Data network for real time information

A method of transmitting real time data from one of many nodes on a carrier sense, multiple access, collision detection network, the method comprising:

• queuing real time data items having maximum wait times;
• forcing a collision when the maximum wait time is reached for a real time data item;
• and
• transmitting the real time data item after a collision detection timer value has been passed.

A node for coupling to a shared carrier sense, multiple access, collision detection network having multiple nodes coupled thereto, the node comprising:

• a network busy detector;
• a collision detector;
• a collision forcer;
• a collision detection timer having a shorter value than other nodes on the network.

A network comprising:

• a plurality of normal nodes implementing a shared Ethernet protocol coupled to the network;
• a first real time data node coupled to the network that has the ability to force collisions and transmit real time data prior to the normal nodes beginning to transmit data following a collision;
• and
• a second real time data node coupled to the network that has the ability to force collisions and transmit real time data prior to the normal nodes beginning to transmit data following a collision, wherein the first real time data node is a voice over IP gateway server and the second real time data node is a router coupled to a further network.

A network comprising:

• a plurality of normal nodes implementing a shared Ethernet protocol coupled to the network;
• a first real time data node coupled to the network that has the ability to force collisions and transmit real time data prior to the normal nodes beginning to transmit data following a collision;
• and
• a second real time data node coupled to the network that has the ability to force collisions and transmit real time data prior to the normal nodes beginning to transmit data following a collision, wherein the first real time data node comprises a queue having maximum wait times associated with real time data items to be sent.

A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to perform a method of transmitting real time data on a carrier sense collision detection network, the method comprising:

• establishing a maximum wait time for a real time data item;
• forcing a collision when the maximum wait time is reached;
• and
• transmitting the real time data item after the network becomes quiet as a result of the forced collision.

A machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causing a computer to perform a method of transmitting real time data from one of many nodes on a carrier sense, multiple access, collision detection network, the method comprising:

• queuing real time data items having maximum wait times;
• forcing a collision when the maximum wait time is reached for a real time data item;
• and
• transmitting the real time data item after a collision detection timer value has been passed.