Method and a system for determining between devices a reference time for execution of a task thereon
First Claim
1. A method of determining, between an initiating device and at least one responding device, a reference time for execution of a task thereon, the method comprising:
- prompting a plurality of devices by the initiating device to provide a respective desired reference time;
providing, in response to the prompting, a respective desired reference time by a subset of the plurality of responding devices; and
determining an actual reference time based on any desired reference times provided, wherein prompting of a plurality of responding devices comprises the initiating device sending a prompting message to the plurality of responding devices, and providing a respective desired reference time by a subset of the plurality of responding devices comprises each of the subset of the plurality of responding devices sending a responding message including the respective desired reference time, the subset of responding devices comprising one of at least one responding device specified in at least one of the prompting message and a responding message; and
at least one responding device determining that it is included in the subset based on one of the time the responding device receives the prompting message and a time specified in the prompting message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for determining, between an initiating device and at least one responding device, a reference time for the execution of at least one task on one of the devices. The method includes the initiating device prompting at least one responding device to provide a respective desired reference time. The method further includes at least one responding device providing a respective desired reference time, in response to the prompting. An actual reference time is determined based on any desired reference times provided. In one embodiment, the actual reference time is the latest of all desired reference times. A system including the initiating device and a responding device is also disclosed.
7 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of determining, between an initiating device and at least one responding device, a reference time for execution of a task thereon, the method comprising:
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prompting a plurality of devices by the initiating device to provide a respective desired reference time; providing, in response to the prompting, a respective desired reference time by a subset of the plurality of responding devices; and determining an actual reference time based on any desired reference times provided, wherein prompting of a plurality of responding devices comprises the initiating device sending a prompting message to the plurality of responding devices, and providing a respective desired reference time by a subset of the plurality of responding devices comprises each of the subset of the plurality of responding devices sending a responding message including the respective desired reference time, the subset of responding devices comprising one of at least one responding device specified in at least one of the prompting message and a responding message; and
at least one responding device determining that it is included in the subset based on one of the time the responding device receives the prompting message and a time specified in the prompting message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A device that cooperates with at least another device to obtain a reference time for execution of at least one task on one of the devices, the device comprising:
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means that provides a respective desired reference time; means that receives a respective desired reference time from each of the at least another device; and means that determines an actual reference time based on its desired reference time and any desired reference times received. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising an initiating device cooperating with at least one responding device to obtain a reference time for the execution of at least one task on one of the devices, wherein the initiating device comprises:
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means that prompts the responding device to provide its respective desired reference time; and the responding device comprises; means that provides the initiating device and any other responding device its desired reference time, in response to the prompting; means that receives a respective desired reference time from other responding devices; and means that determines an actual reference time from any desired reference start times received. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification