Apparatus for providing I/O support to a computer system and method of use thereof

Abstract

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.

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. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus further includes a hub coupled to the internal control element. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first connecting port comprises a universal serial bus connector. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the first connecting port further comprises a display device connector. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first connecting port for coupling the second computer system directly to the host computer system comprises a an infra red type connector. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first connecting port for coupling the second computer system directly to the host computer system comprises a wireless type connector. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the internal control element further includes means for coupling a visual display device to the apparatus. 
     
     
       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  claim 2  wherein the apparatus is capable of operating in one of at least two modes. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the at least two modes comprise a host mode and a hub mode. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the internal control element is capable of switching the at least two modes. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein if the apparatus is operating in the host mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the host computer system. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein if the apparatus is operating in the hub mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the second computer system. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the second computer system comprises at least one computer. 
     
     
       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. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the internal control element further includes means for coupling a visual display device to the apparatus. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the visual display device is a thin film transistor-type visual display device. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the apparatus is capable of operating in one of at least two modes. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the at least two modes comprise a host mode and a hub mode. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the internal control element is capable of switching the at least two modes. 
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein if the apparatus is operating in the host mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the host computer system. 
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein if the apparatus is operating in the hub mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the second computer system. 
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the second computer system comprises at least one computer. 
     
     
       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. 
 
     
     
       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. 
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25  wherein the host computer system further comprises a hub coupled to the plurality of I/O devices and to the internal control element. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26  wherein the host computer system is capable of operating in one of at least two operational modes. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27  wherein the internal control element is capable of switching the host computer system to one of the at least two operational modes. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 28  wherein step b) further comprises:
 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  claim 29  wherein the at least two operational modes comprise a host mode and a hub mode. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 30  wherein step b2) further comprises:
 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  claim 31  wherein step b2i) is provided in response to an interaction with the host computer system. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 30  wherein step b2) further comprises:
 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  claim 33  wherein step b2i) is provided in response to an interaction with the host computer system. 
     
     
       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. 
 
     
     
       36. The processing system of  claim 35  wherein the processing system further includes a hub coupled to the internal control element. 
     
     
       37. The processing system of  claim 36  wherein the first connecting port comprises a universal serial bus connector and a display device connector. 
     
     
       38. The processing system of  claim 36  wherein the first connecting port for coupling the processing system directly to the one network server computer comprises an infra red type connector. 
     
     
       39. The processing system of  claim 36  wherein the first connecting port for coupling the processing system directly to the one network server computer comprises a wireless type connector. 
     
     
       40. The processing system of  claim 36  wherein the processing system is capable of operating in one of at least two modes. 
     
     
       41. The processing system of  claim 40  wherein the at least two modes comprise a host mode and a hub mode. 
     
     
       42. The processing system of  claim 41  wherein the internal control element is capable of switching the at least two modes. 
     
     
       43. The processing system of  claim 42  wherein if the processing system is operating in the host mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the processing system. 
     
     
       44. The processing system of  claim 43  wherein if the processing system is operating in the hub mode, the plurality of I/O devices are controlled by the one network server computer. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       46. The processing system of claim 45, wherein the USB connector is electrically coupled to a USB device. 
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       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.   
     
     
       50. The processing system of claim 49, wherein the first connecting port for directly coupling includes an external connection. 
     
     
       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. 
     
     
       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.