US 6,609,034 B1 · System and method for remotely controlling and monitoring a plurality of computer systems

Abstract

An improved control and monitoring system for managing more than one computer system using a witch with a single connector for keyboard, video and mouse signals for each computer being managed. A notebook style display, keyboard, and pointing device attached to the switch provide a human interface. Each computer is attached to the switch using a cable having a single connector at the attachment point to the switch and separate connectors for keyboard, video, and pointing device signals at the attachment point to each computer, thus allowing a greater density of connections to computers without modifying the computers being controlled and monitored. Even greater densities may be realized by designating one switch as a master and attaching additional switches to the master.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A control and monitoring system for a plurality of computers comprising:

(a) a keyboard-video-mouse switch comprising a plurality of first connectors, each of which is connected to:
(b) a keyboard-video-mouse cable which accepts unmodified signals and does not require additional devices between said computer and said switch, said cable comprising:
(i) a first end comprising a second connector for connecting into said keyboard-video-mouse switch;
and
(ii) a second end comprising:
(1) a third connector for connecting into a keyboard port of a computer,
(2) a fourth connector for connecting into a pointing device port of said computer, and
(3) a fifth connector for connecting into a video port of said computer, whereby said keyboard-video-mouse cable carries keyboard signals, pointing device signals, and red, green, blue, vertical sync, and horizontal sync video signals between said computer and said keyboard-video-mouse switch.

5 more elements

A control and monitoring system comprising:

(a) a plurality of first processors for processing keyboard and pointing device signals from a plurality of computers, wherein each first processor interfaces to not more than two computers;
and
(b) a second processor in communication with a character input device and a pointing device and in communication with each of said plurality of first processors, for processing keyboard signals from said character input device and pointing device signals from said pointing device to each of said plurality of first processors;
and
(c) a first programmable logic device in communication with said second processor;
and
(d) a non-volatile random access memory electrically to in communication with said second processor and in communication with said first programmable logic device;
and
(e) a video driver in communication with a second programmable logic device and in communication with said second processor, for displaying an on screen menu or a set of video signals from each of said plurality of computers;
and
(f) a video switch in communication with said second processor, for receiving a plurality of red, green, blue, horizontal and vertical sync video signals from each of said plurality of computers and sending each of said plurality of red, green, blue, horizontal and vertical sync video signals to said video driver.

8 more elements

A control and monitoring system for a plurality of computers comprising:

(a) a first keyboard-video-mouse switch;
and
(b) at least one second keyboard-video-mouse switch;
(c) a first Transceiver coupled to said first keyboard-video-mouse switch for transmitting and receiving differential data signals between said first keyboard-video-mouse switch and said second keyboard-video-mouse switch;
(d) a second Transceiver coupled to said first keyboard-video-mouse switch for receiving and transmitting differential data signals between said first keyboard-video-mouse switch and said second keyboard-video-mouse switch;
(e) a third Transceiver coupled to said first keyboard-video-mouse switch for asserting and receiving differential clock signals between said first keyboard-video-mouse switch and said second keyboard-video-mouse switch;
(f) a fourth Transceiver coupled to said second keyboard-video-mouse switch for transmitting and receiving differential data signals between said second keyboard-video-mouse switch and said first keyboard-video-mouse switch;
(g) a fifth Transceiver coupled to said second keyboard-video-mouse switch for receiving and transmitting differential data signals between said second keyboard-video-mouse switch and said first keyboard-video-mouse switch;
(h) a sixth Transceiver coupled to said second keyboard-video-mouse switch for asserting and receiving differential clock signals between said second keyboard-video-mouse switch and said first keyboard-video-mouse switch;
and
(i) a daisy chain cable comprising:
(1) a first end connected to said first keyboard-video-mouse switch, and
(2) a second end connected to one-of said second keyboard-video-mouse switch on the other end,
wherein a plurality of control and monitoring systems may communicate with each other.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for remotely controlling and monitoring a plurality of computer systems

Life of this patent

System and method for remotely controlling and monitoring a plurality of computer systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17