WO2000025199A1

WO2000025199A1 - Portable interactive presentation device

Info

Publication number: WO2000025199A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/025098
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joel R. Petersen
Original assignee: Petersen Joel R
Priority date: 1998-10-27
Filing date: 1999-10-26
Publication date: 2000-05-04
Also published as: WO2000025199A9; AU1323600A

Abstract

A portable interactive presentation device typically connected to a computing device is provided. The computing device includes one or more user input devices and a graphical display. The computing device is coupled to the portable interactive presentation device via a bi-directional link. The bi-directional link facilitates transmitting display signals from the computing device and receiving the display signals at the presentation device. Further, the bi-directional link facilitates transmitting user input signals from the presentation device and receiving the H user input signals at the computing device. Display signals received by the presentation device are processed by a converter and displayed on a presentation display. The presentation display is preferably mounted in a housing and a portion of the housing or a separate component coupled to the housing may be used as a means for orienting the presentation device. Audience member(s) interact with the presentation device through the use of an ancillary input device located in the presentation device housing. During audience member interaction, multiple cursors may be employed to allow a presenter and one or more audience members to interact with the computing device display and/or the presentation display. Further, certain tiles of information appear on the computing device display and are optionally shown on the presentation display. Similarly, certain tiles of information may appear on the presentation display and that are optionally shown on the computing device display.

Description

PORTABLE INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to portable interactive

presentation devices and, in particular, to a portable graphical display and

associated ancillary input device for use in conjunction with a computing

device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Frequently presenters need to display information to one or

more audience members. However, the information often resides on the

presenter's personal computer (PC) and is therefore most conveniently

viewed on the display coupled to the PC. For example, a salesperson may

want to present a computerized slideshow to a potential customer. Further,

the presenter often desires feedback from one or more audience members.

For example, a presenter may ask an audience member to select a product

from a list. Subsequently, more information about the selected product

could be displayed. Several approaches to displaying information and acting on

feedback are commonly employed. Each slide in a presentation may be

printed on paper and distributed to each audience member. Similarly, each

slide may be printed on a transparency and projected using an overhead

projector. When specific questions arise that may be better answered by

another slide, the presenter directs everyone to turn to the appropriate page,

and/or, the appropriate slide is displayed on the overhead projector. In some

circumstances, a PC compatible projector is available. For example, a liquid

crystal display (LCD) projector may be used. In such an instance, the

presenter's PC may be connected directly to the projector which then

projects the presentation information onto a screen. Interaction with the

presentation may be accomplished via the PC. Other times, each audience

member gathers around the display coupled to the PC and/or an auxiliary

display connected to the PC (e.g., a large cathode ray tube) to view the

presentation.

Each of these prior art approaches possesses certain

drawbacks. Paper and transparency printouts lack the interactive and

animated qualities of a typical computerized presentation. Further,

transparencies require the availability of an overhead projector. Overhead

projectors and screens are often unavailable or inconvenient. Further,

projectors and screens are cumbersome to transport. Use of a PC

compatible projector allows for animation, but only limited feedback. Any

interaction (e.g., selecting items from lists) must be communicated to an operator (typically the presenter). Further, a PC compatible projector

displays the same information to the presenter and the audience. Often it is

desirable to hide certain information such as price lists, presentation notes,

presentation controls, and upcoming slides. Still further, a PC compatible

projector also requires the availability of an overhead projector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a portable

interactive presentation device for use in conjunction with a computing

device is provided, the computing device having a first graphical display and

one or more input devices. The presentation device comprises a receiver for

receiving display signals from the computing device and a converter for

converting the display signals into a graphical representation. A housing and

a second graphical display are mounted in the housing for presenting the

graphical representation. A battery is coupled to the receiver, converter, and

second graphical display.

Preferably, the receiver comprises an infrared or radio receiver.

Also preferably, the converter comprises an LCD display driver. Further, the

housing may comprise an injected molded plastic housing and the second

graphical display may be a liquid crystal display.

In the preferred embodiment, the device further comprises an

ancillary input device mounted in the housing for converting inputs from a

user into a signal and a transmitter for transmitting the signal to the

computing device. The ancillary input device may comprise one or more of the group consisting of a touch sensitive covering on the second graphical

display; a stylus; a track point; a track ball; a keyboard; and a button. In

some embodiments, the transmitter comprises an infrared or radio

transmitter.

