Patent ID: 7385403
Filing Date: 2008-06-10
Classification: G01B,G01R,H04B,H04M

Abstract:
1. A KVM apparatus for transferring information between a computer and a peripheral device, the KVM apparatus comprising: a KVM switch with an output port and an input port; and an impedance element with a first end and a second end, where the first end is electrically coupled to the output port and the second end is electrically coupled to the input port and configured to couple to a conductor, wherein: the conductor has a first end and a second end; the KVM switch is configured to generate an electrical signal at the first end of the conductor such that the electrical signal propagates along the conductor from the first end to the second end and back to the first end; the KVM switch is further configured to measure a time needed for the electrical signal to travel along the conductor from the first end to the second end and back to the first end, and to estimate a length of the conductor based on the time; and the impedance element has a resistance such that a voltage of the electrical signal is maintain within a predetermined voltage range when the KVM switch generates the electrical signal on the conductor.