Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
In a packet-switched communication network, a method for routing flooding packets to nodes in said network, said method comprising the steps of: assigning at each local node a link sequence value to each communication link with said local node; exchanging between each said local node and each remote nodes said link sequence value assigned to a common communication link such that each said local node is advised of the link sequence value assigned by each remote node to a communication link with said local node; and transmitting flooding packets only via communication links having link sequence values with a priority above a link sequence value threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
In a packet-switched communication network, a method for routing flooding packets to nodes in said network, said method comprising the steps of: assigning at each local node a link sequence value to each communication link with said local node; exchanging between each said local node and each remote nodes said link sequence value assigned to a common communication link such that each said local node is advised of the link sequence value assigned by each remote node to a communication link with said local node; and transmitting flooding packets only via communication links having link sequence values with a priority above a link sequence value threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 1 further including the step of directing that flooding packets can only be rebroadcast away from a source node to other nodes to avoid resending packets into the source node.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said directing step includes directing that flooding packets be directed to nodes which are located in the far half-circular region bisected by an axis between the source node and an intermediate rebroadcasting node.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a packet-switched communication network having independent nodes capable of communicating via communication links, a method for routing flooding packets to nodes in said network, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a packet at a local node from a remote node via a communication link; testing said packet to determine whether said packet originates from a new node, said new node being said remote node having no communication link established with said local node; sending from said local node to said new node a sequence number inquiry via said communication link to inquire of a sequence number assigned by said new node to said local node for said communication link; assigning at said new node a sequence number to said communication link established with said new node, said sequence number specifying a relative priority of communication via said communication link; thereafter receiving from said new node at said local node a sequence number response, said sequence number response comprising said sequence number; storing said sequence number at said local node; receiving at said local node a flooding packet, said flooding packet being a message intended for all nodes in said packet network; and retransmitting said flooding packet to said new node only if said sequence number has a higher priority than a preselected threshold for a link sequence.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
219 words
In a packet-switched communication network having independent nodes capable of communicating via communication links, a method for routing flooding packets to nodes in said network, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a packet at a local node from a remote node via a communication link; testing said packet to determine whether said packet originates from a new node, said new node being said remote node having no communication link established with said local node; sending from said local node to said new node a sequence number inquiry via said communication link to inquire of a sequence number assigned by said new node to said local node for said communication link; assigning at said new node a sequence number to said communication link established with said new node, said sequence number specifying a relative priority of communication via said communication link; thereafter receiving from said new node at said local node a sequence number response, said sequence number response comprising said sequence number; storing said sequence number at said local node; receiving at said local node a flooding packet, said flooding packet being a message intended for all nodes in said packet network; and retransmitting said flooding packet to said new node only if said sequence number has a higher priority than a preselected threshold for a link sequence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 4 wherein said assigning step comprises assigning said link sequence in the order that links are established.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein the lowest link sequence number is assigned to the first communication link which is established between the remote node and the local node.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 4 further including the step of directing that a flooding packet can only be rebroadcast away from a source node in order to avoid resending packets into the source node.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said directing step includes directing that a flooding packet be directed to nodes which are located in the far half-circular region bisected by an axis between the source node and said local node serving as an intermediate rebroadcasting node.