Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
In a communication system that includes a plurality of communication nodes and a time division multiplex (TDM) bus, wherein each of the communication nodes is allocated at least one time slot of the TDM bus to produce an allocated time slot, a method for a communication node to transmit either data or digitized analog information in the allocated time slot, the method comprises the steps of: a) determining, by the communication node, whether to change from transmitting a first information packet type to transmitting a second information packet type, wherein the first information packet type is either data or digitized analog information and the second information packet type is the exclusive opposite of the first information packet type; b) transmitting, by the communication node via the allocated time slot, an information type transition message during a first frame cycle; c) upon receiving the information type transition message, storing, by at least one other communication node, the information type transition message for the communication node; and d) transmitting, by the communication node, a second information packet type message during at least one subsequent frame cycle, wherein at least one other communication node interprets the second information packet type message as a second information packet type.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a communication system that includes a plurality of communication nodes and a time division multiplex (TDM) bus, wherein each of the communication nodes is allocated at least one time slot of the TDM bus to produce an allocated time slot, a method for a communication node to transmit either data or digitized analog information in the allocated time slot, the method comprises the steps of: a) determining, by the communication node, whether to change from transmitting a first information packet type to transmitting a second information packet type, wherein the first information packet type is either data or digitized analog information and the second information packet type is the exclusive opposite of the first information packet type; b) transmitting, by the communication node via the allocated time slot, an information type transition message during a first frame cycle; c) upon receiving the information type transition message, storing, by at least one other communication node, the information type transition message for the communication node; and d) transmitting, by the communication node, a second information packet type message during at least one subsequent frame cycle, wherein at least one other communication node interprets the second information packet type message as a second information packet type.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further comprises transmitting, by the communication node, a second information type transition message that indicates that during subsequent frame cycles, the communication node will be transmitting first information type packets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 2 further comprises: upon receiving the second information type transition message, storing, by at least one other communication node, the information type transition message for the communication node; and transmitting, by the communication node, a first information packet type message, wherein at least one other communication node interprets the first information packet type message as a first information packet type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
In the method of claim 1, wherein the second information type packet is data, step (d) further comprises setting a predetermined number of bits within the allocated time slot to indicate whether a data message contained within the allocated time slot is valid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a communication system that includes a plurality of communication nodes and a time division multiplex (TDM) bus, wherein each of the communication nodes is allocated at least one time slot of the TDM bus to produce an allocated time slot, and wherein each of the plurality of communication nodes is improved to comprise: generating means for generating an information type transition message, wherein the information type transition message indicates that the information transmitted in the allocated time slot will be changed from a first information packet type to a second information packet type and wherein the first information packet type is either data or digitized analog information and the second information packet type is the exclusive opposite of the first information packet type; storage means for storing information type transition messages produced by other communication nodes; and interpretation means, operably coupled to the storage means, for interpreting whether a first information packet type message or a second information packet type message is contained within other communication nodes allocated time slots based on the information type transition message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a communication system that includes a plurality of communication nodes and a time division multiplex (TDM) bus, wherein each of the communication nodes is allocated at least one time slot of the TDM bus to produce an allocated time slot, and wherein each of the plurality of communication nodes is improved to comprise: generating means for generating an information type transition message, wherein the information type transition message indicates that the information transmitted in the allocated time slot will be changed from a first information packet type to a second information packet type and wherein the first information packet type is either data or digitized analog information and the second information packet type is the exclusive opposite of the first information packet type; storage means for storing information type transition messages produced by other communication nodes; and interpretation means, operably coupled to the storage means, for interpreting whether a first information packet type message or a second information packet type message is contained within other communication nodes allocated time slots based on the information type transition message.