Pseudo-random dynamic scheduler for scheduling communication periods between electronic devices

• US 7,024,482 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hlasny, Daryl J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Krisna
• Application Number:
  US10/006,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,596 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227, 707/10, 370/468
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/24 Traffic characterised by specific attributes, e.g. priority or QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/50 Queue scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/522 Dynamic queue service slot or variable bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/626 channel conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/535 based on resource usage policies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted to communicate with a first device network and to communicate with a second device that is part of a second device network. The device includes a processor and a communications module in electronic communication with the processor for communications with other devices including the second device and at least one device from the first device network. Memory may also be included in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. The electronic device may also include a pseudo-random scheduler for providing time points defining a schedule for the electronic device to communicate with the other devices. A dynamic scheduler may also be included to modify the schedule. The electronic device may also include an event queue.

Claims

1. An electronic device adapted to communicate with a first device network and adapted to communicate with a second device that is part of a second device network, the device comprising:

a processor;

a communications module in electronic communication with the processor for communications with other devices including the second device and at least one device from the first device network;

memory in electronic communication with the processor for storing data;

a pseudo-random scheduler for providing time points defining a schedule for the electronic device to communicate with the other devices;

a dynamic scheduler to modify the schedule, wherein the dynamic scheduler is configured to enter a negotiate schedule state when conflicting time points are detected whereby during the negotiate schedule state new time points are determined to then modify the schedule using the new time points and eliminate the conflicting time points; and

an event queue.

2. A computer-readable medium for carrying program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method comprised of the steps of:

transmitting outbound data from a first electronic device to a first device network;

receiving inbound data by the first electronic device from the first device network;

discovering a second electronic device of a second device network;

providing pseudo-random time points defining a schedule for the first electronic device to communicate with the first device network and with the second electronic device;

storing the time points in an event queue;

dynamically modifying the schedule to add additional communication bandwidth to at least one communication channel; and

entering a negotiate schedule state when conflicting time points are detected whereby during the negotiate schedule state new time points are determined to then modify the schedule using the new time points and eliminate the conflicting time points.

3. A method for pseudo-randomly and dynamically scheduling communication periods between electronic devices, the method comprising:

transmitting outbound data from a first electronic device to a first device network;

receiving inbound data by the first electronic device from the first device network;

discovering a second electronic device of a second device network;

providing pseudo-random time points defining a schedule for the first electronic device to communicate with the first device network and with the second electronic device;

storing the time points in an event queue;

dynamically modifying the schedule to add additional communication bandwidth to at least one communication channel; and

entering a negotiate schedule state when conflicting time points are detected whereby during the negotiate schedule state new time points are determined to then modify the schedule using the new time points and eliminate the conflicting time points.