US5963539A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for detecting collisions on a network
Assignee: Arris Technology Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-08
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Granted: 1999-10-05
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Expires: 2017-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium, such as UTP wiring, are described. The method commences with the transmission of an access identifier from a transmitter of a network device. The transmitted access identifier has a predetermined duration and includes a pulse at a temporal location within the transmitted access identifier specific thereto. An access identifier is also received at a receiver of the network device. The received access identifier also has a predetermined duration, and includes a pulse at a temporal location therein. A determination is then made as to whether the temporal location of the pulse within the received access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the transmitted access identifier. If not, a collision is detected on the network.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold H. Webber, Jr.
- 👤 Jeremiah Jeffress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/40006; H04L12/40013; H04L12/407; H04L12/413; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2838; H04L2012/284; H04L2012/2845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium in a network, the method including: transmitting a first access identifier from a transmitter of a network device, the first access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the first access identifier specific thereto; receiving a second access identifier at a receiver of the network device, the second access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the second access identifier; determining whether the temporal location of the pulse within the second access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the first access identifier; and if not, then detecting a collision on the network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium in a network, the method including: transmitting a first access identifier from a transmitter of a network device, the first access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the first access identifier specific thereto; receiving a second access identifier at a receiver of the network device, the second access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the second access identifier; determining whether the temporal location of the pulse within the second access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the first access identifier; and if not, then detecting a collision on the network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first access identifier includes a plurality of pulses, each having a temporal location within the first access identifier specific to the first access identifier, the method including determining whether the respective temporal locations of the pulses within the first access identifier correspond to temporal locations of pulses included within the second access identifier and, if not, then detecting a collision in the network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 including transmitting a jamming signal upon the detection of a collision in the network, the jamming signal comprising a series of pulses spaced at regular intervals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 including implementing a silence gap, in which no pulses are transmitted, after transmission of the first access identifier and detecting a collision on the network if a pulse is received at the receiver during the silence gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 including incorporating a buffer period between the transmission of the first access identifier and transmission of a subsequent access identifier so as to allow reflections on the carrier medium, generated by transmission of the pulse within the first access identifier, to decay to a predetermined level before transmission of the subsequent access identifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 including blocking the receiver's ability to detect a pulse greater than a specific amplitude after detection of the pulse within the second access identifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 including decreasing the specific amplitude over a period equal to the buffer period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium in a network, the apparatus including: a transmitter coupled to transmit a first access identifier over the carrier medium, the first access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the first access identifier specific thereto; a receiver coupled to receive a second access identifier transmitted over the carrier medium, the second access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the second access identifier; and a logic circuit, coupled to the receiver, that determines whether the temporal location of the pulse within the second access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the first access identifier and, if not, that detects a collision on the network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium in a network, the apparatus including: a transmitter coupled to transmit a first access identifier over the carrier medium, the first access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the first access identifier specific thereto; a receiver coupled to receive a second access identifier transmitted over the carrier medium, the second access identifier having a predetermined duration and including a pulse at a temporal location within the second access identifier; and a logic circuit, coupled to the receiver, that determines whether the temporal location of the pulse within the second access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the first access identifier and, if not, that detects a collision on the network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first access identifier includes a plurality of pulses, each having a temporal location within the first access identifier specific to the first access identifier, the logic circuit being configured to determine whether the respective temporal locations of the pulses within the first access identifier correspond to temporal locations of pulses included within the second access identifier and, if not, to detect a collision in the network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a jamming signal upon detection of a collision in the network, the jamming signal comprising a series of pulses spaced at regular intervals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the transmitter is configured to implement a silence gap, in which no pulses are transmitted, after transmission of the first access identifier and the logic circuit is configured to detect a collision on the network if a pulse is received at the receiver during the silence gap.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the transmitter is configured to include a buffer period between the transmission of the first access identifier and transmission of a subsequent access identifier so as to allow reflections on the carrier medium, generated by transmission of the pulse within the first access identifier, to decay to a predetermined level before transmission of the subsequent access identifier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the receiver is configured not to detect a pulse greater than a specific amplitude after detection of the pulse within the second access identifier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 13 including a threshold circuit coupled to the receiver and configured to decrease the specific amplitude over a period corresponding to the buffer period.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
150 words
An adapter for providing a coupling between a network station and a carrier medium, the adapter including: a network station interface; a carrier medium interface; a transmitter, coupled to the carrier medium interface, configured to transmit a station access identifier over the carrier medium, the station access identifier being associated with the network station and including a pulse having a temporal location within the station access identifier specific thereto; a receiver, coupled to the carrier medium interface, and configured to receive a further station access identifier transmitted over the carrier medium, the further station access identifier including a pulse at a temporal location; and a logic circuit, coupled to the receiver, configured to determine whether the temporal location of the pulse within the further station access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the station access identifier and, if not, to detect a collision on the network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
150 words
An adapter for providing a coupling between a network station and a carrier medium, the adapter including: a network station interface; a carrier medium interface; a transmitter, coupled to the carrier medium interface, configured to transmit a station access identifier over the carrier medium, the station access identifier being associated with the network station and including a pulse having a temporal location within the station access identifier specific thereto; a receiver, coupled to the carrier medium interface, and configured to receive a further station access identifier transmitted over the carrier medium, the further station access identifier including a pulse at a temporal location; and a logic circuit, coupled to the receiver, configured to determine whether the temporal location of the pulse within the further station access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the station access identifier and, if not, to detect a collision on the network.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |