Patent ID: 12198579

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

FIGS.1A and1Beach show a smartboard1for digitising workshop results, including a first surface2and a second surface3, which are designed parallel to one another.

Such a smartboard1can be placed either on a table or hung from a wall or a conventional whiteboard, wherein this can be accomplished by means of eyelets1aprovided on the smartboard1. Working with the smartboard1is possible horizontally or vertically.

FIG.2shows the inside of such a smartboard1,FIGS.3A and3Bshow an enlargement of individual segments thereof. Between these surfaces2,3a plurality of pockets4are arranged in parallel to one another, which are connected with each other at joints5. One or more electrically interconnected printplates6are arranged in each pocket4, the printplates including a plurality of NFC receivers7in an array. Also, each pocket4has arranged in it a plurality of magnets8in an array in form of ferromagnets or permanent magnets. They may be mounted in recesses13provided in the printplates6for this purpose. If permanent magnets, in particular rod-shaped ones, are chosen as magnets8, it is advantageous if these are mounted in such a way that they are capable of aligning themselves. Preferably the NFC receivers7and the magnets8are arranged respectively in an alternating manner in the array. As depicted inFIGS.3A and3B, printplates6within a pocket4can for example be plugged into each other at electrical connections9a, so that they are electronically contacted with each other.FIG.4shows a cross-section of individual pockets4in the region of the printplates6and the magnets8.

The printplates6of adjacent pockets4are connected with each other at electronic connections9a, preferably meanderingly as depicted inFIG.2. A first of the printplates6ais provided with a port9for the connection to a power supply10and for a data output for the purpose of transmitting data for example to a computer10.

Moreover one or more switches15, preferably pressure switches, which can be triggered by a user, may be arranged in the pockets4. In a preferred embodiment each NFC receiver7is assigned its own switch15, as depicted inFIG.3B. Depending on the construction of the switch it may be designed such that it can be actuated optionally from the first and/or the second surface2,3by a user pressing it, or two switches15may be arranged opposite each other, as shown in the right-hand part ofFIG.4. Each switch15is also connected to the port9for data output.

Since the pockets are hingedly connected with each other, the smartboard1can be rolled into a roll11with an axis12parallel to the elongate pockets4, as shown inFIG.5. Preferably the pockets4comprise pressure-proof housings14, in which the printplates6and the magnets8are protectively arranged. Ultimately the switches15are attached to these housings14so as to be actuated from outside, for example by pressing them.

Preferably at least the first surface2consists of a flexible material, in particular a textile material such as a felt mat2a, so that this surface2can be perforated by a pin or a needle. Thus it is easy to write information on a slip of paper and pin it to the smartboard1.

Alternatively or additionally thereto at least the second surface3may consist of a pressure-proof material, preferably of plastic plates3a. Preferably this is designed to be low-gap when the smartboard1is completely unwound. This second surface3can be easily written on with wipe-off markers, and self-adhesive post-its can be attached to it. It is also possible to design both surfaces2,3in an identical manner.

Such a smartboard1is now suitable for working with. Information can be attached in different ways to the smartboard1. The described or equipped smartboard1can be expanded in a modular manner by further modules17,19,21,23,25,28described here, which together with the smartboard1form a set16. Each of these modules17,19,21,23,25,28can however also be used on its own or in connection with other such modules17,19,21,23,25,28or with components not named here. The purpose shall always be to organise, store and forward information while working as a group or on a project. As a rule a coach would lead and accompany such group work and explain to the participants the method of working with the smartboard1and the modules17,21,23,25,28.

Thus for example information can be written onto magnetically attached modules17,19,21,23,25, which adhere to the magnets8in the smartboard1. The information could also be placed on top of each other, collated into groups, or be organised into a logical sequence. Additional information can also be attached directly to the smartboard1.

A set16includes for example a smartboard1as well as two or more objects17representing modules, as depicted inFIG.6or7. As a rule a plurality of such objects17is used. Each of these objects17includes at least one magnet8in form of a permanent magnet or a ferromagnet as well as at least one, preferably two RFID transponders18. Optionally the objects17may also include a switch15, in particular a pressure switch.

