Multi-media network bus
First Claim
1. A multimedia protocol for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a network interface to a plurality of user interfaces, said protocol comprising the steps of:
- generating a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle;
a. transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of first said cycle;
b. transmitting a plurality of control blocks;
c. transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmission of a first type of information, said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information;
d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information;
e. transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmission of a second type of information; and
f. sending one or more transmission of said second type of information over said bus.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-media network bus (MMN-Bus) and Controller (MMNC) serve as a distribution medium between a single high-speed network and multiple user network interfaces (UNIs). The MMNC allocates multiple isochronous channels and packet channels for distribution to the users over the MMN-Bus. The MMNC sends information in standard time segments or master cycles. Following transmission of a start signal, a series of control blocks is sent. The first type of control block is used for communication from the MMNC to each UNI. The second type of control block is used for transmissions from each UNI to the MMNC. Both types of control blocks are used for call setup, call acknowledgement, channel allocation, call end and packet data request. Following transmission of both sets of control blocks, a signal is sent to indicate the beginning of a sequence of isochronous transfers. Each UNI tracks the number of signals, identifying those signals which it should either receive or transmit. Following the end of the isochronous channel transmissions, two things occur. First, the MMNC sends the address either of itself or the address of a UNI. (This address is sent continuously until the end of the transmission of the related packet.) Subsequently, a start packet signal is sent which indicates the beginning of the packet transmission by the unit whose address was sent. Each packet contains a destination address. Each UNI and the MMNC check the destination address against their own address: if it matches, the device receives the packet. An end packet signal indicates the end of the transmission of the first packet.
52 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A multimedia protocol for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a network interface to a plurality of user interfaces, said protocol comprising the steps of:
generating a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle; a. transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of first said cycle; b. transmitting a plurality of control blocks; c. transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmission of a first type of information, said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information; d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; e. transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmission of a second type of information; and f. sending one or more transmission of said second type of information over said bus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multimedia protocol for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a bus controller, to a plurality of user interfaces, said protocol comprising the steps of:
generating a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle; transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of said first cycle; b. transmitting a plurality of control blocks, wherein said control blocks comprise a first type and a second type, said first type of control block being associated with transmissions from said controller to said plurality of user interfaces and said second type of control block being associated with transmissions from said plurality of user interfaces to said controller, and each of said plurality of user interfaces has an associated control block of said first type and an associated control block of said second type, and all of said associated control blocks of said first type are transmitted prior to transmitting all of said control blocks of said second type; c. transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmission of a first type of information, said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information; d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; e. transmitting an end-first-type signal is transmitted after each of said transmissions of said first type, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; f. transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmissions of a second type of information; and g. sending one or more transmissions of said second type of information over said bus; transmitting an end-second-type signal after said transmissions of said second type of information, said end-second-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said second type have been transmitted; i. transmitting one or more transmissions of said second type of information and an associated end-second-type signal after said end-second-type signal; j. generating a second cycle of said cyclically reoccurring master cycle, said second cycle being subsequent in time to said first cycle, and if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within said first cycle, transmitting a suspend signal, said transmission continuing through the transmission of said second cycle until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A multimedia system for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a bus controller, to a plurality of user interfaces, comprising:
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means for generating a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle and a second cycle, said second cycle being subsequent in time to said first cycle; means for transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of said master cycle; means for transmitting a plurality of control blocks, wherein said control blocks comprise a first type and a second type, said first type of control block being associated with transmissions from said controller to said plurality of user interfaces and said second type of control block being associated with transmissions from said plurality of user interfaces to said controller, and each of said plurality of user interfaces has an associated control block of said first type and an associated control block of said second type, and all of said associated control blocks of said first type are transmitted prior to transmitting all of said control blocks of said second type; means for transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmissions of a first type of information said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information; means for sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; means for transmitting an end-first-type signal after each of said transmissions of said first type, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; means for transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmissions of a second type of information; means for sending one or more transmissions of said second type of information over said bus; means for transmitting an end-second-type signal after said transmissions of said second type of information, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; means for transmitting a suspend signal if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within said first cycle, said suspend signal transmission continuing through the transmission of said second master cycle until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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Specification