TWI448906B - Remote management system and remote management method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Remote management system and remote management method thereof

The present invention relates to a remote management system and a remote management method; in particular, a remote management system and a remote management method having a simplified signal processing program and a lower cost.

The Keyboard-Video-Mouse Switch (KVM Switch) allows remote administrators to manage and control multiple computers from a single set of keyboards, screens, and mice (generally referred to as a center console or central control unit). A Keyboard-Video-Mouse Extender (KVM Extender) or Video Extender can greatly extend the distance between a console and a single computer. A KVM switch or a computer extender can be collectively referred to as a KVM.

U.S. Patent No. 5,721,842 discloses a matrix type KVM switch that integrates the functions of the KVM switch and the computer extender, so that the remote controllers of the plurality of central control devices can be selected by the KVM switch. 32 computers at the far end are being controlled. As shown in Fig. 1 of the specification of U.S. Patent No. 5,721,84, the matrix is centered on a KVM switch (component of Fig. 60), and a plurality of Computer Interface Modules and A plurality of CAT-5 cables (components 72 or 74) are constructed. The computer-side module refers to the component of Figure 76. The CAT-5 cable is a transmission line used by a general Ethernet network, and the inside thereof contains four pairs of twisted pairs.

As shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B, a device and method for transmitting image-related signals output from a computer to a remote console is also disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,721,842. In order to extend the distance that the image-related signal can be transmitted, and reduce the image distortion caused by long-distance transmission (the main cause of distortion is noise interference and attenuation), each computer and the KVM switch have a computer-end module. The computer-side module processes the image-related signals (mainly including the single-ended RGB components and the vertical/horizontal synchronization signals) outputted by the computer. The processing includes converting the RGB component from a single-ended signal to a differential signal at the transmitting end to cancel the noise introduced by the long-distance transmission at the receiving end.

In addition, since the number of image-related signals output by the computer is larger than the physical transmission line (four pairs of twisted pairs) that the CAT-5 cable can provide, the computer-side module loads the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal separately (encoding). In the two components of the RGB component, the RGB component and the vertical/horizontal synchronization signal can be transmitted differentially on three of the pairs of twisted pairs of the CAT-5 cable. For example, its horizontal sync signal is loaded into the G component; its vertical sync signal is loaded into the B component.

In addition, at the transmitting end of the image (KVM is close to the computer), since the sync signal defined by the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) standard has many different modes (described below), usually the KVM is close to the computer. The polarity of the plurality of sync signals is converted in advance, for example, the horizontal/vertical sync signals are converted to positive polarity to simplify the internal circuits of the above computer module or extender. In this way, in order to restore (decode) the vertical/horizontal synchronization signal loaded in the RGB component correctly at the receiving end of the image (KVM close to the screen), the transmitting terminal must also transmit a mode signal (Mode Signal). ), this mode signal is loaded into the R component.

The so-called "synchronous signal has a plurality of different modes", for example, it can mean that the vertical sync signal is different from the polarity of the horizontal sync signal. Alternatively, in the synchronization signal of a certain mode, the vertical/horizontal synchronization signals are positive, and in the synchronization signal of a second mode, the vertical synchronization signal is positive, and the horizontal synchronization signal is Negative polarity. In other words, in the architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,721,842, if the image transmitting end does not transmit the mode signal to the receiving end of the image, the receiving end of the image will not correctly load the vertical/horizontal loading in the RGB component. The sync signal is restored (decoded), so that the screen will not get the correct sync signal (same as the computer output). As shown in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10B, a corresponding restoration (decoding) circuit is also provided at the receiving end of the image, wherein one of the components 314 inputs a signal related to the mode signal transmitted from the transmitting end. In addition, since the mode signal is determined by the amplitude (Amplitude), the amplitude of the mode signal may be attenuated at the receiving end due to long-distance transmission, thereby causing the receiving end to judge the polarity of the synchronization signal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote management system and a remote management method thereof for providing a program and a hardware architecture for transmitting video signals and synchronous signals different from the prior art.

The remote management system of the present invention comprises a computer end module and a remote management device. The computer terminal module is connected to the output port of the controlled computer to receive and process the image signal, the horizontal synchronization signal and the vertical synchronization signal output by the computer.

The computer end module further includes a synchronization signal preprocessing circuit, a first differential driving circuit, a second differential driving circuit, and a third differential driving circuit. The synchronous signal pre-processing circuit adjusts the vertical synchronization signal into the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal, wherein the distance between the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal on the time axis corresponds to the time axis width of the vertical synchronization signal. In addition, the first input end of the first differential driving circuit receives the first component of the image signal, and the second input end receives the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal from the synchronous signal pre-processing circuit, and the first pulse is The second pulse signal is applied to the first component of the image signal to output the first differential signal.

On the other hand, the first input end and the second input end of the second differential driving circuit respectively receive the second component of the image signal and the horizontal synchronization signal, and output the second synchronization component after the horizontal synchronization signal is applied to the second component of the image signal. Two differential signals.

In addition, the first input end and the second input end of the third differential driving circuit respectively receive the third component signal of the image signal, the first test signal for detecting the color shift of the image signal RGB (Skew), and the second test of the attenuation The signal, and the third differential signal is output after the test signal is loaded into the third component of the image signal.

The remote management device includes a first differential receiving circuit, a second differential receiving circuit, a third differential receiving circuit, and a reducing circuit, respectively corresponding to the first differential driving circuit and the second differential driving circuit of the computer end module And a third differential drive circuit. The first differential receiving circuit receives the first differential signal output by the first differential driving circuit, restores the circuit and restores the vertical synchronization signal output by the controlled computer and the first component of the image signal. On the other hand, the second differential receiving circuit receives the second differential signal output by the second differential driving circuit, restores the circuit and restores it to the horizontal synchronization signal output by the controlled computer and the second component of the image signal. In addition, the third differential receiving circuit receives the third differential signal output by the third differential driving circuit, restores the circuit and restores the third component of the image signal output by the controlled computer and the test signal.

In a preferred embodiment, when the vertical sync signal has a positive polarity, the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal preferably correspond to a rising edge and a falling edge of the vertical sync signal. Alternatively, when the vertical sync signal has a negative polarity, the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal correspond to a falling edge and a rising edge of the vertical sync signal. In addition, the pulse width included in the first pulse wave or the second pulse signal may be used to indicate the polarity of one of the vertical sync signal or the vertical sync signal. For example, the pulse widths of the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal can be respectively used to indicate the polarity of the horizontal sync signal or the vertical sync signal, and vice versa.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the remote management system 50 of the present invention can couple the central control devices 100A, 100B of the user end to one or more second computers 200 (controlled computers), so that the central control devices 100A, 100B The user can manage and control one or more controlled computers 200 with a single set of keyboards/mouses and screens. The remote management system 50 of the present invention further enables a first computer 110 (the central control computer) to be coupled to one or more second computers 200 (controlled computers) via the network 800 to enable the user of the first computer 110 One or more second computers 200 can be managed and controlled by the remote end. The number of the central control devices 100A, 100B or the central control computer 110 is not limited to one. The remote management system 50 of the present invention includes at least one remote management device 500, one or more computer end modules 530, and one or more central control modules 535. The remote management device 500 further includes a first end 510 and a second end 520. The computer module 530 is used to extend the distance between the second computer 200 and the remote management device 500. The central control module 535 is used to extend the distance between the central control device 100B and the remote management device 500. Details are given later.

Referring to FIG. 2B, in the remote management system 50 of the present invention, in order to extend the distance between the remote management device 500 and the one or more second computers 200, a computer module may be selectively included. Interface Module; CIM) 530. The computer end module 530 has a casing HS and a plurality of cables CA extending outward from the casing. The cable CA has a plurality of connectors at one end away from the casing HS, such as a USB connector 531 and a VGA. The connector 532 is configured to electrically connect to a second computer 200 of FIG. 2A. In order to extend the distance, the computer module 530 processes the image signal RGB, a horizontal sync signal H, a vertical sync signal V or some test signals output by the second computer 200. For example, the computer module 530 converts the image signal RGB from a single-ended signal to a differential signal, and loads the horizontal/vertical synchronization signal H/V into the differential signal. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, in order to connect a second computer 200 having a different interface, the USB connector 531 can be replaced by one or more PS/2 or other connectors; the VGA connector 532 can be DVI Replaced by a connector or HDMI connector.

In addition, the housing HS of the computer module 530 is further provided with an RJ-45 interface 533 and a plurality of power/on line 534, wherein the RJ-45 interface 533 is used to connect a CAT-5 (Category). 5) Cable C5 or other similar cable, such as CAT-5e or CAT-6. The computer end module is coupled to the first end 510 of the remote management device 500 via the CAT-5 cable C5. The CAT-5 cable C5 has a Twisted Wire Pair, three pairs of which are used to transmit image-related signals, such as image signal components RGB, horizontal/vertical sync signals H/V and/or one. Or multiple test signals. The remaining fourth twisted pair is used to transmit signals other than images, such as keyboard/mouse control signals KB/MS or Virtual Media. In addition, the light number display 534 is used to display the state of the computer end module.

Referring to FIG. 2C , the remote management device 500 of the present invention further includes a network interface controller 515 , a switching module 550 , a differential receiving module 555 , an image processing module 560 , a memory 570 , and a central processing unit 580 . The RS-485 transceiver 630, the USB device control module 700, and the restoration circuit 900. The first end 510 of the remote management device 500 can be coupled to the first computer 110 via a network, and the second end 520 is coupled to the one or more second computers 200. The hardware architecture of the remote management device 500 can be represented by KM0432, KM0832, KM0932, KN4140 or KN2132 manufactured by Acer Automation Co., Ltd. When the remote management device 500 adopts the hardware architecture of the KN4140 or the KN2132, the network controller 515 is configured to enable the first computer 110 to be coupled to the remote management device 500 via the network 800, and then The remote management device 500 is coupled to one or more second computers 200. There may be a computer module 530 between the remote management device 500 and the second computer 200. When the remote management device 500 adopts the hardware architecture of the KM0432, KM0832 or KM0932, the central control device 100A is directly connected to the remote management device 500, and the central control device 100B is coupled to the remote terminal via a central control module 535. The devices 500 are managed to extend the distance between each other. That is, the remote management device 500 can couple the first computer 110 to the one or more second computers 200 via the network 800, or couple the central control devices 100A, 100B (without the network) to one or A plurality of second computers 200.

Referring to FIG. 3A, in addition to the USB connector 531 and the VGA connector 532, the internal computer module 530 further includes a differential driving module 600, a synchronization signal preprocessing circuit 610, and an RS-485 transceiver 630. The first multiplexer 640, the second multiplexer 650, the main controller 660, the memory 670, and the signal generating device 680. The memory 670 of this embodiment may be an electronic erasable read-only memory (EEPROM) for storing a set of preset Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) EDID #1 or a central control device. Another set of extended display identification codes EDID#2 provided by the screen of 100A or 100B. The preset extended display identification code EDID#1 or the extended display identification code EDID#2 provided by the screen is further provided to the second computer 200. The first multiplexer 640 corresponds to the aforementioned differential driving module 600, and under the control of the main controller 660, one or more test signals T1/T2 can be loaded on the image component RGB at an appropriate time. The second multiplexer 650 corresponds to the memory 670, and the second computer 200 can obtain the extended display identification code EDID under the control of the main controller 660 (the preset EDID#1 or the real EDID#2 provided by the screen) ). The USB device control module 700 (which can be integrated into the main controller 660) is configured to generate an analog keyboard/mouse and/or USB mass storage device for the second computer 200. The function of the sync signal pre-processing circuit 610 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 3B.

Still referring to FIG. 3A, in the remote management system 50, the second computer 200 is the source of the image signal RGB, so the computer end module 530 serves as the transmitting end of the image signal RGB. One end of the computer module 530 of this differential driving module (Differential Driver) 600 will be the RGB components of the image signal output from the second computer 200 to convert to digital differential signals D _1, D _2, D ₃ is output to the The remote management device 500 increases the distance that the image signal RGB can be transmitted (for example, up to 1000 inches). Among these differential signals D ₁ , D ₂ , D ₃ may also be mixed with other signals, such as horizontal/vertical sync signal H/V or some first test for detecting the color skew of the image signal RGB. Signal T1 and the second test signal T2 of attenuation. In a preferred embodiment, the differential drive module 600 can be AD8146, AD8147 or AD8148 provided by Analog Devices or EL5378 provided by Intersil.

In addition, an FPGA, an oscillator, or any other suitable signal generating device 680 may be selectively disposed in the computer module 530 for generating the first test signal T1 and the second test signal T2. A first multiplexer 640 is also disposed in the computer module 530 for controlling the first test signal T1 and the horizontal/vertical synchronization signal H/V to be interposed in the differential signal D ₁ /D ₂ /D ₃ Timing. Through the appropriate time control, the first test signal T1 does not affect the normal display of the screen at the receiving end. That is, when the remote management system 50 performs image compensation according to the first test signal T1 at the receiving end, the user of the central control device 100A or 100B can still normally view the desktop image output by the second computer 200. The first test signal T1 and the second test signal T2 may have different frequencies. For example, the first test signal T1 is a square wave having a frequency of 2 megahertz; and the second test signal T2 is a square wave having a frequency of 8 megahertz. At the transmitting end, the first test signal T1 is transmitted to the receiving end via the three pairs of twisted pairs of the aforementioned CAT-5 cable, and the second test signal T2 is transmitted to the receiving end only via a pair of twisted pairs. In the differential signal D ₁ /D ₂ /D ₃ , the polarity T1 of the first test signal may be the same as the polarity of the RGB component; the polarity of the vertical sync signal, the horizontal sync signal and the second test signal T2 may be the polarity of the RGB component in contrast.

Please refer to FIG. 3B. FIG. 3B is mainly for further description of the synchronous signal pre-processing circuit 610 of FIG. 3A. The synchronization signal pre-processing circuit 610 further includes a synchronization signal modulation circuit 615 and a synchronization signal singulation circuit 620. The vertical sync signal V from the second computer 200 is first processed by the sync signal pre-processing circuit 610 before being input to the differential drive module 600 via the VGA connector 532. In more detail, after receiving the vertical sync signal V, the sync signal pre-processing circuit 610 converts the vertical sync signal V into a first pulse V ₁ and a second pulse with its sync signal modulation circuit 615. Signal V ₂ . In a preferred embodiment, the sync signal modulation circuit 615 is a JK Flip-Flop. For example, when the vertical sync signal V input to the sync signal pre-processing circuit 610 has a positive polarity, its rising edge triggers the JK flip-flop to generate the first pulse V ₁ ; the falling edge triggers the JK flip-flop generation. The second pulse signal V _2. Alternatively, when the vertical sync signal V has a negative polarity, the falling edge thereof triggers the JK flip-flop to generate the first pulse V ₁ ; the rising edge triggers the JK flip-flop to generate the second pulse signal V ₂ . The distance between the first pulse wave V ₁ and the second pulse wave signal V ₂ on the time axis corresponds to the pulse width of the vertical synchronization signal V.

Please refer to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B at the same time. It is worth noting that because the horizontal/vertical sync signal H/V output by the second computer 200 may have more than ten different modes, the synchronization signal of the computer module 530 is pre-processed. The processing circuit 610 may have a synchronization signal singulation circuit 620 for performing more than ten different types before the synchronous signal modulation circuit 615 performs the modulation of the vertical synchronization signal V and inputs to the differential driving module 600. The horizontal/vertical sync signal H/V is simplified to a single vertical/horizontal sync signal. For example, regardless of the polarity (possibly positive or negative) and the type (possibly composite or non-composite) of the horizontal/vertical sync signal output by the second computer 200, the horizontal/vertical sync signal H/V will be The polarity is converted to positive polarity (represented by H_in_P and V_in_P) and is a non-composite type. After that, the positive horizontal synchronization signal H_in_P is output to the differential driving module 600; the positive vertical synchronization signal V_in_P is output to the synchronous signal modulation circuit 615 for performing the vertical synchronization signal V modulation. However, those of ordinary skill in the art can also recognize that the polarity of a plurality of different types of horizontal sync signals or vertical sync signals can be converted to have a negative polarity.

FIG. 3C illustrates the circuit architecture of the aforementioned synchronous signal pre-processing circuit 610. The dotted line portion is the synchronous signal singulation circuit 620, and the rest is the synchronous signal modulation circuit 615. Those of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that the synchronization signal pre-processing circuit 610 can be implemented by a single programmable logic element (e.g., an FPGA or CPLD) in addition to being implemented in a plurality of separate integrated circuits.

As shown in FIG. 4A , the differential driving module 600 further includes three sets of differential driving circuits 601 , 602 , 603 corresponding to the image signal component RGB , the synchronous signal pre-processing circuit 610 , and the signal generating device 680 . The first differential driving circuit 601 further corresponds to a certain component of the image signal component RGB; the second differential driving circuit 602 further corresponds to another component of the image signal component RGB; the third differential driving circuit 603 further corresponds to The other component of the image signal component RGB and the signal generating device 680.

