Patent ID: 6600958
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A communication system including a plurality of controller stations and at least one controlled station; the stations being interconnected via a communication network; functionality of each controlled station being associated with a respective abstract representation, referred to as AR, which provides an interface for software elements in the system to control functionality of the controlled station by means of messages exchanged with the AR via the communication network; characterized in that the communication system includes leader selection means for selecting a single one of the controller stations as a leading controller station; and in that each controller station includes:AR distribution means for determining which controller station should execute the AR(s) of the respective controlled station(s); the AR distribution means being operative to, if located in a leading controller station, assign each AR at most to one of the controller stations; and control means for executing at least one AR assigned to the local controller station.