Keyboard video mouse automated setup with plural information handling systems

A display keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch detects cables connected to ports of the display and compares the cable types against a configuration table to select a configuration user interface for presentation at the display retrieved from non-transitory memory of the display by a processing resource of the KVM switch. As an end user adjusts the cables connected to the display KVM switch, logic executing on the display adjusts the presentation of the configuration user interface to guide connections with plural information handling systems based upon the cable types and to confirm correct association of keyboard and mouse inputs through the KVM switch with each information handling system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system peripherals, and more particularly to a keyboard video mouse automated setup with plural information handling systems.

Description of the Related Art

Information handling systems generally process information with processing components disposed in a housing, such as central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions to process information in cooperation with a memory that stores the instructions and information. End users interact with information handling systems through input/output (I/O) devices, such as a display, keyboard and mouse. An information handling system typically interfaces with a peripheral display through a cable, such as a DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB Type-C cable, that has a fairly significant bandwidth. In contrast, keyboard and mouse peripheral can interface through cables that have less bandwidth capability and demands. In addition, information handling systems also often interface with a network through a cable, such as a Cat V internet cable.

In a business enterprise office environment, end users often work in office spaces on a temporary basis. A typical office space has a peripheral display, keyboard and mouse interfaced with a stationary information handling system, such as a desktop or tower system. The end user can use the local resources by signing into the information handling system and accessing resources and information through a network. Often the end user will have a portable information handling system that the end user may prefer to use instead of a shared resource. In some instances, the end user may decide to interface the portable information handling system with the peripheral resources instead of relying on the integrated display and keyboard of the portable system. To help with this scenario, displays sometimes include a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch so that an end user can interface the portable system to the display and then switch between interacting with the portable or stationary system. The KVM switch can also switch data, such as with a Cat V cable into the switch, and provide a remote interface with an information handling system through the network.

The convenience of a display with a KVM switch and increasing reliance on work-from-home has led to increased adoption of displays with KVM switches in the home office environment. One difficulty with home use of KVM switches is that typical end users have difficulty setting up the display and KVM switch. For instance, some cable connections, like USB-C, support both video and data communications through a single interface, while other cable connections, like HDMI and most versions of DisplayPort, need a separate data cable to interface with a KVM switch. Although USB-C typically has the bandwidth to support both video and data, in some instances a USB-C port of an information handling system may not include video, such as when the USB-C port does not interface with the information handling system GPU. End users can become confused when interfacing the cables and attempting to interact with the information handling systems. As a result, a display with integrated KVM capabilities might only be used in a single system interface configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which executes locally at a display keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch to present a configuration user interface that coordinates end user setup of plural information handling systems.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for configuration of a display KVM switch to interface plural information handling systems with the display panel, keyboard and mouse. A processing resource of the KVM switch executes instructions stored in non-transitory memory to detect the types of cables that couple to the display and applies the cable type to select for presentation configuration user interfaces stored in the non-transitory memory that direct an end user towards completion of KVM setup.

More specifically, a display includes a display panel that presents information communicated from an information handling system as visual images and includes a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch so that a peripheral keyboard and mouse coupled to ports of the display cooperate with each of plural information handling systems that selectively present visual images at the display panel. The information handling systems interface with the display KVM switch by different types of cables, such as video-only, data-only and video/data cables, which the KVM switch detects and applies to select configuration user interfaces from a configuration table. Once the information handling systems and peripherals are coupled to the display, the KVM setup wizard runs instructions on the KVM processing resource that select one information handling system to present movement of the mouse and presents a configuration user interface that coordinates end user mouse inputs to confirm or non-confirm that the KVM switch has correctly associated information handling systems with cables coupled to the port. If the KVM configuration is non-confirmed, the end user may reverse the configuration based upon instructions presented by the configuration user interface, such as by pressing an input button of the display or entering a predetermined keyboard or mouse input that is communicated from the information handling system that receives the peripheral inputs to the KVM switch setup wizard.