Still referring to FIG. 4A, in more detail, the first differential driving circuit 601 has a first input end 604A and a second input end 605B, wherein the first input end 604A receives the image signal RGB output by the computer. The first component 605 B corresponds to the output of the synchronization signal pre-processing circuit 610 to receive the first pulse V ₁ and the second pulse signal V ₂ . The first input end 604A is a positive end; the second input end 605 B is a negative end. The first differential driving circuit 601 loads the first pulse V ₁ and the second pulse signal V ₂ output by the synchronous signal pre-processing circuit 610 into the first component R of the image signal output by the computer (the inclusion component In a test signal T1), a first differential signal D ₁ is output to the remote management device 500 or the central control module 535. As shown in FIG. 3B, in which the first differential signal D _1, the first component and the first R ₁ V pulse and the second pulse signal V ₂ have opposite polarities. Similarly, the second differential driving circuit 602 also has a first input terminal 604C and a second input terminal 605D, wherein the first input terminal 604C receives the second component G of the image signal RGB output by the second computer 200 ( The first test signal T1) may be mixed, and the positive horizontal synchronization signal H_in_P (or the horizontal synchronization signal H) outputted by the synchronous signal modulation circuit 615 is loaded into the second component of the image signal RGB output by the second computer 200. In G, a second differential signal D ₂ is output to the remote management device 500 or the central control module 535. In the second differential signal D ₂ , the second component G and the H_in_P signal have opposite polarities.

Still referring to FIG. 4A , the third differential driving circuit 603 also has a first input terminal 604E and a second input terminal 605F. The first input terminal 604E receives the image signal output by the second computer 200. The third component B of RGB (the first test signal T1 can be pre-packed), and the second test signal T2 is loaded into the third component B of the image signal RGB output by the computer at an appropriate time to output a third difference. The signal D _{3 is} sent to the remote management device 500 or the central control module 535. In the third differential signal D ₃ , the third component B has the same polarity as the first test signal T1 ; the third component B has the opposite polarity to the second test signal T2 . The second test signal T2 is mainly used to detect the attenuation of the high frequency component caused by the long distance transmission of the image signal RGB at the receiving end. This appropriate point can be used when the vertical sync signal is active to avoid affecting the normal display of the screen. The first differential signal D ₁ , the second differential signal D ₂ and the third differential signal D ₃ are transmitted on the CAT-5 cable via the RJ-45 interface 533. As described above, the first differential signal D ₁ , the second differential signal D _{2 ,} and the third differential signal D ₃ may all be interposed with the first test signal T1 .

Please refer to FIG. 2C and FIG. 4B at the same time. In the transmission of the image signal, the remote management device 500 serves as the receiving end of the image signal RGB and the vertical/horizontal synchronization signal. As shown in FIG. 4B, in addition to the reduction circuit 900, the differential receiving module 555 of FIG. 2C further includes a first differential receiving circuit 556, a second differential receiving circuit 557, and a third differential receiving. The circuit 558 corresponds to the first differential driving circuit 601, the second differential driving circuit 602, and the third differential driving circuit 603, respectively. After the first differential signal D ₁ from the plurality of computer modules is transmitted to the remote management device 500, the first selection of the switching module 550 is followed by the first differential of the differential receiving module 555. The receiving circuit 556 extracts the first pulse V ₁ and the second pulse signal V ₂ from the first differential signal D ₁ in a differential to single-ended manner; the second differential receiving circuit 557 also receives the positive electrode The horizontal synchronization signal H_in_P is extracted from the second differential signal D ₂ in a differential to single-ended manner. And then the first pulse V ₁ and V ₂ of the second pulse signal and the horizontal synchronizing signal of positive polarity are input to the subsequent stage H_in_P reduction circuit 900. The restoration circuit 900 restores the first pulse V ₁ and the second pulse signal V ₂ to the original (same as the output of the second computer 200) and outputs the vertical synchronization signal V to the screen of the central control device 100A. The first differential receiving circuit 556 and the second differential receiving circuit 557 can also extract the first test signal T1. The above differential receiving module 555 and the reducing circuit 900 can be collectively referred to as a differential receiving and reducing circuit.

Please refer to FIG. 2C and FIG. 4B at the same time. After the third differential signal D _{3 is} transmitted to the remote management device 500, the first differential signal T1 and the second test signal are extracted by the third differential receiving circuit 558. After T2, it is output to the relevant compensation circuit, such as EL9115 and EL9112 provided by Intersil. In the compensation circuit, the first test signal T1 output by the first differential receiving circuit 556, the second differential receiving circuit 557, and the third differential receiving circuit 558 is compared by the phase difference between the two. The time the RGB component is delayed. The reduction circuit 900 mainly includes a D-type flip-flop (F F-Flop), such as an integrated circuit 7474. Similarly, in the middle control module 535 of FIG. 2C, there is also a set of the same restoration circuit 900. In a preferred embodiment, the differential receiving module 555 is an AD8145 provided by Analog Devices. The internal details of this reduction circuit 900 are detailed below.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the reduction circuit 900 at the image receiving end further includes a demodulation circuit 905, a first polarity adjustment circuit 910, a second polarity adjustment circuit 920, and a decoding circuit 930. Wherein, the decoding circuit 930 will be based on the first and the second _{pulse. 1} V pulse width signal V ₂ of the control signal to obtain a first and a second control signal Ctrl_1 Ctrl_2, for respectively controlling the first and second polarity adjustment circuit 910 The output of the polarity adjustment circuit 920. The input end of the demodulation circuit 905 corresponds to the differential receiving module 555, and the output end corresponds to the second polarity adjustment circuit 920. The demodulation circuit 905 converts the first pulse V ₁ and the second pulse signal V ₂ from the differential receiving circuit 555 into a positive vertical synchronization signal V_in_P, and then outputs the same to the second polarity adjustment circuit 920. The second polarity adjustment circuit 920 restores the positive vertical synchronization signal V_in_P to the original vertical synchronization signal V according to the second control signal Ctrl_2 (the polarity may be positive or negative). Similarly, the first polarity adjustment circuit 910 restores the positive polarity synchronization signal H_in_P to the original horizontal synchronization signal H according to the first control signal Ctrl_1 (the polarity may be positive or negative). The restored vertical sync signal V and the horizontal sync signal H are both output to the screen of the central control device 100A.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the demodulation circuit 905 mainly includes a D-type flip-flop (for example, integrated circuit 7474) and a Exclusive OR Gate, such as 74HC86. The demodulation circuit 905 also includes passive components such as resistors and capacitors.

In a preferred embodiment, the first polarity adjustment circuit 910 and the second polarity adjustment circuit 920 can be implemented by an exclusive OR gate, such as the 74HC86 (there are four mutual interfaces in a single package) Reject or logic gate). Taking the first polarity adjustment circuit 910 as an example, the first input end corresponds to the positive polarity horizontal synchronization signal H_in_P; the second input end corresponds to the first control signal Ctrl_1; and the output end thereof corresponds to the screen of the central control device 100A. . Similarly, the second polarity adjustment circuit 920 can also be implemented by a mutually exclusive or logic gate. The first input end corresponds to the foregoing demodulation circuit 905 to receive the positive polarity vertical synchronization signal V_in_P; the second input end corresponds to The second control signal Ctrl_2; the output end corresponds to the screen of the central control device. Taking the second polarity adjustment circuit 920 as an example, when the polarity of the original vertical synchronization signal V is negative, the second polarity adjustment circuit 920 converts the positive vertical synchronization signal V_in_P into a negative vertical synchronization signal. In addition, since the polarity of the original vertical synchronizing signal V may also be positive, the second polarity adjusting circuit 920 may not directly perform any processing (polarity inversion) on the positive vertical synchronizing signal V_in_P, and directly output to the screen. Similarly, those having ordinary knowledge in the art can also understand the possible conversion of the positive polarity synchronization signal H_in_P by the first polarity adjustment circuit 910. In addition to being implemented in a plurality of separate integrated circuits, the reduction circuit 900 can also be implemented by a single programmable logic element such as an FPGA or CPLD.

FIG. 5A through 5D is an explanation of input and output waveform of the demodulation circuit 905, the first rising pulse V ₁ at the receiving end edge may be a rising edge triggering the vertical synchronization signal of V_in_P; the second pulse V The rising edge of ₂ can trigger the falling edge of the vertical sync signal V_in_P at the receiving end. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first pulse wave V ₁ and the second pulse wave signal V _{2 both} have a first pulse width W ₁ . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the first pulse wave V ₁ and the second pulse wave signal V ₂ respectively have a first pulse width W ₁ and a second pulse width W ₂ . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5C, the first pulse wave V ₁ and the second pulse wave signal V ₂ respectively have a second pulse width W ₂ and a first pulse width W ₁ . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5D, the first pulse wave V ₁ and the second pulse wave signal V _{2 both} have a second pulse width W ₂ .

In the present invention, the first pulse width W ₁ and the second pulse width W _{2 are} more selectively utilized. The first pulse width W ₁ and the second pulse width W ₂ can be used to transmit a message that allows the receiving end of the image signal RGB to know the original horizontal/vertical synchronization signal H/ when outputted by the second computer 200. The polarity of V. That is, the first pulse width W ₁ and the second pulse width W ₂ may collectively represent a two-bit value whose values represent four code values (00, 01, 10, 11). Alternatively, the width W ₁ of the first pulse and the second pulse width W ₂ groups may represent one yuan coded values. Thus, the receiving end of the image signal RGB does not generate an erroneous polarity when restoring the sync signal. Moreover, the transmitting end of the video signal RGB (the computer end module 530) does not need to additionally transmit a "mode signal" to the receiving end. For example, the encoded value (00) can be used to indicate that the vertical/horizontal synchronization signals output by the second computer 200 are positive; the encoded value (01) can be used to indicate that the vertical synchronization signal output by the second computer 200 is positive, but horizontally synchronized. The signal is negative polarity. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the meaning of the remaining code values can be deduced by analogy. The decoding circuit 930 of FIG. 4C can generate the first control signal Ctrl_1 and the second control signal Ctrl_2 according to the above principles, for controlling the first polarity adjustment circuit 910 and the second polarity adjustment circuit 920, respectively.

For example, when the first pulse width W _{1 is} greater than or equal to a first value, it represents that the vertical synchronization signal V has a positive polarity; or, when the first pulse width W _{1 is} less than a first value , representing that the vertical sync signal V has a negative polarity. Alternatively, when the first pulse width W _{1 is} greater than or equal to a first value, the horizontal synchronization signal H has a positive polarity; when the first pulse width W _{1 is} less than a first value, the level is represented. The sync signal H has a negative polarity. It is known to those skilled in the art that the widths of the first pulse wave V ₁ or the second pulse wave V ₂ can be used to represent the polarity of the horizontal/vertical synchronization signal H/V, and there may be many different combinations. However, they do not depart from the spirit of the invention. That is, the first pulse width W ₁ may represent the polarity of the vertical synchronization signal V, and may also represent the polarity of the horizontal synchronization signal H. The second pulse width W ₂ may represent the polarity of the vertical synchronization signal V, or may represent horizontal synchronization. The polarity of the signal H.

In order to further explain the operation of the remote management system 50 of the present invention, please return to FIG. 2C, and the image signal output by the second computer 200 is transmitted to the central control device 100A or via the computer end module 530 and the remote management device 500. Control computer 110. The image signals RGB from different second computers 200 are transmitted to the appropriate central control devices 100A, 100B or the central control computer 110 via the routing of the switching module 550 of the remote management device 500. The user in front of the central control device 100A or 100B can use an on-screen display menu (OSD), a hotkey commands, a mouse button, a panel button of the remote management device 500, a knob (Knob), or any other A suitable mode (e.g., voice control/remote control/wire controller) is selected between the plurality of second computers 200. The user in front of the central control computer 110 can select between the plurality of second computers 200 by using a management interface provided by a web browser or other application. The central control computer 110 can include a desktop computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a handheld mobile device (such as a smart phone), or any other computing device (Computing Device).

Still referring to FIG. 2C, a plurality of differential signals D ₁ /D ₂ /D ₃ transmitted by the plurality of computer end modules 530 are selected by a switching module 550 and then input to a differential receiving mode. The differential receiver 555 is mainly used to restore the aforementioned differential signal D ₁ /D ₂ /D ₃ to a single-ended image signal. In addition, the differential receiving module 555 can also extract the horizontal/vertical synchronization signals (H_in_P and V1 & V2) and the test signals T1 and T2 from the differential signals D ₁ /D ₂ /D ₃ . The test signals T1 and T2 are used for the screen use of the central control device 100A and the associated compensation circuit to perform image compensation values. In a preferred embodiment, the differential receiving module 555 is primarily comprised of the AD8145 provided by Analog Devices. In addition, the switching module 550 is a switching matrix composed of multiple multiplexers or crosspoint switches, for example, one of the AD8177s provided by a plurality of Analog Devices companies has four Switching matrix of ten inputs and five outputs (forty to five).

In addition, depending on the distance between the different central control devices 100A or 100B and the remote management device 500, the differential receiving module 555 may be located in the housing of the remote management device 500; or located in another central control device. Among the central control modules 535 corresponding to 100B. When the differential receiving module 555 is located in the central control module 535, the distance between the remote management device 500 and the central control device 100B can be extended because the aforementioned differential signal D ₁ /D from the computer end module 530 ₂ / D ₃ will not be restored to a single-ended video signal until it reaches the central control module 535. The central control module 535 is used to extend the distance between a central control device 100B (a set of keyboards, screens and cursor control devices) and the remote management device 500. In the central control module 535, an on-screen display menu (OSD) generator (not shown) and an image compensation circuit (not shown) may be selectively provided. The image compensation circuit is used to compensate the attenuation and color shift (Skew) of the image signal due to long-distance transmission. In a preferred embodiment, the image compensation circuit for compensating for attenuation may be EL9111 or EL9112 provided by Intersil; the image compensation circuit for compensating for color shift may be EL9115 provided by Intersil.

Please refer to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C at the same time. In addition, in order to extend the distance between the remote management device 500 and a central control computer 110, the first end 510 may further include a network in the remote management device 500. Road interface controller 515. When the differential receiving module 555 is located in the housing of the remote management device 500, the output of the differential receiving module 555 is coupled to a screen of the central control device 100A (referred to as a local screen) or an image processing module. Group 560 is configured to perform the aforementioned image signal RGB encoding and/or compression. The image processing module 560 can further include an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a JPEG compression engine, such as AST1000 provided by ASPEED. And the image processing module 560 can be integrated into the central processing unit 580, such as the AST2100 provided by ASPEED. Alternatively, the image processing module 560 can be a programmable logic device (Programmable Logic Device) that performs a Wavelet Transform operation, such as a controller, an FPGA, or a CPLD. The encoded and/or compressed image data is transmitted to the central control computer 110 by the central processing unit 580 and the network interface controller 515 in a network packet. Under such an architecture, the central control computer 110 can communicate with the remote management device 500 by a web browser, a combination of a web browser and a plug-in program, or any other suitable program, such as a remote management device. The 500 transmits the image outputted by the controlled computer 200 to the central control computer 110 through the network. When the image compression mode adopted by the remote management device 500 is a lossy mode, the image quality received by the central control computer 110 may be different from the image output of the controlled computer 200.

In practical applications, in order to reduce the network bandwidth required for data transmission between the central control computer 110 and the second computer 200, the above encoding/and compression process may cause a reduction in image quality received by the central control computer 110. That is, the image quality presented on the screen of the central control computer 110 may be slightly different from the image quality actually output by the second computer 200. In more detail, in the process of capturing the image output by the second computer 200, the color depth (Color Depth) of the image output by the second computer 200 may be lowered first, for example, from 24 bits to 8 bits; In the process of capturing the image output by the second computer 200, it may be necessary to first convert the color coordinates (for example, from RGB to YUV), and the conversion of the color coordinates may first reduce the data of the UV component (because the human eye is for the UV component) Less sensitive), for example using the YUV:421 conversion method. In addition, in the process of forming JPEG, the selection of the quantization table may also cause lossy compression. However, the user can still select an appropriate encoding and/or compression technique such that the image quality presented on the screen of the first computer 110 is the same as the image quality actually output by the second computer 200.

As described above, in order to further extend the distance between the remote management device 500 and the second computer (controlled computer) 200, the second end 520 may further include one or more RSs in the remote management device 500. - 485 transceiver (Transceiver) 630 for exchanging data between the second computer 200 and the remote management device 500 for keyboard, mouse or other devices connected to the remote management device 500, for example, by the central control device 100A The incoming keyboard or cursor controls the signal or the data of the virtual media. There may be more programmable logic components (not shown) between the plurality of RS-485 transceivers 630 and the central processing unit 580, such as an FPGA or a CPLD, for using the second computer (controlled computer) 200 for external communication. The protocol data is converted to data of a single protocol to ease the burden on the central processor 580. The keyboard or cursor control signal transmitted by the central control unit 100A or the central control module 535 is transmitted to the second computer 200 selected by the user via the parsing, processing and routing of the central processing unit 580. The RS-485 transceiver 630 is then sent by the RS-485 transceiver 630 to the RS-485 transceiver 630 of the corresponding computer end module 530. In a preferred embodiment, the RS-485 transceiver 630 can be an ADM485 or a MAX1483 provided by MAXIM. The memory 570 is used to store the firmware required by the central processing unit 580 and the related data of the aforementioned image signal RGB encoding and/or compression.

In the remote management device 500 of the present invention, a USB device control module 700 is also provided for simulating a USB human interface device (HID) and a USB mass storage device (Mass Storage) on the corresponding second computer 200. Device) or other types of USB devices. In more detail, the USB device control module 700 transmits a corresponding descriptor to the second computer 200 during the enumeration process of the USB, so that the second computer 200 can recognize the USB device control module 700, and It is related to the initial configuration and subsequent USB communication. The USB human interface device is generated in an analog manner on the corresponding second computer 200 so that the remote control device 500 is actually connected to the central control device for hot swapping, even if switching between different second computers 200 is not performed. The USB enumeration needs to be re-executed; a USB mass storage device is simulated on the corresponding second computer 200 so that the remote management device 500 can provide a virtual media function on the corresponding second computer 200. .

