Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Switching a message which includes an address header
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-02
2001-08-07
Ton, Dang (Department: 2732)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Switching a message which includes an address header
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272140
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data network and, more particularly, to a data network that facilitates bidirectional wireless data communications between a microcomputer unit and a plurality of peripheral units located within the proximity of the microcomputer unit.
B. Description of Related Art
The size and power consumption of digital electronic devices has been progressively reduced so that personal computers have evolved from lap tops and notebooks into hand-held or belt-carriable devices commonly referred to as personal digital assistants (PDAs). One area of carriable devices that has remained troublesome, however, is the coupling of peripheral devices or accessories to the main processing unit of the PDA. With rare exceptions, such coupling has typically been provided by connecting cables. The connecting cables restrict the handling of the PDA in such a manner as to lose many of the advantages inherent in the PDA's small size and light weight.
While some conventional systems have proposed linking a keyboard or a mouse to a main processing unit using infrared or radio frequency (RF) communications, such systems have typically been limited to a single peripheral unit with a dedicated channel of low capacity.
Based on the foregoing, it is desirable to develop a data network of low power consumption that provides highly reliable bidirectional data communication between a host or server microcomputer unit and a plurality of peripheral units while avoiding interference from nearby similar systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Systems and methods consistent with the principles of the present invention address this need by providing a wireless personal area network that operates at low power and permits a host unit to communicate with peripheral units with minimal interference from neighboring systems.
A system consistent with the present invention includes a hub device connected to a plurality of peripheral devices. The hub device includes a send token register, a receive token register, and a communication protocol engine. The send token register contains tokens for allocation of output data bandwidth. The receive token register contains tokens for allocation of input data bandwidth. The communication protocol engine alternately transmits the tokens from the send and receive token registers to ensure a split of the output and input data bandwidth on the network.
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Brand Thomas
LaRowe, Jr. Richard P.
Wacker David
GTE Service Corporation
Ton Dang
Weixel James K.
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