Multiplex distributed communication system having high sleep mode responsiveness
First Claim
1. A node for a multiplex communication system in which a plurality of nodes connected to one another through a communication network are capable of mutually transmitting and receiving signals, said node comprising:
- sleep determining means for determining whether an operating state of said node is permitted to shift from a normal state to a sleep state having less power consumption than said normal state;
a communication circuit for transmitting signals from said node and for receiving signals sent to said node, said communication circuit includingnotifying means for transmitting signaling signals representative of a non-sleep enabled state of said node to other nodes responsive to a determination by said sleep determining means that said node is not permitted to shift to said sleep state, andreceiving means for receiving signaling signals from other nodes;
reception timing means for measuring a continuous time period during which said receiving means does not receive said signaling signals sent from other nodes; and
switching means for, responsive to a determination by said sleep determining means that said node is permitted to shift to said sleep state, switching said operating state of said node to a sleep state when said time period measured by said reception timing means exceeds a predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To provide a multiplex communication system where nodes can reliably shift to a sleep state even though the system has a very simple structure and even if abnormal conditions occur in any node, multiple nodes communicate with each other through a communication network, and when the individual nodes are in a state of being unable to shift to a sleep state, they set a sleep disable bit in signals to be transmitted and transmit them. When they become able to shift to the sleep state, the individual nodes confirm that they have not yet received an active sleep disable bit sent from other nodes continuously over a predetermined period of time or more. Thereafter, each individual node proceeds to the sleep state. According to the system, the individual nodes can proceed to the sleep state by simply determining non-transmission of the sleep disable bit from other nodes even in the presence of nodes deactivated due to failures.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A node for a multiplex communication system in which a plurality of nodes connected to one another through a communication network are capable of mutually transmitting and receiving signals, said node comprising:
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sleep determining means for determining whether an operating state of said node is permitted to shift from a normal state to a sleep state having less power consumption than said normal state; a communication circuit for transmitting signals from said node and for receiving signals sent to said node, said communication circuit including notifying means for transmitting signaling signals representative of a non-sleep enabled state of said node to other nodes responsive to a determination by said sleep determining means that said node is not permitted to shift to said sleep state, and receiving means for receiving signaling signals from other nodes; reception timing means for measuring a continuous time period during which said receiving means does not receive said signaling signals sent from other nodes; and switching means for, responsive to a determination by said sleep determining means that said node is permitted to shift to said sleep state, switching said operating state of said node to a sleep state when said time period measured by said reception timing means exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification