Abstract: A virtualization environment provides a virtual console server that communicates with other virtual servers/machines utilizing virtual hardware connections such that the virtual remote console server can monitor and/or control the virtual servers/machines in the environment as if the virtual remote console server and the other virtual servers/machines were connected, even if the virtual console server and/or the other virtual servers are moved between processors in the virtualization environment.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that allow a user to remotely access another computer and view its desktop without regard to whether that desktop has a relatively static image typical of a computer desktop, or whether it is playing a video, such as from a DVD. Relatively static screens may be displayed along with full motion video in such systems. These systems may also provide for both short mouse lag time when full motion video is displayed. In one implementation, hardware and firmware captures and encodes the video from the remote computer, and software on the client computer decodes the encoded video and displays it to the user.

Abstract: A video compression system is disclosed that is optimized to take advantage of the types of redundancies typically occurring on computer screens and the types of video loss acceptable to real time interactive computer users. It automatically adapts to a wide variety of changing network bandwidth conditions and can accommodate any video resolution and an unlimited number of colors. The disclosed video compression encoder can be implemented with either hardware or software and it compresses the source video into a series of data packets that are a fixed length of 8 bits or more. Sequences of one or more of these packets create unique encoding “commands” that can be sent over any network and easily decoded (decompressed) with either software or hardware. The commands include 3 dimensional copying (horizontal, vertical and time) and unique efficiencies for screen segments that are comprised of only two colors (such as text).

Abstract: A improvement to video compression techniques is described in which blocks of video input information are compared in their respective pixel values to corresponding blocks of immediately preceding frames. The blocks are analyzed to determine whether change has occurred in accordance with two tests. First, the pixel values of the block are compared to the pixel values of a preceding block and if a threshold number of pixel values in the block exceed their counterparts by a threshold amount, then the block is assumed to have changed and is communicated via a standard communication protocol, compression technique and media. Second, even if the threshold number of pixels in the block has not changed, the pixel values are compared with their prior frame counterparts to determine if any one pixel value has changed in magnitude more than a second threshold amount. Again, one such pixel is identified, then the block is assumed to have changed and is communicated.

Abstract: In a KVM system, a system provides for USB devices to be accessed by target computers. A KVM switch connects a client with a target server via a network, the client computer having at least one device attached thereto. A second mechanism connects to a USB port of the target and communicates with the target using a USB protocol. A client mechanism communicates with the second mechanism via the network. A virtual media mechanism enables the target server to access the USB device attached to the client.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to allow personal computer users to virtualize a local audio device so that they can remotely connect to a server and interact with the server as if the local audio device was physically connected to the server. They connect a remote audio target hardware device to the target system through a physical USB connection, and the device interacts with the local user's computer over a network. The target system is unaware that the audio device is not connected directly to the system through a physical connection, and the target system does not need special software to implement the remote audio device. The audio target hardware device connected to the target computer may be physically connected and disconnected.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to allow personal computer users to virtualize a local USB device so that they can remotely connect to a server and interact with the server as if the local USB device was physically connected to the server. They connect a remote USB target hardware device to the target system through a physical USB connection, and the device interacts with the local user's computer over a network. The target system is unaware that the USB device is not connected directly to the system through a physical connection, and the target system does not need special software to implement the remote USB device. The USB target hardware device connected to the target computer may be physically connected and disconnected.

Abstract: A video compression encoder which does not require a video frame buffer is disclosed. Without a frame buffer, incoming pixels can not be compared to pixels previously sent to the decoder. Instead, the disclosed encoder only stores check values for groups of pixels sent. If a group's check value has not changed, the encoder sends a command to the decoder not to change that pixel group. Also, without a frame buffer, an incoming video frame can not be captured and later sent to the decoder as network throughput permits. Instead, if throughput is insufficient to send an encoded group of pixels, the encoder leaves the check value for that group unchanged and sends a command instructing the decoder not to change those pixels. This defers updating that group until the next screen update is sent to the decoder. Grouping of pixels can be done in any fashion, for example; a group can be a single video line, a portion of a line, multiple lines or screen rectangles containing portions of multiple lines.

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 compresses video frames comprising pixels defined by n-bit color values. Encoder of video compression system determines the difference between a current pixel value and a plurality reference pixel values. Encoder sends difference value to decoder. Decoder determines current pixel value by adjusting a reference pixel color value by delta value.

Abstract: A background scheduler is provided that utilizes low-level communications (e.g., communications with a generic or controller-specific solid state, non-volatile memory driver) to control locking, reading, rewriting and unlocking of pages of data in the non-volatile memory. Such low-level communications cause data to be rewritten to the non-volatile memory independent of the file system in an effort to avoid data loss prior to an estimated data retention period.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to allow personal computer users to virtualize a local smart card so that they can remotely connect to a server and interact with the server as if the local smart card was physically connected to the server. They connect a remote smart card target hardware device to the target system through a physical connection, such as a USB connection, and the device interacts with the local user's computer and smart card reader over a network. The target system is unaware that the smart card reader is not connected directly to the system through a physical connection, and the target system does not need special software to implement the remote smart card reader. The smart card target device connected to the target computer may be physically connected and disconnected.

Abstract: A video compression system is disclosed that is optimized to take advantage of the types of redundancies typically occurring on computer screens and the types of video loss acceptable to real time interactive computer users. It automatically adapts to a wide variety of changing network bandwidth conditions and can accommodate any video resolution and an unlimited number of colors. The disclosed video compression encoder can be implemented with either hardware or software and it compresses the source video into a series of data packets that are a fixed length of 8 bits or more. Sequences of one or more of these packets create unique encoding “commands” that can be sent over any network and easily decoded (decompressed) with either software or hardware. The commands include 3 dimensional copying (horizontal, vertical and time) and unique efficiencies for screen segments that are comprised of only two colors (such as text).

Abstract: A video compression system is disclosed that is optimized to take advantage of the types of redundancies typically occurring on computer screens and the types of video loss acceptable to real time interactive computer users. It automatically adapts to a wide variety of changing network bandwidth conditions and can accommodate any video resolution and an unlimited number of colors. The disclosed video compression encoder can be implemented with either hardware or software and it compresses the source video into a series of data packets that are a fixed length of 8 bits or more. Sequences of one or more of these packets create unique encoding “commands” that can be sent over any network and easily decoded (decompressed) with either software or hardware. The commands include 3 dimensional copying (horizontal, vertical and time) and unique efficiencies for screen segments that are comprised of only two colors (such as text).

Abstract: A video compression encoder which does not require a video frame buffer is disclosed. Without a frame buffer, incoming pixels can not be compared to pixels previously sent to the decoder. Instead, the disclosed encoder only stores check values for groups of pixels sent. If a group's check value has not changed, the encoder sends a command to the decoder not to change that pixel group. Also, without a frame buffer, an incoming video frame can not be captured and later sent to the decoder as network throughput permits. Instead, if throughput is insufficient to send an encoded group of pixels, the encoder leaves the check value for that group unchanged and sends a command instructing the decoder not to change those pixels. This defers updating that group until the next screen update is sent to the decoder. Grouping of pixels can be done in any fashion, for example; a group can be a single video line, a portion of a line, multiple lines or screen rectangles containing portions of multiple lines.

Abstract: By utilizing a transmitter that plugs into a power socket of a piece of electrical equipment, that equipment may be locatable using a specialized power source that interacts with the transmitter. The specialized power source sends a command signal across a power cable and causes the transmitter to send a response signal. The response signal is received by one or more receivers, and the position of the equipment within its corresponding cabinet/rack can be determined. The response signal can be sent using a number of different techniques, such as ultrasonic or infrared.

Abstract: A video compression encoder which does not require a video frame buffer is disclosed. Without a frame buffer, incoming pixels can not be compared to pixels previously sent to the decoder. Instead, the disclosed encoder only stores check values for groups of pixels sent. If a group's check value has not changed, the encoder sends a command to the decoder not to change that pixel group. Also, without a frame buffer, an incoming video frame can not be captured and later sent to the decoder as network throughput permits. Instead, if throughput is insufficient to send an encoded group of pixels, the encoder leaves the check value for that group unchanged and sends a command instructing the decoder not to change those pixels. This defers updating that group until the next screen update is sent to the decoder. Grouping of pixels can be done in any fashion, for example; a group can be a single video line, a portion of a line, multiple lines or screen rectangles containing portions of multiple lines.

Abstract: An Intelligent Network Peripheral (INP) is equipped with a recording control processor that is connected to at least one internal or external recording device (e.g., hard drive, disk array, CD-recorder, DVD recorder, and/or tape device). Using the INP, a user may be prompted to perform an activity, such as (1) start a new recording session, (2) playback a recorded session, (3) delete a recorded session, (4) edit recording parameters (e.g., the number of stored frames, the length of a session to record, the resolution of the image to record), and (5) re-run a recorded session. An INP may be incorporated into a Keyboard/Video/Mouse (KVM) switch, a Rack Connection Manager (RCM) and/or a Pod Extension Module (PEM) for recording at least one of video from and user input to a computer for diagnostic and other purposes.

Abstract: A method for reducing the erroneous display of multiple keystrokes on a target computer, that occur when depressing a key a single time on a Universal Serial Bus (USB) based keyboard from a remote computer. The invention eliminates the time lapse between the key press and key released events to produce single keystrokes on the target computer, instead of erroneous multiple keystrokes.

Abstract: A printed solenoid inductor delay line system comprises discrete delay sections, where the inductor is implemented in the form of a printed, spiraling solenoid, with the solenoid axis in the plane of the multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB).