Patent ID: 6114968
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for controlling transmissions by a plurality of users on a shared medium, the method comprising the steps of:maintaining a first list of users that are active;maintaining a second list of users that are inactive;maintaining a third list of users that are inactive but have been active within a predetermined interval;sending a first group-addressed poll message addressed to a first specified group of users in the second list and a second specified group of user in the third list;authorizing the first and second specified groups of users to transmit on the shared medium; andwhen more than one user responds to the first group-addressed poll message, sending an individually-addressed poll message to each user in the second specified group of users, and then subsequently sending a second group-addressed poll message authorizing the users in the first specified group of users transmit on the shared medium.