Hardware KVM Switch with USB Extension for Networked Desktops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Thin-Clients based on RDP or ICA suffer from inconsistent video and audio performance, lacking the ability to maintain high-quality desktop experiences across varying user interactions, and rely on software-based KVM over IP solutions which are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An Ethernet-based IP KVM system with a Digitalizing Interface Pod (DIP) and Digital User-Station (DUS) that provides high-quality audio-video performance and virtual USB extension, utilizing hardware engines to ensure constant video and audio quality, and a management application for authentication, access control, and accounting, operating over LAN or WAN with minimal user configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If software-based KVM over IP solutions are used, then implementation flexibility is improved, but system efficiency and performance consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based KVM processing with hardware-based processing. Specifically, it uses a hardware KVM switch with integrated USB extension capability and a hardware USB hub to handle keyboard, video, mouse, and USB peripheral connections. This hardware substitution eliminates the performance inconsistencies and efficiency problems of software-based solutions while maintaining implementation flexibility through standardized hardware interfaces and protocols.
2Ease of operation
If Thin-Clients based on RDP or ICA are used, then remote access capability is improved, but video and audio performance consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the remote access system into separate specialized components: a hardware KVM switch for keyboard, video, and mouse functions; a hardware USB hub for USB peripheral extension; and a network connection for remote access. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring consistent video and audio performance through hardware-based processing while maintaining remote access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces software-based video and audio processing (RDP/ICA) with hardware-based processing through the KVM switch and USB hub. The hardware KVM switch directly handles video signal transmission and USB peripheral connections, ensuring consistent performance regardless of user activity or network conditions, while still enabling remote access through the network interface.
3Productivity
If hardware engines are used to fill the full Ethernet pipe, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the KVM switching function and USB extension function into a single integrated hardware platform. The KVM switch and USB hub are combined in one device that connects to the target device through standard interfaces, enabling full Ethernet pipe utilization for both video/streaming data and USB peripheral communication without requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware KVM switch is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of connections and data streams simultaneously. It can switch between multiple target devices, handle different USB peripheral types, and maintain full Ethernet bandwidth utilization across all functions, reducing overall system complexity while maximizing bandwidth efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
In a virtualized desktop system an interfacing module is coupled to peripheral ports of a target device. The interfacing module is connected to a network. A digital user station is connected to the network. The digital user station is configured to be coupled to peripherals. The interfacing module and digital user station use respective hardware engines to communicate via said network.