DE202006006346U1 - Combined signal cable for keyboard, video, and mouse has additional cable connected that allows ease of configuration to different standards - Google Patents

Abstract

The combined signal cable for keyboard video and mouse in a computer system has a main multi contact connector cable [23] having plugs at each end [21,22]. In addition there is an expansion cable [4] that allows ease of configuration to PS/2, PC-AT,USB or Mac systems. This allows specific connectors [41,42] to be plugged into a USB connector [43].

Description

The The invention relates to a combinable signal cable, in particular one in a switching system of several mainframes (a system, in which multiple hosts share a KVM combination) used, combinable signal cable, which is the extension control signal cable available for combining provides.

"KVM" is the abbreviation of Keyboard, Video and Mouse (= "Keyboard, Video and Mouse ").

Under a KVM switching system of several main computers is understood, that switching between many host computers through a KVM set or more KVM sentences is made. Thus, a function is realized that a Users with a set of KVM checked and serviced more than one host. The core idea of KVM technology is the following: By arrangement from suitable keyboards, mice and screens becomes the high management capability of the system and network allows to increase the work efficiency of the administrative staff, the area of the computer room and all the costs (TCO) of the network service system to reduce. However contains this KVM switching system from several main computers next to the KVM plant (for example, switches, etc.) still many video signal cables, keyboard control signal cables and mouse control signal cables, etc., resulting in the usual cable clutter.

therefore The experts have considered cables for the Video signal and the other control signals (for example, keyboard control signal and mouse control cables) in a single signal cable, with corresponding connections (e.g., KVM signal terminals for PS / 2, PC-AT, Sun or Mac system) of the host the video signal and the other control signals are assigned. So will the convenience and the overcoming achieved the above problem. So much is known at the time become the conventional ones parallel signal cable with control signal cables for PS / 2, PC-AT, USB, Sun or Mac system connected in parallel. In other words There are already at least five conventional parallel signal cable.

In 1 is one of the embodiments of the conventional parallel signal cables shown. The other control signal cables connected to it are the PS / 2 keyboard and mouse control signal cables. This conventional parallel signal cable 100 contains a main signal cable 1 and a PS / 2 keyboard cable 111 and a PS / 2 mouse cable 112 , It also has the main signal cable 1 a first plug 11 , a second plug 12 and one between the first connector 11 and the second connector 12 electrically connected cable 13 on. The PS / 2 keyboard cable 111 and the PS / 2 mouse cable 112 are in parallel with the main signal cable 1 connected.

A switching system of several mainframes is in 2 shown schematically, which is a switch 14 , several hosts 15 , one between the switch 14 and the several mainframes 15 electrically connected, conventional parallel signal cable 100 and one with the switch 14 electrically connected keyboard, screen and mouse. Besides, the first plug 11 the conventional parallel signal cable, the one the PS / 2 keyboard cable 111 adapted PS / 2 plug and the other the PS / 2 mouse cable 112 adapted PS / 2 plug electrically to a main computer 15 connected to the video signal, keyboard control signal and mouse control signal via the main signal cable 1 at the same time.

How out 2 (For example, we take a 32-pin network as an example.) Everyone is the host 15 over the conventional parallel signal cable 100 with the switch 14 connected. There are therefore 32 conventional, parallel signal cables 100 required if there are 32 main computers (with only one connection).

But a normal supplier does not find out what kind of main computer is used in each customer terminal and what kind of connector is used during installation. Therefore, the arrangement of the signal cables at the time of delivery has the following two types:
In the first type is the parallel signal cable 100 Supplied with all connector types as a gift. Only the frequently used connector types already have 5 types in particular. The customer can take advantage of the conventional parallel signal cable, which contains five plugs for PS / 2, PC-AT, USB, Sun or Mac system. Because each connector requires five cables, N connectors require five times (N × 5) N times. Today's KVM switching system of several mainframes actually has more than one connection. Take an example of 16 connections. When multiplied by 5, the supplier needs a KVM switchover system from multiple 16-port mainframes 80 Piece of conventional parallel signal cable 100 delivered to the customer for free choice. Only then can all installation requirements be completely fulfilled. In fact, the customer uses only 16 signal cables, leaving the remaining 64 pieces of cable unused, resulting in waste.

In the second type, the customer orders extra during installation, the required designs of the plugs or signal cables from the suppliers that fit the mainframes. But with subcontractors and their service centers located in different cities, regions or even countries, things get a lot more uncomfortable. Therefore, this delivery method very often leads to long installation with many hours of work and makes the installation site more confused.

Becomes the need for different long signal cables taken into account, will be the provision of the cable upon delivery of the supplier even more complicated. If the change of the installation site of host computers in PC room as well as the change of types of host computers (for example, from Mac system host to Sun system host) in consideration can cause a lot of trouble for the supplier and the customer, when the demands on the computer are changed in the future and thus the setting of cable combination state comes.

therefore the object of the invention is to develop a signal cable, which meets the needs of customers and at the same time the cost reduced.

These The object is achieved by a combinable signal cable, which specified in claim 1 Features. Further advantageous developments of the invention go from the subclaims out.

According to the present Invention, a combination signal cable is provided that the Expansion Control Signal Cable with PS / 2, PC-AT, USB, Sun System or MAC connectors freely disassembled, connected together and after the Joining together electrically connected to a main signal cable can be to simultaneously transmit video and expansion control signals via the main signal cable become. The customer can get the needed select and combine extended control signal cables yourself so that the need for the customer terminal really met and the cost is reduced can.

in the Following are objects, features and operation of the invention based on a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings be explained in more detail. Show it:

1 a perspective view of a combined signal cable according to the prior art;

2 a schematic representation of a used in the switching system of several main computers, combined signal cable according to the prior art;

3 a perspective view of an embodiment of a combinable signal cable according to the present invention; and

4 a schematic representation of a combined signal cable used in the switching system of several main computers according to the present invention;

5A . 5B and 5C a schematic perspective view of the combinable signal cable according to the present invention, in which a main signal cable is connected to a plurality of extension control signal cables of various types;

6 a schematic perspective view of the combinable signal cable according to the present invention, wherein the extension control signal cable is connected to a switching circuit;

7 a perspective view of another embodiment of a combinable signal cable according to the present invention;

8th a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a combinable signal cable according to the present invention; and

9 a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a combinable signal cable according to the present invention.

How out 3 and 4 can be seen, a inventive, combinable signal cable a main signal cable 2 , an electrical socket 3 and an expansion control signal cable 4 on.

The main signal cable 2 contains a first connector 21 , a second plug 22 and one electrically with the first connector 21 and the second connector 22 connected cable 23 ,

The electrical socket 3 is electrically in the first connector 21 or in the second connector 22 , According to 3 is the electrical socket 3 in the first connector 21 , where the electrical socket 3 over the cable 23 electrically to the second connector 22 can be connected.

How out 3 can be seen, has the extension control signal cable 4 a mating connector 43 , at least one expansion control plug 41 . 42 and at least one with the mating connector 43 and the expansion control connector 41 . 42 electrically connected cable. The mating connector 43 gets into the electrical socket 3 in the first connector 21 plugged. This results in an electrical connection with the second connector 22 , That's why he is with the second plug 22 electrically connected. 4 shows a schematic representation of a combined signal cable used in the switching system of several main computers according to the present invention.

How out 5A As can be seen, the above-mentioned expansion control plug can be used as a USB plug 40 be executed. The USB plug 40 and the mating connector 43 are over a cable 44 electrically connected together, whereby an extension control signal cable 6A is trained.

How out 5B As can be seen, the expansion control plug described above can be used as a Sun system connector 40 be executed. The Sun system plug 40 and the mating connector 43 are over a cable 44 electrically connected together, whereby an extension control signal cable 6B is trained.

In addition, the expansion control plug described above can also be used as an expansion control plug 41 . 42 be designed in construction of a double plug, consisting of two in 3 and 4 PS / 2 plugs shown (or from a PC-AT keyboard plug and DB-9 mouse plug, not shown) consists. The two PS / 2 plugs (or PC-AT keyboard plugs and DB-9 mouse plugs) are via a first or a second cable 45 . 46 electrically with the mating connector 43 connected, causing the in 3 and 4 shown extension control signal cable 4 (or the PC-AT extension control signal cable, not shown) is formed. And the aforementioned expansion control plug ( 41 . 42 ) in PS / 2 design are designed as keyboard plug or mouse plug.

How out 5C can be seen, the first and the second expansion control plug 41 . 42 also run as a Mac system connector. The two Mac system connectors are via a first or a second cable 45 . 46 electrically with the mating connector 43 connected, creating an expansion control signal cable 6C is trained.

