Patent ID: 7134756

Claim:
A method for enabling a user to selectively operate a display table in one of two different modes, including a first mode in which a video image is projected on a display surface of the display table and a second mode in which the video image is projected onto a separate surface that is not part of the display table, the display table including a video camera, comprising the steps of: (a) enabling the user to selectively change a projection light path for the video image between a first path that is used when operating the display table in the first mode, and a second path that is used when operating the display table in the second mode; (b) projecting the video image along the projection light path selected by the user so that the video image is viewed on one of: (i) the display surface using the first path; and (ii) the separate surface using the second path; (c) when operating in the first mode: (i) imaging the display surface using an infrared filter and the video camera; and (ii) directing an imaging field of view of the video camera along a first imaging path that includes the display surface; and (d) when operating in the second mode, imaging an object external to the display table with the video camera, such that the imaging field of view of the video camera is directed along a second imaging path that is different than the first imaging path, the step of imaging the object that is external to the display table comprising the steps of: (i) enabling the user to perform one of the following functions: (A) moving a reflective surface to redirect the imaging field of view along the second imaging path; and (B) moving the video camera from a first orientation directed toward the display surface, in the first mode, to a second orientation directed toward the object that is external to the display surface; (ii) moving a panel out of the imaging field of view of the video camera; and (iii) moving the infrared filter out of the imaging field of view of the video camera.