Wireless ultra-thin client network system

• US 20040024928A1
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Bradley, Chris, Billington, Corey
• Application Number:
  US10/632,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20040024928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips

Abstract

An ultra-thin client network system includes a plurality of ultra-thin clients and a processing center including a processor, a data bus, a concurrency device, and a wireless data connection between the concurrency device and a plurality of ultra-thin clients. The system provides a capability to utilize resources of the processor and shared peripheral devices connected to the processor via the concurrency device by a plurality of users in a home, office, workgroup, or other small network environment.

Claims

1. An ultra-thin client network system, comprising:

a processing center, including;

a processor;

a data bus in data communication with the processor;

a concurrency device, operatively coupled to the data bus;

a wireless data connection, operatively coupled to the concurrency device; and

a plurality of ultra-thin clients, each further comprising a communication device including a wireless data connection, whereby each of the ultra-thin clients can be in data communication with the concurrency device, and can be located in relation to the processing center without cabling, and can share in a processing capability of the processing center.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the ultra-thin clients comprises at least one keyboard and at least one monitor operatively connected to the communication device of the ultra-thin client;

whereby the ultra-thin client can comprise an I/O interface between a user and the processing center.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2, further comprising at least one of:

a) a pointing device;

b) a printer;

c) a game console;

d) a joystick;

e) an image projector;

f) an image capture device;

g) a plotter;

h) a scanner; and

, i) an audio reproduction device.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the system is configured for home use.

5. A system as set forth in claim 3, wherein the system is configured for use in one of:

a) a workgroup;

b) a business facility; and

, c) an office.

6. A system as set forth in claim 1, where the processing center comprises a computer.

7. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the system is configured to facilitate connection of a shared peripheral device.

8. A system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a powered peripheral node (PPN) and including a wireless connection between the PPN and the processing center, said PPN facilitating connection of the said peripheral device for shared use by users on the network system.

9. A system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a PPN wherein the PPN and shared peripheral device comprise a printer, power and data connections for the printer and at least one additional peripheral device and a power supply shared by the printer and the at least one additional peripheral device.

10. A system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the computer comprises a PC.

11. An ultra-thin client network system, comprising:

a processing center, including a processor;

a system bus connected to the processor;

a concurrency device connected to the system bus;

a plurality of ultra-thin clients;

a plurality of wireless data connections between the concurrency device and the plurality of ultra-thin clients;

whereby the ultra-thin clients can be conveniently placed in wireless relation to the processor, and use the processing capability of the processor.

12. A system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the system is configured for use in a home environment.

13. A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one of the ultra-thin clients is configured for use in a kitchen environment.

14. A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one of the ultra-thin clients is configured primarily to facilitate entertainment.

15. A system as set forth in claim 12, wherein at least one of the ultra-thin clients is configured to facilitate use in a home office environment.

16. A system as set forth in claim 14, wherein at least on of the ultra-thin clients is configured primarily to facilitate gaming.

17. A system as set forth in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of shared peripheral devices coupled to the processing center.

18. A system as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a PPN whereby at least two of the plurality of shared peripheral devices are connectable to the processing center.

19. A system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the PPN includes a printer as one of the shared peripheral devices.

20. A system as set forth in claim 18, wherein the PPN is wirelessly connectable to the processing center.

21. A system as set forth in claim 11, further comprising an Internet connection, whereby the processor can be in communication with the Internet and an ultra-thin client user can access the Internet.

22. A system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the system is configured for use in a commercial office environment.

23. A system as set forth in claim 22, wherein the processing center comprises a server.

24. A system as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a plurality of shared peripheral devices coupled to the processing center.

25. A system as set forth in claim 24, wherein the plurality of shared peripheral devices are located adjacent the processing center.

26. A system as set forth in claim 24, wherein at least one of the shared peripheral devices is remote from the processing center and connected to the processing center by a wireless data connection.

27. A system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the concurrency device and at least some wireless connection hardware are combined on a single card connectable to the system data bus.

28. A system as set forth in claim 27, wherein the wireless connection hardware includes an antenna attached to said single card.

29. A method of providing an ultra-thin client network, comprising the steps of:

providing a processing center including a processor and a system bus;

providing for connecting a concurrency device to the system bus to enable connection of multiple ultra-thin clients to the processor;

providing for connection of the multiple ultra-thin clients to the processing center through the concurrency device;

providing a wireless connection configured to enable data communication between the concurrency device and the multiple ultra-thin clients; and

configuring the concurrency device and the wireless connection so that the multiple ultra-thin clients can share the processor from remote locations without cabling via the concurrency device and the wireless connection.

30. A method as set forth in claim 29, further comprising the step of:

enabling connection of a plurality of shared peripheral devices to the system data bus, whereby users of the ultra-thin clients can share the peripheral devices.

31. A method as set forth in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

providing a PPN; and

configuring the PPN for connecting at least one of the plurality of peripheral devices to the processing center through the PPN.

32. A method as set forth in claim 31, further comprising the step of providing for wireless data communication between the PPN and the processing center.

33. A method as set forth in claim 30, comprising the further step of enabling wireless connection of a remote peripheral device to the processing center.

34. A method as set forth in claim 33, including the step of facilitating location of said remote peripheral device adjacent one of the ultra-thin clients.