Methods and apparatus for transmitting data streams via a heterogeneous network

• US 8,843,670 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2013
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Mora, Matthew Xavier, Butterworth, Ashley Ian, Yanowitz, Andrew, Warren, Niel David
• Primary Examiner(s): Alrobaye, Idriss N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Franklin, Richard B
• Application Number:
  US13/784,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20130250971A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/00 Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units interface circuits for specific input/output devices G06F3/00 ; multiprogram control therefor G06F9/46; multiprocessor systems G06F15/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/16 Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs coordinating program control therefor G06F9/52; in regulating and control system G05B
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/0012 High speed serial bus, e.g. IEEE P1394
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40052 High-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus bus transfer protocol on a daisy chain bus using an embedded synchronisation G06F13/426
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40097 Interconnection with other networks LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; single bridge functionality H04L12/462
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols

Abstract

Methods and apparatus that enable a community of devices having differing underlying protocols to stream media data such as video or audio data. In one exemplary embodiment, this invention enables IEEE 1394-compliant (“FireWire” enabled) devices to communicate across an Ethernet infrastructure, such as one enabled by the Ethernet AVB Standard(s). This enhances connectivity, and also supports obviating one or more physical ports within the device(s). In another embodiment, or more wireless transports are utilized.

Claims

1. Apparatus configured to manage connectivity of a heterogeneous fabric, comprising:

an interface to the heterogeneous fabric having a first protocol associated therewith;

a processor; and

a computer readable storage medium with at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program configured to, when executed on the processor, cause the apparatus to;

responsive to a device having a second protocol associated therewith and different than the first protocol being coupled to the heterogeneous fabric, identify one or more device capabilities;

store the one or more device capabilities; and

responsive to a request from the device for a data connection to a target device, provide the stored one or more device capabilities to the target device;

wherein the device and the target device initiate the data connection via the heterogeneous fabric without further intervention by the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heterogeneous fabric is configured to support isochronous and asynchronous data traffic.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the device and target device exchange isochronous data.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the target device is configured to operate in accord with a third protocol, the third protocol different than the second protocol.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the target device is configured to operate in accord with the second protocol.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initiated data connection comprises an audio stream.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second protocol comprises an IEEE 1394-compliant protocol.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first protocol comprises an IEEE 802.11-compliant protocol.

9. A method of managing connectivity over a heterogeneous fabric, the method comprising:

receiving an indication of one or more capabilities associated with a first device, the first device having a first protocol associated therewith and the first device being coupled to the heterogeneous fabric;

responsive to the indication, storing at least one device capability associated with the first device;

responsive to a received request for a connection to a target device, providing the at least one stored device capability to the target device;

wherein the first device and the target device initiate the data connection via the heterogeneous fabric without further outside intervention; and

wherein the target device has a second protocol associated therewith.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the heterogeneous fabric is configured to support at least isochronous traffic and asynchronous traffic.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the provision of the at least one stored capability at least in part enables one or more messages to be sent from the first device to the target device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the target device is associated with a second protocol, the second protocol being different from the first protocol.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more messages are sent in compliance with at least one of the first and second protocols.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the one or more messages are formatted for the heterogeneous fabric by an interface of the first device.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the heterogeneous fabric is associated with one or more network daemons.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and target devices is configured to register with at least one of the one or more network daemons.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to manage connectivity of a data fabric, an interface to the fabric having a first protocol associated therewith, the computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by a computerized device, cause the computerized device to:

responsive to a device having a second protocol associated therewith and different than the first protocol being coupled to the data fabric, identify one or more device capabilities;

store the one or more device capabilities; and

responsive to a request from the device for a data connection to a target device, provide the stored one or more device capabilities to the target device;

wherein the device and the target device initiate the data connection via the data fabric without further intervention by the computer.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the data fabric comprises a heterogeneous fabric configured to support isochronous and asynchronous data traffic.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the one or more messages are formatted for the data fabric by an interface of the first device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the data fabric comprises a heterogeneous fabric associated with one or more network daemons.