Adaptive time-division multiplexing communications protocol method and system

A communication protocol method for communicating data between a central unit and a plurality of remote units, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a first signal from said central unit within a transmission range;
• receiving the first signal by remote units within the transmission range of the first signal;
• transmitting first response signals from remote units which received the first signal, in response to the receipt of the first signal;
• receiving first response signals by the central unit;
• transmitting a second signal from said central unit to each remote unit from which a first response signal was received;
• receiving the second signal by remote units to which the second signal was sent;
• transmitting a data signal from each remote unit which received the second signal to said central unit, in response to the receipt of the second signal;
• receiving data signals by said central unit;
• transmitting an acknowledge signal from said central unit to each remote unit from which a data signal was received;
• receiving the acknowledge signal by remote units to which the acknowledge signal was sent;
• and
• inhibiting the transmission of a response signal by each remote unit which received the acknowledge signal.

A communication protocol method for communicating data between a central unit and a plurality of remote units, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a first signal from said central unit within a transmission range;
• receiving the first signal by remote units within the transmission range of the first signal;
• transmitting a first response signal from each remote unit which received the first signal, in response to the receipt of the first signal, wherein the first response signal sent by each remote unit includes identification data for identifying the remote unit which sent the first response signal;
• receiving first response signals by the central unit;
• transmitting a second signal from said central unit to each remote unit from which a first response signal was received;
• receiving the second signal by remote units to which the second signal was sent;
• transmitting a data signal from each remote unit which received the second signal to said central unit, in response to the receipt of the second signal;
• receiving data signals by said central unit;
• storing identification data for each remote unit from which a first response signal and a data signal were received by the central unit;
• transmitting a third signal from said central unit within a transmission range, following the step of receiving data signals;
• receiving the third signal by remote units within the transmission range of the third signal;
• transmitting second response signals from remote units which received the third signal, in response to the receipt of the third signal, wherein each second response signal includes identification data for identifying the remote unit which sent the second response signal;
• receiving second response signals by said central unit;
• comparing identification data included in each second response signal received by said central unit with stored identification data to determine if a second response signal was received from any remote unit from which a first response signal and a data signal were received;
• transmitting a fourth signal from said central unit to each remote unit from which a second response signal was received but from which both a first response signal and a data signal were not received and inhibiting the transmission of the fourth signal to any remote unit from which both a first response signal and a data signal were received;
• receiving the fourth signal by remote units to which the fourth signal was sent;
• and
• transmitting a data signal from remote units which received the fourth signal to said central unit, in response to the receipt of the fourth signal.

A communication protocol method for communicating data between a central unit and a plurality of remote units, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a first signal from said central unit within a transmission range;
• receiving the first signal by remote units within the transmission single of the first signal;
• transmitting first response signals from remote units which received the first signal, in response to the receipt of the first signal;
• receiving first response signals by the central unit;
• transmitting a second signal from said central unit to each remote unit from which a first response signal was received;
• receiving the second signal by remote units to which the second signal was sent;
• transmitting a data signal from each remote unit which received the second signal to said central unit, in response to the receipt of the second signal;
• receiving data signals by said central unit;
• wherein the step of transmitting said first response signal in the time slot assigned to a remote unit comprises the steps of:
• synchronizing a clock with respect to the first signal;
• determining a wait time period between the first signal and the time slot assigned to the remote unit;
• timing the period of time lapsing from the receipt of the first signal with the clock, in response to the first signal;
• and
• transmitting said first response signal upon the period time with the clock reaching the wait time period.