Communications systems

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A communications network comprises a plurality of stations which can communicate via a ring. Information is transmitted from one station to another in message blocks which circulate around the ring. The message blocks include control bits and a protocol is employed which ensures that no one station can monopolise the available message blocks. At any of the stations an emptying block, is utilised by that station as a reallocation trial slot and places its own address therein for passage round the ring. On its return a system reset is instigated to allow all stations to be reallocated blocks.