Distributed switching system for programmable multimedia controller
First Claim
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1. An expandable entertainment system having a distributed switching arrangement comprising:
- a first programmable multimedia controller having a processing subsystem, a first crosspoint audio switch, one or more audio input modules, one or more audio output modules, and one or more ports which support IEEE 1394 serial communication protocol; and
a first expansion unit interconnected with the first programmable multimedia controller by an IEEE 1394 communication link and having a second crosspoint audio switch,at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit interconnected with the first expansion unit by an IEEE 1394 communication link and having a third crosspoint audio switch,wherein the first programmable multimedia controller is configured to pass a digital audio stream originating from the first programmable multimedia controller to the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, by the first programmable multimedia controller being configured to switch the digital audio stream with the first audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the first expansion unit, which is in turn configured to switch the digital audio stream with the second audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, andwherein the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit is configured to pass a digital audio stream originating from the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit to the first programmable multimedia controller, by the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit being configured to switch the digital audio stream with the third audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the first expansion unit, which is in turn configured to switch the digital audio stream with the second audio switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the first programmable multimedia controller.
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Abstract
A distributed switching system for use with a programmable multimedia controller. In the system, data streams originating from the controller or any of a plurality of devices interconnected with the controller are accessible by the other devices which may switch the streams as needed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An expandable entertainment system having a distributed switching arrangement comprising:
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a first programmable multimedia controller having a processing subsystem, a first crosspoint audio switch, one or more audio input modules, one or more audio output modules, and one or more ports which support IEEE 1394 serial communication protocol; and a first expansion unit interconnected with the first programmable multimedia controller by an IEEE 1394 communication link and having a second crosspoint audio switch, at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit interconnected with the first expansion unit by an IEEE 1394 communication link and having a third crosspoint audio switch, wherein the first programmable multimedia controller is configured to pass a digital audio stream originating from the first programmable multimedia controller to the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, by the first programmable multimedia controller being configured to switch the digital audio stream with the first audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the first expansion unit, which is in turn configured to switch the digital audio stream with the second audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, and wherein the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit is configured to pass a digital audio stream originating from the at least one second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit to the first programmable multimedia controller, by the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit being configured to switch the digital audio stream with the third audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the first expansion unit, which is in turn configured to switch the digital audio stream with the second audio switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the first programmable multimedia controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An expandable entertainment system having a distributed switching arrangement comprising:
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a first programmable multimedia controller having a processing subsystem, a first crosspoint audio switch and one or more ports; an intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit having a second crosspoint audio switch, and interconnected with the first programmable multimedia controller by a first communication link; and a second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, interconnected with the intervening programmable multimedia controller or expansion unit by a second communication link, and having a third crosspoint audio switch, wherein the first programmable multimedia controller is configured to pass a digital audio stream from the first programmable multimedia controller to the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, by the first programmable multimedia controller being configured to switch the digital audio stream with the first audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit, which is in turn configured to switch the digital audio stream with the second crosspoint audio switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, and wherein the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit is configured to pass a digital audio stream from the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit to the first programmable multimedia controller, by the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit being configured to switch the digital audio stream with the third audio crosspoint switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit, which is in turn configured to switch the digital audio stream with the second crosspoint audio switch and transmit the digital audio stream point-to-point to the first programmable multimedia controller. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for operating an expandable entertainment system having a distributed switching arrangement comprising:
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coupling a first programmable multimedia controller, having a first crosspoint audio switch, to an intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit, having a second crosspoint audio switch, by a first communication link; coupling the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit to a second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, having a third crosspoint audio switch, by a second communication link; passing a digital audio stream from the first programmable multimedia controller to the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit, by switching the digital audio stream with the first crosspoint audio switch of the first programmable multimedia controller; transmitting the digital audio stream point-to-point to the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit, switching the digital audio stream with the second crosspoint audio switch of the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit, and transmitting the digital audio stream from the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit point-to-point to the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit; and passing a digital audio stream from the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit to the first programmable multimedia controller, by switching the digital audio stream with the third crosspoint audio switch of the second programmable multimedia controller or second expansion unit; transmitting the digital audio stream point-to-point to the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit, switching the digital audio stream with the second crosspoint audio switch of the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit, and transmitting the digital audio stream from the intervening programmable multimedia controller or intervening expansion unit point-to-point to the first programmable multimedia controller. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification