Redundant radio frequency network having a roaming terminal communication protocol
DC
First Claim
1. A method of beginning a data exchange over an RF communication link between a polling device and a sending device wherein the polling device has an interpoll gap time, the method comprising:
- (a) identifying by the sending device that the RF communication link is clear throughout a period which is at least as long as the maximum possible interpoll gap time under conditions solely when the RF communication link is heavily loaded; and
(b) transmitting a request for poll frame by the sending device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a redundant network and communication protocol at least including host computers, RF base stations, and roaming terminals. The network may utilize a polling communication protocol such that under heavy traffic conditions, a roaming terminal wishing to initiate communication may be required to determine whether the channel is clear by listening for an entire interpoll gap time. When a hidden terminal is communicating, the roaming terminal may conclude that the communication is taking place upon receiving a polling frame directed to the hidden terminal from the normally silent base station. Inherent redundancy techniques may be used with a spanning tree approach for determining the most efficient pathways from a source to a destination and ensuring that the network adapts to spatial changes or breakdowns within the network.
207 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of beginning a data exchange over an RF communication link between a polling device and a sending device wherein the polling device has an interpoll gap time, the method comprising:
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(a) identifying by the sending device that the RF communication link is clear throughout a period which is at least as long as the maximum possible interpoll gap time under conditions solely when the RF communication link is heavily loaded; and
(b) transmitting a request for poll frame by the sending device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of beginning a data exchange over a wireless communication channel between a destination device and a sending device comprising:
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waiting, by the sending device, a period of time that is at least as long as a predetermined time period and detecting no communication on the wireless communication channel;
attempting, by the sending device, to initiate communication to the destination device; and
if the attempt to initiate communication to the destination device proves successful, transmitting, by the sending device, a series of packets wherein each two consecutive packet transmissions are separated by no more than the predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of beginning a data exchange over a wireless communication channel between a destination device and a sending device comprising:
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selecting a predetermined traffic level over the wireless communication channel;
determining that the traffic is below the predetermined traffic level;
transmitting a request for a poll frame by the sending device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A method of beginning communication within a wireless communication network among a plurality of devices comprising:
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determining whether communication is being performed from a first device of the plurality of devices to a second device of the plurality of device, the communication being performed on a communication channel within the wireless communication network;
initiating communication between the first device and the second device after determining that no communication is being performed; and
continuing the communication when the communication proves successful. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeInnovatio IP Ventures LLC
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Original AssigneeBroadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
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InventorsMeier, Robert C.
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Primary Examiner(s)ZIMMERMAN, BRIAN A
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Application NumberUS09/960,265Time in Patent Office921 DaysField of Search370/449, 370/445, 370/346, 370/447, 340/3.51US Class Current370/449CPC Class CodesH01Q 1/007 specially adapted for indoo...H04L 1/0025 Transmission of mode-switch...H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality...H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of ...H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addr...H04L 69/14 Multichannel or multilink p...H04W 36/00 Hand-off or reselection arr...H04W 40/04 based on wireless node reso...H04W 40/246 Connectivity information di...H04W 40/248 Connectivity information up...H04W 40/30 for proactive routingH04W 40/36 due to handoverH04W 52/0229 where the received signal i...H04W 74/06 using pollingH04W 74/0808 using carrier sensing, e.g....H04W 74/0816 with collision avoidanceH04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols ...Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication n...