When the remote management device 500 is directly connected to the second computer 200, the USB device control module 700 is used in the remote management device 500; when the remote management device 500 and the second computer 200 are connected by the computer When the group 530 is coupled, the USB device control module 700 is located in the housing of the computer end module 530. When the USB device control module 700 is located in the housing of the computer end module 530, the USB device control module 700 can be integrated into the main controller 660 as previously described.

While the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the embodiments of the invention The spirit and scope of the principles of the invention. Modifications of the various forms, structures, arrangements, ratios, materials, components and components may be employed by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the legal equivalents thereof are not limited to the foregoing description.

50‧‧‧ Remote Management System

100A, 100B‧‧‧ central control unit

110‧‧‧First computer (central control computer)

200‧‧‧Second computer (controlled computer)

500‧‧‧Remote management device

510‧‧‧ first end

515‧‧‧Network Interface Controller

520‧‧‧ second end

530‧‧‧Computer Module

531‧‧‧USB connector

532‧‧‧ VGA connector

533‧‧‧RJ-45 interface

534‧‧‧Light display

535‧‧‧Central Control Module

550‧‧‧Switch Module

555‧‧‧Differential receiving module

556‧‧‧First differential receiving circuit

557‧‧‧Second differential receiving circuit

558‧‧‧ Third differential receiving circuit

560‧‧‧Image Processing Module

570‧‧‧ memory

580‧‧‧Central Processing Unit

600‧‧‧Differential drive module

601‧‧‧First differential drive circuit

602‧‧‧Second differential drive circuit

603‧‧‧ Third differential drive circuit

604A, 604C, 604E. . . First input

605B, 605D, 605F. . . Second input

610. . . Synchronous signal preprocessing circuit

615. . . Synchronous signal modulation circuit

620. . . Synchronous signal singulation circuit

630. . . RS-485 transceiver

640. . . First multiplexer

650. . . Second multiplexer

660. . . main controller

670. . . Memory

680. . . Signal generating device

700. . . USB device control module

800. . . network

900. . . Restore circuit

905. . . Demodulation circuit

910. . . First polarity adjustment circuit

920. . . Second polarity adjustment circuit

930. . . Decoding circuit

H. . . Horizontal sync signal

V_in_P. . . Positive vertical sync signal

V ₁ . . . First pulse signal

V ₂ . . . Second pulse signal

R. . . Image signal (first component)

G. . . Image signal (second component)

B. . . Image signal (third component)

D ₁ . . . First differential signal

D ₂ . . . Second differential signal

D ₃ . . . Third differential signal

T1. . . First test signal

T2. . . Second test signal

W ₁ . . . First pulse width

W ₂ . . . Second pulse width

Ctrl_1. . . First control signal

Ctrl_2. . . Second control signal

EDID, EDID#1, EDID#2. . . Extended display identification code

KB. . . Keyboard control signal

MS. . . Mouse control signal

HS. . . case

CA. . . Cable

C5. . . CAT-5 cable

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional KVM switch; Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are schematic views of the remote management system of the present invention; 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A 4B, 4C, and 4D are internal circuit or functional block diagrams of the computer module; and 5A to 5D are schematic diagrams of the first pulse and the second pulse signal.

50‧‧‧ Remote Management System

110‧‧‧Central computer

100A‧‧‧Central control unit

100B‧‧‧Central control unit

200‧‧‧ second computer

500‧‧‧Remote management device

510‧‧‧ first end

520‧‧‧ second end

515‧‧‧Network Interface Controller

530‧‧‧Computer Module

535‧‧‧Central Control Module

550‧‧‧Switch Module

555‧‧‧Differential receiving module

560‧‧‧Image Processing Module

570‧‧‧ memory

580‧‧‧Central Processing Unit

630‧‧‧RS-485 transceiver

700‧‧‧USB device control module

800‧‧‧Network

D ₁ ‧‧‧First differential signal

D ₂ ‧‧‧second differential signal

D ₃ ‧‧‧ third differential signal

Claims (16)

