variable, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a number of reader nodes and writer nodes that are involved in communication of the value; and if the number of reader nodes and writer nodes that are involved in communication of the value is greater than a threshold value, then changing a service class associated with the variable to prevent transmission of acknowledgments in response to communication of the value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for selecting a protocol class of service for a variable, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a first number of messages, N, required to complete a transaction involving the variable using a first protocol class of service; comparing N to a second number of messages, M, required to complete the transaction involving the variable using a second protocol class of service; if N is greater than or equal to M, then determining if any reader nodes require the first protocol class of service; and if no other reader nodes require the first protocol class of service, then converting the variable'"'"'s protocol class of service to the second protocol class of service. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A method for determining whether to provide acknowledgments in a network, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining a number of messages, N, to complete a transaction involving a variable using an acknowledged service; and providing an acknowledgment if N is less than or equal to a threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification