Abstract: This system guarantees reliable data transmission for one-to-one, one-to-many and/or many-to-many communications among data processing stations over a communications network. A general solution is presented, and a new concept (the arbitrator node) is discussed in detail. Special logical nodes and a new communications protocol are used so that a message is guaranteed to be received if a receiver(s) wants to receive the message even though a receiver(s) may be busy, slow or temporarily powered off. An optional management station controls orderly start and stop of group communications or conferences, and may also handle secure, confidential communications. This guaranteed, reliable, one-to-one, one-to-many or many-to-many system can be applied to overcome previously unsolved problems.

Abstract: A system that guarantees reliable data transmission for one-to-many and/or many-to-many communications amongst data processing stations includes several dedicated functions/stations distributed across a communications network. One or more general participant stations connected to a shared communications facility (e.g., a communications network) serves as a source and/or destination of information. A retransmission station receives input data from the general participant stations on a one-to-one basis, generates a special message header, and retransmits the message on the network. A designated recorder station ensures messages sent from the retransmission station are correct. This designated recorder station effectively communicates with the retransmission station on a one-to-one basis over the network, detects missed or corrupted messages, and can request the retransmission station to resend again. The designated recorder station also acknowledges reception of messages from the retransmission station.