Systems and Methods for Managing Timing Functions in Multiple Timing Protocols

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention includes a master timer controller for a controlling a controller configured to implement a plurality of functions at each of a respective plurality of scheduled times, each of the plurality of scheduled times is converted to a respective plurality of time values associated with a master timing protocol The master timer controller has a plurality of comparators configured to compare the accumulated time value with each of the respective plurality of time values, each of the plurality of comparators being further configured to generate a respective one of the plurality of control signals upon the accumulated value of the master timer being equal to the respective one of the plurality of time values. Another embodiment also includes a method for managing timing functions associating with at least one timing protocol.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A master timer controller for a controlling a controller configured to implement a plurality of functions at each of a respective plurality of scheduled times, each of the plurality of scheduled times is converted to a respective plurality of time values associated with a master timing protocol, the master timer controller comprising:
 a plurality of comparators configured to compare the accumulated time value with each of the respective plurality of time values, each of the plurality of comparators being further configured to generate a respective one of the plurality of control signals upon the accumulated value of the master timer being equal to the respective one of the plurality of time values.   
     
     
         22 . The master timer controller of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of time values are stored in a respective plurality of memory registers accessible by the master timer controller. 
     
     
         23 . The master timer controller of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of control signals comprises at least one of interrupts and communication enable signals. 
     
     
         24 . The master timer controller of  claim 21 , wherein the master timer controller comprises a time latch configured to latch a static time value associated with the master timer in response to at least one stimulus signal. 
     
     
         25 . The master timer controller of  claim 24 , wherein the static time value corresponds to a reference time associated with one of the plurality of functions, and wherein the time protocol converter generates an offset in the master timing protocol relative to the static time value associated with each of the plurality of scheduled times. 
     
     
         26 . The master timer controller of  claim 24 , further comprising a transceiver configured to wirelessly transmit and receive communication packets, wherein the at least one stimulus signal comprises at least one of receiving a communication packet and transmitting a communication packet. 
     
     
         27 . The master timer controller of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of scheduled times comprises at least one of a scheduled time to transmit a packet, a scheduled time to activate the transceiver to receive a packet, and a time to generate an interrupt. 
     
     
         28 . A method for managing a plurality of timing functions, the method comprising:
 associating the plurality of timing functions with a plurality of timing protocols;   generating a plurality of reference time values in a master timing protocol in response to a respective plurality of stimulus signals, each of the plurality of stimulus signals being configured to invoke at least one of the plurality of timing functions;   generating a plurality of offset time values in the master timing protocol relative to each of the respective plurality of reference time values; and   activating a control signal associated with the at least one of the plurality of timing functions upon an accumulated time value of a master timer in the master timing protocol being equal to each of a plurality of scheduled time values that are equal to the respective plurality of offset time values relative to the respective plurality of reference time values.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein generating a plurality of reference time values comprises latching static reference time values from the master timer in response to the respective plurality of stimulus signals. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 wirelessly transmitting and receiving communication packets; and   activating the plurality of stimulus signals at least one of a beginning and an end of at least one of a transmitted communication packet and a received communication packet.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein activating a control signal comprises at least one of wirelessly transmitting a communication packet in response to a control signal, activating a receiver to wirelessly receive a communication packet, and generating an interrupt. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising storing the plurality of adjusted time values in a respective plurality of memory registers, and wherein activating the control signal comprises comparing the accumulated time value of the master timer with the plurality of scheduled time values stored in the respective plurality of memory registers. 
     
     
         33 . A wireless universal serial bus (WUSB) network configured to implement the method of  claim 28 .