Patent ID: 8578463

Claim:
A method of collaborative computing comprising: displaying a computer generated scenario including a plurality of items on a first surface computer and a second surface computer at a location remote to the first surface computer, wherein the first surface computer and the second surface computer have interactive touch-sensitive screens; identifying a first physical token placed on the first surface computer by a first person, wherein the first physical token at least in part identifies credentials of the first person; authenticating the first person based on the credentials of the first person to determine an authorization of the first person; allowing the first person to edit one or more of the items as permitted by the authorization of the first person; identifying a second physical token placed on the second surface computer by a second person, wherein the second physical token at least in part identifies credentials of the second person; authenticating the second person based on the credentials of the second person to determine an authorization of the second person that is different than the authorization of the first person; allowing the second person to edit one or more of the items as permitted by the authorization of the second person, wherein the authorization of the second person permits the second person to edit at least one item that the authorization of the first person does not permit the first person to edit; displaying a first add ink symbol near the first physical token; detecting a request to add ink through the first add ink symbol; and inking a first item based on the authorization of the first person and as directed by the first person through the interactive touch-sensitive screen of the first surface computer.