Still further, the device may further include a cursor controller

associated with the computing device for displaying and controlling a first

cursor on the first graphical display and a second cursor on the second

graphical display. In such an instance, the cursor controller may also display

the first cursor on the second graphical display and/or the second cursor on

the first graphical display. Preferably, the cursor controller comprises

software instructions executed by a microprocessor.

In the preferred embodiment, the device further includes a tile

controller associated with the computing device for displaying and controlling

a first tile on the first graphical display and a second tile on the second

graphical display. In this case, the tile controller may also display the first

tile on the second graphical display and/or the second tile on the first

graphical display. Preferably, the tile controller comprises software

instructions executing in a microprocessor.

Also according to the preferred embodiments, the device further

comprises means coupled to the housing for orienting the presentation

device. In such an instance, the orienting means may comprise an adjustable

stand or fasteners for connecting the presentation device to the first

graphical display. Further, in such an instance, the adjustable stand may rotate though an angle greater than 270 degrees to protect the second

graphical display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present

invention will become more apparent from a detailed consideration of the

following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments when taken

in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal computer coupled to

a portable interactive presentation device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the presentation device of

FIG 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing multiple display elements on

a computing device display and a presentation device display;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a program for controlling the

display of a tile; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a program for controlling the

display of a pointer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although the following description focuses on a portable

interactive display connected to a portable personal computer, persons of

ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the techniques of the present invention are in no way limited to portable personal computers. On

the contrary, any system which might benefit from a portable interactive

presentation device may employ the techniques shown herein. Such

systems might include desktop computers and personal digital assistants.

A block diagram of a computing device 1 0 (e.g., a personal

computer) coupled to a portable interactive presentation device 1 2, capable

of utilizing the present invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1 . The computing

device 1 0 typically includes one or more user input devices 1 4 such as a

keyboard and a mouse or mouse equivalent (e.g., a stylus, a track point

and/or a track ball). These user input devices 14 are used to interact with

the computing device 10. Further, the computing device 10 typically

includes a graphical display 1 6 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a

cathode ray tube (CRT). The computing device display 1 6 is used to present

information to a user. For example, presentation software (e.g., Microsoft

PowerPoint ^®) may be used to present slides of information to an audience.

A person operating the presentation software may direct the presentation

software to advance to a next slide of information by pressing a button on

the keyboard or using the mouse to move a cursor over a virtual button and

then pressing a mouse button. The user input devices 1 4, any presentation

software or other applications, and the graphical display 1 6 are all preferably

controlled/executed by a microprocessor 38 residing in the computing device

1 0. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the

computing device 1 0 is coupled to the portable interactive presentation

device 1 2 via a bi-directional link 1 8. The bi-directional link 1 8 preferably

interconnects a transmitter associated with the computing device 1 0 to a

receiver 20 (see FIG. 2) associated with the presentation device 1 2 for

transmitting and receiving display signals from the computing device 1 0 to

the presentation device 1 2. Further, the bi-directional link 1 8 preferably

connects a transmitter 22 associated with the presentation device 1 2 to a

receiver associated with the computing device 1 0 for transmitting and

receiving user input signals from the presentation device 1 2 to the

computing device 10.

The bi-directional link 1 8 may be wired or wireless, and may

comprise one or more physical connections. For example, a cable may

connect a bus on the computing device 10, such as a Universal Serial Bus,

to the presentation device 1 2. Accordingly, the cable would carry display

signals from the computing device 10 to the presentation device 1 2 as well

as user input signals from the presentation device 1 2 back to the computing

device 10. Alternatively, two cables may be used. A first cable may

connect a monitor output port on the computing device 10 to a monitor input

port on the presentation device 1 2. A second cable may connect a serial

port on the presentation device 1 2 to a serial port on the computing device

10. The first cable would supply display signals from the computing device

to the presentation device 1 2. The second cable would supply user input signals from the presentation device 1 2 back to the computing device 10.

