Patent US5436898A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5436898A
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Multi-media network bus
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1992-10-08
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Granted: 1995-07-25
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Expires: 2012-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A multi-media network bus (MMN-Bus) and Controller (MMNC) serve as a distribution medium between a single high-speed network and multiple user network interfaces (UNIs). The MMNC allocates multiple isochronous channels and packet channels for distribution to the users over the MMN-Bus. The MMNC sends information in standard time segments or master cycles. Following transmission of a start signal, a series of control blocks is sent. The first type of control block is used for communication from the MMNC to each UNI. The second type of control block is used for transmissions from each UNI to the MMNC. Both types of control blocks are used for call setup, call acknowledgement, channel allocation, call end and packet data request. Following transmission of both sets of control blocks, a signal is sent to indicate the beginning of a sequence of isochronous transfers. Each UNI tracks the number of signals, identifying those signals which it should either receive or transmit. Following the end of the isochronous channel transmissions, two things occur. First, the MMNC sends the address either of itself or the address of a UNI. (This address is sent continuously until the end of the transmission of the related packet.) Subsequently, a start packet signal is sent which indicates the beginning of the packet transmission by the unit whose address was sent. Each packet contains a destination address. Each UNI and the MMNC check the destination address against their own address: if it matches, the device receives the packet. An end packet signal indicates the end of the transmission of the first packet.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A. Bowen
- 👤 Jon Hauris
- 👤 Dennis M. Kalajainen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0478; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/64; H04L12/6418; H04J; H04J2203/00; H04J2203/0001; H04J2203/0046; H04J2203/0048; H04L12/54; H04L12/56; H04L12/5601; H04L2012/5614; H04L2012/5615; H04L2012/5629; H04L2012/563; H04L2012/6424; H04L2012/6427; H04L2012/6432; H04L2012/6437; H04L2012/6445; H04L2012/6448; H04L2012/6451; H04L2012/6456; H04L2012/6486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A multimedia protocol for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a network interface to a plurality of user interfaces, said protocol comprising the steps of: generating a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle: a. transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of first said 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, said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information; d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; e. transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmission of a second type of information; and f. sending one or more transmission of said second type of information over said bus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A multimedia protocol for transmitting a first and second type of information from a network, over a network bus having a network interface to a plurality of user interfaces, said protocol comprising the steps of: generating a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle: a. transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of first said 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, said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information; d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; e. transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmission of a second type of information; and f. sending one or more transmission of said second type of information over said bus.
Claim 3
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 4
Dependent Claim
58 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 and said second type, and all of said associated control blocks of said first type are transmitted prior to transmitting all of said associated control blocks of said second type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said first-type-count signal indicates the number of said transmissions of said first type which will follow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein an end-first-type signal is transmitted after each of said transmisssions of said first type, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein an address signal indicating destination is transmitted during the entire time said second type of information is transmitted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said second type of information contains an indicator of the destination of said second type of information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein an end-second-type signal is transmitted after said transmissions of said second type of information, said end-second-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said second type have been transmitted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method including the steps of claim 8 wherein each transmission of the second type of information is followed by the end-second-type signal indicating the end of the second type of information and a transmission may include one or more transmissions of the second type of information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method as in claim 9 including generating a second cycle of said cyclically reoccuring master cycle, said second cycle being subsequent in time to said first cycle, and if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within said first cycle, a suspend signal is transmitted, said transmission continuing through the transmission of said second cycle until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
404 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 a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle: transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of said first cycle; b. 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 associated control blocks of said first type are transmitted prior to transmitting all of said control blocks of said second type; c. transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmission of a first type of information, said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information; d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; e. transmitting an end-first-type signal is transmitted after each of said transmissions of said first type, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; f. transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmissions of a second type of information; and g. sending one or more transmissions of said second type of information over said bus; transmitting an end-second-type signal after said transmissions of said second type of information, said end-second-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said second type have been transmitted; i. transmitting one or more transmissions of said second type of information and an associated end-second-type signal after said end-second-type signal; j. generating a second cycle of said cyclically reoccurring master cycle, said second cycle being subsequent in time to said first cycle, and if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within said first cycle, transmitting a suspend signal, said transmission continuing through the transmission of said second cycle until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
404 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 a cyclically reoccurring master cycle having a first cycle: transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of said first cycle; b. 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 associated control blocks of said first type are transmitted prior to transmitting all of said control blocks of said second type; c. transmitting a first-type-count signal prior to the start of each transmission of a first type of information, said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said first type of information; d. sending one or more transmissions of said first type of information; e. transmitting an end-first-type signal is transmitted after each of said transmissions of said first type, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; f. transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating the start of one or more transmissions of a second type of information; and g. sending one or more transmissions of said second type of information over said bus; transmitting an end-second-type signal after said transmissions of said second type of information, said end-second-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said second type have been transmitted; i. transmitting one or more transmissions of said second type of information and an associated end-second-type signal after said end-second-type signal; j. generating a second cycle of said cyclically reoccurring master cycle, said second cycle being subsequent in time to said first cycle, and if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within said first cycle, transmitting a suspend signal, said transmission continuing through the transmission of said second cycle until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 11 wherein an address signal indicating destination is transmitted during the entire time said second type of information is transmitted.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
384 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 having a first cycle and a second cycle, said second cycle being subsequent in time to said first cycle; means for transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of said master 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 associated 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 said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said 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, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; means for transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating 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, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; means for transmitting a suspend signal if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within said first cycle, said suspend signal transmission continuing through the transmission of said second master cycle until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
384 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 having a first cycle and a second cycle, said second cycle being subsequent in time to said first cycle; means for transmitting a start cycle signal indicating the start of said master 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 associated 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 said first-type-count signal indicating the start of the transmission of said 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, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; means for transmitting a start-second-type signal, said start-second-type signal indicating 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, said end-first-type signal indicating that all of said transmissions of said first type have been transmitted; means for transmitting a suspend signal if one of said transmissions of said second type of information cannot be completed within said first cycle, said suspend signal transmission continuing through the transmission of said second master cycle until said start-second-type signal is transmitted whereupon said uncompleted transmission of said second type of information is resumed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A multi-media system as in claim 13 further comprising a means for transmitting an address signal indicating destination during the entire time said second type of information is transmitted.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-07-24 | 1999-01-23 | 1999-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-24 | 2003-01-23 | 2003-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-24 | 2007-01-23 | 2007-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |