Single pointing device/keyboard for multiple computers
First Claim
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1. A work station comprising:
- 1) a plurality of computers wherein each computer has a dedicated local keyboard comprising (i) a keyboard port and (ii) a pointing device port;
2) a single external user keyboard and pointing device; and
3) a fanout switching unit interfacing and electronically connected on one side to each of the plurality of computer keyboard and pointing device ports, and, on a second side, to the single external user keyboard and pointing device;
wherein,in response to a command from at least one of the (i) single external user keyboard or (ii) pointing device, the fanout switching unit can connect the single external user keyboard or pointing device to a particular computer.
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Abstract
The invention discloses a microprocessor controlled assembly which allows multiple computers and display screens to be controlled using a single external pointing device/keyboard combination. The invention can provide nearly user-invisible switching for a selection of a particular computer, and can substantially reduce environmental clutter as is increasing ergonomic functioning.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A work station comprising:
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1) a plurality of computers wherein each computer has a dedicated local keyboard comprising (i) a keyboard port and (ii) a pointing device port; 2) a single external user keyboard and pointing device; and 3) a fanout switching unit interfacing and electronically connected on one side to each of the plurality of computer keyboard and pointing device ports, and, on a second side, to the single external user keyboard and pointing device; wherein, in response to a command from at least one of the (i) single external user keyboard or (ii) pointing device, the fanout switching unit can connect the single external user keyboard or pointing device to a particular computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A work station comprising:
a plurality of computers, each computer including a dedicated local keyboard including (i) a keyboard port and (ii) a pointing device port; a single external user keyboard; a single external pointing device; a fanout switching unit for interfacing between the computers and said external user keyboard and pointing device; and first connecting means directly connecting the fanout switching unit to each of the keyboard ports and to each of the pointing device ports; and second connecting means connecting the external user keyboard and the external pointing device to the fanout switching unit; and wherein the fanout switching unit includes means to connect the external user keyboard and the external pointing device to a selected one of the computers in response to a command from at least one of the external user keyboard and the external pointing device. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
Specification