Selectively ordered protocol for unreliable channels
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of discarding a message that is intended to be delivered to a computer over a data communication network, said method comprising:
- (a) receiving a first message intended for said computer, said first message having a first sequence index and a first ephemerality index;
(b) receiving a second message intended for said computer, said second message having a second sequence index and a second ephemerality index;
(c) determining that said first ephemerality index and said second ephemerality index are the same;
(d) comparing the first sequence index and the second sequence index;
(e) on the basis of the comparison, delivering said second message before said first message;
(f) receiving a third message intended for said computer, said third message having a third sequencing index and a third ephemerality index;
(g) receiving a fourth message intended for said computer, said fourth message having a fourth sequencing index and a fourth ephemerality index;
(h) determining that said third ephemerality index and said fourth ephemerality index are different; and
(i) discarding said third message;
wherein said ephemerality indices are not priority indices;
whereby the third message, which was intended for said computer, never reaches said computer.
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Abstract
A communication protocol provides a selective ordering of packets such that some sequences of packets on the channel are guaranteed not to be delivered out of order, while other packets on the same channel may be delivered before earlier sent packets are received, thereby preempting their delivery. The communication protocol can be implemented using UDP over IP. The protocol may be used for exchange of information in a distributed multi-player game.
17 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of discarding a message that is intended to be delivered to a computer over a data communication network, said method comprising:
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(a) receiving a first message intended for said computer, said first message having a first sequence index and a first ephemerality index; (b) receiving a second message intended for said computer, said second message having a second sequence index and a second ephemerality index; (c) determining that said first ephemerality index and said second ephemerality index are the same; (d) comparing the first sequence index and the second sequence index; (e) on the basis of the comparison, delivering said second message before said first message; (f) receiving a third message intended for said computer, said third message having a third sequencing index and a third ephemerality index; (g) receiving a fourth message intended for said computer, said fourth message having a fourth sequencing index and a fourth ephemerality index; (h) determining that said third ephemerality index and said fourth ephemerality index are different; and (i) discarding said third message;
wherein said ephemerality indices are not priority indices;whereby the third message, which was intended for said computer, never reaches said computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. A manufacture comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium having encoded thereof software for discarding a message that is intended to be delivered to a computer over a data communication network, said software including instructions for causing a computer system (a) to receive a first message intended for said computer, said first message having a first sequence index and a first ephemerality index, (b) to receive a second message intended for said computer, said second message having a second sequence index and a second ephemerality index, (c) to determine that said first ephemerality index and said second ephemerality index are the same, (d) to compare said first sequence index and said second sequence index, (e) on the basis of said comparison, to deliver said second message before said first message, (f) to receive a third message intended for said computer, said third message having a third sequencing index and a third ephemerality index, (g) to receive a fourth message intended for said computer, said fourth message having a fourth sequencing index and a fourth ephemerality index, (h) to determine that said third ephemerality index and said fourth ephemerality index are different, and (i) to discard said third message, wherein said ephemerality indices are not priority indices, whereby said third message, which was intended for said computer, never reaches said computer.
Specification