In an alternate embodiment, wireless signals such as infrared signals or radio

signals may be used to interconnect a transmitter on the computing device

10 to a receiver on the presentation device 1 2, or vice versa. Once the

display signals are received by the receiver 20 associated with the

presentation device 1 2, they are processed by a converter 24. The converter

24 may decode digital signals and/or perform any necessary translation of

analog signals to derive a graphical representation suitable for a graphical

display 26 associated with the presentation device 1 2. In a preferred

embodiment, the converter 24 comprises an integrated circuit LCD display

driver, which is a well-known circuit to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

The presentation display 26 is preferably an LCD display

mounted in a housing 28 such as an injected molded plastic housing.

Further, a portion of the housing 28 or a separate component coupled to the

housing 28 may be used as a means for orienting the presentation device 1 2.

The orienting means may comprise an adjustable stand, a base 30 coupled

to a hinge 32 wherein the viewing angle of the presentation display 26

relative to the base 30 may be adjusted by pivoting the presentation display

26 about the hinge 32. In a preferred embodiment, the orienting means

rotates through an angle of 270 degrees or more so that the base 30 may

further function as a protective cover for the presentation display 26. In an

alternate embodiment, the orienting means comprises one or more fasteners

33 coupled to the presentation device 1 2 for connecting the presentation device 1 2 to the computing device display 1 6. For example, one or more

hooks 33 coupled to the housing 28 could be used to connect the

presentation device 1 2 to the back of the computing device display 1 6.

An audience member interacts with the presentation device 1 2

through the use of an ancillary input device 34. The ancillary input device

34 may be a touch sensitive covering on the presentation display 26, a

stylus, a mouse, a track point, a track ball, a keyboard, and/or a button or

any other user input device. Preferably, the ancillary input device 34 is

mounted in the housing 28. The ancillary input device 34 converts inputs

from a user (i.e., an audience member) into a signal. For example, a touch

sensitive covering and associated circuitry may convert the pressure or

capacitance of the user's finger and/or a stylus into a digital signal

representing an x,y coordinate. The signal may then be sent to the

computing device 10 via the presentation device transmitter 22 and the

computing device receiver. The signal may then be used to operate an on¬

screen control and/or display a pointer or other icon at a location on the

computing device display 1 6 and/or the presentation device 26 determined

by the x,y coordinate.

In a preferred embodiment the receiver 20, converter 24,

presentation display 26, ancillary input device 34, and transmitter 22 are all

coupled to a portable power source 36 such as a battery. By supplying the

presentation device 1 2 with a battery, the device is more portable and less

constrained by additional wires. In a preferred embodiment, the computing device display 1 6 and

the presentation display 26 show some of the same information and some

different information. Preferably, each display illuminates display elements,

such as "tiles", cursors, icons, etc... and some display elements are shown

in both displays while the remaining display elements are shown on only one

of the displays (e.g., a window in Microsoft Windows^®). The display

elements are preferably controlled (e.g., displayed, hidden, moved, etc.) by

the microprocessor 38 associated with the computing device 1 0. Although

the following description focuses on two tiles of information and two

cursors, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that any

number of display elements may be shown on either or both displays 1 6,26

in the spirit of the present invention.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the computing device display

1 6 shows a presenter tile 40a. The presenter tile is optionally displayed on

the presentation display 26 as optional presenter tile 40b. For example, the

main presenter tile 40a may contain a list of product costs that a

salesman/presenter does not wish to divulge to an audience. However, the

salesman/presenter may want to have the cost information available on the

computing device display 1 6 for his own reference. On the other hand, the

main presenter tile 40a may contain a product specification. In such an

event, the salesman/presenter may wish to hide the information on the

presentation display 26 temporarily when it is not relevant to the discussion,

yet have it available for his own reference and/or standing by to be displayed on the presentation display 26 if and when it does become relevant to the

discussion.

Similarly, the presentation display 26 shows an audience tile

44b. This tile of information is optionally displayed on the computing device

display 1 6 as optional audience tile 44a. For example, the audience tile 44b

may contain a slide of information. In some instances the presenter may

prefer to work exclusively with an outline containing the same bullets as the

slide, but annotated with his presentation notes. This method conserves

screen space on the computing device display 1 6 and better integrates the

presenter's notes with the presented information. At other times the

presenter may wish to view an exact copy of the information he is

presenting. Of course, the duplicate version 40b, 44a could be reduced in

size to conserve screen space.

