Methods and arrangements for performing desktop switching

• US 7,886,091 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global SERV Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Global SERV Incorporated
• Inventors: de Kerf, Anthony A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sorrell; Eron J
• Application Number:
  US11/198,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20070033529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,013 Days
• Field of Search: 710/62
• US Class Current: 710/62
• 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 first UID switch prior to said creating said complete data path, said UID and said first system device being coupled to said first UID switch, wherein said second system device is coupled to one of said first UID switch and a second UID switch, wherein said second UID switch is a switch other than said first UID switch, wherein said second system device being one of a plurality of system devices on a network, wherein said network includes a set of interconnected UID switches and said set of interconnected UID switches including said first UID switch and said second UID switch, comprising:

receiving from 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;

formulating a switch command via a switch command server (SCS), said SCS being in electronic communication with said set of interconnected UID switches, said SCS being configured at least for managing connect requests, performing dynamic network discovery, and performing protocol negotiation to establish said complete data path without human intervention, wherein said complete data path includes at least one of said set of interconnected UID switches, wherein said dynamic network discovery includes dynamic discovery of at least existence and availability of said set of interconnected UID switches and wherein said protocol negotiation includes protocol negotiation among said set of interconnected UID switches to facilitate communication among said UID switches; and

transmitting said switch command from an input/output controller associated with said first system device to one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch, thereby establishing said complete data path between said UID and said second system device upon executing said switch command.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch command is transmitted from said first system device to at least one of said first UID switch and said second 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 at least one of said first UID switch and said second 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 one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said switch command is transmitted from said first system device to at least one of said first UID switch and said second 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 at least one of said first UID switch and said second 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 one of said first UID switch and said second 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) not associated with said UID, said SLACI causing said first UID switch to select 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 switch/location agnostic connectivity indication (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 first UID switch as information destined for use by said first 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 a first system device via a first UID switch prior to said creating said complete data path, said UID and said first system device being coupled to said first UID switch, wherein said second system device is coupled to one of said first UID switch and a second UID switch, wherein said second UID switch is a switch other than said first UID switch, wherein said second system device being one of a plurality of system devices on a network, wherein said network includes a set of interconnected UID switches and said set of interconnected UID switches including said first UID switch and said second UID switch, comprising:

receiving at said first system device a connect request from said second system device;

formulating, using said second system device and responsive to a receipt of said connect request, a switch command that is configured to cause one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch to create said complete data path when said switch command is executed, said switch command being formulated via a switch command server (SCS), said SCS being in electronic communication with said set of interconnected UID switches, said SCS being configured at least for managing connect requests, performing dynamic network discovery, and performing protocol negotiation to establish said complete data path without human intervention, wherein said complete data path includes at least one of said set of interconnected UID switches, wherein said dynamic network discovery includes dynamic discovery of at least existence and availability of said set of interconnected UID switches and wherein said protocol negotiation includes protocol negotiation among said set of interconnected UID switches to facilitate communication among said UID switches;

transmitting said switch command from an input/output controller associated with said second system device to one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch; and

executing said switch command using one of said first UID switch and said second 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 via a keyboard controller associated with said second system device.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said switch command is transmitted to one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch without traversing a keyboard.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said switch command is transmitted via a video controller associated with said second system device.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said switch command is transmitted to one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch without traversing a video monitor.

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

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

22. An article of manufacture comprising a program storage medium having computer readable code embodied therein, said computer readable code being configured 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 first UID switch prior to said creating said complete data path, said UID and said first system device being coupled to said first UID switch, wherein said second system device is coupled to one of said first UID switch and a second UID switch, wherein said second UID switch is a switch other than said first UID switch, wherein said second system device being one of a plurality of system devices on a network, wherein said network includes a set of interconnected UID switches and said set of interconnected UID switches including said first UID switch and said second UID switch, comprising:

computer readable code for receiving from 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;

computer readable code for formulating a switch command via a switch command server (SCS), said SCS being in electronic communication with said set of interconnected UID switches, said SCS being configured at least for managing connect requests, performing dynamic network discovery, and performing protocol negotiation to establish said complete data path without human intervention, wherein said complete data path includes at least one of said set of interconnected UID switches, wherein said dynamic network discovery includes dynamic discovery of at least existence and availability of said set of interconnected UID switches and wherein said protocol negotiation includes protocol negotiation among said set of interconnected UID switches to facilitate communication among said UID switches; and

computer readable code for transmitting said switch command from an input/output controller associated with said first system device to one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch, thereby establishing said complete data path to said second system device upon executing said switch command.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 22 wherein said computer readable code for transmitting said switch command from said first system device to at least one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch includes computer readable code for transmitting said switch command via a keyboard controller associated with said first system device.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 22 wherein said computer readable code for transmitting said switch command from said first system device to one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch includes computer readable code for transmitting said switch command via a video controller associated with said first system device.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 22 wherein said first system device is a server.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 22 wherein said switch command includes a bit pattern that can be identified by one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch as information destined for use by one of said first UID switch and said second UID switch to manage UID connectivity.