Preemptive priority-based transmission of signals using virtual channels
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented process for transmitting two or more types of signals from a local computer system, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing signals of a first type having a first priority;
(b) beginning to transmit the signals of the first type on a first virtual channel of a physical communications link to a remote computer system;
(c) providing signals of a second type having a second priority before the transmission of the signals of the first type is complete, wherein the second priority of the second type of signals is greater than the first priority of the first type of signals;
(d) interrupting the transmission of the signals of the first type;
(e) transmitting the signals of the second type on a second virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system, wherein the second virtual channel has a priority different from the first virtual channel; and
(f) resuming the transmission of the signals of the first type on the first virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system after the transmission of the signals of the second type is complete.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer system for transmitting two or more types of signals. Each type of signal is assigned a priority level. Signals of a particular type are transmitted as they become ready for transmission, unless signals of a different type having a greater priority become ready for transmission. In that case, the transmission of the low-priority signals is interrupted to allow transmission of the high-priority signals. The transmission of the low-priority signals is resumed after the transmission of the high-priority signals is complete. In a preferred embodiment directed to conferencing systems, audio signals are assigned higher priorities than video, data, and control signals in order to provide a high-quality to the audio portion of a conferencing session.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented process for transmitting two or more types of signals from a local computer system, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing signals of a first type having a first priority; (b) beginning to transmit the signals of the first type on a first virtual channel of a physical communications link to a remote computer system; (c) providing signals of a second type having a second priority before the transmission of the signals of the first type is complete, wherein the second priority of the second type of signals is greater than the first priority of the first type of signals; (d) interrupting the transmission of the signals of the first type; (e) transmitting the signals of the second type on a second virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system, wherein the second virtual channel has a priority different from the first virtual channel; and (f) resuming the transmission of the signals of the first type on the first virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system after the transmission of the signals of the second type is complete. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A local computer system for transmitting two or more types of signals, comprising:
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(a) means for providing signals of a first type having a first priority; (b) means for beginning to transmit the signals of the first type on a first virtual channel of a physical communications link to a remote computer system; (c) means for providing signals of a second type having a second priority before the transmission of the signals of the first type is complete, wherein the second priority of the second type of signals is greater than the first priority of the first type of signals; (d) means for interrupting the transmission of the signals of the first type; (e) means for transmitting the signals of the second type on a second virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system, wherein the second virtual channel has a priority different from the first virtual channel; and (f) means for resuming the transmission of the signals of the first type on the first virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system after the transmission of the signal of the second type is complete. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A local computer system for transmitting signals, comprising:
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(a) first means for generating signals of a first type having a first priority; (b) second means for generating signals of a second type having a second priority, wherein the second priority of the second type of signals is greater than the first priority of the first type of signals; and (c) a communications subsystem, electrically connected to the first means and the second means, for receiving the signals of the first type from the first means and for receiving the signals of the second type from the second means, wherein; the communications subsystem interrupts the transmission of the signals of the first type on a first virtual channel of a physical communications link to a remote computer system when the signals of the second type are ready for transmission; and the communications subsystem resumes the transmission of the signals of the first type on the first virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system after the transmission of the signals of the second type on a second virtual channel of the communications link to the remote computer system is complete, wherein the second virtual channel has a priority different from the first virtual channel. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification