Multimedia, multiuser system and associated methods

Abstract

A table system includes a touch screen having a touch detection surface and a display, and a computer. The touch screen serves as an input device for the computer and the computer is configured to supply a continuous video signal to the display. The touch detection surface is configured to receive an object thereon without interference with detection, to send a first input to the computer in response to a first touch the computer configured to perform a first action on the touch screen in response thereto and, when a second touch occurs at a different location on the touch screen while the first action is being performed on the touch screen, to send a second input to the computer in response to the second touch, the computer being configured to perform a second action in response thereto, so that first and second actions are performed simultaneously.

1 . A table system, comprising:
 a touch screen including a touch detection surface and a display, electronics for the touch detection surface and the display being protected from environmental contaminants, the touch detection surface and the display being greater than 12 inches in diagonal;   a mount for the touch screen, the mount being adapted to secure the touch screen at a dining height, a touch screen thickness is small enough to allow users legs to fit under the touch screen; and   a computer, the touch screen serving as an input device for the computer and the computer is configured to supply a continuous video signal to the display, wherein the touch detection surface is configured to
 receive an object thereon without interference with detection by the touch detection surface, 
 to send a first input to the computer in response to a first touch the computer configured to perform a first action on the touch screen in response thereto, and 
 when a second touch occurs at a different location on the touch screen while the first action is being performed on the touch screen, to send a second input to the computer in response to the second touch, the computer being configured to perform a second action in response thereto, so that first and second actions are performed simultaneously. 
   
     
     
         2 . The table system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the touch screen thickness to the diagonal of the display is less than 0.4. 
     
     
         3 . The table system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a total thickness of the touch screen and the mount is less than 12 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The table system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a secondary screen in communication with the computer and having a display controlled by the touch screen. 
     
     
         5 . The table system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the touch screen is configured to allow selection of items from a menu. 
     
     
         6 . The table system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the computer is configured to display selected items on the secondary screen. 
     
     
         7 . The table system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein an image on the secondary screen is different from that on the display. 
     
     
         8 . The table system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first touch is a gesture and the second touch is a tap performed while the gesture is being performed, the tap not interrupting the first action. 
     
     
         9 . The table system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the touch detection surface is configured to be divided into at least two sub-screens. 
     
     
         10 . A table system, comprising:
 a touch screen including a touch detection surface and a display, electronics for the touch detection surface and the display being protected from environmental contaminants, the touch detection surface and the display being greater than 12 inches in diagonal, a ratio of a touch screen thickness to the diagonal of the display is less than 0.4; and   a computer, the touch screen serving as an input device for the computer and the computer is configured to supply a continuous video signal to the display, wherein the touch detection surface is configured to
 receive an object thereon without interference with detection by the touch detection surface, 
 to send a first input to the computer in response to a first touch the computer configured to perform a first action on the touch screen in response thereto, and 
 when a second touch occurs at a different location on the touch screen while the first action is being performed on the touch screen, to send a second input to the computer in response to the second touch, the computer being configured to perform a second action in response thereto, so that first and second actions are performed simultaneously. 
   
     
     
         11 . A table system, comprising:
 a touch screen including a touch detection surface and a display, electronics for the touch detection surface and the display being protected from environmental contaminants;   a computer, the touch screen serving as an input device for the computer, the computer configured to store media files and to supply a continuous video signal to the display, wherein the touch detection surface is configured to
 receive an object thereon without interference with detection by the touch detection surface, 
 to send a first input to the computer in response to a first touch the computer configured to perform a first action on the touch screen in response thereto, and 
 when a second touch occurs at a different location on the touch screen while the first action is being performed on the touch screen, to send a second input to the computer in response to the second touch, the computer being configured to perform a second action in response thereto, so that first and second actions are performed simultaneously; and 
   a secondary screen located such that the secondary screen can be viewed by users near the touch screen, the secondary screen being in communication with the computer, the secondary screen configured to display a different image than that on the display, wherein, when the touch detection surface is touched in particular locations when the touch screen is in a particular state, the computer is configured to send the particular media file to the secondary screen and the secondary screen is configured to display the particular media file.   
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the communication between the touch screen, computer and the secondary screen is configured so that tapping on the touch screen in particular locations when the touch screen is in a particular state allows the user to select or change a source supplying an image to the secondary screen. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the media displayed on the secondary screen is changed by the computer sending a signal to the secondary screen to change the input on the secondary screen that is displayed on the secondary screen. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the computer sends continuous video information to the secondary screen for displaying media files stored on the computer. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the continuous video signal supplied by the computer to the touch screen includes a visual representation of a media file stored on the computer and touching this visual representation causes the playing of this media file on the secondary screen. 
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising a camera in communication with the computer, such that when a picture is taken with the camera it is sent to the computer, and a program on the computer that detects when a picture from a camera has been sent to the computer. 
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein, the computer is configured to:
 detect that a picture has been sent to the computer from the camera, and   display a small visual representation of the image on the touch screen, and when this visual representation is selected, the image is displayed on the secondary screen in much higher resolution than on the touch screen.   
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising at least one other secondary screen in communication with the computer. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a splitter configured to send the same video signal to all secondary screens. 
     
     
         20 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the secondary screens are located in a room that contains multiple tables, the secondary screens being visible throughout the room. 
     
     
         21 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the computer is configured to send different continuous video signals to the secondary screens and to allow a user to select a media file to be displayed on a first secondary screen and a second media file to be displayed on a second secondary screen. 
     
     
         22 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the computer is configured to:
 display buttons indicating various events on the touch screen, and, in response to selection of a button, to send a selected video signal selected to the secondary screen;   display related data to the event displayed on the secondary screen; and   display a keyboard on the touch screen to serve as an input to the computer.   
     
     
         23 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the media file is text and/or an image associated with a food item and is used to order a food or drink item. 
     
     
         24 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising an amplifier with multiple inputs, the amplifier being connected to speakers external to the secondary screen and the computer is configured to switch inputs of the amplifier that are connected to the speakers in response to selection on the touch screen, the computer being configured to allow selection of audio from one media source and video from another media source, wherein the video source for the secondary screens is a television channel and the audio source is a music media file. 
     
     
         25 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a table in addition to the touch screen, wherein the secondary screen is also viewable from the table;   speakers in a room containing the table and the touch screen; and   an amplifier connected to speakers in the room so that the sound emanating from the speakers can be heard at both the table and the touch screen, wherein users sitting at the multiple tables can view lists of media and information on the media by selecting particular media in a list, communication between the touch screen, the computer, the secondary screen, and the amplifier being configured so that tapping on the touch screen in particular locations when the touch screen is in a particular state allows the user to influence at least one of a display on the secondary screen and sound on the speakers.   
     
     
         26 . The system as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the influence user is a request to play a particular media that acts as a vote. 
     
     
         27 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein at least two tables each have an associated camera and the camera is configured to send pictures to locations within the computer on each table wirelessly and link the pictures with the associated name or number of each table.