Patent ID: 7092640
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of communicating between a host optical system controller and an optical subcontroller, the method comprising: sending an initial command message from said host to said subcontroller, said command message including a first command identifier indicating a command from said host to said subcontroller; receiving said first command message at said subcontroller; consulting a command database at said subcontroller to interpret said first command message, said database containing mulitple possible valid command identifiers, each command identifier having a corresponding interpretation and action in said database based on a specific type of optical device connected to said subcontroller; at said subcontroller, implementing an action corresponding to said first command message based on said corresponding interpretation of said command identifier and formulating a proper response to said command identifier based on a result of said corresponding action; and sending a response message from said subcontroller to said host, said response message indicating a success or failure of said corresponding action, wherein said subcontroller ignores subsequent command messages received prior to sending a response message responsive to the first command message, and wherein said subcontroller controls at least one optical device for use in optical networking, and wherein in the event said corresponding action is successful, said response message will include said first command identifier, and wherein in the event said corresponding action is a failure, said response message is an error message.