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Stream allocation in home networks

  • US 6,452,935 B1
  • Filed: 11/25/1998
  • Issued: 09/17/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a network comprising a plurality of electronic audio/video devices coupled to a network bus, a method for allocating bus bandwidth capacity on said network bus, said method comprising the steps of:

  • a) receiving a request to allocate a channel between a source device and a sink device in said network;

    b) determining an amount of bus bandwidth capacity required for said channel, wherein said bus bandwidth capacity required for said channel is specified by said source device;

    c) comparing available bus bandwidth capacity of said network bus with said bus bandwidth capacity required to establish said channel; and

    d) provided said available bus bandwidth capacity is less than said bus bandwidth capacity required to establish said channel, initiating a process of voluntary load shedding, said process of voluntary load shedding comprising;

    d1) sending a query to devices which have been allocated channels, each allocated channel having a respective allocated bus bandwidth, wherein responsive to said query each of said devices determines whether it is using its respective allocated bus bandwidth;

    d2) receiving a response to said query from a device to which a channel had been allocated, said response providing authorization to reduce bus bandwidth allocated to said device; and

    d3) reducing bus bandwidth allocated to said device, wherein said channel allocated to said device remains allocated but with a reduced bus bandwidth.

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