TWM671568U - Multi-computer switching device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure reveals a multi-computer switching device. The multi-computer switching device includes a housing, a first image output module, a second image output module, four group input modules, and a signal distribution module. The signal distribution module includes a channel switcher and an operating member. The signal distribution module has a four-port and a two-port mode position. The operating member can move between the four-port and two-port mode positions. When the operating member is in the four-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses one of the group input modules as a first input source to input to the first and second image output modules. When the operating member is in the two-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses two of the group input modules as two second input sources to input to the first and second image output modules.

Description

Multi-computer switching device

This invention relates to a device, in particular to a multi-computer switching device.

With the development of multimedia technology, users have a growing demand for multi-monitor display and multi-computer operation. In some application scenarios, users often need to switch between multiple computers and two monitors to achieve different work or entertainment needs. However, due to the diversity of needs, the input and output relationship between multiple computers and two monitors may be different. For example, some users may use a single graphics card as the output source for two monitors, while other users may use two different graphics cards, each corresponding to the two monitors.

Traditionally, in order to meet such multiple display output requirements, users usually need to purchase multiple switching devices, such as KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switches or multi-signal input switches, to switch between different computers and display monitors. However, these additional switching devices not only increase the complexity of the overall system, but may also affect the user experience due to compatibility issues between devices. In addition, the cost of purchasing multiple switching devices is high, which is a burden for general multimedia users. Therefore, the existing technology still lacks a more convenient and cost-effective solution to enable multimedia users to flexibly and efficiently manage the input and output relationship of multiple computers and multiple display monitors.

Therefore, the author of the present invention believes that the above defects can be improved, and has conducted intensive research and applied scientific principles to finally propose a creation that is reasonably designed and effectively improves the above defects.

The technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a multi-computer switching device to address the deficiencies of the existing technology.

One embodiment of the invention discloses a multi-computer switching device, which includes: a housing; a first image output module and a second image output module, which are disposed in the housing, and the first image output module and the second image output module are used to connect to a first display and a second display respectively; four group input modules, which are disposed in the housing, and the four group input modules are used to connect to four computers respectively; and a signal distribution module , disposed in the housing, the signal distribution module includes a channel switch and an operating member disposed on the channel switch, the channel switch is electrically coupled to the first image output module, the second image output module, and the four group input modules, the signal distribution module includes a four-port mode position and a two-port mode position, and the operating member can move between the four-port mode position and the two-port mode position; wherein, when the operating member is in the four-port mode position , the signal distribution module selectively uses one of the group input modules as a first input source, and correspondingly inputs the first input source to the first image output module and the second image output module; when the operating element is in the two-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses two of the group input modules as two second input sources, and the two second input sources are respectively input to the first image output module and the second image output module.

In summary, the multi-computer switching device disclosed in the present invention embodiment can provide a variety of image output and pairing modes for users to switch by themselves through the designs of "the operating member can move between the four-port mode position and the two-port mode position", "when the operating member is in the four-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses one of the group input modules as a first input source, and correspondingly inputs the first input source to the first image output module and the second image output module", and "when the operating member is in the two-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses two of the group input modules as two second input sources, and the two second input sources are respectively input to the first image output module and the second image output module".

To further understand the features and technical content of this creation, please refer to the following detailed description and illustrations of this creation. However, such description and illustrations are only used to illustrate this creation and do not limit the scope of protection of this creation.

The following is an explanation of the implementation method of the "multi-computer switching device" disclosed in this creation through specific concrete embodiments. Technical personnel in this field can understand the advantages and effects of this creation from the content disclosed in this manual. This creation can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and the details in this manual can also be modified and changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without deviating from the concept of this creation. In addition, the drawings of this creation are only for simple schematic illustrations and are not depicted according to actual size. Please note in advance. The following implementation method will further explain the relevant technical content of this creation in detail, but the disclosed content is not used to limit the scope of protection of this creation.

