Data communication system using a reserve request and four frequencies to enable transmitting data packets which can include a count value and termination indication information

• US 8,086,240 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2007
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GPNE Corp.
• Original Assignee: GPNE Corp.
• Inventors: Wong, Gabriel K., Tsui, Po S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Yuwen
• Application Number:
  US11/774,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20080014970A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 455/450, 455/66.1, 455/509, 455/510, 370/347
• US Class Current: 455/450
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/26 Resource reservation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/002 Transmission of channel access control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/04 Scheduled access hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/06 using polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/02 Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/022 One-way selective calling networks, e.g. wide area paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/025 with acknowledge back capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/022 Selective call receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/185 Selective call encoders for paging networks, e.g. paging centre devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A data communication system wherein four independent frequencies provide for transmissions between a communication controller and at least one node including a first node. The four independent frequencies include: an aligning signal sent on a first frequency, a request signal in a slot allocated to a first node for transmitting reserved request sent on a second frequency, a authorization signal sent on a third frequency and data packets sent over a fourth frequency. In addition, data packets sent over the data communication system can include information related to a count value and termination indication information for determining whether the message has been completely received.

Claims

1. A method of communication, the method comprising:

transmitting, on a first frequency, an aligning signal from a communication controller;

receiving, on a second frequency, a request signal at the communication controller, the request signal being received in a slot allocated for a reserved request, the slot being related to the aligning signal;

transmitting, on a third frequency, an authorization signal from the communication controller;

receiving, on a fourth frequency, data packets at the communication controller, wherein the data packets comprise information relating to a count value;

wherein the communication controller receives terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet is a last data packet; and

wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency, and the fourth frequency are differing frequencies.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the communication controller is receiving the data packets on the fourth frequency.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

11. The method of claim 7,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time is constant at four frequencies.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

17. The method of claim 13,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the communication controller is receiving the data packets on the fourth frequency.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

23. The method of claim 19,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

25. A method of communication, the method comprising:

transmitting, on a first frequency, an aligning signal from a communication controller;

receiving, on a second frequency, a request signal at the communication controller, the request signal being received in a slot allocated for a reserved request, the slot being related to the aligning signal;

transmitting, on a third frequency, an authorization signal from the communication controller;

receiving, on a fourth frequency, data packets at the communication controller, wherein the data packets comprise information relating to a count value;

wherein the communication controller receives terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet is a last data packet;

wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency, and the fourth frequency are differing frequencies;

wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets;

wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time is constant at four frequencies;

wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the communication controller is receiving the data packets on the fourth frequency;

wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals;

wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary;

wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary;

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

26. A method of communication, the method comprising:

transmitting, on a first frequency, an aligning signal from a communication controller;

receiving, on a second frequency, a request signal at the communication controller, the request signal being received in a slot allocated for a reserved request, the slot being related to the aligning signal;

transmitting, on a third frequency, an authorization signal from the communication controller;

receiving, on a fourth frequency, data packets at the communication controller, wherein the data packets comprise information relating to a count value;

wherein the communication controller receives terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet is a last data packet;

wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency, and the fourth frequency are differing frequencies;

wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets;

wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time is constant at four frequencies;

wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals;

wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary;

wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary;

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

27. A method of communication, the method comprising:

receiving, on a first frequency, an aligning signal at a first node;

transmitting, on a second frequency, a request signal from the first node, the request signal being transmitted in a slot allocated to the first node for transmitting a reserved request, the slot being related to the aligning signal and allocated whereby the second frequency is utilizable by the at least one node including the first node;

receiving, on a third frequency, an authorization signal at the first node;

transmitting, on a fourth frequency, data packets from the first node, wherein the data packets comprise information relating to a count value;

wherein the first node transmits terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet is a last data packet; and

wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency, and the fourth frequency are differing frequencies.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive display input device.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

32. The method of claim 27,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the first node is sending the data packets on the fourth frequency.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive input device.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

40. The method of claim 35,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

41. The method of claim 35, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

43. The method of claim 27, wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time for utilization by the first node is constant at four frequencies.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive input device.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

48. The method of claim 43,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

50. The method of claim 43, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

51. The method of claim 43, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the first node is sending the data packets on the fourth frequency.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive input device.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

56. The method of claim 51,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

57. The method of claim 51, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

59. A method of communication the method comprising:

receiving, on a first frequency, an aligning signal at a first node;

transmitting, on a second frequency, a request signal from the first node, the request signal being transmitted in a slot allocated to the first node for transmitting a reserved request, the slot being related to the aligning signal and allocated whereby the second frequency is utilizable by at least one node;

receiving, on a third frequency, an authorization signal at the first node;

transmitting, on a fourth frequency, data packets from the first node, wherein the data packets comprise information relating to a count value;

wherein the first node transmits terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet is a last data packet;

wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency, and the fourth frequency are differing frequencies;

wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the plurality of nodes including the first node;

wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time for utilization by the first node is constant at four frequencies;

wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the first node is sending the data packets on the fourth frequency;

wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals;

wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary;

wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary;

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

61. A method of communication, the method comprising:

receiving, on a first frequency, an aligning signal at a first node;

transmitting, on a second frequency, a request signal from the first node, the request signal being transmitted in a slot allocated to the first node for transmitting a reserved request, the slot being related to the aligning signal and allocated whereby the second frequency is utilizable by at least one node;

receiving, on a third frequency, an authorization signal at the first node;

transmitting, on a fourth frequency, data packets from the first node, wherein the data packets comprise information relating to a count value;

wherein the first node transmits terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet is a last data packet;

wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency, and the fourth frequency are differing frequencies;

wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the plurality of nodes including the first node;

wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time for utilization by the first node is constant at four frequencies;

wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals;

wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary;

wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary;

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

63. A method of communication, the method comprising:

receiving a random request at a communication controller,

transmitting a grant signal from the communication controller subsequent to receiving the random request, said grant signal including information relating to an allocation of a slot for transmitting a reserved request;

transmitting an aligning signal from the communication controller which enables the transmission of the reserved request;

receiving the reserved request at the communication controller in the slot allocated for the reserved request, said reserved request being received subsequent to transmission of the grant signal;

transmitting an authorization signal from the communication controller subsequent to receiving the reserved request, said authorization signal authorizing transmission of data packets;

receiving the data packets at the communication controller;

wherein the grant signal returns randomly generated information to enable identification of a desired recipient of the grant signal;

wherein the communication controller receives information relating to a count value for the data packets,

wherein the communication controller receives terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet from the data packets is a last data packet; and

wherein the aligning signal is transmitted on a first frequency, the reserved request is received on a second frequency, the authorization signal is transmitted on a third frequency and the data packets are received on a fourth frequency, wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency and the fourth frequency are independent frequencies.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

67. The method of claim 63,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

68. The method of claim 63, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

69. The method of claim 63, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the communication controller is receiving the data packets on the fourth frequency.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

73. The method of claim 69,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

74. The method of claim 69, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

75. The method of claim 63, wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time is constant at four frequencies.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

79. The method of claim 75,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

80. The method of claim 75, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

81. The method of claim 76, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the communication controller is receiving the data packets on the fourth frequency.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information for synchronizing signals.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

85. The method of claim 81,

wherein subsequent to reception of the data packets, the communication controller transmits a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which contains information that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to transmitting the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the communication controller receives a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

86. The method of claim 81, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets.

87. A method of communication, the method comprising:

transmitting a random request from a first node,

receiving a grant signal at the first node subsequent to transmission of the random request, said grant signal including information relating to an allocation of a slot to the first node for transmitting a reserved request;

receiving a aligning signal at the first node which enables the first node to transmit the reserved request;

transmitting the reserved request from the first node in the slot allocated to the first node, said reserved request being transmitted subsequent to reception of the grant signal;

receiving a authorization signal at the first node subsequent to the transmission of the reserved request, said authorization signal authorizing transmission of data packets;

transmitting the data packets from the first node;

wherein the grant signal returns randomly generated information to the first node to enable identification of the first node as a desired recipient of the grant signal;

wherein the first node transmits information relating to a count value for the data packets,

wherein the first node transmits terminal indication information indicating that a final data packet from the data packets is a last data packet; and

wherein the aligning signal is received on a first frequency, the reserved request is transmitted on a second frequency, the authorization signal is received on a third frequency and the data packets are transmitted on a fourth frequency, wherein the first frequency, the second frequency, the third frequency and the fourth frequency are differing frequencies.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive input device.

89. The method of claim 87, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

92. The method of claim 87,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

93. The method of claim 87, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

94. The method of claim 87, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

95. The method of claim 87, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the first node is sending the data packets on the fourth frequency.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive input device.

97. The method of claim 95, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

99. The method of claim 98, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

100. The method of claim 95,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

101. The method of claim 95, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

102. The method of claim 95, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

103. The method of claim 87, wherein a number of the differing frequencies for reserved slot operations allocated at any particular point in time for utilization by the first node is constant at four frequencies.

104. The method of claim 103, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive input device.

105. The method of claim 103, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

107. The method of claim 106, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

108. The method of claim 103,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

109. The method of claim 103, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

110. The method of claim 103, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.

111. The method of claim 103, wherein the second frequency remains allocated for possible subsequent reserved requests while the first node is sending the data packets on the fourth frequency.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein the data packets from the first node comprise information which is input from a user by a touch sensitive input device.

113. The method of claim 111, wherein the aligning signal comprises signaling information with which the first node can synchronize signals.

114. The method of claim 113, wherein the signaling information includes information which represents a frame boundary.

115. The method of claim 114, wherein said signaling information further defines slots within the frame boundary.

116. The method of claim 111,

wherein subsequent to transmission of the data packets, the first node receives a first acknowledgement on a downstream frequency, said first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency including information which informs the first node that the data packets have been received, and

wherein subsequent to receiving the first acknowledgement on the downstream frequency, the first node responds with a subsequent acknowledgement on a subsequent upstream frequency which acknowledges receipt of the first acknowledgement.

117. The method of claim 111, wherein the third frequency may also carry downstream data packets to the at least one node including the first node.

118. The method of claim 111, wherein a number of the differing frequencies comprises at least four frequency channels, and wherein a number of transceivers of the first node comprises less than the number of frequency channels but at least two transceivers.