Network communication apparatus, system and method
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a wired network including a plurality of network branches each having a common communication link;
a plurality of network devices connected to the network branches;
a plurality of time-slot communication schedules respectively stored and accessible by each of the network devices, the plurality of time-slot communication schedules designating time slots during which each network device is assigned to communicate over an associated one of the plurality of network branches;
a central communication circuit havinga central-communication schedule stored and accessible by the central communication circuit,data-coupling circuitry configured and arranged for communicatively coupling data between the central communication circuit and each of the plurality of network devices through respective ones of the plurality of network branches, anddata-logic circuitry configured and arranged toreceive a communication from one of the plurality of network devices connected to one of the network branches using a time slot assigned for the communication in the central-communication schedule,assess the received communication as being error-indicative or not error-indicative irrespective of an interpretation of payload carried by a received data, andin response thereto, either forward the received communications to the other network devices or block dissemination of further communications, which would use the time slot associated with the received communication assessed as being error-indicative while permitting communication using other time slots on the branch common to the error-indicative time slot.
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Abstract
Aspects of the present invention are directed to data communications on a wired communication network including a plurality of network branches, each having a common communication link and a plurality of network devices connected to the network branches. Communications received from the network devices during different time slots are assessed as being error-indicative or not error-indicative. Based upon the assessment, communications received during time slots within a cycle not assessed as being error-indicative are forwarded, and communications received during time slots within the cycle assessed as being error-indicative are not forwarded.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a wired network including a plurality of network branches each having a common communication link; a plurality of network devices connected to the network branches; a plurality of time-slot communication schedules respectively stored and accessible by each of the network devices, the plurality of time-slot communication schedules designating time slots during which each network device is assigned to communicate over an associated one of the plurality of network branches; a central communication circuit having a central-communication schedule stored and accessible by the central communication circuit, data-coupling circuitry configured and arranged for communicatively coupling data between the central communication circuit and each of the plurality of network devices through respective ones of the plurality of network branches, and data-logic circuitry configured and arranged to receive a communication from one of the plurality of network devices connected to one of the network branches using a time slot assigned for the communication in the central-communication schedule, assess the received communication as being error-indicative or not error-indicative irrespective of an interpretation of payload carried by a received data, and in response thereto, either forward the received communications to the other network devices or block dissemination of further communications, which would use the time slot associated with the received communication assessed as being error-indicative while permitting communication using other time slots on the branch common to the error-indicative time slot. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. For use in a wired communication network including a plurality of network branches each having a common communication link and a plurality of network devices connected to the network branches, an apparatus comprising:
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a circuit for communicating a plurality of time-slot communication schedules for storage and access by each of the network devices, the plurality of time-slot communication schedules designating time slots assigned to each network device for communication over an associated one of the plurality of network branches; a stored central-communication schedule; data-coupling circuitry configured and arranged for communicatively coupling data between each of the plurality of network devices through respective ones of the plurality of network branches; and data-logic circuitry configured and arranged to receive a communication from one of the plurality of network devices connected to one of the network branches using a time slot assigned for the communication in the central-communication schedule, assess the received communication as being error-indicative or not error-indicative irrespective of an interpretation of any content carried by a received data, and in response thereto, either forward the received communications to the other network devices or block dissemination of further communications which would use the time slot associated with the received communication assessed as being error-indicative while permitting communication using other time slots on the branch common to the error-indicative time slot. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. For use in a wired communication network including a plurality of network branches each having a common communication link and a plurality of network devices connected to the network branches, a method comprising:
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communicating a plurality of time-slot communication schedules for storage and access by each of the network devices, the plurality of time-slot communication schedules designating time slots assigned to each network device for communication over an associated one of the plurality of network branches; storing a central-communication schedule; communicatively coupling data between each of the plurality of network devices through respective ones of the plurality of network branches; and in data-logic circuitry, receiving a communication from one of the plurality of network devices connected to one of the network branches using a time slot assigned for the communication in the central-communication schedule, assessing the received communication as being error-indicative or not error-indicative irrespective of an interpretation of any content carried by a received data, and in response thereto, either forwarding the received communications to the other network devices or blocking dissemination of further communications, which would use the time slot associated with the received communication assessed as being error-indicative while permitting communication using other time slots on the branch common to the error-indicative time slot. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification