Reservation/retry media access control

Abstract

All upstream messages that are desired to be sent from one of a plurality of settop terminals sharing a common upstream channel are segmented into data packets through an adaptation layer before sending into the upstream channel by a settop terminal, using the present invention using a hybrid of contention and reservation methodologies. If the upstream message is lengthy, a user settop terminal can request and gain exclusive control over the upstream channel and transmit the message using a reservation and self-acknowledging mechanism. In accordance with the present invention, a combination reservation mechanism and calculation method to optimize random backoff time for upstream transmission is added to conventional contention based Media Access Control methods and this embodiment to substantially enhance performance.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A method for transmitting a first message on an upstream channel of a network from a terminal comprising: 
 determining a size of the first message;    comparing the size of the first message with a threshold size;    transmitting a second message if the first message is determined to be above the threshold size;    waiting for a period of time; and    transmitting the first message after the period of time has expired.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 transmitting, substantially immediately, the first message if the first message is determined to be below or equal to the certain size instead of transmitting the second message; waiting for the period of time and transmitting the first message after the period of time has expired.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising: 
 retrieving a stored number of terminals in the network; and    using the stored number of terminals in the network to set the period of time.    
   
   
       24 . A method of determining how many terminals are in a network comprising: 
 entering the network by a first terminal;    receiving a first message indicating a first number of terminals in the network just prior to the first terminal entering the network;    adding one to the first number of terminals to generate a second number of terminals; and    transmitting a second message from the first terminal that includes the second number of terminals.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising: 
 storing the second number of terminals.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising: 
 receiving a third message indicating a second terminal is leaving the network;    subtracting one from the stored second number of terminals to generate a third number of terminals; and    transmitting a fourth message from the first terminal that includes the third number of terminals.