Patent Document

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. §120 
   The present Application for Patent is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 10/190,015 entitled “AUTOMATIC SWITCH,” filed Jul. 8, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,035,112, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field 
   The present invention relates to an automatic switch for a user to automatically switch between two or more computers, and, more particularly, to an improved keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch that has integrally injection-molded cables to provide good weather-resistance, impact-resistance, and some protection of an internal circuit board thereof. 
   2. Background 
   Computers are becoming more prevalent in both homes and offices, and are often considered requisite “tools” for work, learning, leisure activities, and daily life. In certain environments, a user needs to be able to access to multiple computers simultaneously. For example, a user may have a computer dedicated to work, such as a computer used for stock trading; as well as a second computer limited to non-work activities, such as a computer used for browsing the World-Wide-Web and playing video games. Currently, for users who need to access two or more computers simultaneously, instead of using a separate keyboard, monitor and mouse for each computer, an automatic switching device commonly referred to as a Keyboard, Video and Mouse (KVM) switch is used. The KVM switch allows the user to use one keyboard, monitor and mouse to control two or more computers by being able to switch among them. 
   Typically, the KVM switch contains a circuit that provides the functionality for switching a set of keyboard, mouse and monitor among different computers. Thus, one set of signal cables are run from a keyboard (keyboard signal cable), a mouse (mouse signal cable) and a monitor (video signal cable) to the KVM switch, and, to each computer, another set of keyboard, mouse and monitor signals cables are run from the KVM switch. Thus, if the KVM switch is connected to 2 computers, 2 separate sets of cables, each set having a keyboard signal cable, a mouse signal cable, and a video signal cable, are needed. With the number of cables running from the KVM switch increasing incrementally based on the number of computers connected, cable management becomes a problem. Further, as the number of cables increases, the likelihood that the cables may become loose and disconnected from the KVM switch also increases. Another issue is the confusion on the part of the user of which cables to purchase because many KVM switches have multiple outlets for connecting to different types of peripherals. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch includes an enclosure, a switching circuit contained within the enclosure and a set of connector ports disposed on the enclosure and electrically coupled to the switching circuit. The KVM switch further includes a plurality of cables integrated into the enclosure and electrically coupled to the switching circuit, each cable in the plurality of cables including a plurality of connector plugs, wherein each connector plug in the plurality of connector plugs for one of the cables in the plurality of cables are matched to at least another one of the respective plurality of connector plugs from another one of the cables in the plurality of cables, and wherein the switching circuit is configured to operatively switch the set of connector ports to connect to one of the plurality of cables. 
   In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a computer peripherals switch includes a switching circuit contained within a body and a first computer cable electrically coupled to the switching circuit and integrally attached to the body. The computer peripherals switch further includes a second computer cable electrically coupled to the switching circuit and integrally attached to the body and a plurality of computer peripheral ports electrically coupled to the switching circuit and disposed on the body; wherein the first computer cable has a plurality of first computer connectors, each of which is matched to at least one of the ports in the plurality of computer peripheral ports, and wherein the switching circuit is configured to selectively couple the plurality of first computer connectors to the plurality of computer peripheral ports. 
   Other objects, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the following description may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the description should be understood to include all such variations. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch configured in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a right elevation view of the keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a left elevation view of the keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of the keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switch of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a system in which the KVM switch may be used, configured in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a Keyboard, Video and Mouse (KVM) switch device  100  configured in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention. During the description of  FIG. 1  and the other figures, reference will also be made to  FIG. 7 , which is a perspective view of the top of KVM switch device  100 , and  FIG. 8 , which is a perspective view of the bottom of KVM switch device  100 . KVM switch device  100  includes a body  102 , from which a first output  104 A and a second output  104 B extends. In one preferred embodiment, first output  104 A and second output  104 B includes a first cable  110 A and a second cable  110 B, respectively, integrated into body  102 . Each cable is attached to body  102  via a strain relief. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, first cable  110 A and second cable  110 B are permanently attached to body  102  via a first strain relief  112 A and a second strain relief  112 B, respectively. In one preferred embodiment, first cable  110 A and second cable  110 B are integrally formed (e.g., molded) with body  102 , such that the cables are sealed to the body. Extending from first cable  110 A and second cable  110 B are a first plurality of plugs and a second plurality of plugs, respectively, each having an audio plug ( 122 A,  122 B), with a cover plug ( 120 A,  120 B); a video plug ( 124 A,  124 B); and a peripheral plug ( 126 A,  126 B). In one preferred embodiment, each peripheral plug ( 126 A,  126 B) is compatible for mating with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard device as promulgated by the USB Implementers Forum, Inc. In other preferred embodiments, each peripheral plug is compatible for mating with other peripheral standards, such as the PS/2 connector standard as developed by IBM Corporation. 
   A third output  104 C and a fourth output  104 D are also located on body  102 . In one preferred embodiment, third output  104 C and fourth output  104 D includes a first cable connector  152 C and a second cable connector  152 D, respectively, where each cable connector is configured to be connected to a detachable cable that contains a plurality of plugs such as audio plugs, video plugs, and peripheral plugs similar to the plugs on first cable  110 A and second cable  110 B. In another preferred embodiment, the detachable cable that may be connected to first cable connector  152 C and/or second cable connector  152 D may contain a different number of plugs as compared to first cable  110 A or second cable  110 B. For example, the detachable cable may only contain a video plug and one peripheral plug. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom plan view of KVM switch device  100  having a bottom side  202  includes a padding  204  and a plurality of vent slots  206 . In one preferred embodiment, padding  204  is comprised of a material that provides for non-slip capabilities. In one preferred embodiment, materials that may be used include rubber-based compounds or polymers. For example, a rubber pad may be used. In another preferred embodiment, material such as cloth may be used. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a view of the right side of KVM switch device  100  having a plurality of computer peripheral ports  302  including a pair of peripheral ports  312 , a video port  314 , and an audio port  316 . In one preferred embodiment, pair of peripheral ports  312  is similar to peripheral plug ( 126 A,  126 B), such that the computer peripheral communication standard with which pair of peripheral ports  312  is compatible is the same standard with which peripheral plug ( 126 A,  126 B) is compatible. For example, pair of peripheral ports  312  and peripheral plug ( 126 A,  126 B) are compatible with the USB standard. In another preferred embodiment, pair of peripheral ports  312  and peripheral plug ( 126 A,  126 B) are compatible with different computer peripheral interconnection standards and KVM switch device  100  needs to perform certain translations of the signals going to and from the computer peripherals coupled to the plug/ports, as further discussed below.  FIG. 5  is a view of the left side of KVM switch device  100 . 
     FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of illustrating how first cable  10 A, second cable  110 B, first cable connector  152 C and second cable connector  152 D are integrated into body  102  and how plurality of vent slots  206  is configured to allow the interior of KVM switch device  100  to ventilate with the surrounding environment. In one preferred embodiment, the electronics internal to KVM switch device  100  are protected from moisture, and any liquid that may accidentally reach the interior will not affect the electronics because they are so sealed. 
     FIG. 6  is a view of the front of KVM switch device  100 , where a pair of indicator lights  602 A and  602 B indicate the status of KVM switch device  100 . Body  102  contains a switching circuit (not shown) that switches the signals received from plurality of computer peripheral ports  302  to couple them to one or more of the set of outputs  104 A- 104 D. In one preferred embodiment, each of the indicator lights indicates the operational status of one of the computers that is connected to KVM switch device  100 . For example, indicator light  602 A may be lit to indicate that KVM switch device  100  is operating to electrically couple the signals received from plurality of computer peripheral ports  302  to first output  104 A. Indicator light  602 B can be lit to indicate if KVM switch device  100  is operating to electrically couple the signals received from plurality of computer peripheral ports  302  to second output  104 B. In another preferred embodiment, the indicator lights may signal that KVM switch device  100  is operating to electrically couple the signals received from plurality of computer peripheral ports  302  to third output  104 C or fourth output  104 D. In yet another preferred embodiment, the indicator lights may indicate the coupling of the signals from plurality of computer peripheral ports  302  to any of the outputs through a series or sequence of light flashes. 
     FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a system  900  in which the features of the present invention may be implemented. System  900  includes a first computer system  950  and a second computer system  952  that are selectively and switchedly connected to the computer peripherals that are coupled to KVM switch device  100 . First computer system  950  and second computer system  952  are general purpose computer systems, as further described below. The following description, although specifically referring to first computer system  950 , is applicable to second computer system  952 . 
   First computer system  950  includes a bus  902  for communicating information between the components in first computer system  950 , and a processor  904  coupled with bus  902  for executing software code, or instructions, and processing information. First computer system  950  further comprises a main memory  906 , which may be implemented using random access memory (RAM) and/or other random memory storage device, coupled to bus  902  for storing information and instructions to be executed by processor  904 . Main memory  906  also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions by processor  904 . First computer system  950  also includes a read only memory (ROM)  908  and/or other static storage device coupled to bus  902  for storing static information and instructions for processor  904 . Further, a mass storage device  910 , such as a magnetic disk drive and/or or a optical disk drive, may be coupled to first computer system  950  for storing information and instructions. Although not illustrated, first computer system  950  may optionally include video capture/output cards, camera devices, and many other conventional options. 
   In the configuration shown in  FIG. 9 , KVM switch device  100  is used to allow a single set of peripherals, e.g., a display device  934 , an alphanumeric input device  936 , a cursor control device  938  and speakers  940  to be selectively coupled to first computer system  950  or second computer system  952 . The computer systems may be connected to any of the outputs  104 A to  104 D of KVM switch device  100  using first cable  110 A, second cable  110 B or, as noted above, additional cables connected to first cable connector  152 C and second cable connector  152 D. Up to four computer systems may be connected to KVM switch device  100  if all four outputs  104 A to  104 D are used, with one computer system attached to each output. 
   In one exemplary configuration, first computer system  950  is coupled to display device  934  using video plug  124 A on first cable  110 A of KVM switch device  100 . Display device  934  is a device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), used for displaying information to a user so that, for example, graphical or textual information may be presented to the user. An alphanumeric input device  936 , including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to one of the ports of pair of peripheral ports  312  on KVM switch device  100  for communicating information and/or user selection commands to processor  904  of first computer system  950 . In one preferred embodiment, is the peripheral standard that is being used is based on the USB standard, as discussed above, then either one of the ports of pair of peripheral ports  312  may be used. First computer  950  is then coupled to KVM switch device  100  using peripheral plug  126  on first cable  110 A. 
   Another type of user input device shown in the figure is a cursor control device  938 , such as a conventional mouse, touch mouse, trackball, touchpad or other type of cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selection to first computer system  950  and for controlling movement of a cursor on display  934 . Similar to alphanumeric input device  936 , cursor control device  938  may be plugged into one of the ports of pair of peripheral ports  312  on KVM switch device  100 . First computer system  950 , which is already coupled to KVM switch device  100  using peripheral plug  126  on first cable  110 A, will receive the direction information and command selection generated by cursor control device  938 . Various other types of input devices, including, but not limited to the input devices described herein, unless otherwise noted, may be coupled to KVM switch device  100  using pair of peripheral ports  312  to allow the user to provide command or input to first computer system  950 . 
   In one preferred embodiment, if more than two devices are to be coupled to KVM switch device  100 , one or more hubs (e.g., one or more USB hubs) may be connected to pair of peripheral ports  312 . Thus, more than two computer peripheral devices may be coupled to KVM switch device  100 . Specifically, in addition to alphanumeric input device  936  and cursor control device  938 , other devices such as printers, image scanners, cameras and microphones may be coupled to KVM switch device  100  through the use of devices such as hubs. 
   Also as illustrated, speakers  940  are coupled to first computer system  950  via KVM switch device  100 . In one preferred embodiment, speakers  940  are first coupled to audio port  316  of KVM switch device  100 . Audio plug  122 A of first cable  110 A is then plugged into first computer system  950 . 
   First computer system  950  may also include a communication device (not shown) that is coupled to bus  902  for accessing other computer systems, as described below. The communication device may include a modem, a network interface card, or other well-known interface devices, such as those used for interfacing with Ethernet, Token-ring, or other types of networks. In any event, in this manner, first computer system  950  may be coupled to a number of other computer systems via a network infrastructure, such as second computer system  952 . 
   The embodiments described above are exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses of, and departures from, the above-described embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Various modifications to these embodiments may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments, e.g., in an instant messaging service or any general wireless data communication applications, without departing from the spirit or scope of the novel aspects described herein. Thus, the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention is to be defined solely by the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: h