The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 17, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 07, 1996
David E Houggy, Allentown, PA (US);
Donald R Mosebrook, Bethlehem, PA (US);
Robert G Palmer, Jr, Allentown, PA (US);
Lutron Electronics Co.Inc., Coopersburg, PA (US);
Abstract
A communication protocol for a two way transmission system having at least one first transmitter/receiver device, at least one second transmitter/receiver device and at least one repeater for relaying signals between the first and second devices. The protocol includes the steps of transmitting a first signal comprising a command from the first device, repeating the first signal with each repeater in a respective repeater time slot, receiving the first signal at the second device, transmitting status information from each second device in a respective status time slot, forming a status bit map comprising all status information in the at least one repeater, and transmitting the status bit map with the repeater so that the at least one first device has received the status bit map. Preferably, the transmission system comprises an R.F. communication system. If a plurality of repeaters are employed, the repeaters repeat the transmitted signals in a defined repeater sequence. The repeaters build a bit map of all status information received by the respective repeaters during the repeater sequence. In this way, it is assured that all first and second devices receive those signals intended for the respective devices.