Patent ID: 6389029
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A computer network comprising:a LAN hub; at least one network device connected to the LAN hub; at least one outer hub device connected to the LAN hub via a respective LAN link; and, at least one USB device or at least one LAN computer connected to the outer hub device via a respective USB link; wherein the USB device or the LAN computer communicates with the outer hub device using a USB protocol; wherein the outer hub device communicates with the LAN hub using a LAN protocol; wherein the network device communicates with the LAN hub using the LAN protocol or a network protocol; wherein, for asynchronous communications, the outer hub device examines USB packets from the USB device or the LAN computer, generates handshake packets in response to the USB packets according to the USB protocol and ensures that the handshake packets are generated within a USB time limit prescribed by the USB protocol after receiving the USB packets; wherein the outer hub device buffers data received from the LAN hub to be sent to the USB device in a data packet and ensures that the data packet follows an Out token packet within the USB time limit prescribed by the USB protocol; and wherein the outer hub device buffers data received from the LAN hub to be sent to the LAN computer in a data packet and ensures that the data packet is sent to the LAN computer within the USB time limit prescribed by the USB protocol after receiving an In token packet from the LAN computer.