U.S. patent application number 12/474670 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-11 for personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace.
The applicant listed for this patent is Larry Cheng, Lewis Epstein, Brett Kincaid, Lukas Scherrer, Suzanne Stage, Hyun Yoo. Invention is credited to Larry Cheng, Lewis Epstein, Brett Kincaid, Lukas Scherrer, Suzanne Stage, Hyun Yoo.
Application Number | 20140253809 12/474670 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43219819 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140253809 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Epstein; Lewis ; et
al. |
September 11, 2014 |
Personal Control Apparatus And Method For Sharing Information In A
Collaborative Workspace
Abstract
A method and apparatus for selecting information from a video
source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in
a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method
comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface
that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least
first and second different states, associating a video source with
the switching device so that video information from the video
source is presented to the switching device, when the video source
is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one
indicator to indicate a first state and when the selectable control
interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator to
indicate the second state and providing the video information from
the video source to the common display screen via the switching
device.
Inventors: |
Epstein; Lewis; (San Mateo,
CA) ; Kincaid; Brett; (Lowell, MI) ; Yoo;
Hyun; (Grand Rapids, MI) ; Stage; Suzanne;
(San Francisco, CA) ; Scherrer; Lukas; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Cheng; Larry; (Palo Alto,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Epstein; Lewis
Kincaid; Brett
Yoo; Hyun
Stage; Suzanne
Scherrer; Lukas
Cheng; Larry |
San Mateo
Lowell
Grand Rapids
San Francisco
San Francisco
Palo Alto |
CA
MI
MI
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20100302454 A1 |
December 2, 2010 |
|
|
Family ID: |
43219819 |
Appl. No.: |
12/474670 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12250192 |
Oct 13, 2008 |
8074581 |
|
|
12474670 |
|
|
|
|
60979668 |
Oct 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/705 ;
348/E5.057 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/66 20130101; A47B
13/08 20130101; H04N 5/64 20130101; G06F 1/1647 20130101; G06F
1/1632 20130101; G06F 3/1423 20130101; H04N 7/147 20130101; A47B
21/00 20130101; A47B 2083/006 20130101; G06F 3/1446 20130101; H04N
7/142 20130101; H04N 7/15 20130101; A47B 21/06 20130101; A47B
83/001 20130101; A47B 2021/066 20130101; A47B 2083/003 20130101;
H04N 7/104 20130101; G06F 3/147 20130101; H04N 5/268 20130101; H04N
7/183 20130101; G06F 3/0481 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/705 ;
348/E05.057 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/268 20060101
H04N005/268 |
Claims
1. A method of selecting information from a video source to be
displayed on at least a first common display screen in a
collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method
comprising the steps of: providing a selectable control interface
that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least
first and second different states; associating a video source with
the switching device so that video information from the video
source is presented to the switching device; when the video source
is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one
indicator to indicate a first state; and when the selectable
control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator
to indicate the second state and providing the video information
from the video source to the common display screen via the
switching device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a selectable
control interface includes providing a mechanical interface that
includes at least one selectable button.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the mechanical interface includes
a first cable linkable to the video source and a second cable which
links to the switching device and wherein the step of associating a
video source with the switching device includes linking the first
cable to the video source.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the indicator includes at least a
first illumination device wherein the steps of causing the at least
one indicator to indicate the first and second states includes
causing the illumination device to light up first and second
different colors, respectively.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the control interface forms a
substantially flat upper surface and wherein the at least a first
illumination device transmits light around a periphery of the flat
upper surface.
6. The method of claim 1 further including the step of, while the
video information from the video source is provided to the shared
display screen via the switching device, when the selectable
control interface is selected a second time, causing the at least
one indicator to indicate the first state and blocking the video
information from the video source to the shared display screen via
the switching device.
7. The method of claim 1 for use with a system that includes a
plurality of common display screens wherein the selectable control
interface includes a separate selectable control for each of the
plurality of display screens and wherein the at least one indicator
includes a separate illumination device for each of the separate
selectable controls, the step of causing the at least one indicator
to indicate the first state including causing each illumination
device associated with a common display screen to generate light of
a first color indicating the first state and wherein, when any one
of the control interfaces is selected, the method further includes
the steps of: causing the illumination device associated with the
selected control to indicate the second state; and providing the
video information from the video source to the common display
screen associated with the selected control.
8. The method of claim 1 further including the steps of providing a
second selectable control interface that includes at least one
indicator that can indicate at least first and second different
states; associating a second video source with the switching device
so that video information from the second video source is presented
to the switching device; when the second video source is associated
with the switching device, causing the at least one indicator on
the second control interface to indicate the first state; and when
the second selectable control interface is selected, causing the at
least one indicator on the second control interface to indicate the
second state and providing the video information from the second
video source to the common display screen via the switching device
irrespective of which source was providing video information to the
common display screen prior to selection of the second selectable
control interface device.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the video source is a computer
including a display screen and wherein the control interface
appears on the computer display screen for selection.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein communication between the
computer and the switching device is wireless.
11. A method of selecting information from a video source to be
displayed on a subset of M common display screens in a
collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method
comprising the steps of: providing a control interface that
includes N selectable controls wherein N is at least as great as M
and wherein each control is associated with a separate indicator
and each indicator may assume at least first and second visually
distinguishable states; associating a video source with the
switching device so that video information from the video source is
presented to the switching device; and when the video source is
associated with the switching device, causing a separate indicator
for each of the M common display screens to assume the second
visual state while the other N-M indicators remain in the first
visual state.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein each control includes a separate
illumination device which may be illuminated to indicate at least
one of the first and second states.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein each control indicates the
second state by exciting an associated illumination device and
indicates the first state by cutting off power to the illumination
device.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the indicators may
assume a third visually distinguishable state, the method further
including the steps of, when any of the selectable controls is
selected, causing the indicator associated with the selected
control to indicate the third state and providing the video
information from the video source to the common display screen via
the switching device.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the control interface is
provided via a representation on a computer display screen.
16. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing a control
interface includes providing a mechanical interface that includes a
cable and wherein the step of associating a video source with the
switching device includes linking the video source to the
mechanical interface via a cable.
17. An apparatus for selecting information from a video source to
be displayed on at least a first common display screen in a
collaborative workspace having a switching device, the apparatus
comprising: a control interface that includes at least a first
indicator that can visually indicate at least first, second and
third visually distinguished states wherein the control interface
indicates the first state when a video source is disassociated with
the switching device, the second state when the video source is
associated with the switching device and video information from the
video source is not presented via the common display and the third
state when the video source is associated with the switching device
and video information from the video source is presented via the
common display.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at least a first
indicator includes an illumination device and wherein the first
state is indicated by cutting power to the illumination device, the
second state is indicated via illumination of a first color and the
second state is indicated via illumination of a second color.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the control interface
includes at least a first selectable control which, when selected,
causes the video information from the video source to be presented
via the common display and causes the indicator to change from the
first state to the second state.
20. An apparatus for selecting information from a video source to
be displayed on a subset of M common display screens in a
collaborative workspace having a switching device, the apparatus
comprising: a control interface that includes N selectable controls
wherein N is at least as great as M and wherein each control is
associated with a separate indicator and each indicator may assume
at least first and second visually distinguishable states, wherein,
when a video source is not associated with the switching device,
each indicator indicates the first state and, when a video source
is associated with the switching device, a separate indicator for
each of the M common display screens assumes the second state while
the other N-M indicators remain in the first state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to the presentation of
audiovisual information via one or more large format common
displays in a collaborative workspace and more specifically to a
fast and intuitive controller allowing a meeting participant with a
laptop computer to quickly and easily control the presentation of
laptop information on common displays.
[0004] Small group conference tables usable as collaborative
workspaces have been designed with one or more large video displays
such as a LCD flat-panel monitor or a wall suitable for having
images projected thereon, connected to or adjacent the conference
table. The basic intent behind such workspace designs is to provide
information at or near a table edge for attendees to refer to
during discussions and presentations. In many cases, the video
display is connected to and driven by a dedicated computer.
[0005] Oftentimes, more than one attendee needs to be able to
control the information presented on the video display at different
times during a conference. One way to allow several attendees to
present information on a video display screen is to have each
presenter sequentially connect their laptop computer directly to
the display or projector with a dedicated audio/video cable. Though
straightforward and simple, having to repeatedly disconnect and
connect the cable from one laptop computer to another takes time
and is disruptive.
[0006] Another way of enabling several attendees to share
audiovisual information from their own laptop computers via a
common large video display screen is to provide separate
audio/video cables for each presenter and connect each of the
laptops to an audiovisual switching device that enables the
attendees to take control of the common display screen via
selection of a button associated with each of the audio/video
cables.
[0007] While such an arrangement provide a relatively quick
transition between presenters, such arrangements typically require
a separate controller or control program and a number of
less-than-intuitive steps that must be followed to transition from
one presenter to another. Further, known such arrangements do not
provide a quick and intuitive indication as to which presenter is
sharing their information via the video display screen. As a
result, meeting presenters and participants may experience
confusion and delay between transitions. Such user experiences may
result in a loss of productivity and in general, can be significant
impediments to the successful collaboration between conference
participants and willingness of participants to use the system.