A flowchart of a program that can be implemented by the

computing device 10 to display a tile of information in accordance with the

teachings of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. The programmed

steps are typically performed by a control circuit such as the microprocessor

38 as is conventional. As discussed above, multiple tiles of information may

be displayed. Accordingly, multiple instances of the program illustrated in

FIG. 4 may be executed to control the display of multiple tiles of information

(i.e. , this flowchart handles one tile of information). Once the program is

initiated the control circuit loops until one of three commands has been

issued (blocks 50, 52, and 54). A command may be issued by the presenter via the computing device, an audience member via the presentation device

1 2, and/or another software component executing on the same

microprocessor 38 or on another microprocessor. Once a command is

detected, the appropriate processing occurs as discussed below.

If the control circuit determines that a command to update the

contents of the tile has been issued (block 50), then the control circuit

determines the current display status (for this one tile only) on the first

display . In this example, the first display is arbitrarily chosen to be the

computing device display 1 6 and the second display is arbitrarily chosen to

be the presentation display 26. The status is preferably a binary value

representing either "show" or "hide". If the current computing device display

1 6 status (i.e., current display 1 status) is representative of "show" (block

56), then the control circuit redraws the tile on the computing device display

16 (block 58). If the current computing device display 1 6 status is

representative of "hide" (i.e., not equal to "show" - block 56), or, the control

circuit redrew the tile on the computing device display 1 6 (block 58), then

the control circuit determines the current display status for this tile on the

second display (e.g., the presentation display 26). If the current presentation

display 26 status (i.e., current display 2 status) is representative of "show"

(block 60), then the control circuit redraws the tile on the presentation

display 26 (block 62). If the current presentation display 26 status is

representative of "hide" (i.e., not equal to "show" - block 60), or, the control circuit redrew the tile on the presentation display 26 (block 62), then control

circuit returns to the command finding loop (blocks 50, 52, and 54).

If the control circuit determines that a command to toggle the

status of the computing device display 1 6 (i.e., display 1 ) has been issued

(block 52), then the control circuit determines the current display status for

this tile on the first display (block 64). If the current computing device

display 1 6 status is representative of "show", then the control circuit

changes the display status to "hide" (i.e., the control circuit toggles the

status) and erases the tile on the computing device display 1 6 (block 66).

However, if the status is "hide" it is toggled to "show" and the tile is drawn

on the computing device display 1 6 (block 68). Subsequently, the control

circuit returns to the command finding loop (blocks 50, 52, and 54).

Similarly, if the control circuit determines that a command to

toggle the status of the presentation display 26 (i.e., display 2) has been

issued (block 54), then the control circuit determines the current display

status for this tile on the second display (block 70). If the current

presentation display 26 status is representative of "show", then the control

circuit changes the display status to "hide" (i.e., the control circuit toggles

the status) and erases the tile on the presentation display 26 (block 72).

However, if the status is "hide" it is toggled to "show" and the tile is drawn

on the presentation display 26 (block 74). Subsequently, the control circuit

returns to the command finding loop (blocks 50, 52, and 54). Also illustrated in FIG. 3 are two cursors 42a and 46b (also

called "presenter's" and "audience" cursors, respectively). In the preferred

embodiment, the user input device(s) 14 associated with the computing

device 1 0 operate in concert with the microprocessor 38 to control the

operation and display of the presenter's cursor 42a. Similarly, the ancillary

input device(s) 34 associated with the presentation device 1 2 operates in

concert with the microprocessor 38 to control the operation and display of

the audience cursor 46b. Typically, the presenter's cursor 42a is visible and

active (able to operate on-screen controls such as buttons and menus) on the

computing device display 1 6, and the audience's cursor 46b is visible and

active on the presentation display 26 to the extent there are display

elements on the display 26 capable of being activated or modified by the

cursor 46b. Preferably, when a tile of information is on both displays as

described above, both cursors are displayed and active at least within that

shared tile as shown 42b, 46a.

A flowchart of a program that can be implemented by the

computing device 10 to display a pointer in accordance with the teachings

of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. Again, the programmed steps

are typically performed by a control circuit such as the microprocessor 38 as

is conventional. As discussed above, multiple pointers may be displayed.

