US 6,212,584 B1 · System and method for transmitting R-G-B signals in a multi-user computer system

Abstract

A multi-user computer system using a communications protocol in transmitting data between a plurality of user interface units is described. The system includes a base unit, which has a bus, a processor coupled to the bus, a display device coupled to the bus, an input device also coupled to the bus, and an interface controller coupled to the bus, wherein said processor controls the operation of the base unit and processes data entered into the base unit and operates to generate output data to be displayed on the display device. The system also includes an auxiliary unit, which has a protocol interface controller, a second display device coupled to the protocol interface controller, a second input device coupled to the protocol interface controller, wherein the protocol interface controller controls the operation of the auxiliary unit and interface with the base unit in accordance with a predetermined communications protocol. The system further includes a communications cable, which has a plurality of unshielded twisted-pair conductors coupled to the interface controller and the protocol interface controller for transmitting signals between said base unit and said auxiliary unit, wherein the signals to be transmitted includes data and red-green-blue (RGB) video signals, said base unit receives input data from said auxiliary unit via said communications cable and operates to generate output data to be displayed on the second display device of said auxiliary unit and transmits the output data via said communications in accordance with the predetermined communications protocol.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A multi-user computer system comprising:

a base unit including a processor, and an interface controller coupled for communication with said processor;
an auxiliary unit including a first bus, an auxiliary display device coupled to said bus, at least one input device coupled to said bus, and an interface protocol controller coupled to said bus, said auxiliary unit being operative to develop input data signals in response to input received via said input device;
and
a communications cable coupled to provide communication between said interface controller and said protocol controller, said cable including a plurality of unshielded twisted-pair conductors for carrying analog red, green, and blue video signals (RGB signals) and horizontal and vertical sync signals to said auxiliary unit and for carrying data signals, including input data signals, between the base and auxiliary unit, said data signals being encoded with said horizontal and vertical sync signals, said RGB signals and horizontal and vertical sync signals providing for display of information on said auxiliary display device.

1 more element

A method of providing an auxiliary computer user interface via an auxiliary unit coupled to communicate with a base computer including a processor, and an interface controller coupled to said processor, the auxiliary unit including a bus, an auxiliary display device coupled to said bus, at least one auxiliary input device coupled to said bus, and an interface protocol controller coupled to said bus, said protocol controller being coupled with said interface controller via a communications cable, said method comprising the steps of:

developing input data signals at said auxiliary unit in response to input received via said input device;
transmitting said input data signals from said auxiliary unit to said base computer via said cable;
developing analog red, green, and blue video signals (RGB signals) at said base computer in response to said input data signals;
transmitting said RGB signals from said base computer to said auxiliary unit via said cable;
and
displaying information on said auxiliary display device in response to said RGB signals.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for transmitting R-G-B signals in a multi-user computer system

Life of this patent

System and method for transmitting R-G-B signals in a multi-user computer system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17