System and method for managing communication links
First Claim
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1. In a peripheral device adapted to communicate with a consumer electronic device, a method for facilitating communications via a wireless communications link, comprising:
- monitoring the communications link for activity;
if it is determined that the communications link is active;
monitoring the communications link to find an idle slot;
transmitting to the consumer electronic device a request in the next occurrence of the idle slot to request that the consumer electronic device secure the idle slot for use by the peripheral device to communicate with the consumer electronic device;
monitoring for a response to the request message transmitted by the consumer electronic device that assigns the idle slot as a communication slot for use by the peripheral device; and
using the communication slot to communicate with the consumer electronic device.
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Abstract
A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. In a peripheral device adapted to communicate with a consumer electronic device, a method for facilitating communications via a wireless communications link, comprising:
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monitoring the communications link for activity; if it is determined that the communications link is active;
monitoring the communications link to find an idle slot;
transmitting to the consumer electronic device a request in the next occurrence of the idle slot to request that the consumer electronic device secure the idle slot for use by the peripheral device to communicate with the consumer electronic device;
monitoring for a response to the request message transmitted by the consumer electronic device that assigns the idle slot as a communication slot for use by the peripheral device; and
using the communication slot to communicate with the consumer electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. In a consumer electronic device adapted to communicate with one or more peripheral devices, a method for facilitating communications via a wireless communications link, comprising:
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monitoring for communications transmitted from the one or more peripheral devices and, if no communication transmissions occur within a specified period after a start of a communication slot, transmitting an end of slot marker pulse; assigning, in response to a request received from a peripheral device, an unused communication slot for use by the peripheral device to transmit a data packet to the consumer electronic device; and issuing the end of slot marker pulse when a data packet has been transmitted from the requesting peripheral device in the assigned communication slot. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. In a peripheral device adapted to communicate with a consumer electronic device, an electronically readable media having embedded instructions executable by a processing device of the peripheral device for facilitating communications via a wireless communications link, the instructions performing steps comprising:
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monitoring the communications link for activity; if it is determined that the communications link is active;
monitoring the communications link to find an idle slot;
transmitting a request to the consumer electronic device in the next occurrence of the idle slot to request that the consumer electronic device secure the idle slot for use by the peripheral device to communicate with the consumer electronic device;
monitoring for a response to the request message transmitted by the consumer electronic device that assigns the idle slot as a communication slot for use by the peripheral device; and
using the communication slot to communicate with the consumer electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. In a consumer electronic device adapted to communicate with one or more peripheral devices, an electronically readable media having embedded instructions executable by a processing device of the consumer electronic device for facilitating communications via a wireless communications link, the instructions performing steps comprising:
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monitoring for communications transmitted from the one or more peripheral devices and, if no communication transmissions occur within a specified period after a start of a communication slot, transmitting an end of slot marker pulse; assigning, in response to a request received from a peripheral device, an unused communication slot for use by the peripheral device to transmit a data packet to the consumer electronic device; and issuing the end of slot marker pulse when a data packet has been transmitted from the requesting peripheral device in the assigned communication slot. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification