Patent ID: 7876773
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for transmitting a group of data packets from one of a plurality of transmitting apparatuses through a network to a receiving apparatus corresponding to the transmitting apparatus, comprising: waiting for and then receiving a control packet broadcasted to the network by another one of the plurality of transmitting apparatuses, the control packet containing a first field and a second field, the first field storing therein an identifier that indicates any one of the plurality of transmitting apparatuses, and the second field storing therein a group of identifiers that indicate all or some of the plurality of transmitting apparatuses; in response to the reception of the control packet, judging whether an identifier indicating the transmitting apparatus is stored in the first field contained in the control packet, and then, waiting for and then receiving a further control packet if the transmitting apparatus judges that the identifier is not stored therein, or waiting for when the transmitting apparatus becomes ready to transmit a group of data packets, and then transmitting the group of data packets to the corresponding receiving apparatus, if the transmitting apparatus judges that the identifier is stored therein; in response to a completion of transmitting the group of data packets, selecting one identifier from the group of identifiers stored in the second field, in accordance with a predetermined criterion; broadcasting a first new control packet to the network, the first new control packet containing a first field and a second field, the first field storing the selected identifier, and the second field storing the group of identifiers; and waiting for and then receiving a further control packet after the completion of broadcasting the first new control packet.