초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for efficiently managing the allocation of available data capacity on a physically shared digital network among devices connected to that network is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for managing the ongoing timely movement of data on the shared network such

A method and apparatus for efficiently managing the allocation of available data capacity on a physically shared digital network among devices connected to that network is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for managing the ongoing timely movement of data on the shared network such that precise long-term data rates are achieved between attached devices with minimal additional buffering. The invention further comprises a method and apparatus which allows the use of any remaining network capacity for non time-critical data movement without the need for centralized access management.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for managing the allocation of data capacity on a physically shared network segment, said method comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of devices on said physically shared network segment;providing an on-demand packet-based service;providing a streaming

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method for managing the allocation of data capacity on a physically shared network segment, said method comprising the steps of:providing a plurality of devices on said physically shared network segment;providing an on-demand packet-based service;providing a streaming media service which operates in parallel with said on-demand packet-based service on said network segment; andwherein said streaming media service utilizes a distributed reservation scheme to avoid network contention, wherein each device contains within it a copy of the entire reservation schedule and said reservation schedule is synchronized across all devices by a periodic network clock broadcast.