It should be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used in this document to describe various components or signals, these components or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are mainly used to distinguish one component from another component, or one signal from another signal. In addition, the term "or" used in this document may include any one or more combinations of the related listed items depending on the actual situation.

In addition, in the following description, if it is indicated to refer to a specific figure or as shown in a specific figure, it is only used to emphasize that most of the related content described in the subsequent description appears in the specific figure, but it does not limit the subsequent description to only refer to the specific figure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , this embodiment provides a multi-computer switching device 100, which can be used to connect four computers 200 and two monitors, thereby providing users with modes such as "a single computer (i.e., a single display card) as an output source for two monitors" or "two computers (i.e., two different display cards) as output sources for two monitors respectively". The number of computers and monitors connected to the multi-computer switching device 100 is only an example, and the invention is not limited thereto.

1 and 3, the KVM switch device 100 includes a housing 1, a first image output module 2, a second image output module 3, four group input modules 4, and a signal distribution module 5. Next, the components of the KVM switch device 100 and their connection relationships are introduced below.

Referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 , the housing 1 is a square housing structure in this embodiment, and the housing 1 has a receiving space (not shown). The first image output module 2, the second image output module 3, the four group input modules 4, and the signal distribution module 5 are installed in the receiving space.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the first image output module 2 and the second image output module 3 are located in the accommodation space, and a portion of the first image output module 2 and a portion of the second image output module 3 are respectively exposed outside the housing 1 , thereby serving as connection ports for connecting a first display 300A and a second display 300B.

Referring again to Figures 1 to 3, the four group input modules 4 are located in the accommodation space, and portions of the group input modules 4 are exposed outside the housing 1, so as to serve as connection ports for connecting four computers. For ease of explanation, each of the computers is described using a single display card.

In addition, in practice, each of the group input modules 4 may have a first image input port 41 and a second image input port 42, and the first image input port 41 and the second image input port 42 may be a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a display port (DisplayPort), a digital video interface (DVI-D), or a video graphics array (VGA).

The signal distribution module 5 is used as a signal controller between the first image output module 2, the second image output module 3, and the four group input modules 4. Specifically, the signal distribution module 5 includes a channel switch 51 and an operating member 52 disposed on the channel switch 51. The channel switch 51 is electrically coupled to the first image output module 2, the second image output module 3, and the four group input modules 4. The signal distribution module 5 includes a four-port mode position P1 (as shown in FIG. 1) and a two-port mode position P2 (as shown in FIG. 2), and the operating member 52 can move between the four-port mode position P1 and the two-port mode position P2.

When the operating member 52 is in the four-port mode position P1, the signal distribution module 5 selectively uses one of the group input modules 4 as a first input source, and correspondingly inputs the first input source to the first image output module 2 and the second image output module 3, that is, the first input source comes from at least one of the first image input port 41 or the second image input port 42 of one of the group input modules 4.

It can also be understood that when the multi-computer switching device 100 is in the four-port mode (i.e., the operating member 52 is located at the four-port mode position P1), the display card of one computer can output the image source to two monitors independently. Of course, this computer can also output the image source to one monitor independently. In other words, when the multi-computer switching device 100 is in the four-port mode, four computers can be selectively output with a single screen.

In addition, when the operating member 52 is in the two-port mode position P2, the signal distribution module 5 selectively uses two of the group input modules 4 as two second input sources, and the two second input sources are respectively input to the first image output module 2 and the second image output module 3, that is, one of the second input sources comes from the first image input port 41 or the second image input port 42 of one of the group input modules 4, and the other second input source comes from the first image input port 41 or the second image input port 42 of another of the group input modules 4.

It can also be understood that when the multi-computer switching device 100 is in the two-port mode (i.e., the operating member 52 is located at the two-port mode position P2), the display cards of the two computers can output two image sources to two monitors respectively (for example: computer A outputs to monitor A, and computer B outputs to monitor B). In other words, when the multi-computer switching device 100 is in the two-port mode, the images of the two monitors correspond to two different computers respectively.

In practice, the signal distribution module 5 can be a dial switch, but the invention is not limited thereto.

In addition, in order to selectively transmit signals to four computers through a set of audio devices, the multi-computer switching device 100 of the present invention may also include an audio module 6 and a control module 7 disposed in the housing 1. Specifically, the audio module 6 is located in the accommodation space, and a portion of the audio module 6 is exposed outside the housing 1, thereby serving as a connection port for connecting a multimedia device 400 (e.g., audio and microphone). The control module 7 is connected to the audio module 6, the signal distribution module 5 and the four group input modules 4, and the control module 7 can obtain an audio output source of the corresponding group input module 4 according to the position of the operating member 52 and output it to the audio module 6, or input an audio input source of the multimedia device 400 to the corresponding group input module 4. In other words, the multi-computer switching device of the present invention can use a single set of audio devices to selectively perform audio-related processing on at least one of the four computers according to needs through the audio module 6 and the control module 7.

Similarly, in order to selectively transmit signals to four computers through a set of human-machine operating devices, the multi-computer switching device 100 includes a human-machine interface port 8 (e.g., USB HID) disposed in the housing 1 and connected to the control module 7. The human-machine interface port 8 is used to connect a control device 600 (e.g., a mouse, a keyboard), and the control module 7 can output a control signal of the human-machine interface port 8 to the corresponding group input module 4 according to the position of the operating member 52.

Furthermore, the multi-computer switching device 100 may also include an input and output interface port 9 disposed in the housing 1 and connected to the control module 7, and the input and output interface port can be used to connect an external device 500 (e.g., a flash drive) for data transmission or other device expansion. In other words, the control module 7 can output a data signal of the input and output interface port 9 to the corresponding group input module 4, or input an output signal of the corresponding group input module 4 to the input and output interface port 9 according to the position of the operating member 52.

It is worth noting that when any of the computers does not provide an image source, the control module of the multi-computer switching device 100 can also put the computer that does not provide an image source into sleep mode to save power. In other words, the control module 7 can detect through the signal distribution module 5 that the group input module 4 that does not provide the first input source and the two second input sources sends a sleep signal.

In addition, the multi-computer switching device 100 of the present invention may also include an extended display identification module 10 (Extended Display Identification Data; EDID) disposed in the housing 1. The extended display identification module 10 is electrically coupled to the first image output module 2, the second image output module 3, and the signal distribution module 5, and the extended display identification module 10 obtains an identity specification data corresponding to each of the first display 300A and the second display 300B through the first image output module 2 and the second image output module 3, and adaptively corrects the resolution data of the first input source and the resolution data of the two second input sources according to the two identity specification data.

In other words, the extended display identification module 10 enables the display and the computer to automatically negotiate the best display parameters, ensuring that the screen is displayed correctly without manual adjustment, that is, providing a plug-and-play experience and improving display compatibility and ease of use.

[Technical effects of the present invention]

In summary, the multi-computer switching device disclosed in the present invention embodiment can provide a variety of image output and pairing modes for users to switch by themselves through the designs of "the operating member can move between the four-port mode position and the two-port mode position", "when the operating member is in the four-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses one of the group input modules as a first input source, and correspondingly inputs the first input source to the first image output module and the second image output module", and "when the operating member is in the two-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses two of the group input modules as two second input sources, and the two second input sources are respectively input to the first image output module and the second image output module".

The above is only the best feasible embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made by using the instructions and diagrams of the present invention are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

100: Multi-computer switching device 1: Housing 2: First image output module 3: Second image output module 4: Group input module 41: First image input port 42: Second image input port 5: Signal distribution module 51: Channel switch 52: Operation element 6: Audio module 7: Control module 8: Human-machine interface port 9: Input and output interface port 10: Extended display identification module 200: Computer 300A: First display 300B: Second display 400: Multimedia device 500: External device 600: Control device P1: Four-port mode position P2: Two-port mode position

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the multi-computer switching device of the present invention when the operating element is in the four-port mode position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the multi-computer switching device of the present invention when the operating element is in the dual-port mode position.

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit block of a multi-computer switching device of the present invention.

100:Multi-computer switching equipment

1: Shell

2: First image output module

3: Second image output module

4: Group input module

41: First image input port

42: Second image input port

5:Signal distribution module

51: Channel switcher

52: Operating parts

6: Audio module

8: Human-machine interface port

9: Input and output interface ports

200: Computer

300A: First display

300B: Second display

400:Multimedia equipment

500:External device

600: Control equipment

P1: Four-port mode position

P2: Dual-port mode position

Claims (10)

A multi-computer switching device, comprising: a housing; a first image output module and a second image output module, disposed in the housing, the first image output module and the second image output module are used to connect to a first display and a second display respectively; four group input modules, disposed in the housing, the four group input modules are used to connect to four computers respectively; and A signal distribution module is disposed in the housing, the signal distribution module includes a channel switch and an operating member disposed on the channel switch, the channel switch is electrically coupled to the first image output module, the second image output module, and the four group input modules, the signal distribution module includes a four-port mode position and a two-port mode position, and the operating member can move between the four-port mode position and the two-port mode position; Wherein, when the operating member is in the four-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses one of the group input modules as a first input source, and correspondingly inputs the first input source to the first image output module and the second image output module; when the operating member is in the two-port mode position, the signal distribution module selectively uses two of the group input modules as two second input sources, and the two second input sources are respectively input to the first image output module and the second image output module. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the multi-computer switching device includes an audio module and a control module disposed in the housing, the audio module is used to connect to a multimedia device, the control module is connected to the audio module, the signal distribution module and the four group input modules, and the control module can obtain an audio output source of the corresponding group input module according to the position of the operating member and output it to the audio module, or input an audio input source of the multimedia device to the corresponding group input module. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the multi-computer switching device includes a human-machine interface port and a control module arranged in the housing, the human-machine interface port is used to connect a control device, the control module is connected to the human-machine interface port, the signal distribution module and the four group input modules, and the control module can output a control signal of the human-machine interface port to the corresponding group input module according to the position of the operating member. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the multi-computer switching device includes an input and output interface port and a control module arranged in the housing, the input and output interface port is used to connect an external device, the control module is connected to the input and output interface port, the signal distribution module and the four group input modules, and the control module can output a data signal of the input and output interface port to the corresponding group input module, or input an output signal of the corresponding group input module to the input and output interface port according to the position of the operating member. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the signal distribution module is a dial switch. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the multi-computer switching device includes a control module disposed in the housing, the control module is electrically coupled to the signal distribution module, and the control module detects through the signal distribution module that a sleep signal is sent to the group input module that does not provide the first input source and the two second input sources. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 1, wherein each of the group input modules has a first image input port and a second image input port. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 7, wherein the first image input port and the second image input port are each a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a display port (DisplayPort), a digital video interface (DVI-D), or a video graphics array (VGA). A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 7, wherein, when the operating element is in the four-port mode position, the first input source comes from at least one of the first image input port or the second image input port of one of the group input modules; when the operating element is in the two-port mode position, one of the second input sources comes from the first image input port or the second image input port of one of the group input modules, and another of the second input sources comes from the first image input port or the second image input port of another of the group input modules. A multi-computer switching device as described in claim 1, wherein the multi-computer switching device includes an extended display identification module (Extended Display Identification Data; EDID) disposed in the housing, the extended display identification module being electrically coupled to the first image output module, the second image output module, and the signal distribution module, the extended display identification module obtaining an identity specification data corresponding to each of the first display and the second display through the first image output module and the second image output module, and adaptively correcting the resolution data of the first input source and the resolution data of the two second input sources according to the two identity specification data.

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