EP0133567A2
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EP
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A method of polling and a communication system for ascertaining service needs
Assignee: Wang Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1984-08-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-08-07
Abstract
Abstract In a communication system a masterstation initially directs a single inquiry signal to the aggregate of the operating stations and receives a response from this aggregate indicating by its structure which of the several individual stations currently needs service from the communication facility. Messages are thereafter exchanged between the masterstation and those stations only which need service to inform the masterstation as to the details of the needed service. The many message exchanges between the master station and individual stations needing nothing is eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 An Wang
- 👤 Gary N. Stapleford
- 👤 Richard W. Neiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:05
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/14; G06F13/36; G06F13/368; G06F13/372; H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
301 words
A method for operating a communication system, said system having a masterstation (18) and a plurality of operating stations S i (20) (where i takes various values to specificy a particular operating station), each operating station having a unique address A i , a forward communication channel on which signals are transmitted from the masterstation to all of the plurality of operating stations, a return communication channel on which signals are transmitted from any of said operating stations to the masterstation, wherein the propagation time for a signal from the masterstation on the forward channel to each operating station S i is p i and the propagation time from each operating station S i on the return channel to the masterstation is p i , characterized by the steps: assigning to each operating station S i an assigned delay value d i specific to the station such that each operating station'.s returned delay value D . = p i + p i + d i is distinct for each station S i , storing at each operating station S i its assigned delay value d., transmitting from the masterstation on the forward communication channel a distinctive polling sync signal, transmitting on the return channel from each operating station S i which needs service a polling reply signal indicative of needing to use a communication channel, said reply signal being emitted after the assigned delay interval d i specific to the operating station after receiving the polling sync signal, receiving at the masterstation the signals indicative of needing service and associating the arrival times of such received signals with operating station addresses to ascertain which operating stations need service, and initiating from the masterstation an addressed message exchange with each operating station ascertained to need service to ascertain what service is needed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
301 words
A method for operating a communication system, said system having a masterstation (18) and a plurality of operating stations S i (20) (where i takes various values to specificy a particular operating station), each operating station having a unique address A i , a forward communication channel on which signals are transmitted from the masterstation to all of the plurality of operating stations, a return communication channel on which signals are transmitted from any of said operating stations to the masterstation, wherein the propagation time for a signal from the masterstation on the forward channel to each operating station S i is p i and the propagation time from each operating station S i on the return channel to the masterstation is p i , characterized by the steps: assigning to each operating station S i an assigned delay value d i specific to the station such that each operating station'.s returned delay value D . = p i + p i + d i is distinct for each station S i , storing at each operating station S i its assigned delay value d., transmitting from the masterstation on the forward communication channel a distinctive polling sync signal, transmitting on the return channel from each operating station S i which needs service a polling reply signal indicative of needing to use a communication channel, said reply signal being emitted after the assigned delay interval d i specific to the operating station after receiving the polling sync signal, receiving at the masterstation the signals indicative of needing service and associating the arrival times of such received signals with operating station addresses to ascertain which operating stations need service, and initiating from the masterstation an addressed message exchange with each operating station ascertained to need service to ascertain what service is needed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
305 words
A communication system having a masterstation (18) and a plurality of operating stations S i (20) (where i takes various values to specificy a particular operating station), each operating station having a unique address A i , a forward communication channel on which signals are transmitted from the masterstation to all of the plurality of operating stations, a return communication channel on which signals are transmitted from any of said operating stations to the masterstation, wherein the propagation time for a signal from the masterstation on the forward channel to each operating station S i is p i and the propagation time from each operating station S i on the return channel to the masterstation is p', characterized by - means (90) at each operating station (20) for storing an assigned value indicative of a time delay d i specific to the station, - means (40) at said masterstation (18) for transmitting on said forward communication channel a distinctive polling sync signal, - means (60) at each operating station (20) for receiving from the forward transmission channel and identifying a polling sync signal, - means (84) at each operating station (20) for transmitting on the return channel when the operating station (20) needs service and not otherwise a uniform signal indicative of needing service, said signal indicative of needing service being emitted after the assigned delay interval d specific to the operating station (18) after receiving the polling sync signal, - means (40, 34) at said masterstation (18) for receiving the signals indicative of needing service and associating to arrival times of such received signals with operating station addresses to ascertain which operating stations need service, and - means (30) for initiating from the masterstation (18) an addressed message exchange with each operating station (20) ascertained to need service to ascertain what service is needed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
305 words
A communication system having a masterstation (18) and a plurality of operating stations S i (20) (where i takes various values to specificy a particular operating station), each operating station having a unique address A i , a forward communication channel on which signals are transmitted from the masterstation to all of the plurality of operating stations, a return communication channel on which signals are transmitted from any of said operating stations to the masterstation, wherein the propagation time for a signal from the masterstation on the forward channel to each operating station S i is p i and the propagation time from each operating station S i on the return channel to the masterstation is p', characterized by - means (90) at each operating station (20) for storing an assigned value indicative of a time delay d i specific to the station, - means (40) at said masterstation (18) for transmitting on said forward communication channel a distinctive polling sync signal, - means (60) at each operating station (20) for receiving from the forward transmission channel and identifying a polling sync signal, - means (84) at each operating station (20) for transmitting on the return channel when the operating station (20) needs service and not otherwise a uniform signal indicative of needing service, said signal indicative of needing service being emitted after the assigned delay interval d specific to the operating station (18) after receiving the polling sync signal, - means (40, 34) at said masterstation (18) for receiving the signals indicative of needing service and associating to arrival times of such received signals with operating station addresses to ascertain which operating stations need service, and - means (30) for initiating from the masterstation (18) an addressed message exchange with each operating station (20) ascertained to need service to ascertain what service is needed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
230 words
An operating station for use in a communication system, according to claim 2 said system having a masterstation (18) and a plurality of operating stations S i (20) (where i takes various values to specificy a particular operating station), each operating station having a unique address A., a forward communication channel on which signals are transmitted from the masterstation to all of the plurality of operating stations, a return communication channel on which signals are transmitted from any of said operating stations to the masterstation, wherein the propagation time for a signal from the masterstation on the forward channel to each operating station S i is p i and the propagation time from each operating station S i on the return channel to the masterstation is p i , characterized by - means (90) for storing an assigned value of time delay d, - means (68) for receiving from the forward transmission channel and identifying a polling sync signal, - means (34) for responding to a received polling sync signal when and only when the operating station (20) needs service by transmitting on the return channel a signal indicative of needing service after a delay equal to the assigned delay value d after receiving a polling sync signal, and - means (64, 60) for receiving and identifying messages transmitted on the forward channel addressed specifically to the operating station (20).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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