An apparatus for providing I/O support to a computer system and a method of use thereof is disclosed. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes an internal control element located within the apparatus. The control element allows the apparatus in accordance with the present invention to relinquish ownership of the associated I/O devices for the purpose of being used by another computer. Accordingly, through the use of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, expensive KVM switches and cabling, along with the accompanying I/O devices, are no longer needed to provide I/O support for computer networks. A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for providing I/O support to a computer system. The apparatus comprises an I/O device and an internal control element coupled to the I/O device for relinquishing ownership of the I/O device from the apparatus to the computer network. A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for providing I/O support to a computer system. The method comprises the steps of providing an apparatus wherein the apparatus includes an I/O device and an internal control element coupled to the I/O device and utilizing the internal control element to allow ownership of the I/O device to be relinquished from the apparatus to the computer system.
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35. A processing system for providing I/O support to one of a plurality of network server computers, wherein the processing system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the processing system comprising:
a first connecting port for directly coupling the one network server computer to the processing system;
an internal control element coupled to the plurality of I/O devices and to the first connecting port, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display and, a keyboard, and a usb device; and
a second connecting port for coupling the plurality of host controllers in the processing system to the internal control element,
wherein the internal control element regulates control of the plurality of I/O devices by the one network server computer and the processing system via the first and second connecting ports respectively.
0. 45. A processing system for providing I/O support to one of a plurality of network server computers, wherein the processing system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the processing system comprising:
a first connecting port for directly coupling the one network server computer to the processing system;
an internal control element coupled to the plurality of I/O devices and to the first connecting port, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display, a keyboard and a usb connecter; and
a second connecting port for coupling the plurality of host controllers in the processing system to the internal control element,
wherein the internal control element regulates control of the plurality of I/O devices by the one network server computer and the processing system via the first and second connecting ports respectively.
0. 48. A processing system for providing I/O support to one of a plurality of network server computers, wherein the processing system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the processing system comprising:
a first connecting port for directly coupling the one network server computer to the processing system;
an internal control element coupled to the plurality of I/O devices and to the first connecting port, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display, a keyboard and a usb device; and
a second connecting port for electrically coupling the plurality of host controllers in the processing system to the internal control element,
wherein the internal control element regulates control of the plurality of I/O devices by the one network server computer and the processing system via the first and second connecting ports respectively.
1. An apparatus in a host computer system for enabling the host computer system to provide I/O support to a second computer system, wherein the host computer system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the apparatus comprising:
a first connecting port for directly coupling the second computer system to the host computer system;
an internal control element coupled to the plurality of I/O devices and to the first connecting port, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display and a keyboard, and a usb device; and
a second connecting port for coupling the plurality of host controllers in the host computer system to the internal control element,
wherein the internal control element regulates control of the plurality of I/O devices by the second computer system and the host computer system via the first and second connecting ports respectively.
15. An apparatus in a host computer system for enabling the host computer system to provide I/O support to a second computer system, wherein the host computer system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the apparatus comprising:
a first connecting port for directly coupling the second computer system to the host computer system;
a hub coupled to the plurality of I/O devices, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display and, a keyboard, and a usb device;
an internal control element coupled to the hub and to the first connecting port; and
a second connecting port for coupling the plurality of host controllers in the host computer system to the internal control element,
wherein the internal control element regulates control of the plurality of I/O devices by the second computer system and the host computer system via the first and second connecting ports respectively.
0. 47. A processing system for providing I/O support to one of a plurality of network server computers, wherein the processing system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the processing system comprising:
a first connecting port for directly coupling the one network server computer to the processing system;
an internal control element coupled to the plurality of I/O devices and to the first connecting port, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display, a keyboard and a usb device controlled by at least one of the plurality of host controllers;
a second connecting port for coupling the plurality of host controllers in the processing system to the internal control element, and
wherein the internal control element regulates control of the plurality of I/O devices by the one network server computer and the processing system via the first and second connecting ports respectively.
25. A method of providing I/O support by a host computer system to a second computer system, wherein the host computer system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the method comprising the steps of:
a) directly coupling the second computer system to the host computer system via first connecting port in the host computer system;
b) providing an internal control element in the host computer system coupled to the first connecting port and to the plurality of I/O devices, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display and, a keyboard, and a usb device;
c) coupling the plurality of host controllers in the host computer system to the internal control element via a second connecting port in the computer system; and
d) utilizing the internal control element to regulate control of the plurality of I/O devices by the second computer system and the host computer system via the first and second connecting ports respectively.
24. An apparatus in a host computer system for enabling the host computer system to provide I/O support to a second computer system, wherein the host computer system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O device, the apparatus comprising:
a hub coupled to the plurality of I/O devices, wherein the plurality of I/O device devices comprises a display and, a keyboard, and a usb device;
an internal control element coupled to the hub, the internal control element including means for switching the apparatus to one of at least two operational modes, the at least two operational modes comprising a host mode and a hub mode wherein if the apparatus is operating in the host mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the host computer system and if the apparatus is operating in the hub mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the second computer system;
a first connecting port coupled to the internal control element for coupling the second computer system directly to the host computer system, the first connecting port comprising a universal serial bus connector and a display device connector; and
a second connecting port coupled to the internal control element and to the plurality of host controllers in the host computer system for coupling the host controllers to the plurality of I/O devices.
0. 49. A processing system for providing I/O support to one of a plurality of network server computers, wherein the processing system includes a plurality of host controllers and a plurality of I/O devices, the processing system comprising:
a first connecting port for directly coupling the one network server computer to the processing system;
an internal control element coupled to the plurality of I/O devices and to the first connecting port, wherein the plurality of I/O devices comprises a display, a keyboard and a usb device; and
a second connecting port for electrically coupling the plurality of host controllers in the processing system to the internal control element,
wherein the internal control element regulates control of the plurality of I/O devices by the one network server computer and the processing system via the first and second connecting ports respectively; and
wherein the processing system is capable of operating in one of at least two modes, a host mode and a hub mode,
wherein the internal control element is capable of switching the at least two modes; and
wherein if the processing system is operating in the host mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the processing system, and if the processing system is operating in the hub mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the one network server computer.
2. The apparatus of
3. The apparatus of
4. The apparatus of
5. The apparatus of
6. The apparatus of
7. The apparatus of
8. The apparatus of claim 5 7 wherein the visual display device is a thin film transistor-type visual display device.
9. The apparatus of
11. The apparatus of
12. The apparatus of
13. The apparatus of
16. The apparatus of
17. The apparatus of
18. The apparatus of
20. The apparatus of
21. The apparatus of
22. The apparatus of
26. The method of
27. The method of
28. The method of
29. The method of
b1) coupling the internal control element directly to the second computer system; and
b2) utilizing the internal control element to switch the host computer system to one of the at least two operational modes.
30. The method of
31. The method of
b2i) switching to the host mode; and
b2ii) allowing the host computer system to control the plurality of I/O devices.
32. The method of
33. The method of
b2i) switching to the hub mode; and
b2ii) allowing the second computer system to control the plurality of I/O devices.
34. The method of
36. The processing system of
37. The processing system of
38. The processing system of
39. The processing system of
40. The processing system of
41. The processing system of
42. The processing system of
43. The processing system of
44. The processing system of
0. 46. The processing system of claim 45, wherein the usb connector is electrically coupled to a usb device.
0. 50. The processing system of claim 49, wherein the first connecting port for directly coupling includes an external connection.
0. 51. The processing system of claim 50, wherein the external connection includes a display cable and a usb cable directly coupling to the one network server.
0. 52. The processing system of claim 51, wherein in the second connecting port for electrically coupling includes an internal connection which electrically couples the host controllers to the I/O devices via the internal control element.
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The present invention relates generally to computer systems and more particularly to an apparatus for providing input/output support to a computer system.
Large installation computer networks typically incorporate racks of server computers (servers) to provide services to the other computers within the networks. The functions performed by each of these servers vary depending on the network and the server's place within the particular network. For example, at least one server typically functions as “file server” for the network. A computer functioning as a file server will usually have significantly more data storage capacity than the other computers connected to the network. The networked computers utilize this data storage capacity to store files and databases. Software executed by the file server controls access to these files and databases.
Typically, each server within each rack would incorporate certain peripheral input/output (I/O) devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display device, a floppy disk drive and a CD/DVD drive. However, these I/O devices are not used, except at certain critical installation points or for routine computer maintenance. Therefore, within the context of a large computer network environment, they are characterized as low-use devices.
When setting up these large installation computer networks it is desirable to minimize cost as well as the amount of space used. Consequently, to minimize the space used by the low-use devices, a keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) switch is sometimes incorporated.
Through the use of a KVM switch, only one set of keyboard, mouse and display devices are utilized by the rack of servers.
Accordingly, what is needed is a low cost, space saving method and apparatus for providing I/O support for these and other types of systems. The present invention addresses such a need.
A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for providing I/O support to a computer system. The apparatus comprises an I/O device and an internal control element coupled to the I/O device for relinquishing ownership of the I/O device from the apparatus to the computer system.
A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for providing I/O support to a computer system. The method comprises the steps of providing an apparatus wherein the apparatus includes an I/O device and an internal control element coupled to the I/O device and utilizing the internal control element to allow ownership of the I/O device to be relinquished from the apparatus to the computer system.
The use of the method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention saves space and money since expensive KVM switches, along with the accompanying I/O devices, are no longer needed to provide I/O support for computer networks.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing I/O support. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
The present invention is disclosed in the context of a preferred embodiment. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for providing I/O support to a computer system and a method of use thereof. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention is an enhanced portable or notebook computer system (e.g. an enhanced IBM Thinkpad) that includes a low cost means for providing I/O support to another computer via a control mechanism located within the apparatus. The control mechanism allows the apparatus in accordance with the present invention to relinquish ownership of the I/O devices coupled thereto for the purpose of being used by another computer. Accordingly, through the use of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, expensive KVM switches and cabling, along with the accompanying I/O devices, are no longer needed to provide I/O support for the computer networks.
For a further description of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention, please refer now to
Control element 102 is coupled to internal connection 108 and external connection 120. Control element 102 is further connected to TFT 128 and hub 110. Control element 102 operates in one of two modes, internal or host mode and external or hub mode. In host mode control element 102 electrically couples internal connection 108 to TFT 128 and hub 110. In hub mode control element 102 electrically couples external connection 120 with TFT 128 and hub 110.
In alternate embodiments external connection 120 can be comprised of a single high speed serial connection such as IEEE 1394. Selection of a single high speed serial connection such as IEEE 1394 is based on such factors as commercial acceptance of the IEEE 1394 standard and the internal architecture of apparatus 100.
When operating in host mode, the apparatus 100 owns all of the I/O devices and operates in a normal fashion (i.e. as a typical notebook computer system). For the purposes of this application, an I/O device is owned by a computer if the I/O device is recognized and dedicated for use by the computer. Hence, when an I/O device, such as a visual display device, is owned by a designated computer, the visual display device only displays information related to the designated computer. Accordingly, in the host mode, the internal connection 108 recognizes the I/O devices TFT 128 and hub 110 and dedicates their use to apparatus 100.
In the hub mode,the apparatus 100 relinquishes ownership of the I/O devices and makes them available for use by another system. While apparatus 100 is operating in hub mode another system (not shown) cabled to external connection 120 could recognize and utilize the I/O devices TFT 128 and hub 110 via control 102 and further access floppy drive 120 121, CD/DVD drive 122, keyboard 124, mouse 126, parallel port 116 and serial port 118 via hub 110. Thus, the visual display device TFT 128 essentially becomes a stand-alo visual display device capable of receiving input signals from another system (not shown). And I/O devices floppy drive 120, CD/DVD drive 122, keyboard 124, mouse 126, parallel port 116 and serial port 118 essentially become dedicated “local” I/O devices for another system (not shown). Accordingly, a computer technician or other operator needs only the apparatus 100 and two cables (a USB cable and a display cable) to provide I/O support to a server computer.
Please note that in either mode of apparatus 100, host mode or hub mode, the apparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention retains its native computing capabilities including computer processor, memory, and networking functions.
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in the context of being used with cable-type connectors, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that a variety of coupling means could be utilized. For example, the present invention could be implemented via a sufficiently high bandwidth infrared or wireless type coupling means while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The switching of the apparatus 100 from hub mode to host mode or vice versa can be to done in a variety of ways. Preferably the mode changes are accomplished through some type of function key (Fn) sequence. For example, the key sequence Fn+F1 could be designated for host/hub mode changes. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the host/hub mode change could be implemented in a variety of ways while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
For a better understanding of the present invention, please refer to
Although the above-outlined description contemplates utilizing the apparatus in accordance with the present invention as a means for providing I/O support to a rack of server computers, the scope of the implementation of the present invention is not limited to server computer support. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention could also be employed to provide I/O support for a single computer system such as a typical desk-top or desk-side computer system.
Many computer users today have an office computer system and a portable or laptop computer system. The apparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention can be used to improve the affordability of office systems as well. An office system which employs apparatus 100 in accordance with the present invention can be deployed at a significantly reduced cost by eliminating potentially redundant keyboard, mouse, display, floppy drive, CD/DVD drive, etc. devices.
The apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a low cost means for providing I/O support to another system via a switching mechanism located within the apparatus. The switching mechanism allows the apparatus in accordance with the present invention to relinquish ownership of the I/O devices coupled thereto for the purpose of being used by the other system. The use of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention saves space and money since the expensive KVM switches and associated cables, along with accompanying I/O devices, are no longer needed to provide I/O support for computer networks.
Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the appended claims.
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