The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that a display KVM switch executes instructions locally stored to present configuration user interfaces that are locally stored in response to detection of the types of cables coupled to the KVM switch so that an end user is directed through the display setup to interface with plural information handling systems. A self-contained setup wizard directs end user interactions with the KVM switch using resources of the KVM switch so that setup of plural information handling systems can be performed in a seamless manner that responds to end user actions, such as by monitoring cable ports for cable interfaces and selecting a configuration user interface for presentation in response to the end user actions. Logical actions map cable types to configuration user interface selection to associate video-only, data-only and video/data cable with keyboard and mouse interactions so that an end user can self-configure a display KVM switch to correctly associate information handling system visual image presentation and peripheral device interactions through a shared display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An information handling system display includes a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch that includes instructions and configuration user interfaces in non-transitory memory to coordinate interfaces with plural information handling systems through different types of video, data and video/data cables. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

Referring now toFIG.1, a block diagram depicts a display24having a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch26interfaced with plural information handling systems10with coordination through a KVM setup wizard. The example embodiment includes a block diagram of a desktop information handling system10to illustrate processing components that cooperate to process information. A central processing unit (CPU)12executes instructions to process information in cooperation with a random access memory (RAM)14that stores the instructions and information. A solid state drive (SSD)16has non-transient memory, such as flash memory, that provides persistent storage of information. For example, SSD16stores an operating system and applications that are retrieved on power up to RAM14for execution by CPU12. A graphics processing unit (GPU)18further processes information to generate definitions of visual images for presentation at display24, such as pixel values that are scanned to pixels of a display panel to define colors that create a composite image. An embedded controller20manages information handling system physical operating constraints, such as application of power and thermal management. In addition, embedded controller20supports interactions with peripheral devices, such as mouse and keyboard. In the example embodiment, one of the information handling systems has a stationary configuration and the other has a portable configuration that includes an integrated display for presenting visual images. For instance, the hardware ofFIG.1might represent an enterprise workplace, such as a cube, that includes a stationary system and also supports the end user's access to a portable system with peripheral presentation of images and interaction with input devices.

Display24has a peripheral configuration that accepts visual images from an external information handling system for presentation as visual images. In the example embodiment, each information handling system10interfaces with display24through a USB Type C cable27that communicates both visual image information and data, such as peripheral input data. USB Type C cables interface with KVM switch26so that an end user can select which information handling system presents visual images at display24and accepts inputs from peripheral devices, such as keyboard28and mouse30that communicate through USB Type-A cables and ports. An end user of information handling systems10toggles KVM switch26to alternatively select interaction with each information handling system by switching information with KVM switch26between display24, keyboard28, mouse30and the selected information handling system. In the example embodiment, display24may have a variety of different ports to support communication with the information handling systems. Some ports, such as USB-C and DisplayPort, have two-way information transfer so that visual information is communicated from information handling system10to KVM switch26over the same cable and port as peripheral information that is communicated to information handling system10. Other ports are restricted to communication of video only information in one direction, such as HDMI, or data only, such as USB-A. These different capabilities can lead to confusion when an end user configures KVM switch26since full use of the display and input devices typically needs bidirectional communication. In some embodiments, other types of ports may be included, such as CAT V network ports that can support bidirectional communication with a distal information handling system through a network interface and also provide network communications to information handling systems that couple to KVM switch26. Specifically, HDMI and DisplayPort only provide video capability without bidirectional communication that supports mouse or keyboard inputs from the display to an information handling system. (Note that DisplayPort version 1.2 had “FAUX” capability but it was deprecated in later revisions). USB-A typically lacks bandwidth to communicate video information and instead is data-only. USB-C has bandwidth to provide both video and data transfer so that it is always data capable, however, in some instance USB-C ports do not interface with video at an information handling system and may therefore be data-only or video/data capable.

Referring now toFIG.2, a block diagram depicts a KVM switch26configured to present configuration user interfaces based upon the types of cables that couple to the display24. In the example embodiment, KVM switch26integrates in display24, which includes plural ports to interface with information handling systems and peripheral devices. HDMI ports110communicate video only through unidirectional video-only cables with a video source information handling system. DisplayPort ports112communicate video/data with a bi-directional video/data cable having a large bandwidth for communication of video information from an information handling system to display24and an auxiliary channel that communicates limited data from display24to the information handling system, such as input information from keyboard28and mouse30. USB-C ports114have bidirectional video/data cables that support both visual information communication to display24from an information handling system and data from keyboard28and mouse30to the information handling system. Older USB-A ports116have data-only cables since these ports lack the bandwidth to communicate video. When a video-only cable, such as HDMI, is used to communicate visual information from an information handling system to display24, a separate cable has to be used to communicate keyboard28and mouse30inputs to the information handling system from the display. The data communication may be supported by a data-only cable like USB-A or a video/data cable like USB-C. KVM switch26accepts keyboard and mouse inputs and switches the inputs to the information handling system data or video/data port and cable for the information handling system that is presenting visual images at the display panel108of display24. When an end user selects a different information handling system for presentation of visual images at display panel108, KVM switch26provides the visual image information for the selected information handling system to display panel108and switches inputs of keyboard28and mouse30to that information handling system.

KVM switch26has a processing resource100, such as an MCU, that executes instructions to process information and manage switch operations. A non-transitory memory, such as a flash memory102, stores the instructions and information that executes on processing resource100to manage switch operations. When an end user initiates a change to a configuration of information handling systems interfaced with display24, a KVM setup wizard60is retrieved from flash102and executed on processing resource100to present configuration user interfaces to an end user that assist in the correct configuration of KVM switch26. For example, KVM setup wizard may be initiated by an end user selection of an input button of display24or may be initiated automatically in response to detection of a cable inserted into one of ports110,112,114and116. KVM setup wizard60detects the ports that have a cable connected and looks up in a configuration table106to find a matching configuration of cable connections. KVM setup wizard60then retrieves a configuration user interface104that matches the detected cable configuration and presents the configuration user interface at display panel108. The specific correlation between configuration user interfaces and detected port connections may vary for each display24, however, the correlation will generally relate to whether detected cables have video-only, data-only or video/data capabilities. The selected configuration user interface will visually present to the end user the alternatives available for the configuration of the display based upon the existing cable connections and confirmation of a correct association by the switch to the desired information handling system for presenting visual images and provide keyboard and mouse inputs to the information handling system that generated the visual images.

Referring now toFIG.3, a flow diagram depicts a process for configuration of a KVM switch to coordinate interactions with plural information handling systems. At step32a first information handling system is connected to the display. When only one information handling system is connected, the KVM switch need only present visual images of that one information handling system and pass inputs of input devices to that one information handling system. At step34, a second information handling system connects to the display so that the KVM switch can coordinate presentation of visual information from either information handling system, such as in response to a toggle selection by an end user that changes the active information handling system selected for presenting visual images. Generally, once the KVM switch associates video ports and data ports with information handling systems, the data ports are used in association with the video ports for each information handling system. At step36a keyboard and mouse are connected to the display to provide inputs through the KVM switch to the information handling system. At step38the setup of the information handling system and input devices are verified by confirming that the KVM switch sends inputs to the information handling system that is actively presenting visual images. If inputs made at the keyboard and/or mouse do not show up on the display, the association of keyboard and mouse with the information handling system is changed. Once at step40the KVM switch correctly associates the information handling system visual image presentation and the input devices, the setup process is complete.

Referring now toFIG.4, a flow diagram depicts a process for configuration of a KVM switch with selection of configuration user interfaces by the KVM switch based upon cable types used to interface the information handling systems with the KVM switch. The process starts at step42with the connection of video and data cables to the display monitor from the information handling systems. At step44the display monitor KVM switch detects the video and data connectivity for the information handling systems communicated through the cables and to the display monitor ports. At step46, the display monitor presents an appropriate setup wizard configuration user interface selected based upon the detected port connectivity. The particular configuration user interface that is presented is, for instance, looked up in a table that associates detected cable connections to a list of configuration user interfaces. At step48the selected configuration user interface is presented at the display panel and includes a visual depiction of the cable connections that are detected. At step50, the configuration user interface presents instructions to the end user for the next configuration steps given the detected cable configuration, such as connection of the keyboard and mouse to the display USB-A ports. At step52the input devices, such as the mouse and keyboard are connected to the display ports by the end user and detected by the KVM switch. At step54a configuration user interface is presented to aid the end user in confirmation or non-confirmation that the input devices are assigned to a correct video source. Once the correct association is established, at step56the video and input device correlations are saved and at step58the KVM setup is completed.

Referring now toFIG.5, a flow diagram depicts a process for confirmation and non-confirmation of KVM switch assignments between information handling systems established by cable type. In a situation where the KVM setup wizard initiates after an end user has connected both information handling systems to the KVM switch, the process may initiate at the data assignment verification process. At step62, the configuration user interface instructs the end user to move the mouse and observe whether the cursor moves at step64. If the mouse cursor does not move, the process continues to step66with instructions presented to the end user that failure to see mouse move is a non-confirmation of the data and video correlation. At step68, the end user presses the joystick input button of the display to command a change in the association of the input data and video output. In alternative embodiments, the change may be commanded by a predetermined mouse or keyboard input that is communicated to the information handling system that has the active data link and back to the KVM switch to change the video and data correlation. If at step64the cursor movement is visible on the display, the process continues to step70with the confirmation of the input devices and video correlation and then continues to step72. At step72the video of the information handling system is confirmed to correlate to the input devices and at step74upon confirmation the input device correlation verification is complete.

FIGS.4and5provide an example setup wizard flow that determines presentation of configuration user interfaces that guide an end user through a setup of a KVM switch of a display, however, the presented instructions may vary based upon the type of display, KVM switch, available ports and information handling system interactions as the setup initiates. As an example, the depicted setup wizard process flows instruct the coupling of the information handling systems before the keyboard and mouse. In an alternative embodiment, the keyboard and mouse may be coupled first so that they are available during the display setup and the later coupling of data cables does not result in confusion for the end user who is handling multiple USB-A cables that include keyboard and mouse cables. Generally, the flow of configuration user interfaces presented to the end user will be selected based upon detection and identification of cable types during the setup process. For example, if a video-only cable couples to the KVM switch, a subsequent configuration user interface will typically present instructions for a data-only cable connection to the same information handling system. As another example, if a USB-C cable connection is data-only, a configuration user interface will typically instruct a video-only cable connection or otherwise direct the end user to confirm a video transfer capability. Alternatively, a data-only USB-C cable connection may prompt presentation of a configuration user interface that instructs the end user to attempt other USB-C ports of the information handling system to determine if a video capability is available from the USB-C ports. In one example embodiment, the KVM switch may select a configuration user interface presentation flow that encourages an end user to configure the display for use in an optimal manner, such as in the selection of video and data cables based upon available ports. For instance, the KVM switch once interfaced by a data-cable may retrieve from the information handling system the available ports of the information handling system and apply the available ports against the KVM available capabilities to suggest alternative cable configurations. For instance, if a USB-C port is used in a data-only capacity while another information handling system could use the USB-C port for video, the setup wizard may present a user interface that suggests an alternative configuration to more efficiently use available ports.

Referring now toFIG.6, an example is depicted of a configuration user interface stored in KVM non-transitory memory that is retrieved to coordinate an interface with a first information handling system. The user interface ofFIG.6initiates when an end user indicates an intent to couple two information handling systems to the display KVM by providing instructions to connect the first information handling system with a USB-C cable between a USB-C port of the information handling system and USB-C port of the display. USB-C is a video/data cable that communicates both video and input data through one cable. Presenting this interface first simplifies the connection process because only a single cable connection is needed. If an end user does not connect a USB-C cable and selects next instead, the logic of the KVM switch can proceed to options for communication that do not include USB-C, such as HDMI or DisplayPort as a first selection.

Referring now toFIG.7, an example is depicted of a configuration user interface stored in KVM non-transitory memory that is retrieved to coordinate an interface with a second information handling system. In the example, the display KVM has interfaced by a USB-C cable and the configuration user interface offers a DisplayPort or HDMI cable option that are each supported by a separate USB-A or USB-C data interface. In a situation where the display KVM already supports an information handling system cable connection when the setup wizard is initiated, the first configuration user interface will show the existing connection and the available cable connection options for the second connection with the information handling system labeled as “2”. Because a USB-C cable can support data only or both video and data simultaneously, the instructions specify whether the interface is for just data as opposed to a combination of video and data. After the cables are connected, the KVM switch may confirm the nature of the interface to ensure that each video-only cable interface also supports a data interface.

Referring now toFIG.8, an example is depicted of a configuration user interface stored in KVM non-transitory memory that is retrieved to coordinate an interface with peripheral devices, such as a keyboard and mouse. After the end user has completed the interface of the two information handling systems, the configuration user interface presents instructions to the end user for interfacing a keyboard and mouse to the display. As with the other configuration user interfaces, the instructions for interfacing the keyboard and mouse may be skipped if the KVM switch detects the keyboard and mouse are already connected.

Referring now toFIG.9, an example is depicted of a configuration user interface stored in KVM non-transitory memory are retrieved for presentation to an end user when configuring plural information handling systems to interface with a display through the KVM switch. Once the keyboard and mouse are coupled to the KVM switch, the configuration user interface presents instructions to the end user for moving the mouse to see if cursor movement appears on the display. If no cursor movement appears, the KVM switch has an inverse configuration that sends the mouse position information to the information handling system that is not presenting visual images. In the event that the configuration is non-confirmed, the configuration user interface instructs the end user to reset the configuration and reverse the association of data and video. Once the mouse cursor movement confirms the configuration, the configuration is completed and the setup wizard returns video control to the information handling systems.