CN101995982B - Multi-computer management device - Google Patents

Abstract

A multicomputer management device is used for connecting at least one display screen to one of a plurality of computer devices and comprises a touch control module and a multicomputer switcher. The touch control module comprises a touch pad and a touch control unit. The touch panel is used for covering the display screen. The touch control unit is connected to the touch pad and used for providing a touch signal when the touch pad is touched. The KVM switch is disposed on the top, the back or the side of the display screen, connected to the touch control module and the plurality of computer devices, and configured to transmit a corresponding control signal to one of the plurality of computer devices according to the touch signal.

Description

Multi-computer management device

technical field

The invention relates to a multi-computer management device, and in particular to a multi-computer management device which can be controlled by touch input.

Background technique

A multi-computer switcher, or a keyboard-video-mouse (Keyboard Video Mouse, KVM) switcher, is a device that allows an envoy to control multiple computers through a console (or a set of user interface devices). device. These computers are connected to the KVM switch and console. The console includes, for example, a display screen, a pointing device (such as a mouse or a trackball, etc.) and a keyboard, and is used to communicate with and manage these computers. When these computers are electrically connected to the KVM switch, the user can arbitrarily select a computer to communicate with through the console.

Generally speaking, if you want to use touch input to control multiple computers connected to the KVM switch, you need to use a display screen with touch input function. At this time, the display screen with the touch input function can be shared by multiple connected computers through the KVM switch.

Contents of the invention

The invention relates to a multi-computer switcher and its multi-computer management device and multi-computer management system, which uses a touch pad that can be covered on a display screen to provide touch input functions. In one embodiment, the KVM switch can be hung on the display screen, and the touchpad is covered on the display screen. In this way, the touch input function provided by the touchpad can be used by all the KVM switches connected to the KVM switch. Shared by multiple computers. The touch display module including the touch panel can be combined with the display screen to become a display with touch input function, and can be used to control multiple computers connected to the KVM switch.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a multi-computer management device is provided for connecting at least one display screen to one of the plurality of computer devices. The multi-computer management device includes a touch control module and a multi-computer switcher. The touch control module includes a touch panel and a touch control unit. The touch pad covers the display screen. The touch control unit is connected to the touch panel for providing a touch signal when the touch panel is touched. The KVM switch is arranged on the top, back or side of the display screen, and is connected to the touch control module and these computer devices, so as to transmit a corresponding control signal to one of the computer devices according to the touch signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a multi-computer management device is provided for connecting at least one display screen to one of the plurality of computer devices. The multi-computer management device includes a screen goggle and a multi-computer switcher. The screen goggles are hung on the display screen and are used to provide a touch signal to the front display area of the display screen when touched. The KVM switch is connected to one of the screen goggles and the computer device, and is used to transmit a corresponding mouse or keyboard control signal to one of the computer device according to the touch signal.

In order to make the above content of the present invention more comprehensible, preferred embodiments will be described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-computer management device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams showing an example of the front and back of the appearance of the multi-computer management device placed on the top of the display screen, respectively.

FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D are exploded views and schematic diagrams when the multi-computer management device of FIG. 2A is placed on the top of the display screen.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing an example of the appearance of the multi-computer management device placed on the back of the display screen.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a multi-computer management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are respectively schematic diagrams showing an example of the information displayed on the control display screen when the multi-computer management device in FIG. 2D performs software calibration.

[Description of main component symbols]

10: Multi-computer management system

100: Multi-computer management device

120: Touch control module

122: Touchpad

124: Touch control unit

130: Screen Goggles

140: KVM Switch

141: Device controller

1411~141n: USB controller

142: Microprocessing unit

143: host controller

144: hub

145: Video Switcher

160: display screen

180: Console

190: Adhesive layer (snap element)

192: Transparent substrate

194: Operating platform

196: telescopic element

KB: keyboard

MS: mouse

PD: peripheral device

Port1: device connection port

Port2: host connection port

Port3: Video output connection port

Port4: Touch input connection port

BUS1: touch signal transmission interface

BUS2: video signal transmission interface

P1: Predetermined coordinates of origin

P1': origin touch coordinates

P2: Predetermined coordinates of the center point

P2': center point touch coordinates

D1, D2, Dc1, Dc2: Straight-line distance

S1: touch signal

S2: Control signal

S31～S3n: video signal

PC1～PCn: computer device

Detailed ways

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which shows a block diagram of a multi-computer management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-computer management device 100 is used to connect at least one display screen 160 (not shown in FIG. 1 ) to one of the plurality of computer devices PC1-PCn. The KVM management device 100 includes a touch control module 120 and a KVM switch 140 . The touch control module 120 includes a touchpad 122 and a touch control unit 124 . The touchpad 122 is used to cover the display screen 160 . The touchpad 122 is positioned on the display screen 160 for touching, for example. The touch control unit 124 is connected to the touch panel 122 for providing a touch signal S1 when the touch panel 122 is touched. In this way, when the touch panel 122 covers the display screen 160 , the touch control module 120 and the display screen 160 will become a display with a touch input function.