A remote management system includes: a computer end module, one end of the computer end module is connected to an image output port of a controlled computer for processing one image signal and one level output by the controlled computer a synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal; a remote management device, the first end of the remote management device is coupled to the computer end module via a cable, and the second end of the remote management device is connectable a screen of a central control device, a central control module or a network, such that the central control device, another central control device or a remote controller connected to the central control module can be connected via the network The circuit interacts with the controlled computer; wherein the computer module further comprises: a synchronous signal preprocessing circuit for receiving the vertical synchronization signal, and converting the vertical synchronization signal into a first pulse and a second a pulse wave signal, wherein a distance between the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal on a time axis corresponds to a pulse width of the vertical synchronization signal, and when the vertical synchronization signal has a positive polarity, the first pulse wave Corresponding to the vertical synchronization a rising edge of the number and the second pulse signal corresponding to the falling edge of the vertical synchronization signal; a first differential driving circuit having a first input end and a second input end, wherein the first input end receives the a first component of the image signal output by the controlled computer, the second input end corresponding to the output end of the synchronous signal pre-processing circuit for receiving the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal, and the first pulse Transmitting the second pulse signal to the first component of the image signal output by the controlled computer to output a first differential signal to the remote management device; and a second differential driving circuit having a first An input terminal and a second input end, wherein the first input end receives the second component of the image signal output by the controlled computer, and loads the horizontal synchronization signal into the image signal output by the controlled computer The second component is configured to output a second differential signal to the remote management device; wherein the remote management device further comprises: a first differential receiving circuit corresponding to the first differential driving circuit for receiving The first And transmitting the first differential signal to the first component of the image signal and outputting to the screen; a second differential receiving circuit corresponding to the second differential driving circuit for receiving the second a differential signal, and the second differential signal is restored to the second component of the image signal and output to the screen; and a reduction circuit corresponding to the first differential receiving circuit and the second differential receiving circuit The output end is configured to restore the vertical synchronization signal and the horizontal synchronization signal from the first differential signal and the second differential signal to the screen. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the remote management device comprises at least one switching module, and the switching module couples the controlled computer or another controlled computer to the central control A screen of the device, the central control module or the network for switching between the controlled computer or the other controlled computer. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the computer module is further connected to one of the controlled computers to control the keyboard or the cursor control device of the central control device. The command is input to the controlled computer. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal pre-processing circuit further comprises a JK Flip Flop. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the reduction circuit further comprises a D-type flip-flop. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal pre-processing circuit further comprises a synchronization signal singulation circuit for uniformly converting the horizontal synchronization signal into a positive horizontal synchronization signal. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the remote management device further comprises an RS485 transceiver for outputting a keyboard or mouse signal sent by the central control device to the computer Group, which in turn controls the controlled computer. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal pre-processing circuit further adjusts the pulse of the first pulse or the second pulse signal according to the polarity of the horizontal synchronization signal or the vertical synchronization signal. Wave width. The remote management system of claim 1, wherein the widths of the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal collectively represent a set of two-bit coded values or an individual code representing two sets of one-bit elements. A value indicating the polarity of the vertical sync signal or the horizontal sync signal. A remote management method, the remote management method comprising the following steps: Providing a remote management system having a transmitting end and a receiving end; connecting the transmitting end to an image output port of a controlled computer to process an image signal output by the controlled computer, a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal, wherein the transmitting end comprises a synchronizing signal pre-processing circuit, a first differential driving circuit and a second differential driving circuit; the receiving end is coupled to the cable via a cable a transmitting end, wherein the receiving end comprises a first differential receiving circuit, a second differential receiving circuit and a reducing circuit; the receiving end is coupled to a screen of a central control device, a central control module or a middle Controlling the computer such that the central control device, another central control device to which the central control device is connected, or the central control computer can interact with the controlled computer; and the synchronous signal preprocessing circuit receives the vertical synchronization at the transmitting end a signal, and the vertical synchronization signal is modulated into a first pulse wave and a second pulse wave signal, wherein a distance between the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal on a time axis corresponds to the vertical synchronization signal a pulse width, when the vertical sync signal has a positive polarity, triggering the first pulse wave with the rising edge of the vertical sync signal and triggering the second pulse signal with the falling edge of the vertical sync signal; at the transmitting end Receiving, by the first input end of the first differential driving circuit, the first component of the image signal output by the controlled computer; and receiving, by the transmitting end, the first input of the first differential driving circuit a pulse wave and the second pulse signal; the first differential wave and the second pulse signal are loaded into the first component of the image signal output by the controlled computer by the first differential driving circuit at the transmitting end a first differential signal is outputted; and the controlled computer receives the controlled computer at a first input end of the second differential driving circuit The second component of the image signal outputted by the second differential driving circuit is loaded in the second component of the image signal output by the controlled computer at the transmitting end to output a first a second differential signal; the first differential receiving circuit and the reducing circuit are used to restore the first differential signal to the vertical sync signal and the first component of the image signal, and output to the screen at the receiving end; The receiving end restores the second differential signal to the horizontal synchronization signal and the second component of the image signal by the second differential receiving circuit and the reducing circuit, and outputs the second differential component to the screen. The remote management method of claim 10, further comprising: coupling the remote management system to another controlled computer; coupling the switching circuit of the remote management system to the central control The screen of the device, the central control module or the central control computer, and the controlled computer or the other controlled computer, so that the controlled computer or another controlled computer can be in the central control device, Switch between the central control module or the central control computer. The remote management method of claim 10, further comprising: connecting the transmitting end to one of the input computers of the controlled computer to control one of the keyboards of the central control device or a mouse The command is input to the controlled computer through the input. The remote management method of claim 10, further comprising: At the receiving end, an RS-485 transceiver outputs a keyboard signal or a mouse signal sent by the central control device to the transmitting end, thereby controlling the computer. The remote management method of claim 10, further comprising: adjusting, by the transmitting end, one of the first pulse wave or the second pulse wave signal according to the polarity of the horizontal synchronization signal or the vertical synchronization signal The width of the pulse wave, the width of the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal collectively represent a group of two-bit coded values or individually represent two sets of one-bit coded values for the receiving end to recognize the vertical sync signal Or the polarity of the horizontal sync signal. The remote management method of claim 10, further comprising: loading a test signal into the first differential signal at the transmitting end to perform image compensation at the receiving end. A remote management method includes the following steps: providing a remote management system having a transmitting end and a receiving end; connecting the transmitting end to an image output of a controlled computer处理, to process an image signal, a horizontal synchronization signal, and a vertical synchronization signal output by the controlled computer; the receiving end is coupled to the transmitting end via a cable; and the receiving end is coupled to a central control a screen of the device, a central control module or a central control computer, such that the central control device, another central control device connected to the central control device or the central control computer can interact with the controlled computer; Receiving the vertical sync signal and converting the vertical sync signal into one a first pulse wave and a second pulse wave signal, wherein a distance between the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal on a time axis corresponds to a pulse width of the vertical synchronization signal, and when the vertical synchronization signal has a positive polarity And triggering the first pulse wave with the rising edge of the vertical synchronization signal and triggering the second pulse wave signal with the falling edge of the vertical synchronization signal; receiving the image signal output by the controlled computer at the transmitting end a first component; receiving the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal at the transmitting end; loading the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave signal on the image signal output by the controlled computer at the transmitting end a first component for outputting a first differential signal; receiving, at the transmitting end, the second component of the image signal output by the controlled computer; loading the horizontal synchronization signal on the controlled computer at the transmitting end The second component of the output image signal outputs a second differential signal; the first differential signal is restored to the vertical synchronization signal and the first component of the image signal at the receiving end, and then output to the screen ; After the reduction of the second component of the second differential signal and the horizontal synchronization signal for the video signal output to the receiving end of the screen.