In a first preferred embodiment as perFIG.6one or more of these objects17may be realised as cards19. The cards19have for example the size and shape of credit cards or business cards. In a preferred embodiment they comprise a coding20, for example in form of notches. Such codings20can help to separate cards19, which belong to a group and which all comprise the same coding20, from other cards19. To this end the cards19are placed into boxes provided for this purpose, which comprise grooves on the bottom, which correspond to the notches20of a respective group. Cards19, which do not belong to this group and therefore have a different coding20, abut against at least one of the grooves and as a result stand out in relation to the other cards19, which at these points comprise a notch20. This allows them to be easily sorted out.

An additional colour coding on the side could for example mark the sequence of the cards19, if the colour coding of each subsequent card19is slightly offset from that of the previous card. This makes it very easy to control the sequence.

As an alternative to the design as a card19the objects17could be designed as a can23with a housing24and with an interior space24, as shown inFIG.7. A can23is easier to grip than a card19. The interior space24of each can23may accommodate the one or more RFID transponders18and the magnet8, and a switch15may in addition be attached to the can23. The magnet8is preferably realised as a permanent magnet and mounted in the interior space24such that it can freely align itself. It is also possible to provide a number of magnets8. Further suitable electronic components can be arranged on a printplate6. The can23may for example have a LED31, which gives feedback following actuation of the switch15. The supply for this can be run via the RFID transponders18from the smartboard1. The cans23protect the components arranged in the interior space24against the impact of external forces and contamination.

Such objects17or cards19may already have been written on or be written on whilst working. Thanks to their magnets8they adhere to the smartboard1. Their RFID transponders18correspond with the NFC receivers7. This allows a computer10attached to the smartboard1to be sent the ID number of the card19as well as the position on the smartboard1, to which it adheres. The card19may be assigned further properties, which are stored in a database, which can be accessed by the computer10. In addition further actions may be initiated, if for example a switch15of the smartboard1is actuated, before a card19is attached thereto. Visual or other information can be retrieved or assignments may be made to the ID number of the respective card19. For example an assignment may be created such as «the next photo, which is taken by a camera assigned to the smartboard1, is linked in a database to the ID number of that card19, which was attached to the switch15». Thus for example the picture of a person, which shall be appointed as project manager, or a picture of an architectural model, the realisation of which shall take place, may be assigned to a card19. When actuating the switch15again, the corresponding picture can be shown on the display. If a number of cards19are arranged one above the other, the corresponding pictures of all these cards19are displayed. These are just a few examples. A management system may contain a plurality of presentation programs, which comprise various instructions for work with the smartboard1and the different objects17,19,21,23,25,28. Correspondingly a management system may include one or more boxes of cards19of different groups, wherein the ID numbers of individual cards19have already been recorded in a database and brought into correlation with certain information.

A further set16again includes a smartboard1and objects17, as described above. In addition it includes one or more connecting elements21depicted inFIGS.8A and8B. A connecting element21includes two objects17connected with each other by a connecting ribbon22. The connecting ribbon22merely represents a visual and structural connection of the objects17, it may be elastic. The objects17may be realised as cards19or as cans23, as shown inFIG.8A. When the two end points of the connecting ribbon22with the magnets8of the objects17are placed on the smartboard1, an assignment can be created linking the two places of these end points with one another. This may mean a temporal sequence, a hierarchy, a togetherness or similar. The cans23may be realised as described inFIG.7. In particular they may comprise a housing14with an interior space24.

With a preferred embodiment of a connecting element21, as shown inFIG.8B, one or two further such objects17are movingly attached to the connecting ribbon22. If only one object17has been attached, it may be understood as being a percentage value: a placing of the movable object17in the middle between the ends of the connecting ribbon22means 50%, a movement by a half to one end 25% or 75% respectively depending on the predefined starting position. The scaling cannot be resolved to a randomly fine value; the placing is detected by the NFC receivers7based on the placing of the RFID transponders18.

If two objects17are movably arranged in the connecting ribbon22as shown inFIG.8B, this can be for example interpreted as a region between minimum and maximum, which are respectively defined by the objects17at the ends of the connecting ribbon22. Detection of the positions on the smartboard1happens in the same way as with a movable object17. The connecting elements21may optionally be placed directly on the smartboard1or on cards17if such objects are already arranged on the smartboard1.