In this way, the customer can, depending on the application, the required expansion control signal cable 4 . 6A . 6B . 6C or the non-illustrated PC-AT expansion control signal cable for connection to the main signal cable 2 choose. The connection is pretty simple, the mating connector 43 only needs electrical in the electrical socket 3 To be plugged in, then a connected between the main computer and the switch combinable signal cable is formed. And the main signal cable 2 can be used to transmit the video signal and signal from expansion cables (expansion control signal cable 4 . 6A . 6B . 6C or the PC-AT expansion control signal cable, not shown).

How out 4 As can be seen, the switching system of several main computers has a switch 14 , several hosts 15 , between the switch 14 and the several mainframes 15 electrically connected, combinable signal cable and the electrical to the switch 14 connected keyboards, screens and mice. The first plug 21 of the combinable signal cable is electrically in a corresponding position of the main computer 15 plugged while the first and the second expansion control plug 41 . 42 (or extension control cable 40 ) of the expansion control signal cable ( 4 . 6A . 6B . 6C or the PC-AT expansion control signal cable, not shown) electrically in the other corresponding locations of the main computer 15 be plugged. How out 4 . 6A . 6B . 6C can be seen, are the first and the second expansion control connector 41 . 42 of the extension cable 4 executed as a PS / 2 keyboard plug or PS / 2 mouse plug. Therefore, the combinable signal cable according to the embodiment of the present invention can be transmitted via the main signal cable 2 simultaneously transmitting the video signal, the keyboard control signal and the mouse control signal, thereby achieving the desired goal of having a user with a set of keyboard, mouse and screen more than one host computer 15 check and operate.

Further as out 6 can be seen to the combinable signal cable according to the present invention to the various future connector (such as the USB plug in 6 ), the expansion control signal cable 4 still with a switching circuit 47 Be provided with the future plug 40 or convert signals to an existing signal type that the system can recognize. This means that the customer only has one expansion control signal cable 4 together with a switching circuit 47 to convert various novel signals transmitted via the future plugs into an existing signal type recognizable by the old system. The switching circuit is electrical with the cable 44 (or 45 . 46 ), but he also electrically on the extension control plug 40 or mating connector 43 (or on the first and second expansion control connectors 41 . 42 ) can be located. For example, if the customer uses future plugs and the switching system used by several mainframes is an old one is not compatible, it only needs an expansion control signal cable 4 with a switching circuit 47 from the supplier, whereby the signals transmitted via the future plugs can be converted into the existing signal types recognizable by the old system. Thus, the replacement of the entire switching system for several main computer is unnecessary.

How out 7 and 8th can be seen, a second expansion control signal cable 4 next to one to the first connector 21 connected extension control signal cable 4 continue with the second plug 22 There are two variants for this:
The first variant is of parallel port (like out 7 visible). The expansion control signal cable 4 will be directly parallel to the second connector 22 connected, with the expansion control signal cable 4 and the second expansion control signal cable 4 ' via cable 23 can be electrically connected to each other.

The second variant is the electrical counter-connection (as shown in 8th visible). In the second plug 22 there is a second electrical socket 3 ' wherein the second expansion control signal cable 4 ' also a mating connector 43 " , two expansion control plugs 41 ' . 42 ' and two between the mating connector 43 " and the expansion control connectors electrically connected cables 45 ' . 46 ' having. Therefore, the second expansion control signal cable is 4 ' about his mating connector 43 " with the second electrical socket 3 ' connected, wherein the extension control signal cable 4 and the second expansion control signal cable 4 ' electrically connected to each other.

The first and the second plug 21 . 22 of the main signal cable 2 may be embodied as any type of plug provided video, keyboard control, and mouse control signals from the main signal cable 2 can be transmitted (like the first plug 21 is executed in the above-mentioned embodiments as a video signal connector).

How out 9 can be seen, the second connector according to the embodiment in a device 5 built in, with the cable 23 directly from the device 5 extends to the outside. That means the second plug 22 one in the device 5 hidden plug is or the cable 23 directly into the device 5 is welded. Because of this, there is no such conventional second connector.

• 1. Da die Gegenstecker 43 aller Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel 4 usw. elektrisch mit den elektrischen Verbindern 3 usw. des Hauptsignalkabels 2 verbunden sind, können sie beliebig durch den Auf- und Abbau miteinander verbunden werden, wobei Video-, Tastatursteuer- und Maussteuersignale über Kabel 23 gleichzeitig übertragen werden, damit der Kunde die benötigten Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel selber auswählen und kombinieren kann, um den Kostenaufwand zu verringern. Damit wird vermieden, dass die Signalkabel mehrerer Steckerausführungen geschenkt mitgeliefert werden, wie dies beim Stand der Technik meist der Fall ist.
• 2. Da ein Umschaltungskreis weiter im Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel vorgesehen ist, damit das kombinierbare Signalkabel der vorliegenden Erfindung den künftigen Steckern oder Signalen verschiedener Typen passt. Das heißt, dass der Kunde nur ein Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel 4 zusammen mit einem Umschaltungskreis 47 anzuschaffen braucht, um verschiedene neuartige, über die künftigen Stecker übertragene Signale in einen vom alten System erkennbaren, vorhandenen Signaltyp umzuwandeln.
• 3. Der erste und der zweite Stecker 21, 22 des Hauptsignalkabels 2 können jeweils mit dem Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel 4 bzw. dem zweiten Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel 4' verbunden sein, wodurch eine bessere Bequemlichkeit gewährleistet ist.

In summary, for example, the following advantages can be realized with the signal cable according to the invention:

• 1. Because the mating connector 43 all expansion control signal cables 4 etc. electrically with the electrical connectors 3 etc. of the main signal cable 2 can be connected to each other by the assembly and disassembly, with video, keyboard control and mouse control signals via cable 23 at the same time so that the customer can choose and combine the required extension control signal cables themselves to reduce the cost. This avoids the fact that the signal cables of several connector designs are provided as a gift, as is usually the case in the prior art.
• 2. Since a switching circuit is further provided in the expansion control signal cable, so that the combinable signal cable of the present invention suits the future plugs or signals of various types. This means that the customer only has one expansion control signal cable 4 together with a switching circuit 47 to convert various novel signals transmitted via the future plugs into an existing signal type recognizable by the old system.
• 3. The first and the second plug 21 . 22 of the main signal cable 2 can each with the expansion control signal cable 4 or the second expansion control signal cable 4 ' be connected, whereby a better comfort is ensured.

In summary, the invention relates to a combinable signal cable which can be used in the switching system of several main computers and in which all expansion control signal cables can be combined by arbitrary disassembling and interconnecting. The combinable signal cable contains any main signal cable 2 , an electrical connector 3 and an expansion control signal cable 4 , The main signal cable 2 has a first connector 21 , a second plug 22 and a cable electrically connecting between the first and second plugs 23 on. The electrical connector is electrically in one of the first and second plugs 21 . 22 arranged. The expansion control signal cable 4 consists of a mating connector 43 , at least one expansion plug 41 and one between mating connectors 43 and expansion plug 41 electrically connecting cable 44 , The mating connector 3 is electrical to the electrical connector 3 connected and therefore he is using one of the first and second plugs 21 . 22 electrically connected, so that the expansion control signal cables 4 of all types with main signal cable 2 can be combined.

In summary, the present invention provides a combinable signal cable which eliminates the great drawback of the waste easily caused by the prior art and the disadvantage of long installation time excluding working hours.

Even though the invention has been described with reference to the above examples, which currently as the most practical and preferred embodiments It should be understood that the invention is not to be considered the disclosed embodiments limited is. On the contrary, various modifications and similar arrangements are intended be covered, which are within the scope of the appended claims, which with the the widest interpretation, to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

100

parallele Signalkabel

1

Hauptsignalkabel

11

erster Stecker

111

PS/2-Tastaturkabel

112

PS/2-Mauskabel

12

zweiter Stecker

13

Kabel

14

Umschalter

15

Hauptrechner

State of the art

100

parallel signal cable

1

Main signal cable

11

first plug

111

PS / 2 keyboard cable

112

PS / 2 mouse cable

12

second plug

13

electric wire

14

switch

15

host

2

Hauptsignalkabel

21

erster Stecker

22

zweiter Stecker

23

Kabel

3

elektrische Steckbuchse

4

Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel

5

Gerät

40

Erweiterungssteuerstecker

41

erster Erweiterungssteuerstecker

42

zweiter Erweiterungssteuerstecker

43

Gegenstecker

44

Kabel

45

erstes Kabel

46

zweites Kabel

47

Umschaltungskreis

6A, 6B, 6C

Erweiterungssteuersignalkabel

The present invention

2

Main signal cable

21

first plug

22

second plug

23

electric wire

3

electrical socket

4

Expand control signal cable

5

device

40

Expand control plug

41

first expansion control plug

42

second expansion control plug

43

Mating connector

44

electric wire

45

first cable

46

second cable

47

switch circuit

6A, 6B, 6C

Expand control signal cable

Claims (11)

