Switchless KVM network with wireless technology

• US 20050204026A1
• Filed: 03/13/2004
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RIIP, Inc.
• Original Assignee: RIIP, Inc.
• Inventors: Hoerl, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,558,795 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/24 Keyboard-Video-Mouse [KVM] switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/04 Network management architectures or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/34 Signalling channels for network management communication

Abstract

The present invention discloses a wireless remote network management system for wirelessly interfacing a series of remote devices (e.g., computers, servers, etc.) to one or more user workstations. Each remote device is coupled to a wireless transmitter, and each user workstation includes a wireless user station coupled to a keyboard, a video monitor and a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse). Preferably, the transmitters and user stations utilize an 802.11 compatible ad-hoc network for communication. Alternatively, a central wireless access point may be utilized to centralize communications between the transmitters and user stations. The wireless network enables a user workstation to access, monitor and control a remote device. An option menu containing a list of all the remote devices allows a user to select any of the remote devices for operation.

Claims

1. A system for providing wireless monitoring and control of remote devices, said system comprising:

a plurality of first transceivers each having a first wireless communications device and each said first transceiver being coupled to a keyboard, a video monitor and a cursor control device for receiving signals from said keyboard and said cursor control device; and

a plurality of second transceivers each having a second wireless communications device and each said second transceiver being coupled to at least one of said remote devices for receiving video data from said remote devices and for transmitting said video data to said receiver over a wireless network.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless network is an 802.11 wireless network.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said wireless network is an ad-hoc wireless network.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein said wireless network is an infrastructure wireless network.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless network is a Bluetooth network.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said wireless network includes a wireless enabled switch.

7. A system according to claim 1, wherein each said first transceiver includes circuitry for displaying a list of said remote devices on said video monitor.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein each said first transceiver transmits a connection request message to one of said plurality of second transceivers in response to a user'"'"'s selection from said list.

9. A system according to claim 8, wherein said connection request message includes a select channel for wireless communications between said first and second wireless communications devices over said wireless network.

10. A system according to claim 7, wherein said list is generated by an on-screen display processor.

11. A system according to claim 7, wherein said list is generated by software implemented on a general purpose processor.

12. A system according to claim 7, wherein said list includes information related to said remote devices.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said list is automatically updated with additional remote devices.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein said video data is compressed before being transmitted by said second wireless communications device of said second transceivers.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein said video data, said keyboard data, and said cursor control device data is encrypted before being transmitted by said first and said second wireless communications devices over said wireless network.

16. A method of transmitting keyboard signals, cursor control device signals and compressed video signals between a workstation connected to a video monitor a keyboard and a cursor control device and a select computer over a wireless network comprising the steps of:

displaying a menu of available computers on said video monitor of said workstation;

receiving a user request to operate a select computer from said available remote computers;

transmitting a connection request message from said workstation to said select computer over said wireless network in response to said user request;

transmitting video signals from said select computer to said workstation for display on said video monitor over said wireless network; and

transmitting keyboard and cursor control device signals from said keyboard and cursor control device of said workstation to said select remote device over said wireless network.

17. A method according to claim 16, said method further comprising the step of:

updating said menu of available remote devices with additional remote devices.

18. A method according to claim 16, said method further comprising the step of:

updating said menu of available remote devices automatically as said remote devices enter or leave said wireless network.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein said wireless network is an 802.11 wireless network.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein said wireless network is a peer-to-peer wireless network.

21. A method according to claim 19, wherein said wireless network is an infrastructure mode wireless network.

22. A method according to claim 19, wherein said wireless network is a Bluetooth wireless network.

23. A wireless remote network management system for remotely monitoring and controlling devices comprising:

a plurality of first wireless-enabled transceivers each coupled to a keyboard, a video monitor and a cursor control device;

a plurality of second wireless-enabled transceivers each coupled to a remote device; and

a central switch enabled for wireless communication and wired communication;

wherein each said first wireless-enabled transceiver communicates keyboard and cursor control device signals from said keyboard and said cursor control device to said central switch via a first wireless network,

wherein said central switch routes said signals via a second wireless network to one of said second wireless-enabled transceivers,

wherein each said second wireless-enabled transceiver communicates video data via said second wireless network from said remote device to said central switch,

and wherein said central switch communicates said video data to one of said plurality of first wireless-enabled transceivers via said first wireless network.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said first wireless network and said second wireless networks are 802.11 wireless networks.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein each said first transceiver includes circuitry for displaying a menu of said remote devices on said video monitor.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein each said first transceiver transmits a connection request message to the central switch and the central switch transmits the connection request message to one of said plurality of second transceivers in response to a selection from said menu.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein said menu is generated by an on-screen display processor.

28. A system according to claim 25, wherein said menu is generated by software implemented on a general purpose processor.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein said menu includes information related to said remote devices.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein said menu is automatically updated with additional remote devices.

31. A system according to claim 23, wherein said video data is compressed before being transmitted by said second transceiver.