Patent ID: 8004993
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: B60K,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for relaying messages within a time-controlled communications system, comprising a plurality of communication nodes and at least one star coupler having a number of ports, said ports being uniquely assigned to respective communication nodes, each of which is connected to the port assigned thereto via a data line, wherein the star coupler relays messages, with each message being relayed from a respective port to one or several other ports along configurable paths, and the star coupler, at least during a synchronized operating mode, effects a switching of the relaying paths in accordance with a rule defined in the star coupler and describing the relaying paths for messages, wherein in the synchronized operating mode the relaying paths are switched depending on the time in accordance with a global time basis for the time-controlled communication system, and at at least one time at least two relaying paths occur simultaneously in the star coupler, wherein relaying paths occur simultaneously are in disjunction to another, such that at any time each port belongs to only one respective relaying path, said method comprising the following steps conducted at the star coupler: conducting a check during the relaying of a message at the latest based on the content of a message as to whether the relaying of the message to at least one target port is in accordance with a rule of acceptance, and either: