Abstract: An interactive system can include a display device, a control panel, a projector, a processing device, and an input device. The input device can detect indicia of its posture relative to the control panel or a display surface of the display device, so that the interactive system can recognize interactions between the input device and these components. Interactions between the input device and the display surface can be captured, analyzed by the processing device, and then represented in an image projected onto the display surface. The control panel can comprise a plurality of non-projected, tactile activation objects, each of which can correspond to an activity or function of the interactive system, such as, for example, powering on the projector. When the interactive system detects an interaction between the input device and an activation object, the activity corresponding to the selected activation object can be performed.

Abstract: Interactive systems can include various components that are packaged together and easily assemblable. An interactive system can comprise a mount, a display device, a projector, an input device, and a processing device. The display device, the projector, the input device, and the processing device can together provide an electronic display system, while the mount can carry these other various components and assist in connecting them to one another. The mount and the other components of the interactive system can be conveniently packaged and sold as group for convenient installation by one or two persons.

Abstract: A visual communication system that is suitable for use in connection with a display surface is disclosed. The system includes a camera or other data-capturing device that can be remotely positioned from the display surface. A control unit receives image data from the camera or data-capturing device and processes the image data to create an electronic image of the display surface.

Abstract: Electronic display systems include mobile units for remotely modifying a displayed image. An electronic display system can include a display surface, a processing device, a mobile unit, and an input device. The display surface can receive and display an image rendered by the processing device. The display image on the display surface can be modified through interaction of the input device and the mobile unit. The input device can sense its position relative to the mobile unit and can transmit data relating to its position to the processing device. The processing device can interpret the position data as operations on the displayed image. Accordingly, the processing device can modify the displayed image on the display surface based on interactions between the input device and the mobile unit.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring electronic presentation units for cooperative activities, the method comprising the steps of providing a plurality of presentation units in a conferencing space including a master unit and other units, electronically identifying the other units present in the conferencing space, enabling a configuration interface for identifying a sub-set of the other units as slave units, receiving input via the configuration interface identifying the slave unit sub-set and enabling a control interface for transferring images from the master unit to each of the slave units in the selected sub-set.

Abstract: A presentation system and method for presenting information to an audience within a space hat includes a plurality of mobile projectors and a master presentation unit that can be moved into a presentation space and associated where the projectors and master unit are quickly linkable via a network and where the master unit expedites the system configuration process to allow the system user to manipulate images presented by all of the projectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with an electronic display system including a display surface wherein the system is capable of identifying a touch location on at least a portion of the display surface of a contact with the display surface, the display surface having a display area, the method for moving a cursor icon about at least a portion of the display area and comprising the steps of identifying first and second areas within the display area having first and second area surfaces, respectively, sensing a touch location on the first area surface and presenting a cursor icon on the second area surface as a function of the touch location on the first area surface.

Abstract: A presentation method and system for presenting information to an audience within a space that mimics a flip chart assembly, the system including a control interface, a communication network and a master presentation unit including a processor and a master display screen, the master screen juxtaposed within the space so as to be viewable by the audience within the space, the processor operable to transmit an image displayed on the master screen over the network upon user command and a slave presentation unit including a slave presenter operable to receive and present an image to the audience within the space that is transmitted by the master unit to the slave unit over the network such that the master unit can be used to create a new image while the first image is simultaneously presented.

Abstract: The present invention includes interactive communication systems that incorporate several beneficial embodiments including an interactive tray system, an electronic presentation messaging system, an interactive podium, and a key drive system. The interactive tray system enables a single, transferable interactive unit to be fastened to a communication medium, turning into a fully interactive medium. The electronic presentation messaging system enables the e-mailing of presentations and notes to and from components of the interactive communication system. The interactive podium increases conventional podium mobility, enabling both the presenter, and podium, to move and be moved about the room without attention to wired connections.

Abstract: The present invention includes interactive communication systems that incorporate several beneficial embodiments including an interactive tray system, an electronic presentation messaging system, an interactive podium, and a key drive system. The interactive tray system enables a single, transferable interactive unit to be fastened to a communication medium, turning into a fully interactive medium. The electronic presentation messaging system enables the e-mailing of presentations and notes to and from components of the interactive communication system. The interactive podium increases conventional podium mobility, enabling both the presenter, and podium, to move and be moved about the room without attention to wired connections.

Abstract: An electronic whiteboard system and assembly with optical detection elements is disclosed. The electronic whiteboard system includes a writing/display surface and a retroreflective perimeter surrounding the edge of the surface. A user can mark upon the surface or interact with an image displayed on the surface using an input device. The perimeter can reflect light beams emitted from optical detection elements located at the corners of the surface to identify the position of the input device relative to the writing surface and/or projected image. The electronic whiteboard assembly includes one or more electronic whiteboard systems coupled together with a connector element having two retroreflective surfaces.

Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.

Abstract: An eraser assembly for erasing a display surface of an electronic display system, where the display surface can implement a dot pattern. The eraser assembly can comprise a body assembly, which can be in communication with an eraser pad and a sensing device, such as a camera. The camera can be adapted to view the display surface when the eraser pad is in use.

Abstract: An input device for interacting with a display surface of an electronic display system. The input device can comprise a body, a nib, a sensing system, a cap, and a mode-indicating system. The body can provide structural support for the input device. The nib, which is in communication with the body, can be used to directly interact with the display surface. The sensing system can sense indicia of a posture of the input device with respect to the display surface to facilitate operation of the input device. The cap is securable over the nib, and can be incorporated into the mode-indicating system. When the cap is secured over the nib, the input device can operate in a first operating mode, and when the cap is removed, the input device can operate in a second operating mode.

Abstract: A device and method of connecting an interactive communication system to a processing device. The device is a cable system that includes first and second ends. The first end of the cable system has a leg connector, while the second end of the connector system has first and second arm connectors. The method implements the cable system to load or run software onto the processing device, and includes connecting the leg connector to an interactive communication system; connecting the first arm connector having a memory device to the processing device, wherein the memory device includes predetermined software; loading/running the software on the processing device; disconnecting the first arm connector having the memory device from the processing device; and connecting a second arm connector to the processing device.

Abstract: A visual communication system that is suitable for use in connection with a display surface is disclosed. The system includes a camera or other data-capturing device that can be remotely positioned from the display surface. A control unit receives image data from the camera or data-capturing device and processes the image data to create an electronic image of the display surface.

Abstract: A visual communication system that is suitable for use in connection with a display surface is disclosed. The system includes a camera or other data-capturing device that can be remotely positioned from the display surface. A control unit receives image data from the camera or data-capturing device and processes the image data to create an electronic image of the display surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a whiteboard method and system (100) having automated projection calibration that does not require user interaction. The method and system are accomplished by placing sensors (302) beneath a target surface and projecting a projected pattern to discover a geometric correspondence between the target surface and the projecting device. Optical sensors (32) are preferably employed to sense the presence of the projected pattern on the whiteboard. The input data is used with a mapping function or translation matrix for converting whiteboard coordinates to screen coordinates, which are then used for mapping the coordinates to a cursor position. When the geometry of the whiteboard surface is known, and the locations of the optical sensors within this geometry are known, the information about which projector pixels illuminate which sensor can be used to calibrate the projecting device with respect to the whiteboard.

Abstract: The present invention provides movable visual communication systems, more specifically movable electronic whiteboard systems. The invention provides an electronic whiteboard having at least one positioning member and a guide element adapted to receive the positioning member, wherein the electronic whiteboard and the positioning member are movable along the guide element. The guide element can house an extendable or retractable line that maintains connectivity with the electronic whiteboard along the guide element.

Abstract: The present invention provides movable visual communication systems, more specifically movable electronic whiteboard systems. The invention provides an electronic whiteboard having at least one positioning member and a guide element adapted to receive the positioning member, wherein the electronic whiteboard and the positioning member are movable along the guide element. The guide element can house an extendable or retractable line that maintains connectivity with the electronic whiteboard at any point along the guide element.