Synchronous collapsed ring architecture for real-time signal switching and distribution
First Claim
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1. A method of communicating data among a plurality of devices, comprising:
- providing at least one interconnect hub having a plurality of ports;
providing a plurality of connection devices each of which is configured to connect to one or more signal sources;
physically connecting the connection devices to the ports on the interconnect hub to form a network having a physical star configuration with the interconnect hub as a center;
logically connecting the connection devices using the interconnect hub to form a logical ring configuration within the interconnect hub so that each connection device has access to each digital data packet sent by any other connection device as it passes around the logical ring within the interconnect hub;
providing a second counter-rotating logical ring within the interconnect hub for communication of digital data packets;
communicating digital data packets between the connection devices through the interconnect hub using synchronous communications based upon a common clock signal, wherein at least a portion of the digital data packets include data representing signals from the signal sources; and
automatically bypassing inactive ports in the interconnect hub.
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Abstract
A method and system includes at least one interconnect hub, connecting the at least one interconnect hub to a plurality of audio connection devices to form a network of audio connection devices with the interconnect hub at the center of the ring. The audio connection devices are connected to each other through the at least one interconnect hub, and data is synchronously transmitted between at least two of the audio connection devices through the at least one interconnect hub.
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22 Claims
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1. A method of communicating data among a plurality of devices, comprising:
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providing at least one interconnect hub having a plurality of ports; providing a plurality of connection devices each of which is configured to connect to one or more signal sources; physically connecting the connection devices to the ports on the interconnect hub to form a network having a physical star configuration with the interconnect hub as a center; logically connecting the connection devices using the interconnect hub to form a logical ring configuration within the interconnect hub so that each connection device has access to each digital data packet sent by any other connection device as it passes around the logical ring within the interconnect hub; providing a second counter-rotating logical ring within the interconnect hub for communication of digital data packets; communicating digital data packets between the connection devices through the interconnect hub using synchronous communications based upon a common clock signal, wherein at least a portion of the digital data packets include data representing signals from the signal sources; and automatically bypassing inactive ports in the interconnect hub. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A communications system, comprising:
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an interconnect hub having a plurality of ports; and a plurality of connection devices coupled to the ports on the interconnect hub, each connection device being configured to be connected to one or more signal sources; port bypass circuitry coupled to each port of the interconnect hub to allow inactive ports to be bypassed; wherein the interconnect hub and connection devices are physically connected to form a physical star configuration with the interconnect hub as a center; wherein the connection devices are logically connected through the interconnect hub to form a logical ring configuration within the interconnect hub so that each connection device has access to each digital data packet sent by any other connection device as it passes around the logical ring within the interconnect hub; wherein a second counter-rotating logical ring is provided for communication of digital data packets within the interconnect hub; wherein communications of digital data packets between the connection devices through the interconnect hub are configured to utilize synchronous communications based upon a common clock signal; wherein at least a portion of the digital data packets include data representing signals from one or more signal sources; and wherein inactive ports in the interconnect hub are automatically bypassed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification