English:
[0001] Some standalone computing devices may serve as a peripheral device for another computing device. For examples, the built-in display of an All-in-One (AiO) computer may serve as an additional display for another computer.
[0003] FIG. 1 A illustrates a first computing device having an input data switch to selectively route input data between the first computing device and a second computing device, according to an example;
[0004] FIG. 1B illustrates a first computing device having an input data switch to selectively route input data between the first computing device and a second computing device, according to an example;
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a first computing device having an input data switch to selectively route input data between the first computing device and a second computing device, according to an example;
[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of an input data switch to selectively route input data between a first computing device and a second computing device, according to an example;
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation of an input data switch to selectively route input data between a first computing device and a second computing device, according to an example;
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a first computing device having an input data switch to selectively route input data between the first computing device and a second computing device, according to an example; and
[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates a method of operation at a first computing device to selectively route input data between the first computing device and a second computing device, according to an example.
[0010] When a built-in display of an All-in-One (AiO) computer serves as an additional display for another computer, such as a notebook computer, peripheral device(s) connected to the AiO computer may not be shared by the other computer. Thus, reducing the usefulness of the peripheral device(s).
[0011] Examples described herein provide an input data switch to selectively route input data received at a first computing device (e.g., the AiO computer) between the first computing device and a second computing device (e.g., the notebook computer). Thus, the input data can be used to control the second computing device when the two computing devices are connected.
[0013] in another example, a first computing device may include a controller. The first computing device may also include a first data communication interface to establish a connection between the first computing device and a second computing device. The first computing device may further include a second data communicatfon interface to receive input data. The first computing device may further include an input data switch. The input data switch may, based on a detection of the connection, remove a data path between the controller and the second data communication interface. The input data switch may also, based on the detection, route the input data to the second communication device via the first communication interface. In this manner, examples described herein may reduce difficulty associated with sharing an input device between two connected computing devices.
[0014] FIG. 1A iliustrates a first computing device 100 having an input data switch 102 to selectively route input data between first computing device 100 and a second computing device, according to an example. First computing device 100 may be, for example, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, an AiO computer, a tablet computing device, a mobile phone, an electronic book reader, or any other electronic device suitable to connect to an input device and to a second computing device.
[0016] Data communication interfaces 104 and 106 may be any type of physical port that enables electronic communication between first computing device and other devices. Controller 108 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a semiconductor-based microprocessor, and/or other hardware devices suitable for retrieval and execution of instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium.
[0017] During operation, first computing device 100 may not be connected to another computing device via first data communication interface 104. input data switch 102 may establish a data path between second data communication interface 106 and controller 108. Data communication interfaces 104 and 106 may be logically isolated from each other. First computing device 100 may receive input data 110 at second data communication Interface 106. For example, first computing device 100 may receive input data 110 from an input device (not shown in FIG. 1A) connected to first computing device 100 via second data communication interface 106. An example input device may include a mouse, a keyboard, a touch sensitive display, etc. Input data switch 102 may route input data 110 from second data communication interface 106 to controller 108 via the data path. Controller 108 may process input data 110 to control an operation of first computing device 100. When a second computing device is connected to first computing device 100, input data switch 102 may route input data received at second data communication interface 106 to the second computing device instead of controller 108, as described in more detail in FIG. 1B.
[0018] FIG. 1 B illustrates first computing device 100 having input data switch 102 to selectively route input data between first computing device 100 and a second computing device 112, according to an example. Second computing device 112 may be, for example, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, an AiO computer, a tablet computing device, a mobile phone, an electronic book reader, or any other electronic device suitable to connect to another computing device.
[0019] Second computing device 112 may be connected to first computing device 100 via first data communication interface 104. In some examples, second computing device 112 may be docked to a docking station (not shown in FIG. 1B) that is connected to first computing device 100 via first data communication interface 104. Input data switch 102 may detect a signal 114 at first data communication interface 104 that is indicative of an establishment of a physical connection between computing devices 100 and 112. Signal 114 may be a video source signal, a power signal, an audio signal, a data bus signal, or a combination thereof. Second computing device 112 may assert signal 114 when the physical connection is established, in an example, signal 114 may be a hot plug detect (HPD) signal compliant with the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) protocol.
[0020] In response to detecting signal 114 at input data switch 102, input data switch 102 may disable the data path between second data communication interface 106 and controller 108. Input data switch 102 may also establish a second data path between data communication interfaces 104 and 106. Thus, first data communication interface 104 may be logically bridged to second data communication interface 106 via input data switch 102. When first computing device receives input data 116 at second data communication interface 106, input data switch 102 may route input data 116 from second data communication interface 106 to second computing device 112 via first data communication interface 104. Second computing device 112 may process input data 116 to control operations of second computing device 112 and/or first computing device 100.
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates first computing device 100 having input data switch 102 to selectively route input data between first computing device 100 and second computing device 112, according to an example, in some example, first computing device 100 may also include a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) 202. BIOS 202 may be implemented as a set of instructions that control configurations of first computing device 100. In some examples, BIOS 202 may assert an enable signal 204 to input data switch 102 to enable input data switch 102 to perform selective routing as described in FIGs. 1A and 1B.
[0022] When input data switch 102 does not detect enable signal 204, input data switch 102 may only route input data (e.g., input data 110, input data 116) from second data communication interface 106 to controller 108. When input data switch 102 detects enable signal 204, input data switch 102 may change how input data received at second data communication interface 106 is routed based on the presence of signal 114.
[0023] In some examples, first computing device 100 may also include a display 206. When second computing device 112 is connected to first computing device 100, display 206 may serve as a display for second computing device 112.
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of input data switch 102 to selectively route input data between first computing device 100 and second computing device 112, according to an example, in some examples, input data switch 102 may be implemented using a plurality of multiplexers. In an example, input data switch 102 may be implemented using a first multiplexer 302 and a second multiplexer 304. Multiplexers 302 and 304 may be digital bidirectional multiplexers.
[0025] First data communication interface 104 may be connected to a data pott 306 of first multiplexer 302. First data communication interface 104 may also be connected to a selector port 306 of first multiplexer 302. Controller 108 may be connected to first multiplexer 302 via a data port 310 of first multiplexer 302. Second multiplexer 304 may be connected to first multiplexer 302 via a data port 312 of first multiplexer 302.
[0026] Second data communication interface 106 may be connected to a data port 314 of second multiplexer 304. First data communication interface 104 may also be connected to a selector port 316 of first multiplexer 302. Controller 108 may be connected to second multiplexer 304 via a data port 318 of second multiplexer 304. Second multiplexer 304 may be connected to first multiplexer 302 via a data port 320 of second multiplexer 304. Connections between first data communication interface 104 and selector ports 308 and 316 may be unidirectional. Connections to data ports of each multiplexer 302 and 304 may be bidirectional.
[0027] During operation, multiplexers 302 and 304 may detect the presence of signal 114 via selector ports 308 and 316, respectively. When signal 114 is absent, first multiplexer 302 may connect data port 306 to data port 310 so that a data path is established between first data communication interface 104 and controller 108. Thus, first multiplexer 302 may route input data received at first data communication Interface 104 to controller 108 for processing. When signal 114 is absent, second multiplexer 304 may connect data port 314 to data port 318 to establish a data path between second data communication interface 106 and controller 108. Thus, second multiplexer 304 may route input data received at second data communication interface 106 to controller 108 for processing.
[0028] In response to detecting signal 114 at selector port 308, first multiplexer 302 may connect data port 306 to data port 312. Thus, the data path between first data communication interface 104 and controller 108 may be removed. In response to detecting signal 114 at selector port 316, second multiplexer 304 may connect data port 314 to data port 320. Thus, the data path between second data communication interface 106 and controller 108 may be removed. Also, by connecting data port 306 to data port 312 and connecting data port 314 to data port 320, a data path between first data communication interface 104 and second data communication interface 106 may be established. Thus, input data (e.g., input data 110, input data 116) received at second data communication interface 106 may be routed to second computing device 112.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation of input data switch 102 to selectively route input data between first computing device 100 and second computing device 112, according to an example. When first computing device 100 includes BIOS 202 to provide enable signal 204 to input data switch 102, input data switch 102 may include a logic gate 402 to detect both signal 12 and enable signal 204. Logic gate 402 may implement a logical AND function. Thus, when logic gate 402 detects both signal 114 and enable signal 204, logic gate 402 may assert a bridging signal 404 to selector ports 308 and 316 of multiplexers 302 and 304, respectively. In response to detecting bridging signal 404, multiplexers 302 and 304 may establish a data path between data communication interfaces 104 and 106 in the same manner as described in FIG. 3. Although logic gate 402 is shown to be part of input data switch 102, it should be understood that logic gate 402 may be located outside of input data switch 102.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates first computing device 100 having Input data switch 102 to selectively route input data between first computing device 100 and a second computing device 112, according to an example. In some examples, first computing device 100 may also include a third data communication interface 502 that is similar to data communication interfaces 104 and 106. Input data switch 102 may include a third multiplexer 504 to route data associated with third data communication interface 502. Third multiplexer 504 may be similar to multiplexers 302 and 304. Third multiplexer 504 may include a data port 506 that is connected to third data communication interface 502. Third multiplexer 504 may also include a selector port 508 that is connected to first data communication interface 104 unidirectionally. Third multiplexer 504 may further include a data port 510 that is connected to data ports 310 and 320 of multiplexers 302 and 304, respectively. Third multiplexer 504 may further include a data port 512 that is connected to controller 108.
[0031] Operations of third multiplexer 504 may be similar to operations of multiplexers 302 and 304. Thus, when signal 114 is detected by muitipiexers 302, 304, and 504, multiplexers 304 and 504 may route input data received at data communication interfaces 106 and 502, respectively, to second computing device 112 via first data communication interface 104.
[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 600 of operation at first computing device 100 to selectively route input data between first computing device 100 and second computing device 112, according to an example. Method 600 includes establishing, via a first data communication interface of a first computing device, a connection to between the first computing device and a second computing device, at 602. For example, referring to FIG. 1B, second computing device 112 may be connected to first computing device via first data communication interface 104.
[0033] Method 600 also includes receiving, at the first computing device, input data via a second data communication interface of the first computing device, at 604. For example, referring to FIG. 1A, first computing device 100 may receive input data 110 at second data communication interface 106.
[0034] Method 600 further includes controlling an operation at the first computing device based on the input data when the input data is received prior to establishing the connection, at 606. For example, referring to FIG. 1A, controller 108 may process input data 110 to control an operation of first computing device 100 as input data 110 is received prior to first computing device connecting to second computing device.
[0035] Method 600 further includes routing the input data to the second computing device via the first data communication interface when the input data is received after establishing the connection, at 608. For example, referring to FIG. 1 B, when first computing device receives input data 116 (received after first computing device 100 is connected to second computing device 112) at second data communication interface 106, input data switch 102 may route Input data 116 from second data communication interface 106 to second computing device 112 via first data communication interface 104.
[0036] The use of "comprising", "including" or "having" are synonymous and variations thereof herein are meant to be inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps.

中文:
[0001]一些独立的计算设备可以用作另一计算设备的外围设备。例如,一体式(All-in-One,AiO)计算机的内置显示器可以用作另一计算机的附加显示器。
[0003]图1A例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器的第一计算设备,该输入数据切换器用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据;
[0004]图1B例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器的第一计算设备,该输入数据切换器用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据;
[0005]图2例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器的第一计算设备,该输入数据切换器用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据;
[0006]图3例示了根据示例的输入数据切换器的实施方式,该输入数据切换器用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据;
[0007]图4例示了根据示例的输入数据切换器的实施方式,该输入数据切换器用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据;
[0008]图5例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器的第一计算设备,该输入数据切换器用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据;并且
[0009]图6例示了根据示例的用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据的第一计算设备处的操作的方法。
[0010]当一体式(AiO)计算机的内置显示器用作诸如笔记本计算机之类的另一计算机的附加显示器时,连接到该AiO计算机的(一个或多个) 外围设备可能未被该另一计算机共享。因此,降低了(一个或多个) 外围设备的有用性。
[0011]本文描述的示例提供了输入数据切换器,其用于在第一计算设备 (例如,该AiO计算机)与第二计算设备(例如,该笔记本计算机)之间选择性地路由在第一计算设备处接收到的输入数据。因此,所述输入数据可以用于在两个计算设备连接时控制第二计算设备。
[0013]在另一示例中,第一计算设备可以包括控制器。第一计算设备还可以包括第一数据通信接口,其用于在第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间建立连接。第一计算设备还可以包括第二数据通信接口,其用于接收输入数据。第一计算设备还可以包括输入数据切换器。所述输入数据切换器可以基于对所述连接的检测来移除所述控制器与第二数据通信接口之间的数据路径。所述输入数据切换器还可以基于所述检测来经由第一通信接口将所述输入数据路由到第二通信设备。以这种方式,本文描述的示例可以减少与在两个连接的计算设备之间共享输入设备相关联的困难。
[0014]图1A例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器102的第一计算设备 100,输入数据切换器102用于在第一计算设备100与第二计算设备之间选择性地路由输入数据。第一计算设备100可以是例如笔记本计算机、台式计算机、AiO计算机、平板计算设备、移动电话、电子书阅读器或适于连接到输入设备和连接到第二计算设备的任何其他电子设备。
[0016]数据通信接口104和106可以是使得能够实现第一计算设备与其他设备之间的电子通信的任何类型的物理端口。控制器108可以是例如中央处理单元(CPU)、基于半导体的微处理器和/或适于检索和执行存储在计算机可读存储介质中的指令的其他硬件设备。
[0017]在操作期间,第一计算设备100可以不经由第一数据通信接口104 连接到另一计算设备。输入数据切换器102可以在第二数据通信接口 106与控制器108之间建立数据路径。数据通信接口104和106可以在逻辑上彼此隔离。第一计算设备100可以在第二数据通信接口106处接收输入数据110。例如,第一计算设备100可以经由第二数据通信接口106 从连接到第一计算设备100的输入设备(图1A中未示出)接收输入数据 110。示例输入设备可以包括鼠标、键盘、触敏显示器等。输入数据切换器102可以经由该数据路径将输入数据110从第二数据通信接口106 路由到控制器108。控制器108可以处理输入数据110以控制第一计算设备100的操作。当第二计算设备连接到第一计算设备100时,输入数据切换器102可以将在第二数据通信接口106处接收到的输入数据路由到第二计算设备而不是控制器108,如在图1B中更详细地描述的那样。
[0018]图1B例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器102的第一计算设备 100,输入数据切换器102用于在第一计算设备100与第二计算设备112 之间选择性地路由输入数据。第二计算设备112可以是例如笔记本计算机、台式计算机、AiO计算机、平板计算设备、移动电话、电子书阅读器或适于连接到另一计算设备的任何其他电子设备。
[0019]第二计算设备112可以经由第一数据通信接口104连接到第一计算设备100。在一些示例中,第二计算设备112可以坞接到坞接站(图1B 中未示出),该坞接站经由第一数据通信接口104连接到第一计算设备 100。输入数据切换器102可以检测第一数据通信接口104处的信号114,该信号114指示计算设备100与112之间的物理连接的建立。信号114可以是视频源信号、功率信号、音频信号、数据总线信号或其组合。在建立了物理连接时,第二计算设备112可以断言(assert)信号114。在示例中,信号114可以是符合高清晰度多媒体接口(HDMI)协议的热插拔检测(HPD)信号。
[0020]响应于在输入数据切换器102处检测到信号114,输入数据切换器 102可以禁用第二数据通信接口106与控制器108之间的数据路径。输入数据切换器102还可以在数据通信接口104与106之间建立第二数据路径。因此,第一数据通信接口104可以经由输入数据切换器102逻辑桥接到第二数据通信接口106。当第一计算设备在第二数据通信接口106 处接收到输入数据116时,输入数据切换器102可以经由第一数据通信接口104将输入数据116从第二数据通信接口106路由到第二计算设备 112。第二计算设备112可以处理输入数据116以控制第二计算设备112 和/或第一计算设备100的操作。
[0021]图2例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器102的第一计算设备 100,输入数据切换器102用于在第一计算设备100与第二计算设备112 之间选择性地路由输入数据。在一些示例中,第一计算设备100还可以包括基本输入/输出系统(BIOS)202。BIOS 202可以被实现为控制第一计算设备100的配置的一组指令。在一些示例中,BIOS 202可以向输入数据切换器102断言使能信号204,以使输入数据切换器102能够执行如图1A和1B中描述的选择性路由。
[0022]当输入数据切换器102未检测到使能信号204时,输入数据切换器 102可以仅将输入数据(例如,输入数据110、输入数据116)从第二数据通信接口106路由到控制器108。当输入数据切换器102检测到使能信号204时,输入数据切换器102可以基于信号114的存在而改变如何路由在第二数据通信接口106处接收到的输入数据。
[0023]在一些示例中,第一计算设备100还可以包括显示器206。当第二计算设备112连接到第一计算设备100时,显示器206可以用作第二计算设备112的显示器。
[0024]图3例示了根据示例的输入数据切换器102的实施方式,输入数据切换器102用于在第一计算设备100与第二计算设备112之间选择性地路由输入数据。在一些示例中,可以使用多个复用器来实现输入数据切换器102。在示例中,可以使用第一复用器302和第二复用器304来实现输入数据切换器102。复用器302和304可以是数字双向复用器。
[0025]第一数据通信接口104可以连接到第一复用器302的数据端口306。第一数据通信接口104还可以连接到第一复用器302的选择器端口308。控制器108可以经由第一复用器302的数据端口310连接到第一复用器302。第二复用器304可以经由第一复用器302的数据端口312连接到第一复用器302。
[0026]第二数据通信接口106可以连接到第二复用器304的数据端口314。第一数据通信接口104还可以连接到第一复用器302的选择器端口316。控制器108可以经由第二复用器304的数据端口318连接到第二复用器 304。第二复用器304可以经由第二复用器304的数据端口320连接到第一复用器302。第一数据通信接口104与选择器端口308和316之间的连接可以是单向的。到每个复用器302和304的数据端口的连接可以是双向的。
[0027]在操作期间,复用器302和304可以分别经由选择器端口308和316 来检测信号114的存在。当不存在信号114时,第一复用器302可以将数据端口306连接到数据端口310,以便在第一数据通信接口104与控制器 108之间建立数据路径。因此,第一复用器302可以将在第一数据通信接口104处接收到的输入数据路由到控制器108以进行处理。当不存在信号114时,第二复用器304可以将数据端口314连接到数据端口318,以在第二数据通信接口106与控制器108之间建立数据路径。因此,第二复用器304可以将在第二数据通信接口106处接收到的输入数据路由到控制器108以进行处理。
[0028]响应于在选择器端口308处检测到信号114,第一复用器302可以将数据端口306连接到数据端口312。因此,可以移除第一数据通信接口 104与控制器108之间的数据路径。响应于在选择器端口316处检测到信号114,第二复用器304可以将数据端口314连接到数据端口320。因此,可以移除第二数据通信接口106与控制器108之间的数据路径。而且,通过将数据端口306连接到数据端口312并且将数据端口314连接到数据端口320,可以在第一数据通信接口104与第二数据通信接口106之间建立数据路径。因此,在第二数据通信接口106处接收到的输入数据(例如,输入数据110、输入数据116)可以被路由到第二计算设备112。
[0029]图4例示了根据示例的输入数据切换器102的实施方式,输入数据切换器102用于在第一计算设备100与第二计算设备112之间选择性地路由输入数据。当第一计算设备100包括BIOS 202以向输入数据切换器 102提供使能信号204时,输入数据切换器102可以包括逻辑门402以检测信号12和使能信号204二者。逻辑门402可以实现逻辑与(AND)功能。因此,当逻辑门402检测到信号114和使能信号204二者时,逻辑门 402可以分别向复用器302和304的选择器端口308和316断言桥接信号 404。响应于检测到桥接信号404,复用器302和304可以以与图3中描述的相同的方式在数据通信接口104与106之间建立数据路径。尽管逻辑门402被示为是输入数据切换器102的一部分,但应理解的是,逻辑门 402可以位于输入数据切换器102外部。
[0030]图5例示了根据示例的具有输入数据切换器102的第一计算设备 100,输入数据切换器102用于在第一计算设备100与第二计算设备112 之间选择性地路由输入数据。在一些示例中,第一计算设备100还可以包括类似于数据通信接口104和106的第三数据通信接口502。输入数据切换器102可以包括第三复用器504,以路由与第三数据通信接口502相关联的数据。第三复用器504可以类似于复用器302和304。第三复用器 504可以包括连接到第三数据通信接口502的数据端口506。第三复用器 504还可以包括选择器端口508,该选择器端口508单向连接到第一数据通信接口104。第三复用器504还可以包括数据端口510,其分别连接到复用器302和304的数据端口310和320。第三复用器504还可以包括连接到控制器108的数据端口512。
[0031]第三复用器504的操作可以类似于复用器302和304的操作。因此,当由复用器302、304和504检测到信号114时,复用器304和504可以经由第一数据通信接口104将分别在数据通信接口106和502处接收到的输入数据路由到第二计算设备112。
[0032]图6例示了根据示例的用于在第一计算设备100与第二计算设备 112之间选择性地路由输入数据的第一计算设备100处的操作的方法 600。方法600包括在602处经由第一计算设备的第一数据通信接口建立到第一计算设备与第二计算设备之间的连接。例如,参考图1B,第二计算设备112可以经由第一数据通信接口104连接到第一计算设备。
[0033]方法600还包括在604处在第一计算设备处经由第一计算设备的第二数据通信接口接收输入数据。例如,参考图1A,第一计算设备100 可以在第二数据通信接口106处接收输入数据110。
[0034]方法600还包括在606处,当在建立连接之前接收到输入数据时,基于输入数据来控制第一计算设备处的操作。例如,参考图1A,当在第一计算设备连接到第二计算设备之前接收到输入数据110时,控制器108可以处理输入数据110以控制第一计算设备100的操作。
[0035]方法600还包括在608处,当在建立连接之后接收到输入数据时,经由第一数据通信接口将输入数据路由到第二计算设备。例如,参考图1B,当第一计算设备在第二数据通信接口106处接收到输入数据116 (其是在第一计算设备100连接到第二计算设备112之后接收的)时,输入数据切换器102可以经由第一数据通信接口104将输入数据116从第二数据通信接口106路由到第二计算设备112。
[0036]“包含”、“包括”或“具有”的使用是同义的,并且其在本文中的变形意为包括性或开放式的,并且不排除另外的未叙述的元件或方法步骤。