EP0596523A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed data transfer over twisted pair cabling
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A method provides for a first network node in a plurality of network nodes to transmit a data packet to a hub. The hub and the network nodes are interconnected within a local network system. Control signals are exchanged between the first network node and the hub. The exchange of control signals is done in a first signal frequency range. A data packet is sent from the first network node to the hub. The data packet is sent using data signals within a second signal frequency range. The first signal frequency range and the second signal frequency range do not overlap.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Albrecht
- 👤 Steven Harold Goody
- 👤 Michael Peter Spratt
- 👤 Daniel Joseph Dove
- 👤 Joseph Anthony Curcio, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:54
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/44; H04L25/00; H04L25/02; H04L25/14; H04L25/38; H04L25/40; H04L25/49; H04L25/4906; H04L25/4908; H04L5/00; H04L5/14; H04L5/143; H04L12/40; H04L12/407; H04L12/413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
In a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), a method which provides for a first network node (16,17,18) to transmit a data packet to the hub (30), the method comprising the steps of: (a) exchanging control signals between the first network node (16,17,18) and the hub (30), the exchange of control signals being done in a first signal frequency range; and, (b) sending a data packet from the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30), the data packet being sent using data signals within a second signal frequency range, wherein the first signal frequency range and the second signal frequency range are different, and wherein steps (a) and (b) do not overlap in time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), a method which provides for a first network node (16,17,18) to transmit a data packet to the hub (30), the method comprising the steps of: (a) exchanging control signals between the first network node (16,17,18) and the hub (30), the exchange of control signals being done in a first signal frequency range; and, (b) sending a data packet from the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30), the data packet being sent using data signals within a second signal frequency range, wherein the first signal frequency range and the second signal frequency range are different, and wherein steps (a) and (b) do not overlap in time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein: the first network node (16,17,18) is connected to the hub (30) using a plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33); in step (a) a first set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) is used to send control signals from the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30) and a second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) is used to send control signals from the hub (30) to the first network node (16,17,18); and, in step (b) all twisted wire pairs in the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) are used to send the data packet from the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the first set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) includes two twisted wire pairs and the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) included two twisted wire pairs.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
81 words
A method as in any one of the preceding claims additionally comprising the step of: (c) exchanging control signals between the hub (30) and each of the plurality of network nodes (16,17,18) excluding the first network node (16,17,18), the exchange of control signals being done in the first signal frequency range for the purpose of providing arbitration to determine which network node will transfer a next data package to the hub (30), wherein step (c) and step (b) are performed simultaneously.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
105 words
A method as in any one of the preceding claims additionally comprising the step of: (d) checking by the hub (30), a destination address for the data packet sent in step (b), wherein time of performance for step (b) and step (d) overlap; and, (e) when the destination address is for a second network node in the plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), performing the following substep: (e.1) sending the data packet from the hub (30) to the second network node, the data packet being sent using data signals within the second signal frequency range, wherein time of performance for step (b) and step (e) overlap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as in claim 5 additionally comprising the step of: (f) when the destination address is for a first subset of at least two of the plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), performing the following substeps: (f.1) storing the data packet until completion of step (b), and (f.2) upon completion of step (b) sending the data packet from the hub (30) to the first subset of network nodes.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
130 words
A method as in any one of the preceding claims wherein: the first signal frequency range is lower than the second frequency range; step (a) includes filtering by the hub (30) of control signals received from the first network node (16,17,18) using a first squelch level; step (b) includes filtering by the hub (30) of data signals received from the first network node (16,17,18) using a second squelch level; the first squelch level is higher than the second squelch level; the squelch level is changed from the first squelch level to the second squelch level based on receipt of a particular control signal; and, the squelch level is changed from the second squelch level to the first squelch level based on receipt of particular control information within the data signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
298 words
In a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), each network node being connected to the hub (30) using a separate plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33), each plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) having a first set of twisted wire pairs and a second set of twisted wire pairs and wherein at least one of the first set of twisted wire pairs and the second set of twisted wire pairs includes more than one twisted wire pair, a method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps: (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30) on the first set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot for activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30), and (a.3) upon the first network node detecting activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) beginning to send a data packet to the hub (30), sending a collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) on each second set of twisted wire pairs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
298 words
In a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), each network node being connected to the hub (30) using a separate plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33), each plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) having a first set of twisted wire pairs and a second set of twisted wire pairs and wherein at least one of the first set of twisted wire pairs and the second set of twisted wire pairs includes more than one twisted wire pair, a method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps: (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30) on the first set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot for activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30), and (a.3) upon the first network node detecting activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) beginning to send a data packet to the hub (30), sending a collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) on each second set of twisted wire pairs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
97 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein step (a) additionally includes the substep of: (a.4) upon the first network node not detecting activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, upon completion of the arbitration time slot, continuing transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) of the first data packet on both the first set and the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) connecting the first network node (16,17,18) to the hub (30).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 9 wherein for each plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33), the first set of twisted wire pairs consists of two twisted wire pairs and the second set of twisted wire pairs consists of two twisted wire pairs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as in claim 9 wherein for each plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33), a total number of twisted wire pairs in the plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) is four, the first set of twisted wire pairs consists of three twisted wire pairs and the second set of twisted wire pairs consists of three twisted wire pairs.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), the transmission being in a first data frequency range, (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent in a second data frequency range wherein the first data frequency range and the second data frequency range do not overlap, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub(30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) beginning to send a data packet to the hub (30), sending the signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
211 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), the transmission being in a first data frequency range, (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent in a second data frequency range wherein the first data frequency range and the second data frequency range do not overlap, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub(30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) beginning to send a data packet to the hub (30), sending the signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 12 wherein each network node is connected to the hub (30) using four twisted wire pairs.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps: (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent as a common mode signal, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) beginning to send a data packet to the hub (30), sending the signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) using common mode signaling.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
190 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps: (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent as a common mode signal, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) beginning to send a data packet to the hub (30), sending the signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) using common mode signaling.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as in claim 14 wherein each network node is connected to the hub (30) using a plurality of twisted wire pairs (31,32,33) and in substep (b.1) to each network node the hub (30) sends common mode AC signal on two twisted wire pairs simultaneously and 180 degrees out of phase to each network node.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the step of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), the transmission being in a first data frequency range, (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent in the first data frequency range, the listening including the substep of (a.2. 1) canceling transmit energy received by the first network node from the transmission of data being performed in step (a.1), and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18);
Claim 21
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the step of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), the transmission being in a first data frequency range, (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent in the first data frequency range, the listening including the substep of (a.2. 1) canceling transmit energy received by the first network node from the transmission of data being performed in step (a.1), and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18);
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
(Amended) A method as in claim 16 wherein each network node is connected to the hub using a plurality of twisted wire pairs and in substep (b.1) (to each network node) the hub sends common mode AC signal on two twisted wire pairs simultaneously and 180 degrees out of phase to each network node.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 16 or 17 wherein each network node is connected to the hub (30) using four twisted wire pairs.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during a first data transmission time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot following the first data transmission time slot, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) transmitting a data packet during the first data transmission time slot, sending the collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node (16,17,18) during a first data transmission time slot, of a first data packet to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot following the first data transmission time slot, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, ceasing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) transmitting a data packet during the first data transmission time slot, sending the collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as in claim 19 wherein step (a) additionally includes the substep of: (a.4) upon the first network node (16,17,18) not receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, continuing transmission by the first network node (16,17,18) during a second data transmission time slot.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
30 words
A method as in claims 19 or 20 wherein the collision signal is a tone at a lower frequency than a frequency used for transmission of the first data packet.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) transmitting, by the first network node (16,17,18) during a first data time slot, a first data packet to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot following the transmission of the first data packet, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, retransmitting by the first network node (16,17,18) of the first data packet at a later time; and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) transmitting a data packet during the first data transmission time slot, sending the collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18), the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) transmitting, by the first network node (16,17,18) during a first data time slot, a first data packet to the hub (30), (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot following the transmission of the first data packet, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, and (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, retransmitting by the first network node (16,17,18) of the first data packet at a later time; and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) upon detecting more than one network node (16,17,18) transmitting a data packet during the first data transmission time slot, sending the collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 22 wherein the collision signal is a tone at a lower frequency than a frequency used for transmission of the first data packet.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18) the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) transmitting, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, a first request tone within a first frequency range, (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) not receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, transmitting a first data packet to the hub (30), wherein the first data packet is transferred by the first network node (16,17,18), and (a.4) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, backing off, by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) when the hub (30) detects more than one network node (16,17,18) transmitting the first request tone, sending the collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
222 words
