1. A variable data transfer method for isochronously transferring data within a predetermined time on the IEEE 1394 bus, comprising the steps of:
(a) determining that isochronous transfer of data is terminated when the bus is in an idle state for a time interval longer than an isochronous gap period and detecting a residual gap having a first predetermined time interval which is larger than the time interval of the isochronous gap and smaller than the time interval of a subaction gap:
(b) determining whether the detected gap is an isochronous reset gap having a second predetermined time interval which is larger than the first predetermined time interval and smaller than the time interval of the subaction gap;
(c) enabling an isochronous arbitration reset bit when the detected gap is determined to be the isochronous reset gap in the determination step;
(d) determining whether the isochronous reset bit is enabled when it is determined that the detected gap is not the isochronous reset gap in the determination step and proceeding the process to an asynchronous phase;
(e) determining whether real-time transfer packets exist;
(f) checking timing when real-time transfer packets exist in the step (e), throwing away the packets which deviate from a real-time reference, and
transferring the packets which do not deviate from the real-time reference;
(g) determining whether bandwidth is sufficient with respect to packets which are not real-time packets and packets which are real-time packets and do not deviate from the real-time reference, and performing arbitration with respect to real time packets and packets which are not real-time;
(h) transferring the packets when the arbitration is successful; and
(i) transiting a phase to the asynchronous phase.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
(a) disabling an isochronous arbitration reset bit after the step (h); and
(b) moving a channel to an arbitrary bit rate (ABR) channel.
3. An isochronous data transfer apparatus for isochronously transferring data within a predetermined time interval on the IEEE 1394 bus, comprising:
means for determining that isochronous transfer of data is terminated when the bus is in an idle state for a time interval longer than an isochronous gap period and detecting a residual gap having a first predetermined time interval which is larger than the time interval of the isochronous gap and smaller than the time interval of a subaction gap;
means for determining whether the detected gap is an isochronous reset gap having a second predetermined time interval which is larger than the first predetermined time interval and smaller than the time interval of the subaction gap;
means for enabling an isochronous arbitration reset bit when the detected gap is determined to be the isochronous reset gap by the detection means;
means for determining whether the isochronous reset bit is enabled when it is determined that the detected gap is not the isochronous reset gap by the determination means and driving an asynchronous transfer mode when the isochronous reset bit is not enabled;
means for determining whether real-time transfer packets exist;
means for checking timing when real-time transfer packets exist, throwing away the packets which deviate from a real-time reference, and transferring the packets which do not deviate from the real-time reference;
means for determining whether bandwidth is sufficient with respect to packets which are not real-time packets and packets which are real-time packets and do not deviate from the real-time reference;
means for transferring the packets when the arbitration is successful; and
means for performing asynchronous transfer of data.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of paying for postage stamps, comprising the steps of:
generating a plurality of postage stamps, using a supplier processor, wherein each of the stamps has a postage value and a unique identification code which is indicative of the value of the plurality of stamps; and
debiting an account, using a carrier processor for the value of the plurality of stamps when a carrier identifies one of the plurality of stamps using the unique identification code.
2. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the unique identification code is an Information Based Indicia.
3. The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the Information Based Indicia includes a meter number.
4. The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the Information Based Indicia includes a user number.
5. The method claimed in claim 2, wherein the Information Based Indicia includes a piece count.
6. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the postage stamps are customized.
7. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the account is contained in a meter.
8. The method claimed in claim 1, further including the step of:
debiting the account that generated the plurality of stamps after a predetermined length of time if the carrier has not processed one of the plurality of stamps.
9. The method claimed in claim 8, wherein the predetermined length of time begins when the plurality of stamps have been sold.
10. The method claimed in claim 8, wherein the predetermined length of time begins when the plurality of stamps have been generated.
11. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of postage stamps, have different values.
12. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of postage stamps, are first class stamps.
13. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of postage stamps, are forever stamps.
14. A postage stamp payment system, comprising:
a supplier processor that generates a plurality of postage stamps, wherein each of the stamps has a postage value and a unique identification code which is indicative of the value of the plurality of stamps; and
a carrier processor that debits an account for the postage value of the plurality of stamps when a carrier identifies one of the plurality of stamps using the unique identification code.