US6378014B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terminal emulator for interfacing between a communications port and a KVM switch
Assignee: Vertiv IT Systems Inc
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Filing: 1999-08-25
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Granted: 2002-04-23
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Expires: 2019-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for converting the output of a communications port (e.g., a serial port or a USB port) into video signals representing the output of a terminal. The system is interposed between the communications port and a set of two or more inputs to a keyboard, video and mouse switch. Upon receiving characters from the communications port, the system interprets the characters as terminal emulation commands and internally generates a representation of what a resulting terminal screen would look like. From that internal (digital) representation, the system produces analog outputs representing the terminal screen. The analog outputs are applied to the video input of the KVM switch such that the terminal output can be viewed on the monitor attached to the KVM switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy C. Shirley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:10
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/003; G09G5/006; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/10; G06F13/105; G06F13/107; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/02; G06F3/023; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/14; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0384; G09G2370/00; G09G2370/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A converter for interfacing between a KVM switch and a communications port, the converter comprising: a digital memory; a receiver configured to receive terminal commands from a communications port; an analyzer configured to analyze the terminal commands and update a digital representation of a virtual terminal stored in the digital memory, based on the terminal commands; a circuit configured to scan the digital memory and generate analog RGB signals and synchronization signals; and analog drivers for driving the analog RGB signals out to a KVM switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A converter for interfacing between a KVM switch and a communications port, the converter comprising: a digital memory; a receiver configured to receive terminal commands from a communications port; an analyzer configured to analyze the terminal commands and update a digital representation of a virtual terminal stored in the digital memory, based on the terminal commands; a circuit configured to scan the digital memory and generate analog RGB signals and synchronization signals; and analog drivers for driving the analog RGB signals out to a KVM switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the circuit comprises plural bitmaps representing line-by-line representations of characters stored in the digital memory.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the analyzer and the circuit are implemented in a field-programmable gate array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The converter as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising a configuration memory, wherein the field-programmable gate array is dynamically loaded with a configuration, from the configuration memory, corresponding to a type of terminal to be emulated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the terminal commands are commands for a text-based terminal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the terminal commands are commands for a graphics-based terminal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the communications port comprises a serial port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the communications port comprises a Universal Serial Bus port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the communications port comprises a parallel port.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The converter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the communications port comprises a packet-based communications port.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-10-22 | 2006-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-22 | 2009-10-22 | 2010-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-22 | 2013-10-22 | 2014-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |