Abstract:
Collaborative work on an interactive system is facilitated by accurately capturing and displaying information on an interactive system, wherein multiple users may work together for supplying and receiving information on a common writing surface. A whiteboard device is provided to project an image on desk surface. The present invention enables each user to have at least two display areas to work on.

Description:
BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0001]     In collaborative working environments, several users may wish to view and manipulate displayed information simultaneously. It is desirable to provide a computer controlled electronic display system that allows for more space. Each of the multiple users would manipulate an input device which could be used simultaneously and independently for controlling its related pointer on the display in order to position a cursor, select an item from a menu, draw upon the display screen, or perform any number of standard functions. In this way the actions of each user would be readily visible to all the members of the group, who would interact together much as they would relative to a conventional chalkboard or whiteboard.  
         [0002]     Computer systems generally incorporate a display unit for providing a visual indication to the users of selected data. However, current solutions do not offer a natural means on the desktop for users to collaborate their ideas. Therefore a need exists where users can increase screen real estate by using their desktop to show whiteboard content. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]     Various features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals generally refer to the same parts throughout the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the inventions.  
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a whiteboard desk projection display. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0005]     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as particular structures, architectures, interfaces, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that the various aspects of the invention may be practiced in other examples that depart from these specific details. In certain instances, descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail.  
         [0006]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the present invention is an integrated whiteboard projection assembly  5  that uses a monitor display  10  and a desktop display  15  as a foundational reference for projecting a reliable virtual whiteboard and providing a means for collaborators at disparate desktop machines to interact naturally by “drawing” on their respective desk&#39;s projected display region  15 . The assembly  5  may employ an integrated short-range projection device  20 , an active stylus  25  and the desktop display  15  to provide a desk-based interactive whiteboard experience.  
         [0007]     The integrated whiteboard desk projection display may also be considered a dual monitor system where the projection device  20  is a monitor and the display is a monitor. The integrated whiteboard desk device  5  may project something different on the desk surface  15  then is displayed on the monitor display screen  10 . Thus you have two different display images  10 ,  15  that are being displayed at one time. Furthermore, the assembly  5  may become one system when integrated into a single PC with a monitor and projection device all integrated into a single housing.  
         [0008]     The projection device  20 , preferably, can be a low-medium-resolution, low powered projector which may be mounted on top of a user&#39;s monitor display  10 . However, the projector does not necessarily have to be low-medium-resolution or low powered, it can be any type of projector. The projection device  20  may be part of the monitor display  10  itself. However, the projection device  20  does not necessarily have to be integrated to the display  10 . The projector device  20  may be a separate attachment that can attach to an existing monitor. The projection device  20  can take on many forms and its angle and orientation should be adjustable as well as the size and focus.  
         [0009]     The projection device  20  may project a “white rectangle” on the user&#39;s desk, the desktop display  15 , and this region may be calibrated for location and “keystone” shape using the active stylus  25 . The stylus device  25 , which is a well-known inkless device in the art, is used to write on the desk surface  15 . Its motion is tracked either by a stylus pad (where the whiteboard is projected) or by location sensing electronics in the projector  20  or display  10 . The stylus  25  motion is translated into pen strokes, which are rendered in color on the projected desktop display  15 . Colors can be changed, and the stylus  25  can erase any content in real-time. Each collaborator may be able to view any strokes made by any other user on the desk display  15 . The projected desk display  15  may be projected on a variety of surfaces, however, for design purposes a lighter surface would be best.  
         [0010]     A user&#39;s ability to select color for drawings with the stylus  25  can be displayed on the monitor  10 . The stylus  25  communicates with the PC and senses what the stylus  25  is touching. The stylus  25  can either be used to trigger a touch screen on the monitor  10  or it can actually transmit its position from a region within the projected surface area  15 . Any controls related to the whiteboard can be located either on the monitor display  10  or on the projected region  15 . This is because the stylus  25  is being used to identify the position of the projected region  15 , otherwise the stylus  25  would not be able to write on the desk region  15 . A display base  30  may create the coordinate system for the stylus  25 . A sensor mechanism (not shown) which may allow the pen position to be detected may be built into the base of the display. Since the sensor mechanism may be located within the base  30 , there is a relation between the position of the base  30  and the position of the projection device  20 . Most system may perform a calibration test to reconcile this.  
         [0011]     Most PCs have multiple video channels. For the current system the PC may use both video out channels. The monitor display  10  may use one and the projection device  20  may use the other. The video feed of the projector  20  is independent of the user&#39;s monitor video signal and can be a secondary video channel from the same PC. A whiteboard interface (not shown), which is well know in the art, may be dedicated to the projection channel, and can be shared in the same manner as similar interfaces in existing tools such as NetMeeing and Webex. In fact, these interfaces may be adapted to use the assembly  5  directly. If the projection device  20  is not integrated to the monitor  10 , and rather is an add on peripheral, it would connect to the secondary video channel and the software would direct all the whiteboard activity through that port.  
         [0012]     For example, suppose several collaborators all over the world are engaged in a Netmeeting in their respective offices. As the material is very dynamic, the whiteboard is an ideal solution. By engaging the desktop whiteboard, each contributor can now see the whiteboard projected on their desk. Adding whiteboard contributions is as simple as drawing in the projected area on each person&#39;s desk with a stylus. Virtual ink allows sketching to be rendered in real time on the projected view, enabling collaborators to easily draw complex diagrams interactively.  
         [0013]     Some embodiments of the invention provide advantages in that the whiteboard desk projection display is a great short funnel option for PCs. Immediate return may be realized by eliminating unnecessary business trips. Costs of the whiteboard desk projection display may be kept low by employing low-resolution projection components.  
         [0014]     Advantageously, the present concept increases useful screen real estate, since it uses the desktop to show the whiteboard content. This allows the user to continue using their desktop screen for additional work space. The device can also be used at the user&#39;s desk, and meetings can move very naturally into whiteboard space. In addition, other content can be projected onto the desk, and each user can contribute sketch-over input directly on the presentation content.  
         [0015]     The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are achieved individually and in combination. The invention should not be construed as requiring two or more of such aspects unless expressly required by a particular claim. Moreover, while the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the preferred examples, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and the scope of the invention.