Contention-resolution system for a command- response data network
First Claim
1. A method for resolving contention among the signals traveling between a base and a plurality of remotes and among the signals from the plural remotes, in the process to register the remotes into a data network having a pre-determined number of network slots, said method utilizing radio frequency signals and comprising the steps of:
- Broadcasting a hail signal from the base to initiate the registration process, said hail signal being intended for the remotes;
Allowing a pre-selected hail time to expire;
Calculating at the base maximum time delay signal, said time delay signal to be used by the remotes in responding to the base;
Transmitting said maximum time delay signal to the remotes;
Issuing a synchronization signal to the remotes;
Accepting at one or more remotes said maximum time delay signal and calculating therefrom a new random delay, said random delay having a time value ranging between “
0” and
said maximum;
Waiting for said synchronization signal to complete and said random delay to expire;
Sending to the base a response from one or more remotes, said response containing therein the unique address of its respective remote;
Receiving at the base said responses from one or more remotes and registering said remotes into the data network;
Conveying acknowledgment signals to the remotes, said acknowledgment signals indicating the registration of said remotes into the data network; and
Exiting the registration process.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Applicants'"'"' Contention-Resolution System for a Command-Response Data Network uses a base unit (base) that detects the occurrence of collisions for the entire network and controls the maximum length of time allowed for the multiple remote units (remotes) in the network before re-trying to send responses to the base. The base either expands or contracts this maximum time delay as needed to accommodate the number of the possible network remotes, depending on the detected collision rate and the overall utilization of the network until the base determines that there are no remotes to be registered or all of the available network slots are filled, whichever occurs first.
14 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method for resolving contention among the signals traveling between a base and a plurality of remotes and among the signals from the plural remotes, in the process to register the remotes into a data network having a pre-determined number of network slots, said method utilizing radio frequency signals and comprising the steps of:
-
Broadcasting a hail signal from the base to initiate the registration process, said hail signal being intended for the remotes; Allowing a pre-selected hail time to expire; Calculating at the base maximum time delay signal, said time delay signal to be used by the remotes in responding to the base; Transmitting said maximum time delay signal to the remotes; Issuing a synchronization signal to the remotes; Accepting at one or more remotes said maximum time delay signal and calculating therefrom a new random delay, said random delay having a time value ranging between “
0” and
said maximum;Waiting for said synchronization signal to complete and said random delay to expire; Sending to the base a response from one or more remotes, said response containing therein the unique address of its respective remote; Receiving at the base said responses from one or more remotes and registering said remotes into the data network; Conveying acknowledgment signals to the remotes, said acknowledgment signals indicating the registration of said remotes into the data network; and Exiting the registration process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A system for detecting collisions and resolving contention between command and response signals in a registration process into a data network, said system comprising:
- a base unit, said base unit being capable of initiating the registration process by issuing hail signals, followed by maximum delay signals;
a plurality of remote units to be registered into said data network, said remote units each having a unique address and responding to said hail signals by transmitting response signals containing their respective addresses to said base unit, said base unit registering said remote units upon receipt of complete responses therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a base unit, said base unit being capable of initiating the registration process by issuing hail signals, followed by maximum delay signals;
Specification