Ring Network Ports for Non-Compliant Data Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face challenges in reliably transferring both synchronous and asynchronous data across networks, leading to issues such as data loss and increased complexity due to the need for separate transmission paths for audio and packetized data, which complicates the integration of multimedia devices with different data protocols.

Innovation Solution

A communication system with a ring network topology that uses time-division multiplexed channels to accommodate both compliant and non-compliant data, allowing for real-time transfer of streaming data and packetized data simultaneously, with ports capable of reformatting non-compliant data to match the network protocol, thereby eliminating the need for separate transmission paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate transmission paths are used for audio and packetized data, then data transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity and network overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate transmission paths for audio and packetized data into a single unified network path. The system uses time-division multiplexing to allow both data types to share the same physical medium, eliminating the need for separate transmission infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable data transfer for both streams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network port is designed with multi-functionality to handle both compliant audio data and non-compliant packetized data through a single interface. The port can dynamically adapt its operation mode based on the incoming data type, serving universal purposes without requiring separate dedicated paths for different data formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate transmission paths are used for audio and packetized data, then data transfer reliability is improved, but network overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple data streams into a single network path using time-division multiplexing. By sharing the same physical medium and protocol stack for both audio and packetized data, the system eliminates redundant network infrastructure and reduces overall network overhead while maintaining reliable transmission through structured time slots for each data type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If non-compliant data is reformatted to match network protocol, then data compatibility is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata compatibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network port acts as an intermediary that receives non-compliant packetized data, reformats it to match the network protocol, and forwards it appropriately. This intermediary function enables data compatibility between different protocols while concentrating the processing complexity in a single adaptive component rather than requiring complex handling throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If single network path is used for both audio and packetized data, then device complexity is reduced, but data transfer reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddata transfer reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission into distinct time slots within the time-division multiplexed framework. By allocating specific time periods for audio data and other data types on the shared network path, the system maintains data transfer reliability through structured separation while using a single unified transmission path, thus reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7702405B2System and method for transferring non-compliant packetized and streaming data into and from a multimedia device coupled to a network across which compliant data is sent

Publication Date: 2010.04.20 MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A communication system, network, interface, and port architecture are provided for transporting different types of data across a network. The network can be arranged by connecting the ports in a daisy chain fashion to achieve a ring architecture or topology. The network forwards data according to a specific network protocol, and any incoming data that follows that protocol will be sent onto the network. If the incoming data protocol does not match the network protocol, then the incoming data is not sent immediately to the network, but instead is sent to an input pin of a device upon the network specifically designed to receive that incoming data. The network, therefore, has ports that support both compliant and non-compliant incoming data, and the devices that produce such data. Examples of non-compliant data include any data which does not time-division multiplex different asynchronous, isochronous, and synchronous data in dedicated channels within each frame, and which have a preamble, coding, frequency, or overall protocol different from that which is established for network transfer.