A method of signaling over a local network system in which a hub (30) is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes (16,17,18) the method comprising the steps of: (a) when a first network node (16,17,18) desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node (16,17,18) the following substeps (a.1) transmitting, by the first network node (16,17,18) during an arbitration time slot, a first request tone within a first frequency range, (a.2) listening, by the first network node (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot, for a collision signal sent from the hub (30) to the network node, (a.3) upon the first network node (16,17,18) not receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, transmitting a first data packet to the hub (30), wherein the first data packet is transferred by the first network node (16,17,18), and (a.4) upon the first network node (16,17,18) receiving the collision signal from the hub (30) during the arbitration time slot, backing off, by the first network node (16,17,18); and, (b) during the arbitration time slot, performing the following substep by the hub (30) (b.1) when the hub (30) detects more than one network node (16,17,18) transmitting the first request tone, sending the collision signal to each of the network nodes (16,17,18) during the arbitration time slot.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for transmitting first data (303) across a network, the method comprising the steps of: (a) scrambling the first data (303) to produce scrambled data (304); (b) serializing and block coding the scrambled data (304) to produce a plurality of serial data streams (305); (c) transmitting the plurality of serial data streams (305) across the network; (d) deserializing and block decoding the plurality of serial data streams to recover the scrambled data (308); and, (e) descrambling the scrambled data (308) to recover the first data.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for transmitting first data (303) across a network, the method comprising the steps of: (a) scrambling the first data (303) to produce scrambled data (304); (b) serializing and block coding the scrambled data (304) to produce a plurality of serial data streams (305); (c) transmitting the plurality of serial data streams (305) across the network; (d) deserializing and block decoding the plurality of serial data streams to recover the scrambled data (308); and, (e) descrambling the scrambled data (308) to recover the first data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 25 wherein in step (a) the scrambling is based on the following polynomial factors:
Claim 36
Independent Claim
21 words
A method as in claims 25 or 26 wherein in step (b) the block coding is performed using a 5B/6B code.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
19 words
A method as in any one of the claims 25-27 wherein step (c) is performed using binary NRZ modulation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a local network system in which a hub is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes using twisted wire pairs, a method which provides for a first network node, connected to the hub using a first plurality of twisted wire pairs, to transmit a data packet to the hub, the method comprising the steps of: (a) exchanging control signals between the first network node and the hub using a first set of the first plurality of twisted wire pairs to send control signals from the first network node to the hub and using a second set of the first plurality of twisted wire pairs is used to send control signals from the hub to the first network node, and, (b) sending a data packet from the first network node to the hub using all twisted wire pairs in the first plurality of twisted wire pairs.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a local network system in which a hub is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes using twisted wire pairs, a method which provides for a first network node, connected to the hub using a first plurality of twisted wire pairs, to transmit a data packet to the hub, the method comprising the steps of: (a) exchanging control signals between the first network node and the hub using a first set of the first plurality of twisted wire pairs to send control signals from the first network node to the hub and using a second set of the first plurality of twisted wire pairs is used to send control signals from the hub to the first network node, and, (b) sending a data packet from the first network node to the hub using all twisted wire pairs in the first plurality of twisted wire pairs.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a local network system in which a hub is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes, each network node being connected to the hub using a separate plurality of twisted wire pairs, each plurality of twisted wire pairs having a first set of twisted wire pairs and a second set of twisted wire pairs, a method comprising the step of: (a) when a first network node desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node the following substeps: (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub on the first set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub, (a.2) listening, by the first network node during the arbitration time slot for activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub, and (a.3) upon the first network node not detecting activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub during the arbitration time slot, upon completion of the arbitration time slot, continuing transmission, by the first network node of the first data packet on both the first set and the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a local network system in which a hub is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes, each network node being connected to the hub using a separate plurality of twisted wire pairs, each plurality of twisted wire pairs having a first set of twisted wire pairs and a second set of twisted wire pairs, a method comprising the step of: (a) when a first network node desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node the following substeps: (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node during an arbitration time slot, of a first data packet to the hub on the first set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub, (a.2) listening, by the first network node during the arbitration time slot for activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub, and (a.3) upon the first network node not detecting activity over the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub during the arbitration time slot, upon completion of the arbitration time slot, continuing transmission, by the first network node of the first data packet on both the first set and the second set of the plurality of twisted wire pairs connecting the first network node to the hub.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a local network system in which a hub is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes, a method comprising the step of: (a) when a first network node desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node during an arbitration time slot, over a plurality of data channels between the first network node and the hub; (a.2) concurrent with substep (a.1) transmitting by the first network node over a first set of the plurality of data channels a first collision signal; and, (a.3) concurrent with step (a.1) and (a.2) listening, by the first network node, for a second collision signal sent from the hub to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent over a second set of the plurality of data channels.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a local network system in which a hub is connected to each of a plurality of network nodes, a method comprising the step of: (a) when a first network node desires to send a data packet, performing by the first network node the following substeps (a.1) beginning transmission, by the first network node during an arbitration time slot, over a plurality of data channels between the first network node and the hub; (a.2) concurrent with substep (a.1) transmitting by the first network node over a first set of the plurality of data channels a first collision signal; and, (a.3) concurrent with step (a.1) and (a.2) listening, by the first network node, for a second collision signal sent from the hub to the network node, the collision signal, when sent, being sent over a second set of the plurality of data channels.
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