Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a radio communication system, the radio communication system having first and second transceivers, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a sequence of communication channels; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; providing a channel hop period defining a limit on continuous utilization of a particular communication channel for channel hopping on the on the sequence of communication channels; at the first transceiver: reserving a communication slot, for operating on the sequence of communication channels, by transmitting a reservation signal, for a particular duration, on the reservation channel; and operating on successive channels of the sequence of communication channels, using the communication slot, during successive channel hop periods; at the second transceiver: monitoring the reservation channel to detect a reservation signal; determining that an open communication slot exists on the sequence of communication channels when a reservation signal is not present; and establishing communication using the open communication slot, on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exits.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a radio communication system, the radio communication system having first and second transceivers, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a sequence of communication channels; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; providing a channel hop period defining a limit on continuous utilization of a particular communication channel for channel hopping on the on the sequence of communication channels; at the first transceiver: reserving a communication slot, for operating on the sequence of communication channels, by transmitting a reservation signal, for a particular duration, on the reservation channel; and operating on successive channels of the sequence of communication channels, using the communication slot, during successive channel hop periods; at the second transceiver: monitoring the reservation channel to detect a reservation signal; determining that an open communication slot exists on the sequence of communication channels when a reservation signal is not present; and establishing communication using the open communication slot, on the sequence of communication channels, when an open communication slot exits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of monitoring the reservation channel, comprises the step of monitoring the reservation channel for a duration of at least the channel hop period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of establishing communication, comprises the steps off at the second transceiver: selecting a collision avoidance channel from among the sequence of communication channels; monitoring the collision avoidance channel within the open communication slot to detect a channel busy signal; terminating communication on the sequence of communication channels when a channel busy signal is detected; and transmitting a channel busy signal on the collision avoidance channel within the open communication slot when a channel busy signal is not detected.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the step of selecting a collision avoidance channel, comprises the step of selecting a communication channel immediately succeeding the reservation channel within the sequence of communication channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of reserving, by the second transceiver, a communication slot for operating on the sequence of communication channels by transmitting a reservation signal when on the reservation channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting a reservation signal, comprises the step of transmitting a signal having a range extending beyond communication range on other communication channels of the sequence of communication channels.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of establishing communication on a radio communication system, the radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a channel hop period defining a limit on continuous utilization of a particular communication channel, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel for a duration of at least the channel hop period to detect a reservation signal; determining that an open communication slot exists when a reservation signal is not present; establishing communication, using the open communication slot, on the sequence of communication channels when an open communication slot exists; communicating on successive communication channels of the sequence using the channel hopping protocol; and transmitting a reservation signal on the reservation channel when on the reservation channel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of establishing communication on a radio communication system, the radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, including a reservation channel, and a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a channel hop period defining a limit on continuous utilization of a particular communication channel, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the reservation channel for a duration of at least the channel hop period to detect a reservation signal; determining that an open communication slot exists when a reservation signal is not present; establishing communication, using the open communication slot, on the sequence of communication channels when an open communication slot exists; communicating on successive communication channels of the sequence using the channel hopping protocol; and transmitting a reservation signal on the reservation channel when on the reservation channel.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of operating a radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, the radio communication system having a first transceiver operating on the sequence of communication channels, and a second transceiver attempting to operate on the sequence of communication channels, the method comprising the steps of: providing a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a channel hop period defining a limit on continuous utilization of a particular communication channel; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; at the first transceiver: communicating on successive communication channels of the sequence, including the reservation channel, using the channel hopping protocol; and transmitting an extended range reservation signal on the reservation channel when on the reservation channel; at the second transceiver: monitoring the reservation channel for a duration of at least the channel hop period, to detect the extended range reservation signal; determining that an open communication slot exits on the sequence of communication channels when the extended range reservation signal is not present; and establishing communication on the sequence of communication channels, using the open communication slot, when an open communication slot exists.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
196 words
A method of operating a radio communication system having a sequence of communication channels, the radio communication system having a first transceiver operating on the sequence of communication channels, and a second transceiver attempting to operate on the sequence of communication channels, the method comprising the steps of: providing a channel hopping protocol for operating on the sequence of communication channels, the channel hopping protocol having a channel hop period defining a limit on continuous utilization of a particular communication channel; selecting a reservation channel from among the sequence of communication channels; at the first transceiver: communicating on successive communication channels of the sequence, including the reservation channel, using the channel hopping protocol; and transmitting an extended range reservation signal on the reservation channel when on the reservation channel; at the second transceiver: monitoring the reservation channel for a duration of at least the channel hop period, to detect the extended range reservation signal; determining that an open communication slot exits on the sequence of communication channels when the extended range reservation signal is not present; and establishing communication on the sequence of communication channels, using the open communication slot, when an open communication slot exists.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the step of establishing communication, comprises the steps of: at the second transceiver: selecting a communication channel immediately succeeding the reservation channel within the sequence of communication channels as a second reservation channel; monitoring the second reservation channel within the communication slot to detect a channel busy signal; terminating communication on the sequence of communication channels when a channel busy signal is detected; and transmitting a channel busy signal on the second reservation channel within the communication slot when a channel busy signal is not detected.