Interactive display system

Abstract

An interactive display system comprises a white board which communicates with a PC. A projector receives signals from the PC which are translated into corresponding project image which is projected on to the white board. The image projected on to the white board is the same as that shown on a computer screen. By using an electronic pen the position of which can be detected electronically by means of a plurality of wires embedded beneath the surface of the white board and using methods already known in the art, the electronic pen can function in the same way as a computer mouse. The image projected on to the white board may also be manipulated by means of a remote control device, which uses Infra red communication to transmit signals to a transponder built within the white board.

1 . An interactive display system comprising: a projector; a device onto which an image is projected from the projector; a computing means; a pointing device; and a plurality of remote signaling devices, in which system:
 the computing means is arranged to supply image information to the device onto which an image is projected from the projector;   the plurality of remote signaling devices are operable to transmit signals;   the device onto which an image is projected from the projector includes position indication means for determining the position of the pointing device relative to a surface of the device onto which an image is projected from the projector;   the pointing device is operable to:   take precedence over the remote signaling devices; and   selectively enable each remote signaling device.   
   
   
       2 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the display means is a communications hub of the display system arranged to receive control signals from a pointing device and/or a remote control device and arranged to transmit those signals to the computing means in order to control an image on the display means. 
   
   
       3 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the display means uses a single communications link between it and the computing means, which link is capable of conveying signals both from the pointing device and the or each remote signaling device, to enable a most efficient transfer of data. 
   
   
       4 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the single link is a wireless connection such as infra red means or radio means. 
   
   
       5 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the or each remote signaling device is a remote control device which is operable to transmit control signals to a receiver portion of the display device, which control signals are supplied to the computing means and are operable to control the computing means and thus image information supplied to the display means. 
   
   
       6 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the display device includes position indication means for indicating the position of a pointing device relative to a surface of the display device. 
   
   
       7 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , which is operable to calibrate the location of an image on the display device relative to the display surface. 
   
   
       8 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the pointing device is operable to induce image control signals in the position indication means, which image control signals are operable to control the computing means and thus image information is displayed on the display means. 
   
   
       9 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the pointing device is arranged to take precedence over the or each remote signaling device. 
   
   
       10 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the pointing device is operable to selectively enable the or each remote signaling device. 
   
   
       11 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the display device includes an output portion arranged to transmit signals from both the receiver portion and the position indication means to the computing means. 
   
   
       12 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the or each remote signaling device is operable to transmit signals to the receiver portion only in response to a request signal from the display means. 
   
   
       13 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which where a plurality of remote signaling devices are provided, the display means requests information from each remote signaling device in turn, by polling. 
   
   
       14 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the or each remote control device is operable to control the computing means in substantially the same manner as a keyboard and mouse combination. 
   
   
       15 . An interactive display system as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the system comprises one master control device which is a remote control device or a pointing device, and a plurality of subsidiary remote signaling devices. 
   
   
       16 . A method of operating an interactive display system including: a projector; a device onto which an image is projected from the projector; a computing means; a pointing device; and a plurality of remote signaling devices, the method comprising the steps of:
 projecting an image of a computer display of a computer onto the device onto which an image is projected from the projector,   adapting the plurality of remote signaling devices to transmit signals;   determining the position of the pointing device relative to a surface of the device onto which an image is projected from the projector;   arranging for the pointing device to:   take precedence over the remote signaling devices, and selectively enable each remote signaling device.   
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , which includes the signals from the or each remote signaling device being independent of the location of the remote signaling device relative to the display means. 
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , in which the signals from the or each remote signaling device are transmitted in response to information displayed on the display device.