In practice, the touchpad 122 includes a resistive touchpad, a capacitive touchpad, or a wave touchpad, and the touch control unit 124 includes a control chip capable of detecting the touched position of the touchpad. For example, the touch control unit 124 can know the touch position by detecting changes of various physical information of the touch panel (such as voltage, potential, or sound wave). Here, knowing the touch position means that the touch control unit 124 can generate the touch signal S1 corresponding to the touch position. Generally speaking, the touch panel 122 generates an analog signal corresponding to the touched position when touched, and the touch control unit 124 is used to convert the analog signal into a corresponding digital signal (such as the touch signal S1 ). This embodiment is applicable to various touch panels and touch control units capable of detecting touch positions.

The KVM switch 140 is connected to the touch control module 120 and the computer devices PC1-PCn for transmitting a corresponding control signal S2 to one of the computer devices PC1-PCn according to the touch signal S1. The control signal S2 is, for example, a mouse or keyboard control signal. The control signal S2 corresponds to one of various functions of a mouse MS (not shown in FIG. 1 ), for example. The corresponding functions at least include a left button function, a right button function, or a scroll wheel function. In other words, in one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-computer management device 100 can convert the input data from the touch control module 120 (i.e., the touch signal S1), and generate control in a manner of simulating a specific mouse behavior mode. Signal S2. However, the present invention should not be limited thereto. The touchpad 122 of this embodiment can be implemented as a single-point touchpad or a multi-point touchpad. When the touch panel 122 is implemented as a multi-touch panel, the multi-computer management device 100 can of course generate control signals S2 corresponding to various functions for controlling the computer device according to the touch signals generated by the multi-touch panel.

For example, when the KVM switch 100 is selected to control the computer device PC1 under the control of the user, after receiving the touch signal S1, the corresponding control signal S2 can be sent to the computer device PC1. In this way, the user can conveniently use the touch control module 120 to perform touch input to control a computer device to be operated. In this way, the touch control module 120 can be shared by multiple computer devices.

The configuration of the multi-computer management device 100 and the display screen 160 may also have various implementation modes. In one embodiment, the KVM switch 140 of the KVM management device 100 can be disposed on the top, back or side of the display screen 160 . Please refer to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2D at the same time. FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams showing an example of the front and back of the appearance of the multi-computer management device 100 disposed on the top surface of the display screen 160 , respectively. FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D are exploded views when the multi-computer management device of FIG. 2A is placed on the top surface of the display screen.

As shown in FIG. 2A , the KVM management device 100 includes a screen goggle 130 and a KVM switch 140 . The KVM switch 140 is disposed on the top, back or side of the display screen 160 . The screen goggles 130 are constructed by, for example, the touchpad 122 and a transparent substrate 192 for carrying the touchpad 122 . The transparent substrate 192 can be, for example but not limited to, an acrylic substrate or a glass substrate to increase the strength of the touchpad 122 when being touched. The screen goggles 130 are hung on the display screen 160 and are positioned on the front display area of the display screen 160 for providing the touch signal S1 shown in FIG. 1 when being touched. In the example shown in FIG. 2A , the KVM switch 140 and the screen goggles 130 form an integral structure, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2A , the multi-computer management device 100 further includes an adhesive layer (or a buckle element) 190 , for example. For example, the adhesive layer 190 is disposed at a place in contact with the display screen 160 , so that the multi-computer management device 100 is hung on the display screen 160 and the touchpad 122 is covered on the display screen 160 . In this way, the screen goggles 130 can be set on the display screen 160, as shown in FIG. 2C.