The objects17of a connecting element21may be optionally realised as card19as described inFIG.6, or as can23with an interior space24as described inFIG.7.

In a further preferred embodiment a set16or a smartboard1includes an object17in form of a smartbook25as shown inFIG.9. The prerequisite is that each NFC receiver7of the smartboard1has its own switch15assigned to it. A smartbook25includes a plate26, the length of which extends across two or more array distances of switches15in the smartboard1and/or the width of which extends across two or more pockets4. The plate26comprises a number of magnets8in form of ferromagnets or permanent magnets arranged in an array or grid as well as at least two RFID transponders18analogue to card19fromFIG.6. In addition a multi-page notebook27is attached to it, the pages of which are provided with instructions and choice variants27a. Each of these variants27amay have a switch15of the smartboard1assigned to it, which is arranged directly around the smartbook25, if, when in use, it adheres to the smartboard1. When actuating these switches15additional information is retrieved, which in turn may contain instructions. In addition a switch15may be defined, which is to be actuated when the page is completed. The page is then turned and the instructions of the next page are followed after further additional information has been retrieved.

Such smartbooks25may be manufactured for different workshops or projects and may guide the user or users through a process, for example through a decision process. The different aspects (price, quality, demand, risk etc.) may be respectively illuminated on a page and the variants, which are available to the users for selection, may be assigned to the surrounding switches15on the smartboard1. The smartboard1recognises the position of the smartbook with the aid of the two RFID transponders, which correspond with the NFC receivers on the smartboard1. Here too all information, which is entered by the users on the smartboard through actuating the switches15, is sent to the computer and processed further in there.

Moreover an inventive clipboard28as shown inFIG.10Acan be used alone or as an additional module with the smartboard1or with a named set16. An inventive clipboard28consists of a base29with a fastening29afor a sheet of paper30as depicted inFIG.10Band is provided with at least one, preferably two RFID transponders18. The sheet of paper30itself also includes one or two RFID transponders18, wherein at least one RFID transponder18each of the base29and of the paper sheet30are arranged to be close to each other for communication, when the sheet of paper30is fixed to the fastening29a. The base29comprises a marking30a, which indicates where exactly the sheet of paper30is to be placed. The base29includes also a plurality of switches15, preferably arranged in a matrix. They may be marked or arranged hidden behind a surface. As with the smartbook25the sheet of paper30may also be part of an accumulation of prefabricated sheets of paper30. Each of these sheets30is provided with various information, instructions and choice variants27aas well as with a number of marking fields15a, which are respectively arranged at the locations of the switches15of the clipboard28, when the sheet30is fastened at the marking30aof the base29. The user respectively actuates, depending on the situation, the corresponding switches15by for example pressing them. InFIG.10Bthe marking fields15a, which he can selectively actuate, are marked by circles arranged below the letters A, B and C. Further marking fields15aare located where to the crosses are in the lower table. Depending on what is applicable the user actuates the corresponding switches15on the clipboard28, by pressing on the marking fields15a.

Preferably, every switch15is realised as a push button. The clipboard28may additionally include a port9, which may also be a wireless interface, with which the recorded data is transmitted to a computer10.

The clipboard28may also include one or more LEDs31in order to give feedback for actions performed or in order to receive information. For example a lit LED31may indicate that information regarding a certain subject matter is displayed on a screen.

The set16including a smartboard1and an object17, wherein the object is a card19, a can23, a connecting element21or a clipboard28, is not marked as such in the figures. The objects19,21,23and28are merely shown on their own, without smartboard1. Only the set16including a smartboard1and a smartbook25is depicted inFIG.9. The object28according to the invention which was described here may according to the invention also be used on their own or in combination with other objects17,19,21,23,25and28.

List of reference symbols1smartboard1aeyelets2first surface;2afelt mat3second surface;3aplastic plate4pocket5joint6printplate6afirst printplate7NFC receiver8magnet, ferromagnet or permanent magnet9port9aelectrical connection10power supply, computer11roll12axis13recess14housing14ahousing part15switch, pressure switch15amarking field for a switch16set17object18RFID transponder19card20coding, notch21connecting element22connecting ribbon23can24interior space25smartbook26plate27notebook27ainformation, instructions, choice variants28clipboard29base29afastening30sheet of paper30amarking for a sheet of paper31LED