Patent ID: 7957411
Filing Date: 2011-06-07
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for collision avoidance in multiple protocol networks using a shared communication medium, the method comprises: determining a first protocol probable active time period for a communication using a first communication protocol between a first device and a second device within a first network that uses the first communication protocol to communicate, the first protocol probable active time period determined by measuring a plurality of active time periods for transfer of packets using the first communication protocol and performing a probability function upon the plurality of active time periods to derive the first protocol probable active time period; determining a first protocol probable inactive time period for the communication using the first communication protocol between the first device and the second device, the first protocol probable inactive time period determined by measuring a plurality of inactive time periods for transfer of packets using the first communication protocol and performing a probability function upon the plurality of inactive time periods to derive the first protocol probable inactive time period; and generating a transmit blocking indication to block at least a downstream transmission from an access point to the second device using a second communication protocol, in which the second device and the access point are within a second network that uses the second protocol to communicate, wherein the second device is within the first and second networks and employs the first and second communication protocols within the shared communication medium to transfer packet data between the first device and the access point, and in which the second device generates the transmit blocking indication based on the first protocol probable active time period and the first protocol probable inactive time period to control the access point by blocking at least the downstream transmission from the access point using the second communication protocol from occurring at a same time as an upstream transmission from the first device using the first communication protocol.