The multi-computer management device 100 may further include an operating platform 194 and a telescopic element 196 . The operating platform 194 is used for accommodating the KVM switch 140 therein. As shown in FIG. 2B , the operating platform 194 has a strip shape, for example, and is used to erect on the display screen 160 , so that the KVM switch 140 is disposed on the top surface of the display screen 160 . The front of the operating platform 194 is, for example, provided with a plurality of buttons for the user to operate, such as a switch button Switch, or a power button (not shown). The back of the operating platform 194 can be provided with a plurality of connection ports Port-PC1-Port-PCn for correspondingly connecting to these computer devices PC1-PCn. In addition, the back of the operating platform 194 can also be provided with a plurality of peripheral ports Port-PR1-Port-PR5 for connecting to at least one peripheral device. In this embodiment, two universal serial buses (Universal Serial Bus, USB) are used to connect Ports Port-PR4~Port~PR5, and three audio connection ports Port-PR1~Port~PR3 are examples for connecting to peripheral devices compatible with USB interfaces, such as keyboards, mice, flash drives, and printers , or a CD player, etc., and a peripheral device compatible with the audio source connection interface, such as a loudspeaker, earphone, or microphone. Therefore, in this embodiment, the touch panel 122 can also be used to control the signal transmission between the peripheral devices and the computer devices PC1 - PCn. However, in other embodiments, the peripheral connection ports are not limited to USB or audio source connection interfaces, and the number can also be set according to actual needs.

The telescopic element 196 connects the operation platform 194 to the transparent substrate 192 for adjusting the distance between the transparent substrate 192 and the operation platform 194 . In practice, the telescopic element 196 can include a tooth groove, which can be arranged, for example, in the frame of the transparent substrate 192 (as shown in FIG. 2A ), or on the side of the frame of the transparent substrate 192, and the number of teeth of the tooth groove And tooth pitch is related to the adjustable distance length and the minimum unit of the adjustment distance. Since the touchpad 122 can be arranged on the transparent substrate 192, when the multi-computer manager 140 is arranged on the top surface of the display screen 160, the telescopic element 196 can be used to adjust the position of the touchpad 122 covered on the display screen 160. position to achieve the function of correcting the touch position.

Please refer to FIG. 2D, when the multi-computer management device 100 is placed on the display screen 160 and the touch panel 122 is covered on the display screen 160, the touch control module 120 and the display screen 160 can be combined into a display that essentially has a touch input function. TD.

In addition, in another embodiment, the multi-computer management device 100 is placed on the back of the display screen 160 . Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a top view showing an example of the appearance of the KVM switch 140 placed on the back of the display screen 160 . The KVM switch 100 is connected to the screen goggles 130 in a wired manner as an example for illustration, but a wireless connection is also a feasible embodiment. The KVM switch 140 may further include a video signal transmission interface BUS2. The video signal transmission interface BUS2 connects the KVM switch 140 to the display screen 160 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the video signal transmission interface BUS2 includes, for example, a connector based on a Video Graphics Array (Video Graphics Array, VGA) interface for connecting to the display screen 160 . Of course, in other examples, the video signal transmission interface BUS2 may also include a connecting cable (not shown), with connectors based on the VGA interface at both ends.

In the two examples shown in Figure 2A and Figure 3, the multi-computer management device 100 is designed to be placed on the top or back of the display screen 160, but the present invention should not be limited thereto, it can also be arranged on the display screen 160 side. As long as the KVM switch 140 is connected to the display screen 160 and the touch panel 122 of the touch control module 120 is covered on the display screen 160 to become a display with touch input function, all are feasible embodiments of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 4 , which shows a block diagram of a multi-computer management system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-computer management system 10 is used to manage a plurality of computer devices PC1-PCn. The system 10 includes a display screen 160 and a multi-computer management device 100 . The KVM management device 100 includes the aforementioned touch control module 120 and the KVM switch 140 . The KVM switch 140 is connected to the touch control module 120 and the display screen 160 .

The KVM switch 140 includes at least a device controller 141 and a micro-processing unit 142 . The device controller 141 includes, for example, a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) controllers 1411-141n, which are correspondingly connected to these computer devices PC1-PCn. The micro-processing unit 142 is connected to the touch control module 120 for converting the touch signal S1 into a corresponding control signal S2. The micro-processing unit 142 further controls the device controller 141 to transmit the control signal S2 to one of the computer devices PC1-PCn.

For example, assuming that the computer device PC1 is selected, the micro-processing unit 142 can transmit the corresponding control signal S2 to the selected computer device PC1 via the USB controller 1411 after receiving the touch signal S1. In this way, by selecting a computer device to be operated through the user's control, the KVM switch 140 can transmit the control signal S2 corresponding to the touch signal S1 to the computer device.

Please continue to refer to Figure 4. The KVM switch 140 may further include a touch signal transmission interface BUS1. In practice, the touch signal transmission interface BUS1 includes, for example but without limitation, a serial peripheral interface (serial peripheral interface, SPI), an inter-integrated circuit interface (inter-integrated circuit, I ² C), a USB interface , an IEEE 1394 interface, or a wireless transmission interface. The touch signal transmission interface BUS1 connects the touch control module 120 to the KVM switch 140 for transmitting the touch signal S1 to the KVM switch 140 .

In addition, the KVM switch 140 may further include a host controller 143 and a hub 144 . The host controller 143 is used to connect to a console 180 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the host controller 143 is connected to the console 180 via a hub 144 , for example. The console 180 at least includes a mouse MS, a keyboard KB, and a peripheral device PD. The micro-processing unit 142 is further connected to the host controller 143 for transmitting at least one input signal S4 of at least one of the mouse MS, the keyboard KB, and the peripheral device PD from the console 180 to these computer devices via the device controller 141. One of PC1~PCn.

For example, when the user uses the keyboard KB to control the computer device PC1, the micro-processing unit 142 transmits the input signal S4 generated when the keyboard KB is operated to the computer device PC1 via the USB controller 1411 . The operation modes of the mouse MS and the peripheral device PD are also similar. In this way, various components included in the console 180 can be shared by multiple computer devices. In practice, the host controller 143 is, for example, a USB host controller, and the hub 144 is, for example, a USB hub. elements of the agreement.

The KVM switch 140 may further include a video switch 145 for connecting to the display screen 160 and receiving a plurality of video signals S31-S3n from the computer devices PC1-PCn. The micro-processing unit 142 is further used to control the video switcher S3 to transmit one of the video signals S31 - S3n to the display screen 160 . In this way, the display screen 160 can be shared by multiple computer devices.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the KVM switch 300 also includes an input and output unit, which includes a set of device connection ports Port1, a set of host connection ports Port2, a video output connection port Port3, and a touch Enter the connection port Port4. The device connection port Port1 is used to connect to a plurality of computer devices PC1 - PCn. The host connection port Port2 is used to connect to the console 180 including at least a mouse MS, a keyboard KB, and a peripheral device PD. The video output connection port Port3 is used to connect to the display screen 160 . The touch input connection port Port4 is used to connect to the touch control module 120 . In this embodiment, the micro-processing unit 142 is connected to the I/O unit for receiving the touch signal S1 from the touch control module 120 through the touch input connection port Port4. These connection ports Port1-Port4 are disposed, for example, on the back of the operation platform 194 in FIG. 4 , wherein the set of device connection ports Port1 includes, for example, the connection ports Port-PC1-Port-PCn as shown in FIG. 2B .

In addition, besides using the stretchable element 196 shown in FIG. 2A to perform physical calibration, the multi-computer management device 100 can also use various methods provided by this embodiment to perform software calibration. For example, in FIG. 4 , the KVM switch 140 may further include a storage unit 146 for storing touch calibration information. The micro-processing unit 142 , for example, corrects the touch position indicated by the touch signal S1 according to the touch correction information stored in the storage unit 145 . Taking the multi-computer management device 100 in FIG. 2D as an example, when performing software-based calibration, the micro-processing unit 142 performs, for example, three methods. Now respectively explain as follows.

In the example shown in FIG. 5A , the touch correction information includes the difference between the predetermined coordinates P1 of the origin displayed on the display screen 160 and the touch coordinates P1' of the origin touched by the user. The micro-processing unit 142 performs correction based on this difference.

As shown in FIG. 5B , the predetermined coordinates of the origin P1 and the predetermined coordinates of the central point P2 are separated by a linear distance D1, while the origin touch coordinates P1' and the central point touched coordinates P1' are separated by a linear distance D2. The touch correction information is a ratio of the two straight line distances D1 and D2 , and the micro-processing unit 142 uses this ratio as a display screen ratio to calculate a cursor position with an appropriate moving distance for correction.

As shown in FIG. 5C , when the cursor moves from the predetermined coordinate P1 of the origin to the predetermined coordinate P2 of the center point (that is, when the cursor moves a linear distance Dc1 ), the microprocessing unit 142 will instruct the user to stop touching. At this time, the distance that the user substantially touches may be the distance Dc2. The touch calibration information includes a ratio of the two distances Dc1 and Dc2 , and the micro-processing unit 142 uses this ratio as a cursor moving speed ratio to calculate an appropriate cursor moving speed for calibration.

The KVM switch, KVM management device, and KVM management system disclosed in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention use a touch panel to provide touch input functions. In this way, when the KVM switch according to one embodiment of the present invention is externally connected to the display screen so that the touchpad covers the display screen, the touch control module and the display screen can become a display with a touch input function, and can be used for Control multiple computers connected to the KVM switch with touch input. In this way, the touch input function provided by the touchpad can be shared by all computers connected to the KVM switch.

In summary, although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A multi-computer management device for at least connecting a display screen to one of a plurality of computer devices, the multi-computer management device comprising a touch control module and a KVM switch; Wherein, the touch control module includes a touch panel and a touch control unit, the touch panel is used to cover the display screen, and the touch control unit is connected to the touch panel to provide a touch control unit when the touch panel is touched. Signal; Wherein, the KVM switch is arranged on the top, back or side of the display screen, and connected to the touch control module and these computer devices, and the KVM switch is used to transmit a corresponding control signal to the touch signal according to the touch signal. one of these computer devices; Wherein, the KVM switch includes a device controller, a micro-processing unit and a video switcher, and the micro-processing unit is connected to the device controller and the video switcher; Wherein, the device controller is used to connect to these computer devices; The micro-processing unit is connected to the touch control module, and the micro-processing unit is used to convert the touch signal into a corresponding control signal, and control the device controller to transmit the control signal to one of the computer devices; The video switcher is used to connect to the display screen, and receive a plurality of video signals from these computer devices; Wherein, the micro-processing unit is also used to control the video switcher to transmit one of the video signals to the display screen. 2. The multi-computer management device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generated control signal corresponds to one of a plurality of functions of a mouse, and these functions of the mouse at least include a left button function, a right button function, or a scroll wheel function. 3. The KVM management device according to claim 1, wherein the KVM switch further comprises a host controller and a hub; Wherein, the host controller is used to connect to a console, and the console at least includes a mouse, a keyboard, and a peripheral device; the host controller is connected to the console via the hub; Wherein, the micro-processing unit is also connected to the host controller for transmitting at least one input signal from at least one of the mouse, the keyboard, and the peripheral device of the console to the computers via the device controller one of the devices; Wherein, the micro-processing unit is also used to control the display screen to display at least one calibration point, and then generate touch calibration information according to the touch signal provided by the touch control module. 4. The multi-computer management device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer or a buckle element, which is used to make the multi-computer management device hang on the display screen, so that the touchpad covers the displayed on the screen. 5. The multi-computer management device according to claim 1, further comprising: A transparent substrate for carrying the touch panel on it; an operating platform for accommodating the KVM switch therein; and A telescopic element connects the operation platform to the transparent substrate, and is used for adjusting the distance between the transparent substrate and the operation platform. 6. The KVM management device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the KVM switch further comprises: a video signal transmission interface, connecting the KVM switch to the display screen; and A touch signal transmission interface, which connects the touch control module to the KVM switcher for transmitting the touch signal to the KVM switcher, wherein the touch signal transmission interface includes a serial peripheral interface, an internal integrated circuit interface, a universal serial bus interface, an IEEE1394 interface, or a wireless transmission interface. 7. The multi-computer management device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the KVM switch is also used to receive a display signal from one of the computer devices, and the KVM switch is also used to transmit the display signal to the A display screen is used to display the corresponding display position of the touch signal on the display screen. 8. A multi-computer management device for at least connecting a display screen to one of a plurality of computer devices, the multi-computer management device comprising a screen goggle and a KVM switcher; Wherein, the screen goggles are hung on the display screen, and are used to provide a touch signal when being touched to the front display area of the display screen. The screen goggles include a touchpad, and the touchpad covers the on the display screen; Wherein, the KVM switch is connected to the screen goggles and one of the computer devices, and the KVM switch is used to transmit a corresponding mouse or keyboard control signal to one of the computer devices according to the touch signal; Wherein, the KVM switch includes a device controller, a micro-processing unit and a video switcher, and the micro-processing unit is connected to the device controller and the video switcher; Wherein, the device controller is used to connect to these computer devices; The micro-processing unit is used to convert the touch signal into a corresponding mouse or keyboard control signal, and control the device controller to transmit the mouse or keyboard control signal to one of the computer devices; The video switcher is used to connect to the display screen, and receive a plurality of video signals from these computer devices; Wherein, the micro-processing unit is also used to control the video switcher to transmit one of the video signals to the display screen. 9. The KVM management device according to claim 8, wherein the KVM switch is disposed on the top, back or side of the display screen. 10. The KVM management device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the KVM switch and the screen goggles form an integral structure. the

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