Accordingly, multiple instances of the program illustrated in FIG. 5 may be

executed to control the display of multiple pointers (i.e., this flowchart

handles one pointer). Once the program is initiated the control circuit loops until a command to update the position of the pointer is issued (block 80).

Typically, a user operating an input device associated with the computing

device 1 0 and/or the presentation device 1 2 initiates a well know control

circuit which in turn initiates the command to update the position of the

pointer.

Once the command to update is detected (block 80), the control

circuit determines if the pointer is within the boundaries defined by a tile

with a first display status of "show" (block 82). Operating system routines

to determine if the pointer is within the boundaries of the tile are well

known, and, the current display status is maintained by the tile controller as

described above and shown in FIG. 4. If the control circuit determines that

the pointer is in a tile shown on display 1 , then the pointer is redrawn in its

new position on display 1 (block 84). Once the pointer is redrawn on display

1 (if necessary), the control circuit determines if the pointer is within the

boundaries defined by a tile with a second display status of "show" (block

86). If the control circuit determines that the pointer is in a tile shown on

display 2, then the pointer is redrawn in its new position on display 2 (block

88). Subsequently, the control circuit returns to the command finding loop

(block 80).

In summary, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily

appreciate that a portable interactive presentation device has been provided.

Systems implementing the teachings of the present invention can enjoy a portable alternative to conventional display systems with the added benefit

of user interactivity.

The foregoing description has been presented for the purposes

of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit

the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and

variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is intended that the

scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather

by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is Claimed is:

1 . A portable interactive presentation device for use in

conjunction with a computing device, the computing device having a first

graphical display and one or more input devices, the presentation device

comprising:

a receiver for receiving display signals from the computing

device;

a converter for converting the display signals into a graphical

representation;

a housing;

a second graphical display mounted in the housing for

presenting the graphical representation; and,

a battery coupled to the receiver, converter, and second

graphical display.

2. A device as described in claim 1 , wherein the receiver

comprises an infrared receiver.

3. A device as described in claim 1 , wherein the receiver

comprises a radio receiver.

4. A device as described in claim 1 , wherein the converter

comprises an LCD display driver.

5. A device as described in claim 1 , wherein the housing

comprises an injected molded plastic housing.

6. A device as described in claim 1 , wherein the second

graphical display comprises a liquid crystal display.

7. A device as described in claim 1 , further comprising:

an ancillary input device mounted in the housing and coupled

to the battery for converting inputs from a user into a signal; and,

a transmitter coupled to the battery for transmitting the signal

to the computing device.

8. A device as described in claim 7, wherein the ancillary

input device comprises one or more of the group consisting of a touch

sensitive covering on the second graphical display, a stylus, a track point, a

track ball, a keyboard, and a button.

9. A device as described in claim 7, wherein the transmitter

comprises an infrared transmitter.

1 0. A device as described in claim 7, wherein the transmitter

comprises a radio transmitter.

1 1 . A device as described in claim 1 , further comprising a

cursor controller associated with the computing device for displaying and

controlling a first cursor on the first graphical display and a second cursor on

the second graphical display.

1 2. A device as described in claim 1 1 , wherein the cursor

controller displays the first cursor on the second graphical display.

1 3. A device as described in claim 1 1 , wherein the cursor

controller displays the second cursor on the first graphical display.

14. A device as described in claim 1 1 , wherein the cursor

controller comprises software instructions executing in a microprocessor.

1 5. A device as described in claim 1 , further comprising a tile

controller associated with the computing device for displaying and controlling

a first tile on the first graphical display and a second tile on the second

graphical display.

1 6. A device as described in claim 1 1 , wherein the tile

controller displays the first tile on the second graphical display.

1 7. A device as described in claim 1 1 , wherein the tile

controller displays the second tile on the first graphical display.

1 8. A device as described in claim 1 1 , wherein the tile

controller comprises software instructions executing in a microprocessor.

1 9. A device as described in claim 1 , further comprising

means coupled to the housing for orienting the presentation device.

20. A device as described in claim 1 9, wherein the orienting

means comprises an adjustable stand.

21 . A device as described in claim 20, wherein the adjustable

stand rotates though an angle greater than 270 degrees to protect the

second graphical display.

22. A device as described in claim 1 9, wherein the orienting

means comprises a fastener for connecting the presentation device to the

first graphical display.