Electronic switchbox for selection and sharing of internal peripheral devices among different computers, the internal peripheral devices located in slots of a chassis
First Claim
1. An electronic switchbox that couples at least one internal peripheral device to any one of a plurality of computer systems, comprising:
- a chassis including at least one slot;
at least one peripheral connector, said at least one peripheral connector receiving and electrically coupling to a corresponding one of said at least one internal peripheral device, each of said at least one internal peripheral device mounted to a corresponding one of said at least one slot and contained within said chassis;
a plurality of computer connectors, each for coupling to one of the plurality of computer systems; and
a selection device that selectively couples said peripheral connector to any one of said plurality of computer connectors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic switchbox for coupling at least one internal peripheral device to any one of a plurality of computer systems. The electronic switchbox includes at least one peripheral connector for receiving and electrically coupling to an internal peripheral device, a plurality of computer connectors, each for coupling to one of the plurality of computer systems, and a selection device that selectively couples the peripheral connector to any one of the plurality of computer connectors. In this manner, at least one internal peripheral device is selectively coupled to, and thus effectively shared between, any one of the computer systems. The switchbox preferably includes a chassis with at least one slot, where the peripheral connector is mounted to the slot for receiving and electrically coupling to the internal peripheral device when plugged into the slot. More preferably, the chassis includes a plurality of slots each with a corresponding peripheral connector, so that multiple internal peripheral devices are shared by the computer systems.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic switchbox that couples at least one internal peripheral device to any one of a plurality of computer systems, comprising:
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a chassis including at least one slot; at least one peripheral connector, said at least one peripheral connector receiving and electrically coupling to a corresponding one of said at least one internal peripheral device, each of said at least one internal peripheral device mounted to a corresponding one of said at least one slot and contained within said chassis; a plurality of computer connectors, each for coupling to one of the plurality of computer systems; and a selection device that selectively couples said peripheral connector to any one of said plurality of computer connectors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electronic switchbox for coupling to a plurality of computer systems for sharing peripheral devices, comprising:
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a chassis including at least one slot; at least one internal peripheral device, mounted to said chassis within a corresponding one of said at least one slot; a plurality of computer connectors, each for coupling to one of the plurality of computer systems; and a selection device that selectively couples said at least one internal peripheral device to any one of said plurality of computer connectors. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer system, comprising:
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a plurality of computers; a plurality of internal peripheral devices; an electronic switchbox, comprising; a chassis including a plurality of slots provided within the chassis, wherein each of said plurality of internal peripheral devices are configured to mount within any one of said plurality of slots; a peripheral bus coupled to each of said plurality of internal peripheral devices via corresponding slots; a plurality of computer connectors; and a selection device that selectively couples said peripheral bus to any one of said plurality of computer connectors; and a plurality of computer cables, each coupled between a corresponding one of said plurality of computers and a corresponding one of said plurality of computer connectors.
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20. An electronic switchbox that couples at least one internal peripheral device to any one of a plurality of computer systems, comprising:
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at least one peripheral connector for receiving and electrically coupling to an internal peripheral device; a plurality of computer connectors, each for coupling to one of the plurality of computer systems; a selection device that selectively couples said peripheral connector to any one of said plurality of computer connectors; and share logic coupled to said the at least one peripheral connector that allows simultaneous sharing of said at least one peripheral connector among said plurality of computer connectors.
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Specification