KEYBOARD VIDEO MOUSE AUTOMATED SETUP WITH PLURAL INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEMS
A display keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch detects cables connected to ports of the display and compares the cable types against a configuration table to select a configuration user interface for presentation at the display retrieved from non-transitory memory of the display by a processing resource of the KVM switch. As an end user adjusts the cables connected to the display KVM switch, logic executing on the display adjusts the presentation of the configuration user interface to guide connections with plural information handling systems based upon the cable types and to confirm correct association of keyboard and mouse inputs through the KVM switch with each information handling system.
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The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system peripherals, and more particularly to a keyboard video mouse automated setup with plural information handling systems.
Description of the Related ArtAs the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems generally process information with processing components disposed in a housing, such as central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions to process information in cooperation with a memory that stores the instructions and information. End users interact with information handling systems through input/output (I/O) devices, such as a display, keyboard and mouse. An information handling system typically interfaces with a peripheral display through a cable, such as a DisplayPort, HDMI, or USB Type-C cable, that has a fairly significant bandwidth. In contrast, keyboard and mouse peripheral can interface through cables that have less bandwidth capability and demands. In addition, information handling systems also often interface with a network through a cable, such as a Cat V internet cable.
In a business enterprise office environment, end users often work in office spaces on a temporary basis. A typical office space has a peripheral display, keyboard and mouse interfaced with a stationary information handling system, such as a desktop or tower system. The end user can use the local resources by signing into the information handling system and accessing resources and information through a network. Often the end user will have a portable information handling system that the end user may prefer to use instead of a shared resource. In some instances, the end user may decide to interface the portable information handling system with the peripheral resources instead of relying on the integrated display and keyboard of the portable system. To help with this scenario, displays sometimes include a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch so that an end user can interface the portable system to the display and then switch between interacting with the portable or stationary system. The KVM switch can also switch data, such as with a Cat V cable into the switch, and provide a remote interface with an information handling system through the network.
The convenience of a display with a KVM switch and increasing reliance on work-from-home has led to increased adoption of displays with KVM switches in the home office environment. One difficulty with home use of KVM switches is that typical end users have difficulty setting up the display and KVM switch. For instance, some cable connections, like USB-C, support both video and data communications through a single interface, while other cable connections, like HDMI and most versions of DisplayPort, need a separate data cable to interface with a KVM switch. Although USB-C typically has the bandwidth to support both video and data, in some instances a USB-C port of an information handling system may not include video, such as when the USB-C port does not interface with the information handling system GPU. End users can become confused when interfacing the cables and attempting to interact with the information handling systems. As a result, a display with integrated KVM capabilities might only be used in a single system interface configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which executes locally at a display keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch to present a configuration user interface that coordinates end user setup of plural information handling systems.
In accordance with the present invention, a system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for configuration of a display KVM switch to interface plural information handling systems with the display panel, keyboard and mouse. A processing resource of the KVM switch executes instructions stored in non-transitory memory to detect the types of cables that couple to the display and applies the cable type to select for presentation configuration user interfaces stored in the non-transitory memory that direct an end user towards completion of KVM setup.
More specifically, a display includes a display panel that presents information communicated from an information handling system as visual images and includes a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch so that a peripheral keyboard and mouse coupled to ports of the display cooperate with each of plural information handling systems that selectively present visual images at the display panel. The information handling systems interface with the display KVM switch by different types of cables, such as video-only, data-only and video/data cables, which the KVM switch detects and applies to select configuration user interfaces from a configuration table. Once the information handling systems and peripherals are coupled to the display, the KVM setup wizard runs instructions on the KVM processing resource that select one information handling system to present movement of the mouse and presents a configuration user interface that coordinates end user mouse inputs to confirm or non-confirm that the KVM switch has correctly associated information handling systems with cables coupled to the port. If the KVM configuration is non-confirmed, the end user may reverse the configuration based upon instructions presented by the configuration user interface, such as by pressing an input button of the display or entering a predetermined keyboard or mouse input that is communicated from the information handling system that receives the peripheral inputs to the KVM switch setup wizard.