[0008] Thus, while solutions for managing and controlling the flow
of information from interconnected computing devices have been
developed, known solutions do not provide simple and intuitive
steps for selecting which information is shared via the video
display and for indicating which of several video/audio resources
currently control presented information.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It has been recognized that a simple control interface may
be provided where the interface provides feedback to configuration
users indicating which of several different conference attendees is
presenting information via one or more common display screens or
presentation spaces. To this end, a separate control interface is
provided for each of a plurality of attendees where each interface
includes control buttons or the like and indicators that can
indicate visually distinguished states. For instance, when a laptop
or other video/audio source is linked to one of the control
interfaces, the interface may visually indicate that the laptop is
in a state wherein the laptop may be used to present information
via one or more common displays but that the laptop is not
currently presenting. When a user selects one of the buttons on the
interface to present information on the common display, the
indicator may change appearance to visually indicate to attendees
that the laptop linked to the interface is presenting.
[0010] It has also been recognized that where a configuration
includes more than one common display, it would be useful to
provide an indication to each configuration user as to common
display options which can be selected and which common displays are
currently being driven via a user's laptop or other source. To this
end, in at least some cases each control interface is configured to
include a separate selectable buttons for each common display
where, when a button is selected so that a source associated with
the interface is to drive an associated display, the appearance of
the button or an indicator associated therewith is modified to
indicate to the user which of the common displays is currently
being driven. In particularly advantageous embodiments the
indicators include illumination devices wherein different
illumination colors indicate different states or conditions.
[0011] Consistent with the above, at least some inventive
embodiments include a method of selecting information from a video
source to be displayed on at least a first common display screen in
a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the method
comprising the steps of providing a selectable control interface
that includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least
first and second different states, associating a video source with
the switching device so that video information from the video
source is presented to the switching device, when the video source
is associated with the switching device, causing the at least one
indicator to indicate a first state and, when the selectable
control interface is selected, causing the at least one indicator
to indicate the second state and providing the video information
from the video source to the common display screen via the
switching device.
[0012] In at least some cases the step of providing a selectable
control interface includes providing a mechanical interface that
includes at least one selectable button. In at least some cases the
mechanical interface includes a first cable linkable to the video
source and a second cable which links to the switching device and
wherein the step of associating a video source with the switching
device includes linking the first cable to the video source. In at
least some cases the indicator includes at least a first
illumination device wherein the steps of causing the at least one
indicator to indicate the first and second states includes causing
the illumination device to light up first and second different
colors, respectively.
[0013] In at least some cases the control interface forms a
substantially flat upper surface and wherein the at least a first
illumination device transmits light around a periphery of the flat
upper surface. In at least some embodiments the method further
includes the step of, while the video information from the video
source is provided to the shared display screen via the switching
device, when the selectable control interface is selected a second
time, causing the at least one indicator to indicate the first
state and blocking the video information from the video source to
the shared display screen via the switching device.
[0014] In at least some cases the method is for use with a system
that includes a plurality of common display screens wherein the
selectable control interface includes a separate selectable control
for each of the plurality of display screens and wherein the at
least one indicator includes a separate illumination device for
each of the separate selectable controls, the step of causing the
at least one indicator to indicate the first state including
causing each illumination device associated with a common display
screen to generate light of a first color indicating the first
state and wherein, when any one of the control interfaces is
selected, the method further includes the steps of causing the
illumination device associated with the selected control to
indicate the second state and providing the video information from
the video source to the common display screen associated with the
selected control.
[0015] In at least some embodiments the method further includes the
steps of providing a second selectable control interface that
includes at least one indicator that can indicate at least first
and second different states, associating a second video source with
the switching device so that video information from the second
video source is presented to the switching device, when the second
video source is associated with the switching device, causing the
at least one indicator on the second control interface to indicate
the first state and when the second selectable control interface is
selected, causing the at least one indicator on the second control
interface to indicate the second state and providing the video
information from the second video source to the common display
screen via the switching device irrespective of which source was
providing video information to the common display screen prior to
selection of the second selectable control interface device.
[0016] In some embodiments the video source is a computer including
a display screen and wherein the control interface appears on the
computer display screen for selection. In some embodiments
communication between the computer and the switching device is
wireless.
[0017] Other embodiments include a method of selecting information
from a video source to be displayed on a subset of M common display
screens in a collaborative workspace having a switching device, the
method comprising the steps of providing a control interface that
includes N selectable controls wherein N is at least as great as M
and wherein each control is associated with a separate indicator
and each indicator may assume at least first and second visually
distinguishable states, associating a video source with the
switching device so that video information from the video source is
presented to the switching device and when the video source is
associated with the switching device, causing a separate indicator
for each of the M common display screens to assume the second
visual state while the other N-M indicators remain in the first
visual state.
[0018] In some embodiments each control includes a separate
illumination device which may be illuminated to indicate at least
one of the first and second states. In some embodiments each
control indicates the second state by exciting an associated
illumination device and indicates the first state by cutting off
power to the illumination device. In some embodiments each of the
indicators may assume a third visually distinguishable state, the
method further including the steps of, when any of the selectable
controls is selected, causing the indicator associated with the
selected control to indicate the third state and providing the
video information from the video source to the common display
screen via the switching device.
[0019] In some embodiments the control interface is provided via a
representation on a computer display screen. In some embodiments
the step of providing a control interface includes providing a
mechanical interface that includes a cable and wherein the step of
associating a video source with the switching device includes
linking the video source to the mechanical interface via a
cable.
[0020] Still other embodiments include an apparatus for selecting
information from a video source to be displayed on at least a first
common display screen in a collaborative workspace having a
switching device, the apparatus comprising a control interface that
includes at least a first indicator that can visually indicate at
least first, second and third visually distinguished states wherein
the control interface indicates the first state when a video source
is disassociated with the switching device, the second state when
the video source is associated with the switching device and video
information from the video source is not presented via the common
display and the third state when the video source is associated
with the switching device and video information from the video
source is presented via the common display.
[0021] In some embodiments the at least a first indicator includes
an illumination device and wherein the first state is indicated by
cutting power to the illumination device, the second state is
indicated via illumination of a first color and the second state is
indicated via illumination of a second color. In some embodiments
the control interface includes at least a first selectable control
which, when selected, causes the video information from the video
source to be presented via the common display and causes the
indicator to change from the first state to the second state.
[0022] Other embodiments include an apparatus for selecting
information from a video source to be displayed on a subset of M
common display screens in a collaborative workspace having a
switching device, the apparatus comprising a control interface that
includes N selectable controls wherein N is at least as great as M
and wherein each control is associated with a separate indicator
and each indicator may assume at least first and second visually
distinguishable states, wherein, when a video source is not
associated with the switching device, each indicator indicates the
first state and, when a video source is associated with the
switching device, a separate indicator for each of the M common
display screens assumes the second state while the other N-M
indicators remain in the first state.
[0023] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully
described. The following description and the annexed drawings set
forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the invention.
However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various
ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed.
Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of the
invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collaborative conference
table configuration having four display screens in accordance with
at least some aspects of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of the configuration shown in
FIG. 1, albeit where a switcher and other components and cables
that are typically hidden under the top surface of FIG. 1 are shown
in perspective views;
[0026] FIG. 3 includes a top plan view, end views and a side view
of the switcher shown in FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing one of the
puck control assemblies that comprises a portion of the
configurations shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustrating components of an
exemplary control interface/puck;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustrating the puck control assembly
of FIG. 4 and a power on button in the first state after the power
on button has been selected to cause the system to begin
operation;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary screen shot
corresponding to a portion of an instructional video that may be
presented via one or more of the displays shown in FIG. 1 after the
power on button is selected;
[0031] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, albeit illustrating a different
portion of the instructional video;
[0032] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 7, albeit illustrating yet a
different portion of the instructional video;
[0033] FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 6, albeit illustrating the state
of the puck when a laptop is initially connected thereto;
[0034] FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, albeit illustrating the state
of the puck after a selection button corresponding to one of the
display screens of FIG. 1 has been selected;
[0035] FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 11, albeit illustrating the puck
condition after three buttons corresponding to three of the display
screens shown in FIG. 1 have been selected;
[0036] FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 1, albeit illustrating another
configuration embodiment as consistent with at least some aspects
of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 10, albeit illustrating the puck
condition for the system of FIG. 12 where the system only includes
two displays;
[0038] FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 1, albeit illustrating a system
that includes a wireless access device so that laptops and other
video/audio sources can link provide data to the displays
wirelessly;
[0039] FIG. 16 shows a puck "widget" that may be presented via a
laptop display screen;
[0040] FIG. 17 shows a puck "widget" provided on a touch sensitive
palm type computing device;
[0041] FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 16, albeit showing a different
appearing virtual control interface; and
[0042] FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 15, albeit where a mechanical
interface is included for use with a source.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Referring now to the figures wherein like reference numerals
correspond to similar elements throughout the several views and
more specifically, referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, one embodiment
of a collaborative workspace configuration 10 that is consistent
with at least some aspects of the present invention is illustrated.
Workspace configuration 10 includes a display system 12 and a
conference table assembly 14. Various mechanical aspects of
configuration 10 are described in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/250,192 that was filed on Oct. 13, 2008 and
is titled "Conference Display Configuration" and which is
incorporated herein by reference. Hereafter, general mechanical
features of the configuration 10 are described that are useful in
understanding operation of the current invention. The prior
application referenced above should be referred to for more detail
regarding the mechanical aspects of configuration 10.
