Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-17
2001-07-10
Geckil, Mehmet B. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network monitoring
C709S223000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260063
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of providing information between devices in a standardized format. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of providing information representing devices, their capabilities and information available from the devices in a standardized format.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The IEEE 1394-1995 standard, “1394-1995 Standard For A High Performance Serial Bus,” is an international standard for implementing an inexpensive high-speed serial bus architecture which supports both asynchronous and isochronous format data transfers. Isochronous data transfers are real-time transfers which take place such that the time intervals between significant instances have the same duration at both the transmitting and receiving applications. Each packet of data transferred isochronously is transferred in its own time period. An example of an ideal application for the transfer of data isochronously would be from a video recorder to a television set. The video recorder records images and sounds and saves the data in discrete chunks or packets. The video recorder then transfers each packet, representing the image and sound recorded over a limited time period, during that time period, for display by the television set. The IEEE 1394-1995 standard bus architecture provides multiple channels for isochronous data transfer between applications. A six bit channel number is broadcast with the data to ensure reception by the appropriate application. This allows multiple applications to simultaneously transmit isochronous data across the bus structure. Asynchronous transfers are traditional data transfer operations which take place as soon as possible and transfer an amount of data from a source to a destination.
The IEEE 1394-1995 standard provides a high-speed serial bus for interconnecting digital devices thereby providing a universal I/O connection. The IEEE 1394-1995 standard defines a digital interface for the applications thereby eliminating the need for an application to convert digital data to analog data before it is transmitted across the bus. Correspondingly, a receiving application will receive digital data from the bus, not analog data, and will therefore not be required to convert analog data to digital data. The cable required by the IEEE 1394-1995 standard is very thin in size compared to other bulkier cables used to connect such devices. Devices can be added and removed from an IEEE 1394-1995 bus while the bus is active. If a device is so added or removed the bus will then automatically reconfigure itself for transmitting data between the then existing nodes. A node is considered a logical entity with a unique address on the bus structure. Each node provides an identification ROM, a standardized set of control registers and its own address space.
There is currently a lack of available means and methods for uniformly representing the available devices within a network of devices, their capabilities and the available information and services which can be provided by those devices. Within a network, such as an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network, in which many different types of devices can be coupled together, it is desirable to be able to represent the capabilities of the devices and information available from the device in a uniform manner in order that this information can be provided to the other devices within the network. For example, for a tuner connected to a satellite receiving broadcast services which can vary over time, it is desirable to represent the currently available broadcast services in a list which can be provided to other devices. What is needed is a way to uniformly represent the devices, their capabilities and the information available from the devices which can be provided between the devices within the network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Object lists and object entries provide a general hierarchical model for representing functions and capabilities of a network of devices in a uniform standardized format. The object lists and object entries are used to represent devices, subdevices, supported media, installed media and available services. Preferably, the devices are coupled together in an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. The list of devices within the network are included within a unit object list, including unit object descriptors each representing a corresponding device. For devices having subunits, the unit object descriptor is associated with a subunit object list, including subunit object descriptors each representing a corresponding subunit within the device. Each subunit object descriptor then also has associated object lists, as appropriate, including a supported media object list including entries representing types of media supported by the subunit and an installed media object list including entries representing information available on the media currently installed within the subunit. For subunits capable of providing services, the subunit object descriptor has an associated object list, including an available services list including entries representing the services currently available through the subunit. The uniform standardized format of the object lists and object entries of the present invention allow two devices coupled together within the IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network to exchange information including their respective object lists and entries.
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Kawamura Harumi
Ludtke Aaron
Geckil Mehmet B.
Haverstock & Owens LLP
Sony Coporation
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