The present invention provides a number of important technical advantages. One example of an important technical advantage is that a display KVM switch executes instructions locally stored to present configuration user interfaces that are locally stored in response to detection of the types of cables coupled to the KVM switch so that an end user is directed through the display setup to interface with plural information handling systems. A self-contained setup wizard directs end user interactions with the KVM switch using resources of the KVM switch so that setup of plural information handling systems can be performed in a seamless manner that responds to end user actions, such as by monitoring cable ports for cable interfaces and selecting a configuration user interface for presentation in response to the end user actions. Logical actions map cable types to configuration user interface selection to associate video-only, data-only and video/data cable with keyboard and mouse interactions so that an end user can self-configure a display KVM switch to correctly associate information handling system visual image presentation and peripheral device interactions through a shared display.
The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.
An information handling system display includes a keyboard video mouse (KVM) switch that includes instructions and configuration user interfaces in non-transitory memory to coordinate interfaces with plural information handling systems through different types of video, data and video/data cables. For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.
Referring now to
Display 24 has a peripheral configuration that accepts visual images from an external information handling system for presentation as visual images. In the example embodiment, each information handling system 10 interfaces with display 24 through a USB Type C cable 27 that communicates both visual image information and data, such as peripheral input data. USB Type C cables interface with KVM switch 26 so that an end user can select which information handling system presents visual images at display 24 and accepts inputs from peripheral devices, such as keyboard 28 and mouse 30 that communicate through USB Type-A cables and ports. An end user of information handling systems 10 toggles KVM switch 26 to alternatively select interaction with each information handling system by switching information with KVM switch 26 between display 24, keyboard 28, mouse 30 and the selected information handling system. In the example embodiment, display 24 may have a variety of different ports to support communication with the information handling systems. Some ports, such as USB-C and DisplayPort, have two-way information transfer so that visual information is communicated from information handling system 10 to KVM switch 26 over the same cable and port as peripheral information that is communicated to information handling system 10. Other ports are restricted to communication of video only information in one direction, such as HDMI, or data only, such as USB-A. These different capabilities can lead to confusion when an end user configures KVM switch 26 since full use of the display and input devices typically needs bidirectional communication. In some embodiments, other types of ports may be included, such as CAT V network ports that can support bidirectional communication with a distal information handling system through a network interface and also provide network communications to information handling systems that couple to KVM switch 26. Specifically, HDMI and DisplayPort only provide video capability without bidirectional communication that supports mouse or keyboard inputs from the display to an information handling system. (Note that DisplayPort version 1.2 had “FAUX” capability but it was deprecated in later revisions). USB-A typically lacks bandwidth to communicate video information and instead is data-only. USB-C has bandwidth to provide both video and data transfer so that it is always data capable, however, in some instance USB-C ports do not interface with video at an information handling system and may therefore be data-only or video/data capable.
Referring now to
KVM switch 26 has a processing resource 100, such as an MCU, that executes instructions to process information and manage switch operations. A non-transitory memory, such as a flash memory 102, stores the instructions and information that executes on processing resource 100 to manage switch operations. When an end user initiates a change to a configuration of information handling systems interfaced with display 24, a KVM setup wizard 60 is retrieved from flash 102 and executed on processing resource 100 to present configuration user interfaces to an end user that assist in the correct configuration of KVM switch 26. For example, KVM setup wizard may be initiated by an end user selection of an input button of display 24 or may be initiated automatically in response to detection of a cable inserted into one of ports 110, 112, 114 and 116. KVM setup wizard 60 detects the ports that have a cable connected and looks up in a configuration table 106 to find a matching configuration of cable connections. KVM setup wizard 60 then retrieves a configuration user interface 104 that matches the detected cable configuration and presents the configuration user interface at display panel 108. The specific correlation between configuration user interfaces and detected port connections may vary for each display 24, however, the correlation will generally relate to whether detected cables have video-only, data-only or video/data capabilities. The selected configuration user interface will visually present to the end user the alternatives available for the configuration of the display based upon the existing cable connections and confirmation of a correct association by the switch to the desired information handling system for presenting visual images and provide keyboard and mouse inputs to the information handling system that generated the visual images.
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Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for configuring a keyboard, mouse video switch of a display, the method comprising:
- detecting at the display plural cables coupled to the display, the plural cables coupled to a first or second information handling system;
- identifying with the display the types of cables coupled to the display;
- selecting a configuration user interface from plural configuration user interfaces stored in non-transitory memory of the display based upon the types of cables coupled to the display; and
- presenting the selected configuration user interface at the display with logic executing on a processing resource of the display.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
- coupling a keyboard to the display;
- coupling a mouse to the display; and
- accepting inputs from one of the keyboard and mouse to interact with configuration user interface.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising presentation of a message at the configuration user interface that presentation of the inputs confirms the configuration and failure of presentation of the inputs unconfirms the configuration.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising presentation of instructions to perform a non-confirm input when the failure of presentation of the inputs unconfirms the configuration.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the non-confirm input comprises an input button on the display, the method further comprising pressing the input button on the display to reverse the first and second information handling system switch assignment.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the non-confirm input comprises a predetermined input at the one of the keyboard and mouse to reverse the first and second information handling system switch assignment.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the types of cables include video-only cables, data-only cables, and video/data cables.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:
- when the one of the types of cables for the first information handling system comprises a video-only cable, presenting instructions at the configuration user interface to couple a data-only cable or a video/data cable for the first information handling system; and
- associating the data-only cable or video/data cable and the video-only cable with each other.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the video only cable comprises an HDMI cable.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the video/data cable comprises a USB Type-C cable.
11. A display comprising:
- a display panel operable to present visual images;
- a keyboard, video, mouse switch having plural ports operable to simultaneously couple to cables of first and second information handling systems to manage selection of one of the first or second information handling systems with the display panel and with a keyboard and mouse interfaced with the display, the keyboard, video, mouse switch having a processing resource operable to execute instructions; and
- a non-transitory memory storing instruction that when executed on the processing resource cause:
- detection at the display of plural cables coupled to the display, each of the plural cables coupled to one of the first or second information handling system;
- identification with the display for the plural cables the type of each of the plural cables coupled to the display;
- selection of a configuration user interface from plural configuration user interfaces stored in the non-transitory memory of the display based upon the types of cables coupled to the display; and
- presentation of the selected configuration user interface at the display.
12. The display of claim 11 wherein the instructions further:
- detect a keyboard coupled to the display;
- detect a mouse coupled to the display; and
- accept inputs from one of the keyboard and mouse to interact with the configuration user interface.
13. The display of claim 12 wherein the instructions further cause presentation of a message at the configuration user interface that presentation of the inputs confirms the configuration and failure of presentation of the inputs unconfirms the configuration.
14. The display method of claim 13 wherein the instructions further cause presentation of instructions to perform a non-confirm input when the failure of presentation of the inputs unconfirms the configuration.
15. The display of claim 14 wherein the non-confirm input comprises a display input button press to reverse the first and second information handling system switch assignment if the input fails to interact with the configuration user interface.
16. The display of claim 14 wherein the non-confirm input comprises a predetermined input at the one of the keyboard and mouse to reverse the first and second information handling system switch assignment.
17. The display of claim 10 wherein the types of cables include video-only cables, data-only cables, and video/data cables.
18. The display of claim 17 wherein the instructions further cause:
- when the one of the types of cables for the first information handling system comprises a video-only cable, presenting instructions at the configuration user interface to couple a data-only cable or a video/data cable for the first information handling system; and
- associating the data-only cable or video/data cable and the video-only cable with each other.
19. The display of claim 18 wherein the video only cable comprises an HDMI cable.
20. The display of claim 19 wherein the video/data cable comprises a USB Type-C cable.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 28, 2022
Publication Date: Nov 2, 2023
Applicant: Dell Products L.P. (Round Rock, TX)
Inventors: Khang Chian Yong (Singapore), Vui Khen Thien (Singapore), Michael Hock Meng Peh (Singapore)
Application Number: 17/731,674