System and method for remote monitoring and operation of personal computers
First Claim
1. A computer monitoring system for monitoring information displayed on a video display terminal connected to, and receiving display information from, a data processing device comprising:
- video raster signal input means for receiving a video raster signal representative of said information displayed on the video display terminal from the data processing device; and
conversion means connected to said video raster signal input means for converting said video raster signal into a digital signal representative of said information contained in said video raster signals, said conversion means comprising character determination means for determining an identity of each character displayed on the video display terminal and for generating a digital code indicative of said identity of said each character displayed on the video display terminal, said character determination means comprising circuitry for generating a series of cyclic redundancy checks, wherein each said cyclic redundancy check is generated from pixel information associated with each character location on the video display terminal.
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Abstract
A system and method for accessing, controlling and monitoring a data processing device in which a video raster signal from the data processing device is analyzed to determine the information displayed on a video display monitor attached to the data processing device is used. The video raster signal is converted to a digital form and a cyclic redundancy check is performed on the digital data to determine the information contained in the video raster signal and to generate a compressed representation of that information. The information may then easily and quickly be transmitted to a remote location for analysis and review. Additionally, commands from the remote location can be transmitted to the system to control the data processing device.
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Citations
92 Claims
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1. A computer monitoring system for monitoring information displayed on a video display terminal connected to, and receiving display information from, a data processing device comprising:
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video raster signal input means for receiving a video raster signal representative of said information displayed on the video display terminal from the data processing device; and
conversion means connected to said video raster signal input means for converting said video raster signal into a digital signal representative of said information contained in said video raster signals, said conversion means comprising character determination means for determining an identity of each character displayed on the video display terminal and for generating a digital code indicative of said identity of said each character displayed on the video display terminal, said character determination means comprising circuitry for generating a series of cyclic redundancy checks, wherein each said cyclic redundancy check is generated from pixel information associated with each character location on the video display terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of receiving, analyzing and converting information contained in an analog video raster signal generated by a data processing device and displayed on a video display terminal associated with the data processing device, into a digital representation of that information comprising the steps of:
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receiving the analog video raster signal generated by the data processing device;
converting said analog video raster signal into a digital signal representative of said information contained in said video raster signal, said converting step including the steps of;
determining an identity of each character displayed on the video display terminal; and
generating a digital code indicative of said identity of said each character displayed on the video display terminal, wherein said step of generating a digital code comprises the step of generating a series of cyclic redundancy checks from pixel information associated with each character location on the video display terminal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer implemented method of converting information contained in a video raster signal generated by a data processing device and displayed on a video display terminal associated with the data processing device, into a digital representation of that information comprising the computer implemented steps of:
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receiving the video raster signal generated by the data processing device; and
converting said video raster signal into a digital signal representative of said information contained in said video raster signal, said converting step including the steps of;
determining an identity of each character displayed on the video display terminal; and
generating a digital code indicative of said identity of said each character displayed on the video display terminal, wherein said step of generating a digital code comprises the step of generating a series of cyclic redundancy checks from pixel information associated with each character location on the video display terminal.
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20. A computer monitoring system for monitoring information contained in an analog video raster signal generated by a data processing device and displayed on a video display terminal connected to the data processing device and for convening the information contained in the analog video raster signal into a digital representation of that information for transmission to a remote location comprising:
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analog video raster signal input means connected with the data processing device for receiving said analog video raster signal generated by said data processing device;
conversion means connected to said analog video raster signal input means for receiving said analog video raster signal and for converting said analog video raster signal into a digital signal comprising a plurality of digital codes representative of information contained in said analog video raster signal, said conversion means comprising processing means for analyzing said analog video raster signal, for determining an identity of each character displayed on the video display terminal, and for generating at least one of said plurality of digital codes, said at least one of said plurality of digital codes being indicative of said identity of said each character displayed on the video display terminal.
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21. A computer monitoring system for monitoring information contained in an analog video raster signal generated by a data processing device and displayed on a video display terminal connected to the data processing device and for converting the information contained in the analog video raster signal into a digital representation of that information for transmission to a remote location comprising:
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analog video raster signal input means connected with the data processing device for receiving said analog video raster signal generated by said data processing device;
conversion means connected to said analog video raster signal input means for receiving said analog video raster signal and for converting said analog video raster signal into a digital signal comprising a plurality of digital codes representative of information contained in said analog video raster signal, said conversion means comprising processing means for analyzing said analog video raster signal, character determination means for determining an identity of each character displayed on the video display terminal and for generating a digital code indicative of said identity of said each character displayed on the video display terminal and for generating at least one of said plurality of digital codes, said at least one of said plurality of digital codes being indicative of said identity of said each character displayed on the video display terminal; and
training means connected to said character determination means for generating a predetermined character display, for operating said character determination means to generate digital codes representative of an identity of each character in said predetermined character display, and for storing said digital codes generated by said character determination means.
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22. A system for connecting a workstation of the type that includes a keyboard, a cursor control device, and a video monitor to one or more remotely located computers, comprising:
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a programmable switch for routine workstation input signals produced by at least one of the keyboard and cursor control device of the workstation to a remotely located computer;
a first signal conditioner for receiving the workstation input signals and for transmitting the workstation input signals to an input of the switch, the first signal conditioner also including an on-screen programming processor that produces overlaid video signals on the video monitor of the workstation, means for detecting workstation input signals entered in response to the overlaid video signals, and means for transmitting the workstation input signals entered in response to the overlaid video signals to the switch in order to control the operation of the switch; and
a second signal conditioner which receives the workstation input signals from an output of the switch and supplies the workstation input signals to the remotely located computer. - View Dependent Claims (24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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23. A system for connecting a workstation of the type that includes a keyboard, a cursor control device, and a video monitor to a number of remotely located computers, comprising:
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a central programmable switch for connecting signals received on a number of inputs to a number of outputs;
a first signal conditioning circuit for receiving signals produced by the keyboard and cursor control device of the workstation and for transmitting the keyboard and cursor control device signals to an input of the central switch, the first signal conditioning circuit also including an on-screen programming circuit that produces overlaid video signals on the video monitor of the workstation, means for detecting keyboard and cursor control device signals entered in response to the overlaid video signals, and means for transmitting the keyboard and cursor control signal entered in response to the overlaid video signals to the central switch in order to control the operation of the central switch; and
a second si-anal conditioning circuit coupled to the remotely located computers for receiving the keyboard and cursor control device signals from an output of the central switch and for supplying the keyboard and cursor control signals to at least one of the remote computers.
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25. A system for connecting a workstation to one or more remotely located commuters, the workstation being of the type that includes a video monitor and at least one of a keyboard and a cursor control device, the system comprising:
a programmable switch which routes at least some workstation input signals produced by at least one of the keyboard and cursor control device of the workstation to a remotely located computer; and
on-screen display processor which Generates an on-screen display on the video monitor of the workstation and which, in accordance with workstation input signals entered in response to the on-screen display, generates signals which are used to control the programmable switch.
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34. A method of connecting a workstation to one or more remotely located computers, the workstation being of the type that includes a video monitor and at least one of a keyboard and a cursor control device, the method comprising:
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routine workstation input signals produced by at least one of the keyboard and cursor control device to a programmable switch, and routine at least some of the workstation input signals from the programmable switch to the remotely located computer;
providing an on-screen display on the video monitor of the workstation; and
in accordance with workstation input signals entered in response to the on-screen display controlling the programmable switch.
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42. A computer monitoring system comprising a host computer which includes a host processor, a host input device, and a host display device:
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a remote processor which has a remote display device connected thereto;
5 a host unit connected between the remote processor and host computer which (1) causes screen data displayed on the host display device to appear also on the remote display device whereby at least a situation requiring a cold boot operation appears at the remote display device; and
(2) upon receipt of a cold boot command from the remote processor, causes the host computer to initiate a cold boot operation of the host processor. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method of monitoring a computer system comprising:
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providing a host unit between a host computer and a remote processor;
the host computer including a host processor, a host input device, and a host display device;
the remote processor having a remote display device connected thereto;
using the host unit to cause screen data displayed on the host display device to appear also on the remote display device whereby at least a situation requiring a cold boot operation appears at the remote display device; and
receiving a cold boot command at the host unit from the remote processor and thereupon causing the host computer to initiate a cold boot operation of the host processor. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A computer monitoring system comprising:
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plural host computers, each host computer having a host processor, a host input device, and a host display device;
a remote processor which has a remote input device and remote display device connected thereto;
a switch comprising plural host units connected together in a daisy chain configuration, each of the plural host units being connected to an associated one of the plural host computers, at least one of the plural host units being connected to the remote processor, wherein in response to a command entered from the remote input device. the remote processor is connected by the switch to a selected one of the plural host computers whereby at least one of the following occurs;
(1) screen data displayed on the host display device of the selected one of the plural host computers appears also on the remote display device, and 15 (2) input signals from the remote input device are forwarded to the selected one of the plural host computers for controlling the selected one of the plural host computers. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A method of monitoring a computer system comprising:
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providing a switch between plural host computers and a remote processor;
each host computer having a host processor, a host input device, and a host display device;
the remote processor having a remote input device and remote display device connected thereto;
the switch comprising plural host units connected together in a daisy chain configuration, each of the plural host units being connected to an associated one of the plural host computers, at least one of the plural host units being connected to the remote processor;
upon entry of a command from the remote input device, connecting the remote processor by the switch to a selected one of the plural host computers whereby at least one of the following occurs;
(I) screen data displayed on the host display device of the selected one of the plural host computers appears also on the remote display device, and (2) input signals from the remote input device are forwarded to the selected one of the plural host computers for controlling the selected one of the plural host computers. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71)
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72. A computer monitoring system comprising:
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plural host computer sites, each host computer site having at least one host computer, the at least one host computer including a host processor, a host input device, and a host display device;
a remote processor situated at a remote site, the remote processor having a remote display device and a r emote input device connected thereto;
a telecommunications network linking the remote site and each of the plural host computer sites, the telecommunications network facilitating a first connection between a first selected host computer at a first host computer site and the remote site, and during the first connection either;
(a) transmitting screen data from the host display device of the first selected host computer so that video appearing at the host display device thereof appears also on the remote display device, and (b) transmitting input signals from the remote input device to the first selected host computer for controlling the first selected host computer;
an on-screen display process, execution of the on-screen display process at the remote site providing a pop-up screen on the remote display device, the pop-up comprising a menu identifying the host computers at the plural host computer sites, the pop-up screen at least overlaying the video 20 appearing on the remote display device as a result of the first connection;
whereupon operation of the remote input device in response to the menu of the pop-up screen establishes a second connection via the telecommunications switching system between a second selected host computer and the remote site, - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
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78. A method of monitoring a computer system wherein plural host computer sites are connected by a telecommunications network to a remote processor at a remote site, each of the plural host computer sites having at least one host computer, each host computer including a host processor, a host input device, and a host display device:
- the remote site having a remote processor situated thereat, the remote processor having a remote display device and a remote input device connected thereto;
the method comprising;
(1) using a telecommunications switching system of the telecommunications system to establish a first transmission between a first selected host computer at a firs;
host computer site and the remote site, and during the first transmission either;
(a) transmitting screen data from the host display device of the first selected host computer so hat video appearing at the host display device thereof appears also on the remote display device, and (b) transmitting;
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input signals from the remote input device to the first selected host computer for controlling the first selected host computer;
(2) executing an on-screen display process, execution of the on-screen display process providing a pop-up screen on the remote display device, the popup comprising a menu identities the host computers at the plural host computer sites, the pop-up screen at least overlaying the video appearing on the remote display device as a result of steo (1)(a);
(3) upon operation of the remote input device in response to the menu of the pop-up screen, establishing a second transmission via the telecommunications switching system between a second selected host computer and the remote site.
- the remote site having a remote processor situated thereat, the remote processor having a remote display device and a remote input device connected thereto;
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84. A computer monitoring system comprising:
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plural host processors which are to be monitored;
a remote processor situated at a remote site for monitoring of a selected one of the plural host processors, the remote processor having a remote display device and a remote input device connected thereto;
a communication path between a selected one of the plural host processor and the remote processor for transmitting at least one of;
(a) video data from the selected one of the plural host processors for use by the remote display device, and 10 (b) input signals from the remote input device to the selected one of the plural host processors for controlling the selected one of the plural host processors;
the communication path comprising;
a central processor unit;
15 a communications line connecting the central processor unit to the remote processor;
a switch connecting the central processing unit to the plural host processors and for establishing communication between the remote processor and the selected one of the plural host processor. - View Dependent Claims (85, 86, 87)
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88. A computer monitoring system comprising:
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providing plural host processors which are to be monitored;
providing a remote processor situated at a remote site for monitoring of a selected one of the plural host processors, the remote processor having a remote display device and a remote input device connected thereto;
transmitting, over a communication path between a selected one of the plural host processor and the remote processor, at least one of;
(a) video data from the selected one of the plural host processors for use by the remote display device, and (b) input signals from the remote input device to the selected one of the plural host processors for controlling the selected one of the plural host processors;
the step of transmitting over the communication path including transmitting at least one of the video data and the input signals over a communications line between a central processor unit and the remote processor;
transmitting at least one of the video data and the input signals between the central processor unit and the selected one of the plural host processors via a switch, the switch being connected to the plural host processors. - View Dependent Claims (89, 90, 91)
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92. A KVM switch system for providing keyboard, video, and mouse signals to a selected computer, including:
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a KVM switch;
an on-screen display processor providing a visual user interface responding to at least some of the keyboard signals for choosing the selected computer.
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Specification