Patent ID: 7114017
Filing Date: 2006-09-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A programmable peripheral switch for selectively connecting a peripheral device to a server computing device comprising: a peripheral port for electrically coupling the peripheral device thereto; a plurality of host computer ports, each of said host computer ports for electrically coupling a respective one of a plurality of computing devices thereto; host port state detection means electrically coupled to each of said host computer ports for detecting the state of each of said plurality of host computer ports; switching means electrically interposed between said peripheral port and each of said host computer ports for providing a communication path between the peripheral device and one of said host computer ports at a state indicative of the server computing device being coupled thereto; and local handshaking means electrically coupled to said peripheral port for simulating communication from the server computing device to the peripheral device if none of said plurality of host computer ports is at said state indicative of the server computing device being coupled thereto.