Device for use in a system for processing keyboard, video and mouse signals

• US 7,590,763 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vertiv IT Systems, Inc. (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Original Assignee: Avocent Corporation (Vertiv Holdings Co.)
• Inventors: Brown, Steven, Kirshtein, Philip M, Thomas, Christopher L
• Primary Examiner(s): Kindred; Alford W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Unelus; Ernest
• Application Number:
  US11/123,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20050204082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,593 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 710/100, 710/300, 710/301, 710/62, 710/63
• US Class Current: 710/2
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/206 Real Time traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 49/35 Switches specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A computer interface device includes circuitry enclosed in a housing; a first cable electrically connected to the circuitry and integral with the housing; a video port connection plug electrically connected to the circuitry via the first cable; a mouse port connection plug electrically connected to the circuitry via a path through the housing of the video port connection plug; and a keyboard connection plug electrically connected to the circuitry via a path through the housing of the video port connection plug.

Claims

1. A device for use in a system for processing keyboard, video and mouse signals, the device comprising:

a main body enclosing circuitry;

a video connector connected to a video port of a computer, said video connector including a VGA-type video port connection plug having an outer housing;

a first cable having one end integrally connected to said main body, and having its other end directly connected to and within the outer housing of said video connector and operatively connected to the video port;

a mouse connector connected to a mouse port of said computer, said mouse connector including a mouse port connection plug;

a second cable having one end directly connected to and within said outer housing of said video connector and having its other end connected to said mouse connector;

a keyboard connector connected to a keyboard port of said computer, said keyboard connector including a keyboard port connection plug;

a third cable having one end directly connected to and within said outer housing of said video connector and having its other end connected to said keyboard connector;

at least one other connector located in said main body and integral therewith, each said at least one other connector having at least one respective connection port electrically connected to said circuitry.

2. A device as in claim 1, having exactly one other connector.

3. A device as in claim 1, having exactly two other connectors.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein said device is compliant with Device Data Channel level 2B (DDC2B) format.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein, when connected to a computer, said device is disposed external to a housing of said computer and in close proximity to said housing.

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said circuitry is further constructed and adapted to receive at least some of video, keyboard, and mouse signals from a computer connected to the video, keyboard, and mouse connectors and to provide those signals to a processor within said circuitry.

7. A device as in claim 1, wherein said mouse and keyboard port connection plugs are each selected from the group consisting of USB-type connection plugs and PS-2-type connection plugs.

8. A device as in claim 1, wherein said circuitry comprises an active circuit and wherein said keyboard connector is constructed and adapted to allow said device to operate in a keep-alive mode.

9. A device as in claim 1, wherein, when connected to a computer, said device is disposed external to a housing of said computer and closer to said housing than to a server connected to the network connector.

10. A device as in claim 1 wherein the first, second and third cables provide electrical connection between the circuitry and the video port connection plug, the mouse port connection plug and the keyboard port connection plug.

11. A device as in claim 1, wherein, when connected to a computer, said circuitry in said device is powered from said computer.

40. The device as in claim 1 wherein the enclosed circuitry has a lump-in-the-cable design.

12. A device comprising:

circuitry enclosed in a circuitry housing;

a first cable electrically connected to the circuitry and integral with the circuitry housing;

a master plug housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected to the circuitry via the first cable that is connected to and within the master lug housing;

a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected to the circuitry via a path directly within and through the master plug; and

a keyboard connection plug having associated pins electrically connected to the circuitry via a path directly within and through the master plug.

13. A device as in claim 12 wherein the circuitry housing includes at least one other connector, integral therewith and electrically connected to said circuitry.

14. A device as in claim 13 wherein the at least one other connector is constructed and adapted to receive an RJ45-type connection plug.

15. A device as in claim 12, wherein said mouse and keyboard port connection plugs are each selected from USB-type plugs and PS-2-type plugs.

16. A device as in claim 12 wherein the mouse port connection plug is connected via a second cable directly connected to and within the master plug.

17. A device as in claim 12 wherein the keyboard port connection plug is connected via a third cable directly connected to and within the master plug.

18. A device comprising, in combination:

circuitry enclosed in a circuitry housing having a molded design;

a video port connection plug;

a first cable having one end thereof electrically connected to the circuitry and being integrally connected with the circuitry housing, and having another end thereof connected to and within a housing of the video port connection plug, the first cable providing electrical connection between the circuit and associated pins within at least the video connection plug;

a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected to the circuitry via a second cable directly connected to and within the housing of the video connection plug, the mouse port connection plug being selected from a USB plug and a PS-2 plug;

a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected to the circuitry via a third cable directly connected to and within the housing of the video port connection plug, the keyboard port connection plug being selected from a USB plug and a PS-2 plug; and

at least one network connector located in the housing of the circuitry and integral therewith, the network connector being electrically connected to the circuitry, wherein the network connector is constructed and adapted to receive an RJ45-type connection plug.

19. A connection system comprising:

a video port connection plug, a mouse port connection plug and a keyboard port connection plug;

a molded housing enclosing an electrical circuit; and

first, second and third cables,

wherein the first cable electrically connects associated pins within the video port connection plug to the circuit, the second cable electrically connects associated pins within the mouse port connection plug to the circuitry via a second cable sheathing directly connected to and within a housing of the video port connection plug and via the first cable that is also connected to and within the video port connection plug housing, and the third cable electrically connects associated pins within the keyboard port connection plug to the circuitry via a third cable sheathing that is also directly connected to and within the housing of the video port connection plug and via the first cable.

20. A connection system comprising:

a VGA plug, a USB mouse port plug and a USB keyboard port plug;

an electrical circuit enclosed within a molded housing;

wherein a first cable electrically connects the VGA plug to the electrical circuit via the molded housing, a second cable electrically connects the USB mouse port plug to the circuitry via a second cable sheathing directly connected to and within a housing of the VGA plug and via the first cable having first cable sheathing that is also connected to and within the VGA plug housing, and a third cable electrically connects the USB keyboard port plug to the circuitry via a third cable sheathing directly connected to and within the housing of the VGA plug and via the first cable.

21. A connection system comprising:

a video port connection plug, a mouse port connection plug and a keyboard port connection plug; and

a molded housing enclosing an electrical circuit,

wherein electrical signals from the mouse port and keyboard port connection plugs are routed to the electrical circuit via a direct connection through and within a housing of the video port connection plug.

22. A connection system comprising:

a video port connector, a mouse port connector and a keyboard port connector; and

an enclosed electrical circuit,

wherein electrical signals from the video, mouse and keyboard connectors are routed to the electrical circuit via direct connections through and within a housing of one of the connectors and a first cable operatively connected between the housing and the enclosed electrical circuit.

23. A method of connecting a computer to a switch in a keyboard, video, mouse system, the method comprising:

providing circuitry in a housing;

providing a first cable having one end thereof being integral with the housing and electrically connected to the circuitry;

providing a video port connection mechanism which includes a video port connection plug for connecting to a video port of the computer, the video port connection plug being electrically connected via the first cable to the circuitry in the housing with its other end directly connected to and within the video port connection mechanism;

providing a mouse port connection mechanism which includes a mouse port connection plug for connecting to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connection plug being electrically connected via a path directly through and within the video port connection mechanism to the circuitry in the housing;

providing a keyboard port connection mechanism which includes a keyboard port connection plug for connecting to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connection plug being electrically connected via a path directly through and within the video port connection mechanism to the circuitry in the housing; and

providing at least one other network connector integral with said housing, said network connector having a connection port electrically connected to the circuitry.

24. A method as in claim 23 wherein the video port connection plug is a VGA-type connection plug and wherein the mouse and keyboard port connection plugs are each selected from USB-type and PS-2-type plugs.

25. A method as in claim 23 wherein, when the video port connection plug is connected to the computer, the housing is disposed external a housing of the computer and in close proximity thereto.

26. A method for facilitating connection between keyboard, video, and mouse ports of a computer and a keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) device, the method comprising:

(A) providing a rack interface pod (RIP) comprising;

a body having a molded design and enclosing circuitry;

a video connector connected to a video port of the computer, said video connector including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected to the circuitry in the body via a first cable operatively connected there between and to and within the video connector and the body;

a mouse connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected, via a path directly through and within the video connector, to the circuitry in the body;

a keyboard connector connected to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard connector including a keyboard port connection plug electrically connected, via a path directly through and within the video connector, to the circuitry in the body; and

an other connector located in said main body and integral therewith, said other connector having a connection port electrically connected to the circuitry; and

(B) causing the video connector, mouse connector, and keyboard connector to be used to connect to the keyboard port, video port, and mouse port of the computer, respectively; and

(C) causing the other connector to be used to connect the RIP to the KVM device.

27. A rack interface pod (RIP) for use in a system for processing keyboard, video, and mouse signals, the device comprising:

means for enclosing circuitry;

video connection means for connecting to a video port of a computer, said video connection means including a VGA-type video port connection plug;

a first cable having one end integrally connected to said means for enclosing circuitry, and having its other end connected to and within a housing of said video connection means;

mouse connection means for connecting to a mouse port of a computer, said mouse connection means including a mouse port connection plug;

a second cable having one end thereof directly connected to and within said housing of said video connection means and having its other end connected to said mouse connection means;

keyboard connection means for connecting to a keyboard port of a computer, said keyboard connection means including a keyboard port connection plug;

a third cable having one end thereof directly connected to and within said housing of said video connection means and having its other end connected to said keyboard connection means; and

other connection means integral with said means for enclosing circuitry, said other connection means having a connection port electrically connected to said circuitry.

41. The RIP and system as in claim 27 wherein the circuitry has a lump-in-cable design.

28. A method for facilitating connection between keyboard, video, and mouse ports of a computer and a keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) device, the method comprising:

(A) providing a rack interface pod (RIP) comprising;

(a1) a body having a molded design and enclosing circuitry;

(a2) a video connector connected to a video port of the computer, said video connector including a video port connection plug electrically connected via a path through a first cable located within a first cable sheathing to the circuitry in the body, the first cable sheathing having one end connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the video connector;

(a3) a mouse connector connected to a mouse port of a computer, the mouse connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected, via an electrical path physically located within and passing through the video connector, to the circuitry in the body;

(a4) a keyboard connector constructed and adapted to connect to a keyboard port of a computer, the keyboard connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected, via an electrical path physically located within and passing through the video connector, to the circuitry in the body; and

(a5) a device connector located in said main body and integral therewith, said device connector having a connection port electrically connected to the circuitry; and

(B) causing the RIP to be used to connect the keyboard, video, and mouse ports of the computer to the KVM device.

29. A device connectable to keyboard, video, and mouse ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body having a molded design and enclosing circuitry;

a video port connector connected to a video port of the computer, said video port connector including a video port connection plug electrically connected via a path through a first cable located within a first cable sheathing to the circuitry in the body, the first cable sheathing having one end connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the video port connector;

a mouse port connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected, via a physical path within and through the video port connector, to the circuitry in the body;

a keyboard port connector connected to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected, via a physical path within and through the video port connector, to the circuitry in the body; and

at least one other connector located in said main body and integral therewith, said other connector having a connection port electrically connected to the circuitry in the body.

30. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via a path through a first cable sheathing to the circuitry, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing; and

a mouse port connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via mouse a cable located inside mouse cable sheathing to the circuitry, the mouse cable residing within, in order, a mouse plug containing the associated pins, the mouse port connector, the mouse cable sheathing connected to and within the master housing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body.

31. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via a path through a first cable sheathing to the circuitry, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to the master housing; and

a keyboard port connector connected to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via a keyboard cable located inside keyboard cable sheathing connected to and within the master housing, to the circuitry, the keyboard cables residing within, in order a keyboard plug containing the associated pins, the keyboard port connector, the keyboard cable sheathing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body.

32. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry physically in line with a first cable sheathing;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing.

33. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables located within a first cable sheathing to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing; and

a mouse port connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via mouse cables to the circuitry, the mouse cables residing within, in order, a mouse plug containing the associated pins, the mouse port connector, a mouse cables sheathing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body, and with one end of the mouse cables sheathing being connected to the mouse port connector and the other end directly connected to and within the master housing.

34. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, a first cable sheathing and the body, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing; and

a keyboard port connector connected to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via keyboard cables to the circuitry, the keyboard cables residing within, in order a keyboard plug containing the associated pins, the keyboard port connector, a keyboard cables sheathing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body, and with one end of the keyboard cables sheathing being connected to the keyboard port connector and the other end directly connected to and within the master housing.

35. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables, to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, a first cable sheathing connected to and within the master housing and to the body, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing;

mouse port connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via mouse cables to the circuitry, the mouse cables residing within, in order, a mouse plug containing the associated pins, the mouse port connector, a mouse cables sheathing connected to and within the master housing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body, and with one end of the mouse cables sheathing being connected to the mouse port connector and the other end directly connected to and within the master housing; and

a keyboard port connector connected to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via keyboard cables to the circuitry, the keyboard cables residing within, in order a keyboard plug containing the associated pins, the keyboard port connector, a keyboard cables sheathing connected to and within the master housing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body, and with one end of the keyboard cables sheathing being connected to the keyboard port connector and the other end directly connected to and within the master housing.

36. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, a first cable sheathing connected to and within the master housing and the body;

a mouse port connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via mouse cables to the circuitry, the mouse cables residing within, in order a mouse plug containing the associated pins, the mouse port connector, a mouse cables sheathing connected to and within the master housing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body; and

a keyboard port connector connected to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via keyboard cables to the circuitry, the keyboard cables residing within, in order a keyboard plug containing the associated pins, the keyboard port connector, a keyboard cables sheathing connected to and within the master housing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body;

wherein the master housing directly receives and retains therein one end of each of the mouse cables sheathing, the keyboard cables sheathing and the first cable sheathing.

37. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, a first cable sheathing connected to and within the master housing and the body, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing; and

a keyboard port connector connected constructed and adapted to connect to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via keyboard cables, located within a second cable sheathing, to the circuitry, the keyboard cables residing within, in order a keyboard plug containing the associated pins, the keyboard port connector, the second cable sheathing connected to and within the master housing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body;

wherein video and keyboard signals pass through the first cable sheathing and the keyboard signals, but not the video signals, also pass through the second cable sheathing physically positioned within the master housing and between the corresponding keyboard port connector.

38. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, a first cable sheathing and the body, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing;

a mouse port connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via mouse cables, located within a second cable sheathing, to the circuitry, the mouse cables residing within, in order a mouse plug containing the associated pins, the mouse port connector, the second cable sheathing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body; and

wherein video and mouse signals pass through the first cable sheathing, and wherein the mouse signals, but not the video signals, also pass through the second cable sheathing physically positioned within the master housing and between the corresponding mouse port connector.

39. A device connectable to ports of a computer, the device comprising:

a body enclosing circuitry;

a master housing connected to a video port of the computer, said master housing including a video port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via video cables to the circuitry, the video cables residing within, in order, the video port connection plug, the master housing, a first cable sheathing and the body, with one end of the first cable sheathing being connected to the body and its other end directly connected to and within the master housing;

a mouse port connector connected to a mouse port of the computer, the mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via mouse cables located within a second cable sheathing to the circuitry, the mouse cables residing within, in order a mouse plug containing the associated pins, the mouse port connector, the second cable sheathing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body; and

a keyboard port connector connected to a keyboard port of the computer, the keyboard port connector including a keyboard port connection plug having associated pins electrically connected via keyboard cables located within a third cable sheathing to the circuitry, the keyboard cables residing within, in order a keyboard plug containing the associated pins, the keyboard port connector, the third cable sheathing, the master housing, the first cable sheathing and the body;

wherein video, mouse and keyboard signals pass through the first cable sheathing and wherein the mouse and keyboard signals, but not the video signals, also respectively pass through the second and third cable sheathing which are respectively physically positioned within the master housing and between the corresponding mouse port connector and the keyboard port connector, and the video signals pass through no other cable sheathing other than the first cable sheathing.

42. A connection system comprising:

a video port connector including a housing and a video port connection plug;

a mouse port connector including a mouse port connection plug and a first cable connecting the mouse port connection plug directly into and within the video port connection housing, and

a keyboard connector including a keyboard port connection plug and a second cable connecting the keyboard port connection plug directly into and within the video port connector housing.