Multiple device communications
A communications protocol for a communications bus wherein messages are transmitted to a plurality of devices communicating by means of a bus. Each message includes a unique code indicating the end of the message and that same unique code triggers a transfer of communications control to another device of the plurality of devices.
1 . A communications system using a communications protocol for a communications bus wherein messages are transmitted to a plurality of devices communicating by means of a bus wherein each message includes a unique code indicating the end of the message and wherein that same unique code triggers a transfer of communications control to another device of the plurality of devices.
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21 . The communications system of claim 1 wherein the transfer of communications control triggered by the unique code is an inherent change in control of the communications bus.
22 . The communications system of claim 21 further including means for transmitting the messages in a round robin format.
23 . The communications system of claim 22 further including means for responding to the unique code as an end of transmission handoff allowing either sequential or non-sequential changes in the round robin format.
24 . The communications system of claim 23 wherein the unique code is a single byte.
25 . The communications system of claim 24 wherein the plurality of devices are arranged into a sequence order wherein each device of the plurality of devices has a sequence identifier providing both an identity and a place in the sequence order and wherein the place in the sequence order is linked with the device identity.
26 . The communications system of claim 25 wherein the unique code is detected by low level hardware, low level software, or low level firmware.
27 . A communication system comprising:
a plurality of devices;
a communications bus operably connected to the plurality of devices and communicating therewith;
a communications protocol for the communications bus; and
a plurality of messages being transmitted over the communications bus to and from the plurality of devices and in accordance with the communications protocol;
wherein each message of the plurality of messages is transmitted in a round robin format and wherein each message includes an end of transmission handoff allowing either sequential or non-sequential changes in the order of the round robin format.
28 . The communication system of claim 27 wherein the end of transmission handoff includes a unique termination code.
29 . The communication system of claim 28 including means for indicating an end of the message and means for triggering a transfer of communications control to another device of the plurality of devices.
30 . The communication system of claim 29 wherein the unique code is detected by low level hardware, low level software, or low level firmware.
31 . A method of communicating in a communication system comprising the steps of:
providing a plurality of devices;
operably and communicatively connecting a communications bus to the plurality of devices;
providing a communications protocol for the communications bus;
transmitting messages in accordance with the communications protocol over the communications bus to and from the plurality of devices in a round robin format; and
allowing either sequential or non-sequential changes in the order of the round robin format by means of an end of transmission handoff contained in each message.
32 . The method of claim 31 including the further steps of indicating an end of the message by means of a unique code and triggering a transfer of communications control to another device of the plurality of devices by means of that unique code.
33 . The method of claim 32 wherein the transfer of communications control triggered by the unique code is an inherent change in control of the communications bus.
34 . The method of claim 33 including the step of forming the unique code as a single byte.
35 . The method of claim 34 including the steps of arranging the plurality of devices into a sequence order wherein each device of the plurality of devices has a sequence identifier providing both an identity and a place in the sequence order and linking the place in the sequence order with a device identifier.
36 . The method of claim 31 including the steps of arranging the plurality of devices into a sequence order wherein each device of the plurality of devices has a sequence identifier providing both an identity and a place in the sequence order and linking the place in the sequence order with a device identifier.