Combinable signal cable, comprising: a main signal cable ( 2 ), which has a first connector ( 21 ), a second plug ( 22 ), one between the first and the second plug ( 21 . 22 ) provided cable ( 23 ) and an electrical socket ( 3 ), wherein the electrical socket ( 3 ) in one of the plugs ( 21 . 22 ) and wherein the electrical socket ( 3 ) electrically with the plugs ( 21 . 22 ) connected is; and an expansion control signal cable ( 4 ), which has a mating connector ( 43 ), an expansion control plug ( 40 ) and one between the mating connector ( 43 ) and the expansion control plug ( 40 ) provided cable ( 44 ), wherein the mating connector ( 43 ) by creating a detachable connection in the electrical socket ( 3 ) can be inserted. Signal cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the expansion control signal cable ( 4 ) a switching circuit ( 47 ) electrically connected to the cable ( 44 ) is connected or electrically on the mating connector ( 43 ) or expansion control plug ( 40 ) is located. Signal cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the expansion control signal cable ( 4 ) a plurality of expansion control connectors ( 42 ), each of which has a second cable ( 46 ) electrically with the mating connector ( 43 ) connected is. Signal cable according to claim 3, characterized in that the expansion control signal cable ( 4 ) a plurality of switching circuits ( 47 ), each of which is electrically connected to the cable ( 44 ) and the second cable ( 46 ) or is electrically connected to the expansion control plug ( 40 ) and the second expansion control plug ( 42 ) is located. Signal cable according to claim 1, characterized in that a second, electrical socket ( 3 ' ) and a second expansion control signal cable ( 4 ' ), the second expansion control signal cable ( 4 ' ) also a mating connector ( 43 " ), two expansion control plugs ( 41 ' . 42 ' ) and two between the mating connector ( 43 " ) and the expansion control connectors electrically connected cables ( 45 ' . 46 ' ), and wherein the second, electrical socket ( 3 ' ) in one of the plugs ( 21 . 22 ), and wherein the second expansion control signal cable 4 ' about its mating connector ( 43 " ) with the second electrical socket 3 ' is connected, and wherein the expansion control signal cable ( 4 ) and the second expansion control signal cable ( 4 ' ) are electrically connected together. Signal cable according to claim 5, characterized in that the second expansion control signal cable ( 4 ' ) a plurality of second expansion control plugs ( 41 ' . 42 ' ), each of which has a cable ( 45 ' respectively. 46 ' ) electrically with the mating connector ( 43 " ) connected is. Signal cable according to claim 5, characterized in that the second expansion control signal cable ( 4 ' ) a switching circuit ( 47 ) electrically connected to the cable ( 45 ' . 46 ' ) is connected or electrically on the second mating connector ( 43 " ) or the extension tax cker ( 41 ' . 42 ' ) is located. Signal cable according to claim 1, characterized in that a second extension control signal cable ( 4 ' ), which has a plurality of expansion control connectors ( 41 ' . 42 ' ) and electrically with the expansion control plugs ( 41 ' . 42 ' ) connected cables ( 45 ' . 46 ' ), the other end of the cable ( 45 ' . 46 ' ) electrically with one of the plugs ( 21 . 22 ) connected is. Signal cable according to claim 8, characterized in that the second extension control signal cable ( 4 ' ) a plurality of second expansion control plugs ( 42 ' ), each of which has a second cable ( 46 ) with the mating connector ( 43 " ) connected is. Signal cable according to claim 8, characterized in that the second extension control signal cable ( 4 ' ) a switching circuit ( 47 ) electrically connected to the cable ( 45 ' . 46 ' ) is connected or electrically on the mating connector ( 43 " ) or expansion control plug ( 41 ' . 42 ' ) is located. Signal cable according to claim 1, characterized in that the second plug ( 22 ) inside a device ( 5 ), whereby the cable ( 23 ) of the device ( 5 ) extends to the outside.