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US 11,768,528 B2Granted
Multi-domain computing system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorBrandon M. Blair
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Examples provide a method and apparatus for a multi-domain computing device providing physical separation of computing domains and network isolation. The multi-domain computing device includes a user facing panel with a shared display device and a keyboard, video mouse (KVM) switch. A set of domain-specific devices which are not shared between domains may include one or more processors, card readers, network devices, headset jacks, and power switches. The devices shared by the different domains include a display screen, power supply, the KVM switch and/or touchscreen. Each domain is configured to power up, boot and operate independently within a single physical unit.
Claims23
A multi-domain system comprising:
- a multi-domain computing device comprising:
- a set of shared devices comprising a shared blackout button;
- a set of first domain-specific devices associated with a first computing domain;
- a set of second domain-specific devices associated with a second computing domain;
- a user facing panel comprising a display device and a keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) switch configured to switch the set of shared devices from the first computing domain to the second computing domain, the set of shared devices including the display device, the first computing domain and the second computing domain being physically and communicably isolated from one another, the shared blackout button configured to switch the display device to a black screen to enable a user to blackout an image displayed on the display device;
- a power source;
- a first power switch configured to power-up the set of first domain-specific devices, including a first processor, wherein the set of first domain-specific devices is configured to power-up independently from the set of second domain-specific devices responsive to activation of the first power switch, wherein the activation of the first power switch causes the set of first domain-specific devices to receive first power from the power source;
- and
- a second power switch configured to power-up the set of second domain-specific devices, including a second processor, wherein the set of second domain-specific devices is configured to power-up independently from the set of first domain-specific devices responsive to activation of the second power switch, wherein the activation of the second power switch causes the set of second domain-specific devices to receive second power from the power source,
- wherein the set of shared devices includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port that receives third power from the power source, wherein the USB port only permits the third power to flow out to power a device connected to the USB port, wherein wiring from the power source is connected to the USB port to bypass the sets of the first and second domain-specific devices so that network and data of the sets of the first and second domain-specific devices is unavailable for connection to the USB port.
7 more elements
A method for switching between multi-domain computing systems, the method comprising:
- maintaining physical isolation of a first computing domain from a second computing domain, the first computing domain and the second computing domain being housed within a single chassis of a multi-domain computing device with a shared universal serial bus (USB) power-only charging port of the first and second computing domains;
- connecting a first local area network (LAN) to the first computing domain and a second LAN to the second computing domain, wherein the first computing domain is network isolated from the second computing domain;
- switching output to a display device of the multi-domain computing device from the first computing domain to the second computing domain responsive to activation of a keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) switch from the first computing domain to the second computing domain,
- receiving power at the shared USB port from a power source;
- and
- only permitting power to flow out from the USB port to power a device connected to the USB port, wherein wiring from the power source is connected to the USB port to bypass the first and second computing domains so that network and data of the first and second computing domains is unavailable for connection to the USB port.
3 more elements
A multi-domain computing apparatus comprising:
- a chassis housing;
- a shared power source;
- a set of first domain-specific devices associated with a first computing domain, the set of first domain-specific devices including a first card reader, a first headset jack, and a first power switch, wherein the first computing domain is configured to power up independently of a second computing domain responsive to activation of the first power switch, wherein the activation of the first power switch causes the set of first domain-specific devices to receive first power from the shared power source;
- a set of second domain-specific devices associated with the second computing domain, the set of second domain-specific devices including a second card reader, a second headset jack, and a second power switch, wherein the second computing domain is configured to power up independently of the first computing domain responsive to activation of the second power switch, wherein the activation of the set of second power switch causes the second domain-specific devices to receive second power from the shared power source;
- a first set of copper ethernet network connectors and a first set of fiber network connectors associated with the first computing domain, wherein the first computing domain is configured to connect to either copper ethernet or fiber optic network;
- a second set of copper ethernet network connectors and a second set of fiber network connectors associated with the second computing domain, wherein the second computing domain is configured to connect to either the copper ethernet or the fiber optic network;
- and
- a set of shared devices associated with the first computing domain and the second computing domain, the set of shared devices comprising a domain-switchable display device and a keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) switch configured to switch the display device and peripheral devices from the first computing domain to the second computing domain, wherein the set of shared devices comprises the shared power source supply that is operatively connected to the first and second power switches, wherein the set of shared devices includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port that receives third power from the shared power source, wherein the USB port only permits the third power to flow out to power a device connected to the USB port, wherein wiring from the shared power source is connected to the USB port to bypass the sets of the first and second domain-specific devices so that network and data of the sets of the first and second domain-specific devices is unavailable for connection to the USB port.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.