US6415312B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reliable multicast for small groups
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1999-01-29
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Granted: 2002-07-02
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Expires: 2019-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A system for reliable multicast transmission [multicasting data packets] in a packet-based data network includes mechanisms for performing the following: (1) preparing at least one packet comprising a payload portion and multicast route information, an error detection mechanism; (2) transmitting the packet to at least one intermediate node for delivery to at least two destination nodes; (3) waiting for a period of time for at least one acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet by at least one destination node; and (4) retransmitting a packet to a set of destination nodes from which no positive acknowledgment has been received. The multicast routing information includes information for use by the at least one intermediate node to forward the packet to at least two destination nodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Boivie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/02; H04L12/16; H04L12/18; H04L12/1863; H04L12/1868; H04L1/00; H04L1/12; H04L1/16; H04L1/18; H04L1/1803; H04L2001/0092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for reliable multicast transmission in a packet-based data network comprising the source node steps of: preparing at least one packet comprising a payload portion, multicast route information, and an error detection mechanism; transmitting the packet from a source node to at least one intermediate node for delivery to at least two destination nodes; waiting for a period of time for at least one acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet by at least one receiving node; and retransmitting a duplicate packet from the source node to a set of destination nodes from which no positive acknowledgment has been received; wherein the multicast routing information specifies the routing by which the packet is to be transmitted from the source node to the at least two destination nodes and wherein the multicast routing information specifies the least one intermediate node and the at least two destination nodes that are to receive the packet.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for reliable multicast transmission in a packet-based data network comprising the source node steps of: preparing at least one packet comprising a payload portion, multicast route information, and an error detection mechanism; transmitting the packet from a source node to at least one intermediate node for delivery to at least two destination nodes; waiting for a period of time for at least one acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet by at least one receiving node; and retransmitting a duplicate packet from the source node to a set of destination nodes from which no positive acknowledgment has been received; wherein the multicast routing information specifies the routing by which the packet is to be transmitted from the source node to the at least two destination nodes and wherein the multicast routing information specifies the least one intermediate node and the at least two destination nodes that are to receive the packet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the duplicate packet comprises: a multicast distribution tree that specifies a subset of destinations that are to receive the duplicate packet and wherein the multicast distribution tree specifies the routing by which the duplicate packet is to be communicated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the step of retransmitting further comprises the step of: adjusting the multicast routing tree responsive to receipt of acknowledgment signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the retransmitting step comprises the step of retransmitting the packet when no positive acknowledgment signal has been received within a retransmission period of time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the retransmitting step comprises the step of retransmitting the packet when a negative acknowledgment signal has been received.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the retransmission occurs immediately upon receipt of the negative acknowledgment signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the retransmission occurs within a predetermined period upon receipt of the negative acknowledgment signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the receiving node steps of: adapting the retransmission period of time to a period greater than the time elapsed from transmission of a packet to the time of receipt of at least one corresponding acknowledgment signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of: determining the response time for at least one acknowledgment signal; adapting the retransmission period of time responsive to said determination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of preparing at least one packet further comprises the step of including a sequence number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the error determination mechanism comprises a checksum determination.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the error determination mechanism comprises a cyclic redundancy check determination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the error determination mechanism comprises a parity bit determination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: destination acknowledgment signals from a subset of the destination nodes; and retransmitting to all the destination nodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: destination acknowledgment signals from a subset of the destination nodes; and re-transmitting only to a subset of the destination nodes that did not receive the packet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 where in the step of waiting a period of time or until an acknowledgment ha s been received from each of the destination nodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method for multicasting data packets in a packet-based data network of claim 10 , further comprising the destination node steps of: receiving at least one packet sent by the source node; processing the sequence number and an error detection mechanism; and transmitting an acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet when the processing step indicates no error.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer readable medium comprising instructions for: preparing at least one packet comprising a payload portion and multicast routing information; transmitting the packet from a source node to at least one intermediate node for delivery to at least two destination nodes; waiting for a period of time for at least one acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet by at least one destination node; and retransmitting a duplicate packet from the source node to a set of destination nodes from which no positive acknowledgment has been received; wherein the multicast routing information specifics the routing by which the packet is to be transmitted from the source node to the at least two destination nodes and wherein the multicast routing information specifies the at least one intermediate node and the at least two destination nodes that are to receive the packet.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
143 words
A computer readable medium comprising instructions for: preparing at least one packet comprising a payload portion and multicast routing information; transmitting the packet from a source node to at least one intermediate node for delivery to at least two destination nodes; waiting for a period of time for at least one acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet by at least one destination node; and retransmitting a duplicate packet from the source node to a set of destination nodes from which no positive acknowledgment has been received; wherein the multicast routing information specifics the routing by which the packet is to be transmitted from the source node to the at least two destination nodes and wherein the multicast routing information specifies the at least one intermediate node and the at least two destination nodes that are to receive the packet.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein the computer readable medium comprises at least one data packet for transmission in a data network.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for reliable multicast transmission in a packet-based data network comprising: means for preparing at least one packet comprising a payload portion, multicast route information and an error detection mechanism; means for transmitting the packet from a source node to at least one intermediate node for delivery to at least two destination nodes; means for waiting for at least one acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet by at least one destination node; and means for retransmitting a duplicate packet from a source node to a set of destination nodes from which no positive acknowledgement has been received; wherein the multicast routing information specifies the routing by which the packet is to be transmitted from the source node to the at least two destination nodes and wherein the multicast routing information specifies the at least on intermediate node and the at least two destination nodes that are to receive the packet.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for reliable multicast transmission in a packet-based data network comprising: means for preparing at least one packet comprising a payload portion, multicast route information and an error detection mechanism; means for transmitting the packet from a source node to at least one intermediate node for delivery to at least two destination nodes; means for waiting for at least one acknowledgment signal indicating receipt of the at least one packet by at least one destination node; and means for retransmitting a duplicate packet from a source node to a set of destination nodes from which no positive acknowledgement has been received; wherein the multicast routing information specifies the routing by which the packet is to be transmitted from the source node to the at least two destination nodes and wherein the multicast routing information specifies the at least on intermediate node and the at least two destination nodes that are to receive the packet.
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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) | 2005-07-01 | 2005-12-31 | 2006-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-01 | 2009-12-31 | 2010-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-01 | 2013-12-31 | 2014-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |