Network Controlled Serial and Audio Switch

Abstract

System and method for zero client communications. A zero client device includes a housing, and in the housing, a transcoding processing unit (transcoder) and a communications processing unit coupled to the transcoder. The transcoder is configured to receive input data from human interface device(s), encode the input data, and provide the encoded input data to the communications processing unit for transmission over a network to a server. The communications processing unit is configured to receive the encoded input data from the transcoder, transmit the encoded input data over the network to the server, receive output data from the server, and send the output data to the transcoder. The transcoder is further configured to receive the output data from the communications processing unit, decode the output data, and send the decoded output data to at least one of the human interface devices.

Description

PRIORITY DATA[0001]This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 494,192, titled “Zero Client, Secure Switching, and Mobility Functionality in a Networked Computer System”, filed Jun. 7, 2011, whose inventors are Syed Mohammad Amir Husain and Randy P. Printz, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.[0002]This application also claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 545,640, titled “Zero Client, Secure Switching, and Mobility Functionality in a Networked Computer System”, filed Oct. 11, 2011, whose inventors are Syed Mohammad Amir Husain and Randy P. Printz, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates generally to networked computing systems in which a plurality of human interfaces are coupled via a network to a plurality of comp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The transcoding processing unit may be further configured to receive the output data from the communications processing unit, decode the output data, and send the decoded output data to at least one of the one or more human interface devices.

[0015]Note that the above is but one exemplary embodiment, and that other embodiments are also contemplated, as described below. For example, in various embodiments, various functionalities may be integrated into the zero client device, including, for example, one or more of: Virtual Private Network (VPN) functionality for securely connecting to a server over a network, network authentication capability, wireless capability, assignment of an IP address to the zero client device based on a MAC address, one or more serial or parallel ports, USB bandwidth augmentation and support for out-of-band capabilities, multiple display adaptors, remoting hardware, and I / O devices to extend display capabilities, Bluetooth capability, GPS (Global Positioning System) capability, multi-boot capability to allow use of multiple zero client protocols from the same zero client device, secure KVM (keyboard / video / mouse) switching capability, or a network controlled serial / audio switch, among others.

Problems solved by technology

As the number of networked computer systems utilized in an enterprise increases, the management of resources in the network may become increasingly complex and expensive.

Some of the manageability issues involved in maintaining a large number of networked computer systems may include ease of installation and deployment, the topology and physical logistics of the network, asset management, scalability (the cost and effort involved in increasing the number of units), troubleshooting network or unit problems, support costs, software tracking and management, as well as the simple issue of physical space, be it floor space or room on the desktop, as well as security issues regarding physical assets, information protection, software control, and computer virus issues.

However, in prior art zero client systems and VMs, there are numerous functionalities that are not implemented, and thus not available to users of these systems.

Similarly, the device does not include a conventional operation system.

Similarly, the device does not include a conventional operation system.

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