Predictive Contention Scheduling for Directional Network Links

The patent applies preliminary action by having network devices exchange schedule information and resolve contentions before actual transmission occurs. The initiator sends initiation messages containing proposed transmission opportunities, the responder sends response messages with selected opportunities, and they mutually adjust schedules in advance. This preemptive schedule resolution eliminates timing conflicts during actual communication, allowing high-capacity directional transmissions without delays.

The patent implements self-service by enabling network devices to autonomously manage their own scheduling. Each device acts as both initiator and responder in the schedule exchange process, independently selecting transmission opportunities and adjusting offsets based on their own needs and received information. This distributed self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized scheduling complexity while maintaining efficient directional transmission coordination.

The patent applies feedback through the iterative schedule exchange process where initiators and responders continuously send initiation messages, response messages, and adjustment messages. Each device receives feedback about the other's proposed schedule, evaluates for conflicts, and adjusts accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that multiple devices operating simultaneously with separate schedules do not interfere with each other, eliminating packet loss while maintaining broad network coverage.