Patent Publication Number: US-2006014132-A1

Title: Teaching easel with electronic capabilities

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/589,106 filed Jul. 19, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The following invention relates to teaching easels with electronic capabilities.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Elementary school teachers often instruct classes through the use of various instructional tools. Examples include teaching easels equipped with one or more conventional display boards (e.g., whiteboard) that may be written or drawn upon using, for example, erasable markers. Using the display board allows a teacher to display to a plurality of students simultaneously. Such easels are also often equipped with a ledge below the display board upon which writing utensils can be placed. Also, “big books” are sometimes placed on the ledge. “Big books” typically have enlarged text to allow a plurality of students to be able to see and read the text simultaneously from different areas in a classroom. Other examples of instructional tools, to name a few, include audiotape players, CD players, DVD players, televisions, VCRs, overhead projectors, chart papers and stands, sentence strip charts, calendar charts, number charts and flash cards.  
      Instruction incorporating all or some of the myriad of available teaching tools can require stand-alone apparatus and systems, storage space and generally independent management of each tool. It is also notable that there are some excellent tools (e.g. Internet, CD-ROM based programs, etc.) that are typically not used for classroom instruction because there is no convenient way to do so. There is a need for a more convenient and efficient way to make use of various instructional tools for schoolteachers and to be able to save, retrieve and modify notes, graphics, video and files used during instruction. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the teaching easel of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1B  is a close up partial perspective view of a slidable support surface for an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the teaching easel of  FIG. 1A  further showing a removable non-electronic writing or display board that can be removably placed over the display surface of the teaching easel of  FIG. 1A .  
       FIG. 2  is side elevation view of the teaching easel of  FIG. 1A .  
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the teaching easel of  FIG. 1A .  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a teaching easel of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention in  FIG. 4 , further showing a camera and a side support member below the camera.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention in  FIG. 4 , further showing various components of the teaching easel disposed in an interior compartment thereof.  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention in  FIG. 4 , showing a back-side of the teaching easel having a display board, such as a whiteboard or digital whiteboard.  
       FIG. 8  is a simplified cutaway side elevation view of the embodiment of the invention in  FIG. 4 , showing various components disposed within the internal compartment.  
       FIG. 9  is a side cross-section view of the screen for the teaching easel in some embodiments of the present invention, such as the embodiment in  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the projection screen for some embodiments of the present invention.  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the teaching easel of the present invention having a retractable camera disposed proximate a top portion of the teaching easel. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, upon reviewing this disclosure one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without many of these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with traditional-type teaching easels have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments of the invention.  
      The term “multimedia device” as used herein refers to, inter alia, any of the myriad of electronic devices commercially available that are capable of displaying or providing a signal for the display of text, graphics, animation, audio or video, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any computer or media center having computing capabilities. The term “conventional display board” as used herein refers to non-electronic boards typically used by instructors or teachers for displaying pictures or text to an audience, such as, for example, without limitation, whiteboards commonly used with erasable markers. The terms above are to be construed as has been defined unless the context indicates otherwise.  
      Various embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of teaching students in classrooms. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate after reviewing the present disclosure, that the present invention is not limited to the context of school. Indeed, the present invention may have applicability in many contexts where a user has the need for multiple communication tools in combination with the need to display to more than one individual at a time.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention a teaching easel  2  is provided having two panels, a front panel  4  and a back panel  4 ′, as best seen in  FIGS. 1A &amp; 2 . In some embodiments, the panels  4 ,  4 ′ include front frame members  4 ″ and back frame members  4 ″′. The panels  4 ,  4 ′ can be joined together along their upper edge portions  28 , or spaced apart. In other embodiments, an additional joining member or joining panel (not shown) can be disposed between the upper edge portions  28  of the panels  4 ,  4 ′. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, the additional joining panel (not shown) can be provided in embodiments where more space is required between the front panel  4  and back panel  4 ″.  
