Network slot synchronization scheme for a computer network communication channel
First Claim
1. A method for efficiently utilizing bandwidth in a wireless network including a server and one client and another client, wherein data transmission across a data communications channel in the network is organized into frames including a plurality of time slots, wherein one time slot is assigned to the one client and another time slot is assigned to the another client, and wherein the one time slot precedes the another time slot within a frame, the method comprising:
- at the another client, monitoring the one time slot to determine whether the one client is transmitting data to the server in the one time slot of a current frame;
waiting at the another client for a predetermined time interval that is a product of a clear channel assessment time and the number of time slots between the one time slot and the another time slot; and
after the predetermined time interval, transmitting data from the another client to the server during the one time slot in the current frame responsive to a determination that the one client is not transmitting during the one slot in the current frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Synchronization within a common communication channel having designated transmission time slots for various devices of a computer network is maintained by allowing transmissions within the channel outside of a network device'"'"'s designated time slot when a clear channel assessment indicates that a previous time slot is not being utilized by its associated device and/or upon receipt of an indication of the end of a transmission of another device in the network. The clear channel assessment preferably takes into account the device'"'"'s designated transmission time slot within the communication channel with respect to those of other network devices and may be a time period that is the product of a predetermined clear channel waiting time and a numerical representation of the device'"'"'s designated transmission time slot within the communication channel with respect to those of other network devices. The clear channel waiting time itself may be specified by a network master device as part of a network connection process. The network device may be configured to construct one or more packets for transmission within the network in advance of its designated time slot to accommodate these early transmissions.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for efficiently utilizing bandwidth in a wireless network including a server and one client and another client, wherein data transmission across a data communications channel in the network is organized into frames including a plurality of time slots, wherein one time slot is assigned to the one client and another time slot is assigned to the another client, and wherein the one time slot precedes the another time slot within a frame, the method comprising:
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at the another client, monitoring the one time slot to determine whether the one client is transmitting data to the server in the one time slot of a current frame; waiting at the another client for a predetermined time interval that is a product of a clear channel assessment time and the number of time slots between the one time slot and the another time slot; and after the predetermined time interval, transmitting data from the another client to the server during the one time slot in the current frame responsive to a determination that the one client is not transmitting during the one slot in the current frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification