Integrated control system with keyboard video mouse (kvm)

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently controlling source computers connected to a display system. A control computer, source computers, and a video processor are connected over a control network. Input signals such as keyboard and mouse input signals are provided to the video processor and the source computers through the control network. The source computers are also connected to the video processor through a video interface, such as multiple Digital Video Interface (DVI) lines. The use of a hybrid system allows flexibility in configuring and using the control network while providing high throughput and low latency for video sent to the video processor.

1 . A video processor comprising:
 a plurality of video signal source interfaces connected to a plurality of video signal sources over dedicated lines;   a control computer interface connected to a control computer configured to send input device signals to the video processor over a shared control network;   logic configured to synchronize the plurality of video signal sources connected over dedicated lines with input devices signals from the control computer provided over the shared control network.   
     
     
         2 . The video processor of  claim 1 , where the plurality of video signal sources are a plurality of source computers operable to receive input device signals from the control computer, wherein the plurality of source computers are configured to generate video outputs. 
     
     
         3 . The video processor of  claim 1 , wherein input device signals comprise keyboard input signals. 
     
     
         4 . The video processor of  claim 1 , wherein input device signals comprise mouse input signals. 
     
     
         5 . The video processor of  claim 1 , wherein input device signals comprise touchpad input signals. 
     
     
         6 . The video processor of  claim 1 , wherein the shared control network is an Internet Protocol (IP) network. 
     
     
         7 . The video processor of  claim 1 , wherein the video processor is operable to show a plurality of windows associated with the plurality of video signal sources on the control computer. 
     
     
         8 . The video processor of  claim 7 , wherein the control computer sends input device signals to the video processor to manipulate user controls of the video processor. 
     
     
         9 . The video processor of  claim 8 , wherein the control computer sends input device signals to the video processor to manipulate user controls of the video processor to add, move delete, and resize windows corresponding to video data from each of the plurality of video signal sources. 
     
     
         10 . The video processor of  claim 9 , wherein the control computer sends input device signals to each of the plurality of video signal sources to control user applications on the plurality of video signal sources. 
     
     
         11 . The video processor of  claim 10 , wherein the control computer sends input device signals to each of the plurality of video signal sources to control the computer hardware and operating video processor. 
     
     
         12 . The video processor of  claim 1 , wherein the video processor is a switcher that selects input sources without other processing. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of video signals over dedicated lines from a plurality of video signal source interfaces;   receiving input device signals over a shared control network from a control computer;   synchronizing the plurality of video signal sources connected over dedicated lines with input devices signals from the control computer provided over the shared control network.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , where the plurality of video signal sources are a plurality of source computers operable to receive input device signals from the control computer, wherein the plurality of source computers are configured to generate video outputs. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein input device signals comprise keyboard input signals. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein input device signals comprise mouse input signals. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein input device signals comprise touchpad input signals. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the shared control network is an Internet Protocol (IP) network. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the video processor is operable to show a plurality of windows associated with the plurality of video signal sources on the control computer. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving a plurality of video signals over dedicated lines from a plurality of video signal source interfaces;   means for receiving input device signals over a shared control network from a control computer;   means for synchronizing the plurality of video signal sources connected over dedicated lines with input devices signals from the control computer provided over the shared control network.