Method of and apparatus for providing reserved bandwidth to ethernet devices over switched ethernet including a home network wall plate having a combined IEEE 1394 and ethernet modified HUB
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting data within a network including one or more devices of a first type operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more devices of a second type 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 from the one or more devices of the first type according to the first protocol and transmissions from the one or more devices of the second type according to the second protocol during the first portion; and
c. allowing transmissions from the one or more devices of the first type according to the second protocol during the second portion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A combined IEEE 1394-2000 and ethernet network allows devices 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 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 and asynchronous data transfers from ethernet devices with an allocation of reserved bandwidth will be allowed. The ethernet switch sends a periodic isotick signal to begin the isochronous interval. Bandwidth remaining after the isochronous interval is then allocated to the IEEE 1394-2000 asynchronous traffic, until the start of the next isochronous interval.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting data within a network including one or more devices of a first type operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more devices of a second type operating according to only the second protocol comprising:
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a. establishing a periodic cycle including a first portion and a second portion; b. allowing only transmissions from the one or more devices of the first type according to the first protocol and transmissions from the one or more devices of the second type according to the second protocol during the first portion; and c. allowing transmissions from the one or more devices of the first type according to the second protocol during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. 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:
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a. a first interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more devices of a first type operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol; b. a second interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more devices of a second type 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 from the one or more devices of the first type operating in the first protocol and communications from the one or more devices of the second type operating in the second protocol are allowed during the first portion, and communications from the one or more devices of the first type operating in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A switching device configured for coupling to two or more hub devices providing interfaces to one or more devices of a first type operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol and one or more devices of a second type operating according to only the second protocol, the switching device comprising:
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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 from the one or more devices of the first type operating in the first protocol and communications from the one or more devices of the second type operating in the second protocol are allowed during the first portion, and communications from the one or more devices of the first type operating in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A network of devices comprising:
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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; and b. a plurality of modified hub devices each including; i. a first interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more devices of a first type operating according to a first protocol and a second protocol; ii. a second interface configured for coupling to and communicating with one or more devices of a second type operating according to only the second protocol; and iii. a third interface coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of ports, wherein only communications from the one or more devices of the first type operating in the first protocol and communications from the one or more devices of the second type operating in the second protocol are allowed during the first portion, and communications from the one or more devices of the first type operating in the second protocol are allowed during the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification