Patent ID: 6445701
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: H04W,Y02D

Abstract:
A method of allocating between multiple communication sources a communication channel in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:dividing the communication channel into a plurality of frames; dividing each of the frames into a plurality of slots; dividing a first one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of first mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel; dividing a second one of the plurality of slots into a plurality of second mini-slots for use by the multiple communication sources to request the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel and for use by the multiple communication sources to augment an existing video connection over the communication channel; and dividing the plurality of second mini-slots into a first plurality of second mini-slots that are limited to use by the multiple communication sources that are attempting to augment an existing video connection over the communication channel and a second plurality of second mini-slots that are available to any of the multiple communication sources that are requesting the establishment of a new voice, data, or video transmission connection over the communication channel.