Multimedia client for multimedia/hybrid network

• US 6,587,480 B1
• Filed: 01/29/1999
• Issued: 07/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sanders, Jeffery A., Higgins, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): TON, DANG T
• Application Number:
  US09/240,989
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 370/216, 370/217, 370/219, 370/220, 370/226, 370/227, 370/228, 370/247, 370/248, 370/251, 370/256, 370/257, 370/351, 370/400, 370/401, 370/404, 370/406, 370/408, 370/431, 370/908, 370/901, 370/522, 370/395.1, 370/465, 370/466, 370/467, 370/469, 370/471, 370/476, 370/410, 370/352, 370/389, 370/524, 340/825.6, 340/825.5, 340/827, 340/825.03, 379/202
• US Class Current: 370/522
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and method for allowing remote control of an isochronous device. The system comprises: (1) first and second isochronous devices, (2) a packet-based signalling channel coupling the first and second isochronous devices and allowing communication of signalling messages between the first and second isochronous devices, the first isochronous device capable of initiating a request to the second isochronous device to transfer multimedia information from the second isochronous device to the first isochronous device and (3) an isochronous user information path established by the second isochronous device in response to initiation of the request, the isochronous user information path coupling the first and second isochronous devices for transfer of the multimedia information, the first isochronous device thereby effecting remote control of the second isochronous device. The present invention further introduces a system for adapting a data stream received into a computer from an isochronous user information path for use by a video file viewing application, such as an MPEG video viewer.

Claims

1. A system for allowing remote control of an isochronous device, comprising:

first and second isochronous devices;

a packet-based signalling channel coupling said first and second isochronous devices and allowing communication of signalling messages between said first and second isochronous devices, said first isochronous device capable of initiating a request to said second isochronous device to transfer multimedia information from said second isochronous device to said first isochronous device; and

an isochronous user information path established between said first and second isochronous devices for transfer of said multimedia information, said second isochronous device adapted to transfer said multimedia information to said first isochronous device in response to said request, wherein the first isochronous device is operable to control the second isochronous device remotely using at least the established user information path.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said second isochronous device transmits a capabilities message to said first isochronous device prior to initiation of said request, said capabilities message communicating a media capability of said second isochronous device.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said signalling channel is established over a public network.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said signalling messages are transmitted in packets between first and second private network partitions associated with said first and second isochronous devices, respectively, said packets including information uniquely identifying said first and second isochronous devices.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said multimedia information is selected from the group consisting of:

video, and

audio.

6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second isochronous devices are adapted to communicate data selected from the group consisting of:

voice,

video, and

data.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first isochronous device is an interactive multimedia desktop computer.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said second isochronous device is selected from the group consisting of:

an interactive multimedia desktop computer,

a Basic Rate Instrument (BRI) set, and

a Plain Old Telephone Set (POTS).

9. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said multimedia information is selected from the group consisting of:

Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) encoded video, and

H.320 encoded video.

10. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second isochronous devices comprise Integrated Services Terminal Equipment (ISTE).

11. A method of allowing remote control of an isochronous device, comprising the steps of:

coupling a packet-based signalling channel between first and second isochronous devices, said signalling channel allowing communication of signalling messages between said first and second isochronous devices;

initiating a request from said first isochronous device to said second isochronous device to transfer multimedia information from said second isochronous device to said first isochronous device; and

establishing an isochronous user information path in response to said request, said isochronous user information path coupling said first and second isochronous devices for transfer of said multimedia information, wherein the first isochronous device is operable to control the second isochronous device remotely using at least the established user information path.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of transmitting a capabilities message from said second isochronous device to said first isochronous device prior to initiation of said request, said capabilities message communicating a media capability of said second isochronous device.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 said step of coupling comprises the step of establishing said signalling channel over a public network.

14. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of transmitting said signalling messages in packets between first and second private network partitions associated with said first and second isochronous devices, respectively, said packets including information uniquely identifying said first and second isochronous devices.

15. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said multimedia information is selected from the group consisting of:

video, and

audio.

16. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising the step of communicating data with said first and second isochronous devices, said data selected from the group consisting of:

voice,

video, and

data.

17. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said first isochronous device is an interactive multimedia desktop computer.

18. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said second isochronous device is selected from the group consisting of:

an interactive multimedia desktop computer,

a Basic Rate Instrument (BRI) set, and

a Plain Old Telephone Set (POTS).

19. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said multimedia information is selected from the group consisting of:

Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) encoded video, and

H.320 encoded video.

20. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said first and second isochronous devices comprise Integrated Services Terminal Equipment (ISTE).