Abstract: A system and method for communicating DVI (digital visual interface) and HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) information is provided. The system includes a local unit operable to produce a downstream request packet in reaction to received DVI or HDMI information from a video source device and to transmit the request packet to a remote unit via a first simplex channel of a communications link. The remote unit operates to produce an upstream reply packet in reaction to received DVI or HDMI information by the remote unit from a video sink device and to transmit the reply packet to the local unit via a communications link. The system allows greater distances and allows various communications mediums to be used between the source and sink, and can communicate DVI and HDMI information and other information via a variety of different communications links.

Abstract: Devices and methods for communicating DisplayPort information and non-DisplayPort information over a DisplayPort cable are provided. In some embodiments, an integration device includes a main link switching circuit configured to selectively couple lanes of the DisplayPort main link to a DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a first mode, and to a non-DisplayPort source when configured to operate in a second mode. In some embodiments, the integration device may be configured to hot swap between the first mode and the second mode after an initial connection has been established.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating DisplayPort information is provided. The system includes: a local unit comprising a local controller operable to produce a request packet in response to a DisplayPort request received by the local unit from a DisplayPort source unit and to transmit the request packet to a remote unit of the system via a first simplex channel of a dual simplex communications link; and the remote unit comprising a remote controller operable to produce a reply packet in response to a DisplayPort reply received by the remote unit from a DisplayPort sink unit and to transmit the reply packet to the local unit via a second simplex channel of the communications link. The system allows distances between the source and sink greater than otherwise possible under the DisplayPort specification, and can communicate DisplayPort and non-DisplayPort signals via a variety of types of communications links.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing SuperSpeed USB connections across an extension medium are provided. An upstream facing port device (UFP device) and a downstream facing port device (DFP device) are connected by an extension medium, and communicate via an extension protocol. The UFP device and the DFP device include switchable receiver termination circuitry. The receiver termination at the UFP device is enabled upon determining that a USB device coupled to the DFP device supports SuperSpeed communication, and the receiver termination at the DFP device is enabled upon determining that a host device coupled to the UFP device supports SuperSpeed communication.

Abstract: Devices and methods for generating timing signals at a rate that matches a rate of remotely generated timing signals are provided. In some embodiments, a host generates timing signals in accordance with a USB specification, such as keep-alives, start-of-frame packets, or ITPs. An upstream facing port transmits the timing signals over a network to a downstream facing port. The downstream facing port generates and transmits timing signals to a USB device at a predetermined rate, and alters the predetermined rate based on an analysis of the rate at which timing signals are received from the upstream facing port.

Abstract: Devices and methods for extending USB-compliant communication distances, including USB 3.0 SuperSpeed communication, are provided. In some embodiments, a host is communicatively coupled to a device that provides an upstream facing port, and a USB device is communicatively coupled to a device that provides a downstream facing port. The upstream facing port and downstream facing port are coupled via a communication channel. In some embodiments, the upstream facing port and downstream facing port generate packets to ensure that timing requirements of the USB specification are met regardless of the latency of the communication channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to enable a plurality of standard USB peripheral devices, utilizing the USB specification, to be distributed at various nodes across a network, wherein communications across the network may take advantage of any pre-existing network connectivity of a standard, non-modified USB host computer. In particular, a reflector function is added in order to reflect data communications towards a pre-existing transceiver. As a result, the host computer establishes a first profile and second profile for data communication purposes, and uses these profiles to communicate across the network using pre-existing data communication components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the performance of Universal Serial Bus mass storage devices is provided wherein a local extender located adjacent to a host computer is used in combination with a remote extender located adjacent to a peripheral device. The local extender and remote extender units jointly implement a protocol that enables bulk data to be transferred efficiently between the units even when the transmission delay between the units exceeds 1 microsecond. No alterations to the host computer or the USB mass storage device are required to achieve the improved performance. An improved method for connecting USB mass storage devices to a host controller is provided.

Abstract: A method and related apparatuses for data transmission between a host computer and one or a plurality of USB compliant peripheral devices over a data communications network is provided which operates in the presence of transmission delays greater than that normally allowed in the USB specification. The host computer is connected to a local extender device which, in turn, is connected to one or a plurality of remote extender devices through the data communications network. The remote extender devices are, in turn, connected to a plurality of conventional USB peripheral devices. Data between the host computer and peripheral devices is stored and processed in the local and remote extender devices in order to allow the host computer and the USB peripheral devices to operate with greater than normally allowed time delays. In particular, the invention is of most utility when the round-trip transmission delay between the host computer and the USB peripheral device exceeds 1 microsecond.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the range of the Universal Serial Bus Protocol is provided wherein an expanded range host controller is used in combination with a remote extender located adjacent to a peripheral device. The expanded range host controller provides extended time values for responding to the USB protocols, while the remote extender provides for data transmissions with the peripheral device which comply with the USB protocols. An improved method for connecting USB devices to a computer over extended distances is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to be used to extend the range of standard USB devices, and in particular, USB devices operating in accordance with Revision 2.0 of the USB Specification. An extended range hub is provided which comprises a Local Expander (LEX) and a Remote Expander (REX) which can be separated by up to, for example 100 meters. The LEX and REX operate in accordance with an enhanced high-speed USB Extended Range Protocol (USB-ERP) which permits USB devices to be more conveniently located and used, and is in compliance with Revision 2.0 of the USB Specification.