Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A multimedia protocol for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a bus controller, to a plurality of user interfaces, said protocol comprising the steps of: generating cyclically reoccurring master cycles and within each of said cycles: a. transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of a cycle; b. transmitting a plurality of control blocks; c. transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmission of a first type of information; d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; e. transmitting a start-second-type signal to indicate the start of one or more transmissions of a second type of information; and f. sending one or more transmissions of said second type of information over said bus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said control blocks comprise a first type and a second type, said first type of control block being associated with transmissions from said controller to said plurality of user interfaces and said second type of control block being associated with transmissions from said plurality of user interfaces to said controller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of user interfaces has an associated control block of said first type and an associated control block of said second type, and all of said control blocks of said first type are transmitted prior to transmitting all of said control blocks of said second type.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
29 words
A method as in at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first-type-count signal indicates the number of said transmissions of said first type which will follow.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
27 words
A method as in at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an end-first-type signal is transmitted after each of said transmissions of said first type.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
31 words
A method as in at least one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an address signal indicating destination is transmitted during the entire time said second type of information is transmitted.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
30 words
A method as in at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said second type of information contains an indicator of the destination of said second type of information.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
27 words
A method as in at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an end-second-type signal is transmitted after said transmissions of said second type of information.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
34 words
A method as in at least one of claims 1 to 8, wherein one or more transmissions of said second type of information and an associated end-second-type signal are transmitted after said end-second-type signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
65 words
A method as in at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within a first frame, a suspend signal is transmitted, said transmission continuing through the transmission of the next consecutive frame until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
314 words
A multimedia system for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a bus controller, to a plurality of user interfaces, comprising: means for generating a cyclically reoccurring master cycle; means for transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of a cycle; means for transmitting a plurality of control blocks, wherein said control blocks comprise a first type and a second type, said first type of control block being associated with transmissions from said controller to said plurality of user interfaces and said second type of control block being associated with transmissions from said plurality of user interfaces to said controller, and each of said plurality of user interfaces has an associated control block of said first type and an associated control block of said second type, and all of said control blocks of said first type are transmitted prior to transmitting all of said control blocks of said second type; means for transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmissions of a first type of information; means for sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; means for transmitting an end-first-type signal after each of said transmissions of said first type; means for transmitting a start-second-type signal to indicate the start of one or more transmissions of a second type of information; means for sending one or more transmissions of said second type of information over said bus; means for transmitting an end-second-type signal after said transmissions of said second type of information; means for transmitting a suspend signal if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within a first frame, said suspend signal transmission continuing through the transmission of the next consecutive frame until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A multimedia system as in claim 11 further comprising a means for transmitting an address signal indicating destination during the entire time said second type of information is transmitted.