Methods and arrangements for performing desktop switching

• US 20070033529A1
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global SERV Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Global SERV Incorporated
• Inventors: de Kerf, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,886,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/734
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes

Abstract

A method for creating a complete data path between a user interface device (UID) and a second system device. The UID is coupled to a first system device via a UID switch prior to creating the UID, the first system device, and the second device being coupled to the UID switch. The method includes receiving from the UID at the first system device a connect request. The connect request represents a request to form the complete data path between the UID and the second system device via the UID switch. The method also includes formulating a switch command that is configured to cause the UID switch to create the complete data path when the switch command is executed by the UID switch. The method further includes transmitting the switch command from the first system device to the UID switch.

Claims

1. A method for creating a complete data path between a user interface device (UID) and a second system device, said UID being coupled to a first system device via a UID switch prior to said creating, said UID, said first system device, and said second device being coupled to said UID switch, comprising:

receiving from said UID at said first system device a connect request, said connect request representing a request to form said complete data path between said UID and said second system device via said UID switch;

formulating a switch command that is configured to cause said UID switch to create said complete data path when said switch command is executed by said UID switch; and

transmitting said switch command from said first system device to said UID switch.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch command is transmitted from said first system device to said UID switch via a keyboard controller associated with said first system device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said switch command is transmitted to said UID switch without traversing a keyboard associated with said UID.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said switch command is transmitted to a keyboard associated with said UID prior to being forwarded to said UID switch.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch command is transmitted from said first system device to said UID switch via a video controller associated with said first system device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said switch command is transmitted to said UID switch without traversing a monitor associated with said UID.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said switch command is transmitted to a monitor associated with said UID prior to being forwarded to said UID switch

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said first system device is a computer.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said UID includes a keyboard and a monitor.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said UID includes a mouse.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said UID includes a trackball.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said connect request is generated responsive to a switch/location agnostic connectivity indication (SLACI) by a human user on a graphical icon displayed on a monitor associated with said UID, said SLACI causing said UID switch to toggle its connection from said first system device to said second system device.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said connect request is generated responsive to a SLACI on an item of a populated list displayed on a monitor associated with said UID, said item representing said second system device.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch command includes a bit pattern that can be identified by said UID switch as information destined for use by said UID switch to manage UID connectivity.

15. A method for creating a complete data path between a user interface device (UID) and a second system device, said UID being coupled to said a first system device via a UID switch prior to said creating, said UID, said first system device, and said second device being coupled to said UID switch, comprising:

displaying on a display monitor associated with said UID a selectable icon;

receiving at said first system device a connect request from said UID, said connect request being generated when a human user selects said selectable icon on said display monitor;

formulating, using said first system device and responsive to a receipt of said connect request, a switch command that is configured to cause said UID switch to create said complete data path when said switch command is executed by said UID switch;

transmitting said switch command from said first system device to said UID switch; and

executing said switch command using said UID switch, thereby forming said complete data path between said UID and said second system device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said switch command is transmitted from said first system device to said UID switch via a keyboard controller associated with said first system device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said switch command is transmitted to said UID switch without traversing a keyboard associated with said UID.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein said switch command is transmitted to a keyboard associated with said UID prior to being forwarded to said UID switch.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said switch command is transmitted from said first system device to said UID switch via a video controller associated with said first system device.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said switch command is transmitted to said UID switch without traversing a keyboard associated with said UID.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said switch command is transmitted to a keyboard associated with said UID prior to being forwarded to said UID switch.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein said second system device is a computer.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein said selectable icon represents an item in a populated list.

24. The method of claim 15 wherein said switch command includes a bit pattern that can be identified by said UID switch as information destined for use by said UID switch to manage UID connectivity.

25. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium having computer readable code embodied therein, said computer readable code being configured to create a complete data path between a user interface device (UID) and a second system device, said UID being coupled to a first system device via a UID switch prior to said creating, said UID, said first system device, and said second device being coupled to said UID switch, comprising:

computer readable code for receiving from said UID at said first system device a connect request, said connect request representing a request to form said complete data path between said UID and said second system device via said UID switch;

computer readable code for formulating a switch command that is configured to cause said UID switch to create said complete data path when said switch command is executed by said UID switch; and

computer readable code for transmitting said switch command from said first system device to said UID switch.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 25 wherein said computer readable code for transmitting said switch command from said first system device to said UID switch includes computer readable code for transmitting said switch command via a keyboard controller associated with said first system device.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 25 wherein said computer readable code for transmitting said switch command from said first system device to said UID switch includes computer readable code for transmitting said switch command via a video controller associated with said first system device.

28. The article of manufacture of claim 25 wherein said first system device is a server.

29. The article of manufacture of claim 25 wherein said switch command includes a bit pattern that can be identified by said UID switch as information destined for use by said UID switch to manage UID connectivity.