Patent ID: 9137039
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. An access point device for controlling access to a communication media in a wired communication network, comprising: a communication interface for exchanging data with a plurality of communication units in the wired communication network via the communication media; and a processor for receiving only authentication request messages from unassociated ones of the plurality of communication units and a media access request and respond messages in a contention mode from ones of the plurality of communication units having data to transmit via the communication interface, the received media access request and respond messages including data indicating a media access duration; determining a value representative of a media access duration for each of the plurality of communication units from which a media access request and respond message is received based on the media access duration received with the media access request and respond message; and polling the plurality of communication units during a polling period by assigning the media access duration to each of the plurality of communication units according to the media access duration in the media access request and respond message received in the contention mode and transmitting a clear to send frame to communication units from which media access request and respond messages have been received, wherein the clear to send frame includes a determined media access duration and a MAC address of a communication unit authorized to send data.