Method for any speed dubbing using isochronous packets on isochronous channels or on asynchronous streams over an IEEE 1394-2000 serial bus network

A method of transmitting isochronous data packets in non real-time comprising:

• a. configuring a source plug of a source device for transmitting isochronous data packets in non real-time;
• b. packetizing a data stream into real-time isochronous data packets;
• c. determining a transmission speed of the isochronous data packets to be transmitted;
• d. encapsulating a selective one of a partial real-time isochronous data packet and multiple real-time isochronous data packets within a non real-time isochronous data packet, wherein a number of encapsulated real-time isochronous data packets is based on the transmission speed;
• and
• e. transmitting the non real-time isochronous data packets via the source plug.

A method of receiving isochronous data packets in non real-time comprising:

• a. configuring a destination plug of a destination device for receiving isochronous data packets in non real-time;
• b. receiving isochronous data packets over the destination plug;
• c. determining a format of the received isochronous data packets;
• d. if the format indicates that the received isochronous data packets are non real-time isochronous data packets, then determining a transmission speed of the non real-time isochronous data packets;
• e. isolating a selective one of a partial real-time isochronous data packet and multiple real-time isochronous data packets encapsulated within the non real-time isochronous data packet, wherein a number of real-time isochronous data packets is based upon the transmission speed;
• and
• f. processing the real-time isochronous data packets.

A method of configuring a plug to support non real-time streams of isochronous data packets comprising:

• a. embedding a non real-time plug transfer information block within a plug configuration information block;
• b. defining a non real-time information type within the non real-time plug transfer information block, wherein the non real-time information type indicates a non real-time stream of isochronous data packets;
• c. setting a bandwidth value within the non real-time plug transfer information block corresponding to a bus bandwidth of the non real-time stream of isochronous data packets;
• and
• d. setting an enable field within the non real-time plug transfer information block to enable the plug to support non real-time streams of isochronous data packets.

An apparatus for communicating isochronous data packets in non real-time comprising:

• a. a configuring circuit to configure a plug to communicate isochronous data packets in non real-time;
• b. a packetizing circuit to packetize a data stream into isochronous data packets configured for non real-time transmission, thereby forming a stream of non real-time isochronous data packets;
• c. a transceiver circuit configured to communicate isochronous data packets in non real-time via the plug;
• d. a de-packetizing circuit to extract one or more real-time isochronous data packets encapsulated within each non real-time isochronous data packet;
• and
• e. a controller coupled to the configuring circuit, the packetizing circuit, the transceiver circuit, and the de-packetizing circuit, wherein the controller processes the extracted real-time isochronous data packets.

An apparatus for communicating isochronous data packets in non real-time comprising:

• a. means for configuring a plug to communicate isochronous data packets in non real-time;
• b. means for packetizing a data stream into isochronous data packets configured for non real-time transmission, thereby forming a stream of non real-time isochronous data packets;
• c. means for communicating isochronous data packets in non real-time via the plug;
• d. means for extracting one or more real-time isochronous data packets encapsulated within each non real-time isochronous data packet, wherein a number of real-time isochronous data packets is based upon the transmission speed;
• and
• e. means for controlling coupled to the means for configuring, the means for packetizing, the means for communicating, and the means for de-packetizing, wherein the means for controlling processes the extracted real-time isochronous data packets.