Patent ID: 7165121

Claim:
A combined multimedia and data network system for use with at least one asynchronous device and at least one isochronous device, the combined multimedia and data network system comprising: a plurality of target systems, each comprising an Ethernet network environment and a 1394 network environment; a respective multiwire cable connected to each target system; a connection system coupled to the cables, the connection system comprising a single unit containing an Ethernet hub, a first bridge connected to the Ethernet hub, a 1394 hub, and a second bridge connected to the 1394 hub, each of the Ethernet network environment and 1394 network environment being coupled to a respective one of the Ethernet hub and the 1394 hub; wherein the multiwire cables carry data and multimedia signals in the Ethernet network environment and the 1394 network environment in parallel from the target systems to the Ethernet hub and the 1394 hub respectively.