IEEE 1394-based protocol repeater
AssigneesSony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
InventorScott David Smyers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention connect a remote device to a IEEE 1394-based network through an intervening telephone line, thereby enabling the remote device to recognize, discover and control devices on the IEEE 1394-based network. A protocol repeater converts signals on the telephone line into signals understood by the IEEE 1394-based network. The protocol repeater preferably is transparent to the remote device so the remote device thinks that it is directly connected to the 1394-based network.
Claims18
A protocol repeater for allowing a remote device to access a network having devices coupled through an IEEE-1394 bus, comprising:
- a modem connected to a telephone line to receive a request directed to a device in the IEEE 1394-based network from the remote device;
- an interface connected to the IEEE 1394-based network;
- a processor to receive the request from the modem and transmit the request to the IEEE 1394-based network via the interface using IEEE-1394 protocol, wherein the processor further receives requests from the interface and transmits the requests from the interface to a remote device via the modem;
- and
- means for determining if a request packet from the interface is destined for a remote bus and if so, means for determining if the request packet is of a type which exceeds bandwidth capabilities of the modem, and if so rejecting the request packet.
A protocol repeater for allowing a remote device to access a network having devices coupled through an IEEE-1394 bus, comprising:
- a modem connected to a telephone line to receive a request directed to a device in the IEEE 1394-based network from the remote device;
- an interface connected to the IEEE 1394-based network;
- a processor to receive the request from the modem and transmit the request to the IEEE 1394-based network via the interface using IEEE-1394 protocol, wherein the processor further receives requests from the interface and transmits the requests from the interface to a remote device via the modem;
- and
- means for rejecting the request packet from the interface if the request packet comprises an isochronous request packet.
A protocol repeater for allowing a remote device to access a network having devices coupled through an IEEE-1394 bus, comprising:
- a modem means connected to a telephone line for receiving a request directed to a device in the IEEE-1394 network from the remote device;
- an interface means connected to the IEEE 1394-based network;
- a processor means for receiving the request from the modem means and transmitting the request to the IEEE 1394-based network via the interface means using IEEE-1394 protocol;
- and
- means for ensuring that data transmitted over the telephone line does not exceed the bandwidth capabilities of the telephone line.
A protocol repeater for allowing a remote device to access a network having devices coupled through an IEEE-1394 bus comprising;
- a modem means connected to a telephone line for receiving a request directed to a device in the IEEE-1394 network from the remote device;
- an interface means connected to the IEEE 1394-based network;
- a processor means for receiving the request from the modem means and transmitting the request to the IEEE 1394-based network via the interface means using IEEE-1394 protocol, wherein the processor further receives requests from the interface and transmits the requests from the interface to a remote device via the modem;
- and
- means for rejecting the request packet from the interface if the request packet comprises an isochronous request packet.
A method of employing a telephone line to connect a remote device to a network having devices coupled through an IEEE-1394 bus comprising:
- receiving an incoming telephone call from the remote device;
- generating a bus reset of the IEEE-1394 bus in response to the telephone call;
- receiving from the remote device a request directed to a device in the IEEE-1394 network;
- transmitting the request to the IEEE-1394 network using IEEE-1394 protocols;
- and
- rejecting the request packet from the IEEE-1394 network if the request packet comprises an isochronous request packet.
A method of coupling an IEEE-1394 bus to a remote device using a telephone line connection, comprising:
- establishing a telephone line connection;
- receiving a request packet from the IEEE-1394 bus directed to the remote device;
- determining if the request packet from the IEEE-1394 network is one of an asynchronous request packet and an isochronous request packet;
- rejecting the request packet from the IEEE-1394 network if the request packet comprises an isochronous request packet;
- and
- transmitting the request packet from the IEEE-1394 network to the remote device via the telephone connection if the request packet comprises an asynchronous request packet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.