Patent ID: 7555267

Claim:
A first node in a data network, the data network including a plurality of nodes including a first node, the first node comprising: at least one processor; a memory providing code to the least one processor; and an interface controlled by the least one processor to: transmit a random access request signal in a first slot, the random access request signal including information that allows determination that the first node requires an allocation of resources to transmit a reserve access request signal; receive a first grant signal subsequent to transmission of the random access request signal, said first grant signal including information relating to an allocation of a second slot to the first node for transmitting the reserve access request signal for transmitting first data packets containing a message; transmit the reserve access request signal in the second slot in response to the first grant signal; receive a second grant signal subsequent to transmission of the reserve access request signal, said second grant signal including information relating to an allocation of additional resources for transmitting the first data packets; and transmit the first data packets in response to the second grant signal, wherein the first data packets can be transmitted during transmission of a request signal by a second node into a third slot assigned to the second node.