Method of and apparatus for providing isochronous services over switched ethernet including a home network wall plate having a combined IEEE 1394 and ethernet modified hub

• US 20020152346A1
• Filed: 02/22/2002
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Eyer, Mark Kenneth, Stone, Glen David, Smyers, Scott David, Faiman, Bruce Alan
• Granted Patent: US 7,542,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/305
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4022 using switching circuits, e.g. switching matrix, connection or expansion network G06F13/4009 takes precedence

Abstract

A combined IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet network allows devices on the network to operate according to both the IEEE 1394-2000 protocol and the ethernet protocol. The devices within the network are able to send IEEE 1394-2000 isochronous data, IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous data and ethernet data. Both IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet devices within the network are coupled to modified hubs (MHubs) to form a local cluster. The MHubs are coupled to an ethernet switch which controls communications between devices in different local clusters. The ethernet switch and the MHubs obey an isochronous interval in which all isochronous data transfers will be allowed. Preferably, on a regular and reoccurring period, the ethernet switch sends an isotick signal to begin the isochronous interval. Any bandwidth left after the isochronous interval is then allocated to the traditional ethernet traffic and the IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous traffic, until the start of the next isochronous interval.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data within a network including one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol comprising:

a. establishing a periodic cycle including a first portion and a second portion;

b. allowing only transmissions according to the first protocol during the first portion; and

c. allowing only transmissions according to the second protocol during the second portion.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein devices of the first type and devices of the second type communicate with each other within the network.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising converting the transmissions into a format understood by a receiving device.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a duration of the first portion is dependent on a number of active streams of the first protocol within the network.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising establishing an active stream of the first protocol within the network and guaranteeing first protocol bandwidth to the active stream.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first type of device operates according to IEEE 1394 protocol and the second type of device operates according to ethernet protocol.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first protocol is isochronous capable and the second protocol is asynchronous.

8. A modified hub device configured for coupling between two or more devices operating according to two or more different protocols and a switching device, the hub device comprising:

a. a first interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol;

b. a second interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol; and

c. a third interface configured for coupling to and communicating with the switching device, wherein the switching device sends a periodic signal which signals the start of a period having a first portion and a second portion, wherein only communications in the first protocol are allowed during the first portion and only communications in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion.

9. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein devices of the first type and devices of the second type communicate with each other.

10. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a conversion circuit coupled to the first interface, the second interface and the third interface for converting transmissions into a format understood by a receiving device.

11. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein a duration of the first portion is dependent on a number of active streams of the first protocol.

12. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the modified hub device communicates with the switching device to establish an active stream involving a device of the first type coupled to the hub device and further wherein appropriate bandwidth for the active stream is guaranteed when the active stream is established.

13. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the modified hub device communicates with the switching device to establish an active stream involving a device of the first type coupled to the hub device and to assign a label corresponding to the active stream.

14. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first type of device operates according to IEEE 1394 protocol and the second type of device operates according to ethernet protocol.

15. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first protocol is isochronous and the second protocol is asynchronous.

16. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein communications from the first type of device in the second protocol are prioritized during the second portion over communications from the second type of device in the second protocol.

17. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein communications from the second type of device in the second protocol are prioritized during the second portion over communications from the first type of device in the second protocol.

18. The modified hub device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the switching device is configured for coupling to a remote network of devices thereby providing a wide area network.

20. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein devices of the first type and devices of the second type communicate with each other.

21. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein a duration of the first portion is dependent on a number of active streams of the first protocol.

22. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the switching device communicates with the hub devices to establish an active stream involving a device of the first type and further wherein appropriate bandwidth for the active stream is guaranteed when the active stream is established.

23. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the switching device communicates with the hub devices to establish an active stream involving a device of the first type and to assign a label corresponding to the active stream.

24. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first type of device operates according to IEEE 1394 protocol and the second type of device operates according to ethernet protocol.

25. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first protocol is isochronous capable and the second protocol is asynchronous.

26. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein communications from the first type of device in the second protocol are prioritized during the second portion over communications from the second type of device in the second protocol.

27. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 wherein communications from the second type of device in the second protocol are prioritized during the second portion over communications from the first type of device in the second protocol.

28. The switching device as claimed in claim 19 further comprising a remote interface circuit configured for coupling to a remote network of devices thereby providing a wide area network.

30. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein devices of the first type and devices of the second type communicate with each other.

31. The network of devices as claimed in claim 30 wherein each of the modified hub devices further comprise a conversion circuit coupled to the first interface, the second interface and the third interface for converting transmissions into a format understood by a receiving device.

32. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein a duration of the first portion is dependent on a number of active streams of the first protocol.

33. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein each of the modified hub devices communicate with the switching device to establish an active stream involving a device of the first type coupled to the hub device and further wherein appropriate bandwidth for the active stream is guaranteed when the active stream is established.

34. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein each of the modified hub devices communicate with the switching device to establish an active stream involving a device of the first type coupled to the hub device and to assign a label corresponding to the active stream.

35. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein the first type of device operates according to IEEE 1394 protocol and the second type of device operates according to ethernet protocol.

36. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein the first protocol is isochronous capable and the second protocol is asynchronous.

37. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein communications from the first type of device in the second protocol are prioritized during the second portion over communications from the second type of device in the second protocol.

38. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein communications from the second type of device in the second protocol are prioritized during the second portion over communications from the first type of device in the second protocol.

39. The network of devices as claimed in claim 29 wherein the switching device further comprises a remote interface circuit configured for coupling to a remote network of devices thereby providing a wide area network.

19. A switching device configured for coupling to two or more hub devices providing interfaces to one or more of a first type of device operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol, the switching device comprising:

a. a plurality of ports, each port coupled to a corresponding hub device for interfacing with devices coupled to the corresponding hub device; and

b. a control circuit coupled to the plurality of ports for sending a periodic signal which signals the start of a period having a first portion and a second portion, wherein only communications in the first protocol are allowed during the first portion and only communications in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion.

29. A network of devices comprising:

a. a switching device including;

i. a plurality of ports; and

ii. a control circuit coupled to the plurality of ports for sending a periodic signal which signals the start of a period having a first portion and a second portion, wherein only communications in a first protocol are allowed during the first portion and only communications in a second protocol are allowed during the second portion; and

b. a plurality of modified hub devices each including;

i. a first interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a first type of device operating according to the first protocol and the second protocol;

ii. a second interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more of a second type of device operating according to only the second protocol; and

iii. a third interface coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of ports.