Desktop computer conferencing system

Abstract

A man-computer-man communications system, including a computer workstation ( 10 ), which is comprised of a display device ( 22 ), graphic tablet ( 18 ), stylus ( 14 ), computer unit ( 24 ), and display device screen ( 16 ) located at convenient locations. The active area of the graphic tablet is a transparent surface area ( 18 ), which is coincident to the display screen and is approximately the same size as the display screen The graphic tablet device may include active or passive stylus ( 14 ). A keyboard unit ( 12 ) and telephone unit ( 28 ) may be added to the workstation. An external communications system may be added to transmit and receive data to or from remote computers or other workstations. The computer unit ( 24 ) controls the operation of the workstation and external communications.

1 . A display-tablet device comprising: 
 a) a microprocessor computer system running a personal computer-type operating system program;    b) a flat panel display device defining a display screen controlled by the microprocessor computer system;    c) a transmissive graphic tablet input device placed over the flat panel display screen, wherein the graphic tablet input device is controlled by the microprocessor computer system, and wherein a user has an option to enter data to the graphic tablet using a stylus;    d) a control button on the front top surface of the portable display-tablet device for additional user control or data input to the portable display-tablet device;    e) an enclosure in which the microprocessor system and other necessary support components are located.