      Again referring to  FIG. 1A , a bottom panel  32  can be coupled between lower edge portions  30  of the front and back panels  4 ,  4 ′. In some embodiments, the upper edge portions  28  of the front and back panels  4 ,  4 ′ may be pivotally joined together (a pivotable joint is not shown in the illustrations) so that the lower edge portions  30  thereof can be inwardly collapsible or outwardly expandable with respect to one another, as best illustrated by arrow “B” in  FIG. 1A . This allows for reducing the space requirements of the teaching easel  2  during storage. In such collapsible/expandable embodiments, the bottom panel  32  may be completely removable or foldable against the front panel  4  or back panel  4 ′. Furthermore, transporting members such as wheels or casters  22  may be removably or permanently mounted to the teaching easel to facilitate transporting the teaching easel  2 .  
      One or more of the panels  4 ,  4 ′ may incorporate a display surface  6 , such as a projection screen capable of display images from an LCD projector  18 . In some embodiments, the display surface  6  is only present on one of the panels, such as the front panel  4 . Also, ledges or support surfaces  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ may be removably or permanently affixed to the panels  4 ,  4 ′, or frame members  4 ″,  4 ′″ extending outwardly therefrom. In other embodiments, one or more of the support surfaces  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ may be slidably connected to the teaching easel  2 . For example, in some embodiments the side support surfaces  10 ′ or  10 ″ can be slidably attached to front and back panels  4 ,  4 ′ so as to be capable of being slid between those panels in the directions indicated by arrow “A” in  FIG. 1A . A simplified diagram showing structural elements, such as a track  11 , for allowing the support surfaces  10 ′,  10 ″ to be slidable with respect to the panels  4 ,  4 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 1B , as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure. In other embodiments, the support surfaces  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ can be folded inward toward one of the front or back panels  4 ,  4 ′ in the direction of arrows “C”, or “D′” for reducing space requirements when needed. See  FIGS. 1A &amp; 2 . In such embodiments, releasable locking mechanisms (not shown) can be employed to releasably lock the support surfaces  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ in an extended position, such as the extended positions illustrated in  FIG. 1A . The foldable or slidable features of the support surfaces  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ can be used to reduce space requirements during storage of the easel  2 , or when one or more the support surface  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″ are not in use.  
      In the illustrated embodiments, a computer  12 , which can be a laptop, is shown resting on a side support surface  10 ′ with front support surface  10  extending outwardly away from the front panel  4 . In other embodiments, a second side support surface  10 ″ can be provided. See  FIG. 3 . The second side support surface  10 ″ can be used to support various other devices usable with the present invention, such as, for example, a document camera  15  or microscope (discussed further, infra).  
      The teaching easel  2  may also incorporate one or more multimedia or media devices  14 , including but not limited to a computer, VCR, a DVD player, a digital video recorder, an audiotape player, a CD player, a receiver for broadcast, cable or satellite television signals, and an Internet or global network communication device and system that may comprise a computer  12  that can also be capable of reading and executing programs from a computer readable medium. Multimedia device  14  can be any one of the aforementioned media devices or a combination thereof. The teaching easel may also have one or more telecommunication input/receiving devices, such as a video camera  20 , microphone  20 ′ or both. The video camera  20  and microphone  20 ′ may be digital or analog and may be integrated together within a single device. Also, the video camera  20  or microphone  20 ′ may be controlled through the computer  12 .  
      Given the multimedia capabilities of the illustrated embodiments, audio speakers  8  can be coupled to the various multimedia systems or devices  14 ,  12  usable with the present invention and may be mounted or integral to the teaching easel  2 , such as being coupled to the front panel  4 , as best seen in  FIG. 1A . The audio speakers  8  may receive wired or wireless signals from, for example, the computer  12 , or one of the other aforementioned multimedia devices. Some acoustic parameters of the audio speakers  8  may be controlled through one or more of the multimedia devices  14 , or the computer  12 , and those devices themselves may also comprise remote controllers  34  that are wireless or wired to the corresponding multimedia device  14 .  
      Again, each of the aforementioned multimedia devices  14  can be combined into a single multimedia device  14  or distributed in various devices with combined or singular capabilities, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art after reviewing the present disclosure. However, to facilitate simplicity in illustration and to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the descriptions of the embodiments of the invention, only one computer  12  (which is a laptop in the illustrated embodiment) and an additional multimedia device  14  are illustrated in the  FIGS. 1A, 2 , &amp;  3 . Multimedia devices can comprise the computer  12 , as is implicit throughout this disclosure.  
      In some embodiments, a projector  18 , such as an LCD projector, is provided for projecting images received from one of the various multimedia devices  14  onto the display surface  6 . In these embodiments, the projector  18  can be disposed or mounted on the base panel  32 . Also, reflective surfaces  16  can be provided to reflect projected images from the projector  18  to the display surface  6 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 . Various operating variables for the projector  18 , such as on/off, brightness, position adjustments and color control may be adjusted by any one of a plurality of control devices remotely or proximately positioned with respect to the projector  18 , or coupled to a surface of the projector  18  (e.g., projector control panel  19 ). For example, in some embodiments, the projector  18  is controlled by a computer  12  or a wireless or wired remote control device  34 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , and in other embodiments the projector  18  may be controlled through the computer  12  or a proximately located control panel  19 , also shown in  FIG. 1A . The control panel  19  of the projector  18  may be accessible through a port (not shown) located on the front panel  4  or back panel  4 ′, in some embodiments.  
      In other embodiments, the display surface  6  may be configured to directly display images or content without projection from a projector  18 , such as, for example, where the display surface is itself a flat panel screen (e.g., LCD or plasma screen). In such embodiments, the display surface  6  may receive wireless electromagnetic signals from, or be coupled to one or more multimedia/media devices  14  via electrical wiring. In either case, the display surface  6  may be used to display content and images from Internet websites, multimedia CD-ROMs, and other images or content delivered through the computer  12  or any of the other aforementioned multimedia devices  14 .  
      In some embodiments, the display surface  6  itself may be interactive and capable of receiving signals provided by a user. For example, in some embodiments, the display surface  6  comprises a touch sensitive screen, capable of receiving input by direct physical contact by a user&#39;s hand or non-mechanical stylus. In other embodiments, a transmitting stylus is provided as an input device, which can provide input to the computer  12  or other various multimedia devices  14  by pointing the stylus at various locations on the display surface  6 . The stylus transmits signals to a receiver located on the display surface  6 , which sends information to the computer  12 . As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, these various technologies using touch sensitive screens responsive to input via direct physical contact or input via contact with a transmitting stylus and receiver, currently exist and are capable of being incorporated with the present invention. In other embodiments, there is another display surface  6 ′ (not shown) disposed on the back panel  4 ′.  
      A teacher may use the teaching easel  2  in some traditional manners. For example, teaching easel  2  has some traditional mechanical benefits, such as an upright display board and support surfaces that can be used to hold pens, “big books” or other physical hardcopy displayable items such as pictures, flash cards, artwork, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, the teacher can write characters in erasable marker directly on a display surface  6  or  6 ′.  
      At the same time, the various embodiments of the invention disclosed provide unique advantages over the current state of the relevant art, including integrating various multimedia devices within a single teaching device that has new combined mechanical advantages. The combination provides for various new methods of teaching or instruction. The teacher may use the teaching easel  2  to display a computer-based application on the display surface  6  (such as, without limitation, KIDSPIRATION or DVD encyclopedia). Furthermore, in some embodiments, the teacher or a student may draw or write on the display surface  6  (with a stylus or by direct touch as described above for various embodiments disclosed, supra) and the input text and graphics thereby may be created, saved retrieved and modified directly into the computer  12 , or other memory system (not shown). In addition, the telecommunications receiving device  20 ,  20 ′ may be used to videoconference, or otherwise communicate, with remote parties, such as with other classrooms, with the display surface  6  and audio speakers  8  displaying video/images and emitting audio received from the other classrooms. This ability can also allow instructors to incorporate outside instruction, guest speakers, or the like into their teaching curriculum, by allowing classroom participants to videoconference with the outside party through the teaching easel  2 . As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, in such instances, the multimedia devices  14 ,  12  can comprise various available equipment capable of receiving or transmitting audio/visual signals from and to remote locations through existing infrastructure, such as, for example, Internet video or videoconferencing. Signals can be received to local participants using the display surface  6 , audio speakers  8  and a multimedia device  14  and signals to be transmitted from the local participants to participants abroad can be broadcast via the video camera  20  and microphone  20 ′ and other input devices, such as various embodiments of the touch sensitive display surface  6  or through a keypad on the computer  12 .  
      In other embodiments, there is a wireless Ethernet receiving allowing the computer  12  to communicate at high speeds with other computers, to share peripherals (e.g. printers, storage) and files, and to connect to the Internet. The transmitter can be located apart from the teaching easel  2 , within transmission range, such as, for example, in the same room or adjacent the rooms within which the teaching easel  2  is residing. The transmitter can be incorporated into a computer network, which includes a connection to the Internet via modem, server or other device.  
      In still further embodiments, instructors can use the teaching easel  2  to display images via a microscope or document camera  15  onto the display surface  6 . Also, the instructor may choose to use some embodiments of the teaching easel  2  to display or broadcast media from computer, digital video recorder, VHS, DVD, CD&#39;s, or the Internet to a local audience.  
      The dimensions of the display surface  6  or  6 ′ for the teaching easel  2  of the present invention can be approximately four feet wide and three feet tall, similar to traditional rolling type easels, or can be taller, shorter, wider or more narrow, depending on the specific needs of the user. Also, The wheels  22  can be lockable and power cords (not shown) usable with the multimedia devices  14 , LCD projector, and any other power supply needs of the teaching easel  2  can be retractable, such as being mounted on spring loaded reels that can automatically retract the power cords upon release of a lock. Connectors or communications ports for USB, Firewire, Ethernet, etc., can be disposed on the front, back and sides of the teaching easel  2 .  
      In another embodiment of the present invention, a teaching easel  40  is provided having an internal compartment  43 , as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . The internal compartment  43  is defined by side, front, back, top and bottom walls  44  and a screen  46 .  
      The screen  46  can have rear projection display capabilities. As can be seen in  FIG. 8 , a projector  18 ′ (e.g., LCD projector) can be used to project images onto a rear surface  46 ′ of the screen  46  which is perceivable as an image on a front surface  46 ″ of the screen  46 . The projector  18 ′ can be disposed within the internal compartment  43 . Mirrors  16 ′, or reflective surfaces, can also be disposed and oriented within the compartment  43  to redirect light emitted from the projector  18 ′ generally in the direction of the screen  46 .  
      A vent conduit  48  and vent system can also be provided. The vent conduit  48  can be fluidly coupled to the projector  18 ′ and an opening  50  on a bottom wall of the teaching easel  40 , as best seen in  FIG. 6 . In this way, heat from the projector  18 ′ can be dissipated out of the internal compartment  43  via convention.  
      Speakers  8 ′ can be provided and configured for wired or wireless linking (not shown) to one or more multimedia devices  14  or systems. In the illustrated embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the speakers  8 ′ are coupled to a front wall  44  of the teaching easel  40 .  
      The multimedia device  14  shown in  FIG. 6  can be a media center in some embodiments. The media center can provide a combination of computing and media capabilities, including, without limitation, recording or playing television broadcasts, radio broadcasts and music, playing pre-recorded videos, displaying or creating slide shows, listening to the radio, serving as an online or network communication device, or operating as a personal computer to execute a myriad of computer activities that could otherwise be implemented with a desktop personal computer or laptop. Example media centers include QMEDIA products by ZT INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure, the media center can be provided with wireless or wired links to a wide array of multimedia devices, including all of those discussed in this disclosure, and can serve as a command or control center for those and other multimedia devices coupled thereto. For example, the media center can be linked to the projector  18 ′ such that a graphical user interface executed in the media center can be displayed on the screen  46 . A user can interact with the graphical user interface, or other software within the media center, to control the variety of other multimedia devices linked to the media center or integral to the media center (e.g., projector  18 ′, computer  12 , VCR  14 ′, a DVD player, a digital video recorder, an audiotape player, a CD player, a receiver for broadcast, cable or satellite television signals, and an Internet or global network communication device and system). These multimedia devices or systems can be disposed within the internal compartment  43  in some embodiments of the present invention, or be remotely located, or some of the multimedia devices can be disposed within the internal compartment  43  while others are remotely located.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a power cord compartment  52  can be provided in the teaching easel  40  to help manage one or more power cords. The power cord compartment  52  can comprise a spring loaded (not shown) retraction system or spool with locking mechanism for locking a power cord (not shown) that is pulled form the compartment in an extended position, or for automatically retracting it when necessary to store the cord, as will be appreciate by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure.  
      In some embodiments, a slidable support  10 ″′, best seen in  FIG. 6 , such as a docking tray, storage compartment or drawer, can be provided for retaining one or more multimedia devices  14 , such as a tablet personal computer  92  or other computer  12  (e.g. laptop), or for storing or retaining any of various items, such as items typically utilized by teachers in a class room, like erasable markers, stylus, wireless keyboard or mouse, remote controls for various multimedia devices, or teaching tools or supplies. The slidable support  10 ″′ can be slid outward away from the teaching easel  40  or inward toward the teaching easel  40 , in the directions represented by arrow “F” to slide the support  10 ″′ into the internal compartment  43 , or to expose the slidable support  10 ″′ so that it may be accessed for retaining items or removing items therefrom. The slidable support  10 ″′ or drawer may be selectably lockable in some embodiments.  
      A side support  13  can also be coupled to the teaching easel  40  on a side portion  42  thereof. The side support  13  can be configured to be foldable outward away from the teaching easel  40  to an extended position (such as shown in  FIG. 5 ), or inward toward the teaching easel  40  to a closed position (such as shown in  FIG. 4 ), in the directions illustrated by arrow “G.” In addition, some embodiments have a support arm  13 ′ on which a camera  20 ″ is mounted. The camera  20 ″ can be a digital (or analog camera, in some embodiments), such as a document camera or webcam, capable of sending still image or video signals. The support arm  13 ′ may also be foldable in the directions illustrated by arrow “H” from an extended position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) to a closed position (as shown in  FIGS. 6 &amp; 8 ). The support arm  13 ′ and the side support  13  can be configured such that they overlap one another when folded into closed positions (as shown in  FIG. 6 ), with the side support  13  being on the outside. One or more gripping elements  70 , like a handle, can be coupled to the side support  13  or support arm  13 ′ for a user to grip when folding or unfolding the components to extend or close the components.  
      The camera  20 ″ can be configured to feed signals to the projector  18 ′. The image received by the camera itself can include an image of a document or other object  72  placed on a surface of the side support  13 , as can be seen in  FIG. 5 . In this manner, the foldable support arm  13 ′ and side support  13  provide a convenient manner of storing the camera  20 ″ and side support  13  out of the way of a user when not being utilized, while also providing a quickly accessible assembly and system for use to feed image signals to the projector  18 ′. Referring now to  FIG. 11 , in other embodiments, an additional camera  90 , such as a webcam or digital video camera, is disposed proximate the top of the teaching easel  40 . The additional camera  90  can be retractable such it can be retracted below the top wall  44  of the teaching easel  40  for storage. The location of the additional camera  90  can be convenient for use in video conferencing.  
      A conventional display board  68 , such as a whiteboard or a pegboard, can be coupled to a back wall  44  of the teaching easel  40 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Clips  74  can be also be coupled to the back wall  44  of the teaching easel  40  or the display board  68 . In some embodiments, the clips  74  are magnetic clips that are removably coupled to a metallic portion of the teaching easel  40 .  
      Like some previously described embodiments of the present invention, the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  can also be mounted on wheels  22  or casters that may be removably or permanently mounted to the teaching easel  40  to facilitate transporting the teaching easel  40 . Handles  76  can also be coupled to the teaching easel  40  for a user to grip when transporting the teaching easel  40 . In some embodiments, one or more of the wheels  22 , such as the rear wheels proximate the back wall of the teaching easel  40 , are selectably lockable, for stabilizing the teaching easel  40  while it is being used.  
      In some embodiments of the present invention, the screen  46  of the teaching easel comprises multiple sections. For example, as best seen in  FIG. 9 , the screen  46  has an innermost section  66  and an outermost section  60 , with each of these sections  60  and  66  comprising a sheet of transparent resinous material, such as, without limitation, PLEXIGLAS by ROHN &amp; HASS COMPANY, U.S.A. A sheet of rear projection fabric  62  can also be disposed adjacent, but inward of, the outermost section  60 . Suitable rear projection fabric includes, without limitation, rear projection fabric obtainable from DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY, INC., of the U.S.A. Also, a frosted privacy film  64  can be adhered to an outer surface of the innermost section  66 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure.  
      In another embodiment of the screen  46 , in which the screen is usable for rear projection, a sheet of transparent resinous material (e.g., PLEXIGLAS by ROHN &amp; HASS COMPANY, U.S.A.) is provided as a rear sheet  80   a  of the screen, best seen in  FIG. 10 . In addition, a coated clear acrylic plastic sheet can be provided as a front sheet  80   b  for the screen  46 . In some embodiments, the front sheet  80   b  can be a DA-LITE POLACOAT type VIDEO VISION screen from DA-LITE SCREEN COMPANY, INC., of the U.S.A. The front sheet  80   b  can have a coated surface  82 . An inner facing surface  84   a  of the rear sheet  80   a  can have an antiglare film or coating, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure. The inner facing surface  84   a  can substantially face one of the mirrors  16 ′ within the internal compartment  43  of the teaching easel  40 . An outer facing surface  84   b  of the front sheet  80   b  can also have an antiglare film or coating applied over a surface thereof.  
      In addition, the screen  46  can comprise a touch sensitive system, such as those disclosed previously for other embodiments of the present invention, the touch sensitive system being capable of receiving input by direct physical contact by a user&#39;s hand or stylus. In other embodiments, movement detection capabilities for the screen  46  are provided via commercially available systems like MIMIO products from VIRTUAL INK CORPORATION, USA. Such systems can comprise a transmitter stylus (not shown) and a receiver  94 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . The movement of the stylus can be transmitted to the receiver  94  to provide input to one or more of the multimedia devices  14 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosure.  
      In yet further embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the multimedia devices  14 , including, without limitation, the computer, laptop, DVD, or VCR device, are located remotely from the teaching easel  40  or  2 , and are provided with wireless or hardwired links for providing signals from the multimedia devices  14  to the media center, projector  18 ,  18 ′ or speakers  8 ,  8 ′ of the teaching easel  40 . Also, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a plurality of communication ports can be provided for the teaching easel  40  for providing the wireless or hardwired links to the multimedia devices  14 , or to a myriad of other devices and systems, including, without limitation, keyboards, mice, tablet personal computers with touch screen interfaces, video cameras, personal media systems (e.g., IPOD by APPLE COMPUTER COMPANY, U.S.A.), and external projectors.  
      A tablet personal computer or tablet PC  92  can be used with the present invention to remotely control and send image or audio signals to the multimedia devices  14 , such as a media center.  FIG. 11 . The tablet PC  92  can be configured to be usable with a stylus  92 ′. In some embodiments of the present invention, the tablet PC  92  is in wireless communication with the media center, or other multimedia devices  14  used with the teaching easel. The tablet PC  92  can thus be used by a teacher to control the media center, or to generate text or other images and to remotely transmit the text or images to the media center  14 , which can in turn be projected onto the screen  46 . In this manner, a teacher can operate the teaching easel  40  remotely, such as when instructing a class while moving about a room, or stationed at fixed location away from the teaching easel  40 .  
      Conversely, various image or audio signals can be transmitted from the teaching easel  40  to the tablet PC  92 . For example, as discussed previously, user interaction with the screen  46  of the teaching easel  40  can generate input signals using a whiteboard digitizer system, such as the MIMIO system. The user-generated input from interaction with the screen  46  of the teaching easel, such as text, input selections, or images, can be transmitted to the tablet PC  92 , and vice versa. In this way, a teacher may receive signals from the teaching easel  40  using the tablet PC, the signals being indicative of a student writing, drawing or selecting an input on the screen  46  of the teaching easel  40 , and the teacher may transmit signals from the tablet PC to be displayed in the form of images or text on the teaching easel screen  46 . This system and method can therefore provide remote interaction between teacher and an individual, through the teaching easel  40 .  
      Although specific embodiments and examples of the invention have been described supra for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art after reviewing the present disclosure. The various embodiments described can be combined to provide further embodiments. The described devices and methods can omit some elements or acts, can add other elements or acts, or can combine the elements or execute the acts in a different order than that illustrated, to achieve various advantages of the invention. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description.  
      In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is determined entirely by the following claims.