[0044] Display system 12 includes a totem or stand support
structure 28 and four relatively large flat panel displays 22a,
22b, 22c and 22d. Totem 28 is vertically oriented and includes a
front facing surface 32 to which displays 22a through 22d are
mounted. Displays 22a through 22d are arranged so that viewing or
presentation surfaces face in the same direction and generally away
from totem 28. Displays 22a through 22d are arranged in a two row
and two column arrangement. Although not illustrated, totem 28
includes a housing that forms a cavity in which power and data
cables can be received to provide power/data to display 22a through
22d.
[0045] Conference table assembly 14 includes a support structure
24, a table top member 26 and a bridge assembly 30. Support
structure 24 generally forms a vertical leg to support top member
26 in a horizontal orientation. Structure 24 also forms an internal
cavity for receiving various power, data and communication
components as well as other mechanical components such as cable
take up subassemblies described in the co-pending patent
application referenced above.
[0046] Bridge assembly 30 secures totem 28 to support structure 24
to stabilize totem in a vertical orientation. In addition, although
not illustrated, bridge assembly 30 forms an internal channel or
cavity for passing power and/or data cables between structure 24
and totem 28.
[0047] Top member 26 is generally a rigid square flat member that
forms a top work surface and a central rectilinear opening. A dual
door assembly 36 is mounted within the central opening that
includes two door members 39, 41 that have top surfaces that are
flush with the top surface of member 26 when the doors are closed.
Each door in hinged to open to allow access to table components
there below. Together the doors are dimensioned so that when closed
as best seen in FIG. 4, each door 39 and 41 forms a gap (see 43 and
45) with the opening around a peripheral edge for passing
cables.
[0048] Referring still to FIG. 4, adjacent the doors 39 and 41 at
the edge of the central opening an illuminated button 64 is
provided. Although not illustrated, button 64 is linked to a power
source. Button 64 is a dual state push button and, in at lease some
embodiments, is illuminated all the time. In some embodiments,
button 64 may include a universal power indicator symbol indicating
to users that the table is powered. By illuminating button 64 even
when the table configuration 10 is not being used, the button
invites users to start up a conferencing session and is an
indicator that the configuration 10 is operable and ready to use.
When not in use button 64 will have a first illuminated color
(e.g., white) and when button 64 is selected, the button will be
illuminated in a second color (e.g., green) confirming for the user
that the button has been selected.
[0049] Referring specifically to FIG. 2, components mounted within
structure 24 below top member 26 include a switching device 16, a
user interface assembly 19 and a power source 55. Referring also to
FIG. 3, where switching device 16 is shown in four different views,
switching device 16, as the label implies, can be used to switch
different input video/audio sources at different input ports to
change which input is feeding video/audio output ports. To this
end, exemplary switching device 16 includes six input ports
collectively identified by numeral 17 (three on either end of
device 16), a video conference input port 42, and a PC input port
40. Device 16 includes four video/audio output ports collectively
labeled 44. In operation, switching device 16 can be controlled to
output video/audio from any one of the input ports 17, 40 or 42 to
any one or more of output ports 44. In addition, switching device
16 is controllable so that input from two, three or four of the
different inputs 17, 40 or 42 can be output simultaneously to
different ones of the output ports 44.
[0050] Referring again to FIG. 2, interface assembly 19 includes a
deck member 21 and six selectable control interfaces referred to as
"puck" assemblies, two of which are labeled 20. Deck member 21
forms a top surface 25 for receiving and supporting the puck
assemblies 20 when the puck assemblies are in stored positions
below covers 39 and 41 (see again FIG. 1). Each puck assembly 20 is
similarly constructed and operated in a similar fashion and
therefore, in the interest of simplifying this explanation, only
one puck assembly 20 will be described here in detail.
[0051] Referring also to FIG. 4, exemplary puck assembly 20
includes a puck 48 and first and second video/audio cables 50 and
52, respectively. Cable 50 is used to link puck 48 to a
computer/laptop audio/video output port or other video source while
cable 52 links puck 48 through a circuitous path to one of the six
input ports 17 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In at least some
embodiments, each cable 52 can be taken up by a take up assembly
(not shown) below deck member 21 as an associated puck 48 is moved
from a use position on top of top member 26 (see FIG. 4) to a
storage position as shown in FIG. 2. For more detail regarding one
possible take up assembly, see US patent application Ser. No.
12/250,192 referenced above. As seen in FIG. 4, when a puck 48 is
pulled into a use position on top of member 26, cable 52 can pass
through gap 43 when door 39 is closed.
[0052] Referring still to FIG. 4 and also to FIG. 5, exemplary puck
48 includes a disc or puck shaped housing 49 that supports a
plurality of components including a processor 71, an on/off button
58, first through fourth selectable controls or control buttons
60a-60d, four illumination devices 73a through 73d and an
illumination ring 56. Processor 71 may be a programmable
microprocessor or may be configured via digital components.
Processor 71 is linked to each of cables 50 and 52 and can sense
when cabled 50 is linked to a video/audio source. Processor 50 is
also linked to each of buttons 56 and 60a-60d to sense when any of
those buttons are selected. Processor 50 is further linked to each
of illumination devices 73a through 73d and ring 56 for providing
power to and cutting power from each of those devices.
[0053] In at least some embodiments each of illumination devices
73a-73d and ring 56 can be controlled to generate light in two
different colors such as white and green or can be dark so that at
least two or three different states can be indicated in visually
distinguished ways.
[0054] As seen in FIG. 4, each button 60a-60d has a different
number 1, 2, 3 or 4 indicated thereon. Here, each number 1, 2, 3 or
4 corresponds to a different one of the display screens 22a through
22d in FIG. 1. For instance, button 60a labeled "1" may correspond
to screen 22a, button 60b labeled "2" may correspond to screen 22b,
and so on.
[0055] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, processor 71 is programmed
or configured to determine when a video source is linked to cable
50 as well as when any of buttons 58 or 60a-60d is selected and to
indicate a current state of the puck and associated video source
via the illumination devices 73a-73d and ring 56 for the benefit of
both the puck user and others gathered around configuration 10. In
addition, processor 71 provides an indication of the display
configuration 12 to the puck user. In this regard, in a system
including four displays (e.g., the number of common displays is M)
as in FIG. 1, all four screen selection buttons 60a-60d (where N is
the number of selection buttons) may be illuminated prior to
selection to indicate four options that can be selected by the puck
user. Where another configuration includes less than four displays,
only a subset of buttons 60a-60d would be illuminated prior to
selection. For instance, in FIG. 2, where the configuration only
includes two displays and hence there are only two display options,
only buttons 60a and 60b would be illuminated prior to selection to
indicate only two options to select from. Here, switching device 16
may be configured to sense the number of output ports 44 to which
display screens 22a-22d or other output devices (e.g., projectors)
are linked and provide a feedback signal via cable 52 to processor
71 to indicate the number of buttons 60a-60d to illuminate.
[0056] In at least some embodiments the top surface of puck 48 may
be formed of a black plastic where, when a button 60a-60d is not
illuminated, the number 1, 2, 3 or 4 appears dark and blends in
with the top puck surface so that the number 1, 2, 3 or 4 is
essentially unnoticeable.
[0057] By providing a puck 48 that includes four screen selection
buttons 60a-60d, a single puck type may be manufactured that can be
used with any conferencing configuration including one, two, three
or four common displays which reduces design and manufacturing
costs appreciably.
[0058] Referring again to FIG. 4, ring 56 is a ring shaped member
disposed generally along a circumferential edge of the top surface
of the puck 48. because puck 48 has a generally low profile, light
from ring 56 is relatively easily viewable from all directions
above top member 26. Thus, from any vantage point above top member
26 conference participants can see the visual state of ring 56.
[0059] While controls 60a-60d are described here as buttons, it
should be appreciated that controls 60a-60d may take any of several
different forms. For instance, controls 60a-60d may be provided via
a touch sensitive interface surface including a separately
selectable location or area associated with each button 60a through
60d.
[0060] In at least some embodiments ring 56 is not illuminated
until a video/audio source (e.g., a laptop) is linked to cable 50.
Once a source is linked to cable 50, if the linked source is
supplying video/audio to one or more of displays 22a-22d (see FIG.
1), ring 56 is illuminated in one color (e.g., white) and if the
linked source is not currently driving any of displays 22a-22d,
ring 56 is illuminated in a second color (e.g., green). Thus, ring
56 is useful as an indicator to conference participants around
table top 26 that identifies the person or persons that are
currently displaying information on one or more of the common
displays 22a-22d.
[0061] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 4, after a laptop or other
video/audio source is linked to cable 50 to provide video via cable
50 to display 22a, button 60a is selected, to provide video to
display 22b, button 60b is selected, and so on. Prior to each of
buttons 60a-60d being selected, in at least some embodiments, the
buttons 60a-60d are not illuminated. In other embodiments, prior to
selection, each button 60a-60d may be illuminated, like ring 56, in
one color and after selections, each selected button may change to
a second illuminated color to distinguish selected from unselected
buttons 60a-60d.
[0062] Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, central button 58 is
provided as an on/off button which may be selected by a puck user
to effectively cut off the user's linked laptop or other source
from driving displays 22a-22d. Thus, where a laptop is linked to
cable 50 but a user does not want to inadvertently present laptop
information via the common displays, the user can simply press
button 58 to render puck 48 ineffective at passing on video/audio
to the displays. Here, when button 58 is selected to "turn off" the
puck 48, ring 56 and buttons 60a-60d, in at lease some cases, are
no longer illuminated.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, prior to any laptop or other
source being linked to configuration 10 to drive displays 22a-22d,
indicator button 64 may be illuminated with a white color to
indicate to persons in the vicinity that configuration 10 is
powered and ready for use. Hereinafter, a white light will be
indicated in the figures via a double hatch (see 64 in FIG. 4) and
a green light will be indicated via a single hatch (see 64 in FIG.
6). When a person wants to use configuration 10, the person presses
button 64 which causes button 64 to change from white to green as
shown in FIG. 6 to signal to the person that the system is powering
up.
[0064] In addition, when button 64 is pressed, in at least some
embodiments, a short video clip is presented via one or more of
displays 22a-22d providing simple instructions to the person who
pressed button 64 regarding how to use configuration 10. Referring
to FIGS. 7-9, exemplary screen shots showing images consistent with
a simple instruction video are illustrated. In FIG. 7, a graphic of
the utility bay door 39 opening 51 adjacent a laptop image 53
(i.e., a source image) is shown to indicate that one of the doors
37 or 41 (see FIG. 1) should be opened. In FIG. 8 a puck 57 is
shown moving out of the cavity under the door 51 and onto the work
surface where the cable 59 associated with the puck is linked to
the laptop 53. In FIG. 9 a phantom user's hand image 61 is shown
moving toward and over the puck image 57 to select one of the
buttons provided thereby. Here, the instructional video clip is
intentionally extremely simplified and includes only three steps
"open", "connect" and "share." In at least some embodiments the
instructions are only provided once and the duration is extremely
short (e.g., approximately 15 seconds) which gives a user a sense
that configuration 10 is particularly easy to use.
[0065] Following the instructions, as shown in FIG. 10, a user
pulls one of the pucks 48 from the cavity below a door 39 or 41 and
links a laptop 69 to the puck 48 via cable 50 (see also FIG. 1).
Once a laptop 69 is linked to cable 50, ring 59 as well as
selectable buttons 60a-60d are illuminated white (see double
crosshatch in FIG. 9) to indicate to the laptop user that the user
is linked and can opt to present information from the user's laptop
screen via any one or combination of displays 22a-22d corresponding
to illuminated buttons 60a-60d, respectively. Here, the white light
ring 56 also indicates that currently the user of puck 48 is not
presenting via any of displays 22a-22d.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 11, when a puck user wants to present
information from her laptop 69 display via display screen 22a, the
user presses button 60a to indicate intention to drive display 22a.
Once button 60a is selected, four things happen. First, information
currently displayed via display 22a is replaced by the information
from the user's laptop 69 display. Second, if a different laptop
was previously presenting information via display 22a when button
60a is selected, the other user's puck illumination may change. For
instance, if the other user was only displaying via display 22a
when displaced, the other user's puck's ring 56 will change from
green back to white illumination indicating the user is no longer
driving any of displays 22a-22d. As another instance, where another
user was driving each of displays 22a and 22c when button 60a is
selected, the other user's puck ring will remain green after
displacement from screen 22a to indicate that the other user is
still driving display 22c despite being displaced from display 22a.
In addition, in this case, the other user's puck button 60a will be
illuminated white after displacement from screen 22a while button
60c will remain green indicating that the other user is still
driving display 22c.
[0067] Third, to indicate that the user of puck 48 in FIG. 10 is
now driving at least one of displays 22a-22d, ring 56 on puck 48
changes from white to green (see single cross hatch ring in FIG.
10). Fourth, to let the puck user know which displays 22a-22d she
is currently driving, button 60a illumination changes from white to
green. Here, other buttons 60b-60d that were not selected remain
white (i.e., they are shown as double cross hatched).
[0068] If the user next wants to display her laptop information via
displays 22a-22c, referring to FIG. 12, the user selects button 60b
and 60c which cause information from the user's laptop screen to
replace any existing information on displays 22b and 22c, causes
other puck illumination to change accordingly and causes buttons
60b and 60c to change from white to green illumination. At this
point, as shown in FIG. 12, each of buttons 60a-60c and ring 56 are
illuminated green while button 60d remains white.
[0069] To relinquish control of a display 22a-22d currently
controlled, in at least some embodiments, the button 22a-22d
corresponding to a display 22a-22d can be selected a second time.
