Abstract: A method of improving run length video encoding commands is described in which all compression commands that require a current pixel value to be compared to a previously sent pixel value to determine whether compression can take place in a longer run is adjusted to relieve stringent match conditions. Instead of requiring an exact match, the compression engine subtracts one pixel value from another, and compares the absolute value of the result to a threshold value. In this way, run lengths can be lengthened for purposes of compression and compression efficiency can be increased.

Abstract: A two-stage pixel skew compensation circuit for use with digital display monitors. The first stage of the compensation circuit aligns the edges of the pixels received on the color component signal lines of an analog video signal. The second stage of the de-skew compensation circuit realigns the pixels themselves so that no skew exists between the digitized video color components. The digitized video signals drive a digital video monitor.

Abstract: A video compression system for compressing a stream of digital video data is disclosed. Known run-length encoding is applied whenever possible to the digital video data stream. When a run is not identified, the encoder determines whether a consecutive series of pixels are identified from only two different colors, and if so creates a make-series command to create bytes with bits encoded as a stream of binary values corresponding to the two pixel colors as they occur in the consecutive series. The make series command continues for as many bytes as the consecutive series of bits will fill, except that, when a make series command applies again to a byte of make-series bits, the make series command is preempted by the applicable run length encoding.

Abstract: A method of improving run length video encoding commands is described in which all compression commands that require a current pixel value to be compared to a previously sent pixel value to determine whether compression can take place in a longer run is adjusted to relieve stringent match conditions. Instead of requiring an exact match, the compression engine subtracts one pixel value from another, and compares the absolute value of the result to a threshold value. In this way, run lengths can be lengthened for purposes of compression and compression efficiency can be increased.

Abstract: A video compression system for compressing a stream of digital video data is disclosed. Known run-length encoding is applied whenever possible to the digital video data stream. When a run is not identified, the encoder determines whether a consecutive series of pixels are identified from only two different colors, and if so creates a make-series command to create bytes with bits encoded as a stream of binary values corresponding to the two pixel colors as they occur in the consecutive series. The make series command continues for as many bytes as the consecutive series of bits will fill, except that, when a make series command applies again to a byte of make-series bits, the make series command is preempted by the applicable run length encoding.

Abstract: A keyboard/video/mouse (KVM) switching protocol is disclosed in which KVM information is applied to a network of workstations. At least one data converter communicates on the workstation network and retrieves KVM information from the workstation network that is addressed to a server assigned to the converter. The converter places the KVM information in a format suitable to the assigned server and applies the converted KVM information to the appropriate standard device ports of the server. The system provides motherboard access to the servers that is characteristics of KVM switches but provides essentially unlimited scalability not known in traditional KVM switches.