Patent ID: 7197562

Claim:
A system for managing a plurality of distributed projector devices over a computer network, the system comprising: a projector manager linked to the computer network and adapted to manage each of the plurality of distributed projector devices from a common location, wherein the projector manager is configured to monitor over the network a hardware status of a selected feature by periodically polling a selected one of the plurality of distributed projector devices and to change via the network the hardware status of the selected feature when requested; and a projector manager controller linked to the computer network, wherein the projector manager controller is configured to request the projector manager to perform at least one of the functions of reporting the hardware status of the selected feature and requesting the selected remotely-located projector device to change the hardware status of the selected feature; wherein the projector manager is configured to send an alert message to another network device when a change in hardware status is detected, and wherein the projector manager includes a locator service configured to serve as a reference point for communication with other network components and to determine locations of other services when access to other services is requested by another network device, the locator service being configured to manage a list of registered users for the system and to control system logon functions, wherein a privilege level is stored for each registered user.