Patent ID: 6484221
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
In a bus for a network having a communication layer to which a plurality of medical devices are coupled with modules, wherein one or several of the modules has a network master capability with which control over and communication with other medical devices can be established and wherein the network master capable medical device is characterized by an identification code and a priority code with which its status relative to other medical devices coupled to the network is determined, the improvement comprising:first logic elements in each said network master capable devices for generating invitation objects for transmittal to other medical devices connected to the bus; a second logic element in each said network master capable devices to detect invitation objects from other network master capable medical devices; a detection element in each said network master capable devices to derive priority levels associated with respective network master capable medical devices; a comparator element in each said network master capable devices for determining which network master capable device has the highest priority level; and a switching logic element in each said network master capable devices to cease the transmittal of invitation objects from a network master capable device when an associated comparator determines that another network master capable device has a higher priority level.