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Efficient, multi-purpose network data communications protocol

  • US 6,002,669 A
  • Filed: 03/25/1997
  • Issued: 12/14/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. For use with a network used by a plurality of devices, said plurality of devices sending and receiving messages over said network, each device of said plurality of devices having a data rate and a priority level, an operating protocol for a device which desires to transmit data over said network, said operating protocol comprising:

  • (a) monitoring said network for activity for a guardband time, said guardband time being a function of at least one of the slowest data rate for said network and the priority level of said device which desires to transmit;

    (b) if there is no activity during said guardband time, then transmitting a priority character at said slowest data rate and monitoring said network to detect simultaneous transmission by another of said devices, said priority character representing the priority level of said device which desires to transmit; and

    (c) if there is a said simultaneous transmission by a said device having a higher priority level than the priority level of said device which desires to transmit, then aborting said transmission and delaying for a period of time determined by at least one of said slowest data rate, said priority level of said device which desires to transmit, and the number of transmissions which have been aborted since a predetermined event.

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