In the iterative, to relinquish control of displays 22a-22d, on/off
button 58 may be selected. Once display control is relinquished,
puck 48 illumination is updated accordingly.
[0070] After a configuration session is over and all sources have
been disconnected from cables 50, the system will eventually time
out (e.g., approximately 15 minutes) and will power down so that
button 64 returns to its white illuminated state (see again FIG.
4).
[0071] Referring now to FIG. 13, a second configuration 10a that is
consistent with at least some aspects of the present invention is
illustrated. Configuration 10a is different than configuration 10
in two general ways. First, configuration 10 has an oval table
shape top member 260 as opposed to rectangular. Second,
configuration 10 includes only two displays 122a and 122d instead
of four. Here, referring also to FIG. 14, in at least some
embodiments, it is contemplated that when a laptop 69 is linked to
a puck 48 initially so ring 56 is illuminated white, only buttons
60a and 60b would illuminate white thereby indicating to a user
that there are only two display choices 122a and 122b instead of
four. Other operation of configuration 10a is similar to that
described above.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 15, in at least some embodiments it is
contemplated that laptops 69 and other visual/audio sources may be
able to wirelessly link up to a configuration 10b processor via a
wireless access device 100 or the like. In this case the
configuration 10b may not need a utility bay and will not require
cable hookups or physical pucks. Here, where a source 69 is
associated with the configuration for control purposes, referring
also to FIG. 16, a software "widget" puck representation or control
interface representation (hereafter a "widget") 48a may be provided
on screen. In this case it is contemplated that the widget 48a will
have an appearance similar to the appearance of interface 60 and
button 58 where different widget areas corresponding to buttons
60a-60d and 58 will be selectable via a mouse controlled cursor or
touch (in the case of a touch sensitive display) for selection. In
this case it is contemplated that when a virtual button on the
widget is selected, the functionality and illumination described
above with respect to puck 48 would occur. When the widget ring 56
is illuminated, the laptop could beep or buzz (i.e., create an
audible signal of some type) to indicate which laptop has taken
control.
[0073] In yet another embodiment where a laptop source user has a
touch screen phone or other palm type computing device in addition
to the laptop/source, a widget may be provided via the palm type
device where the widget size can be enlarged to include much of the
display. To this end see FIG. 17 that shows a palm type device 120
that includes a large touch screen where a virtual puck palm device
120 and laptop 69 would have to be associated in some way so that
palm device control would cause the correct/associated laptop
information to drive appropriate displays 22a-22d.
[0074] In a wireless system where a widget or virtual control
interface is presented via a display screen, the control interface
may take any of several different forms. For instance, where a
configuration includes four common displays (see FIG. 1), the
control interface 130 may have an appearance as in FIG. 18 that
shows screen selections in a pattern that mimics the pattern of the
four display screens 22a-22d. Where a system includes only two
displays (see FIG. 13), the virtual control interface may only
include an image of two selectable displays, and so on.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 19, in wireless embodiments, a mechanical
control interface 140 akin to puck 48 described above may be
provided where the interface 140 links to a USB port or the like on
a laptop 69. Here, interface 140 operates in the same fashion as
puck 48 described above except that control signals from interface
140 are provided to a switching device wirelessly through the
laptop. In this case interface 140 still provides a visual queue to
conference participants using configuration 10b indicating which
laptop(s)/source(s) is being used to drive the displays.
[0076] In some embodiments one or more projectors (not illustrated)
may replace the displays 22a-22d. Where a system includes a single
projector, the projected image may be divided into two, four, etc.,
separate presentation spaces where each switching device output 44
drives a different one of the presentation spaces so that multiple
sources can be used to display in different spaces
simultaneously.
[0077] Several specific embodiments of the present invention have
been described above. It should be appreciated that in the
development of any such actual implementation, as in any
engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific
decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals,
such as compliance with system-related and business related
constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another.
Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort
might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for
those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0078] For example, while the pucks 48 described above include
illumination devices controllable to indicate different states, it
should be appreciated that other indicators that can visually
distinguish states are contemplated. For instance, each button
60a-60d in FIG. 4 may include a liquid crystal display type device
where different cross hatching indicates different statuses. As
another example, in at least some embodiments it is contemplated
that each time a presentation state changes, a puck or other system
component may generate an audible signal to indicate a state change
(see audio generator 77 in FIG. 5). In addition, while the
embodiments illustrated include two or four displays supported by a
totem, it should be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments
are only exemplary and that other numbers of displays may be
supported by a totem or that displays may in some cases be mounted
to a wall or other supporting structure proximate a conferencing
table.
[0079] Thus, the invention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
* * * * *