Inventors:
Christopher M. Cacioppo - Somerville MA, US
David J. Dean - Boston MA, US
Assignee:
SANFORD, L.P. - Oak Brook IL
International Classification:
H04L 12/16
Abstract:
A dynamic multiple access protocol for use in an audience response system. The audience response system includes a wireless aggregation point (e.g., a base station) and multiple handsets communicatively coupled to the wireless aggregation point. In order for the handsets to communicate effectively with the wireless aggregation point, the wireless aggregation point sends out, to the handsets, a beacon frame that specifies time slots during which the handsets may transmit data to the wireless aggregation point. However, the beacon frame does not assign any particular time slot to any particular handset. Instead, the handsets are free to select the time slots, specified by the beacon frame, during which to transmit data to the wireless aggregation point.