Collaboration system and workstation

• US 20020083137A1
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cheryl Geisler, Edwin H. Rogers, James J. Johns, John M. Tobin
• Original Assignee: Cheryl Geisler, Edwin H. Rogers, James J. Johns, John M. Tobin
• Inventors: Tobin, John M., Johns, James J., Rogers, Edwin H., Geisler, Cheryl
• Application Number:
  US09/998,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20020083137A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/205
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A system and workstation for collaboration among multiple users are provided. The system includes a public system, a plurality of private systems and a cooperation system. The cooperation system allows users of private systems to individually control the public system. The workstation is configured to hold a plurality of private displays and at least one public display.

Claims

1. A collaboration system and workstation for a plurality of users, comprising:

a public system;

a plurality of private systems, wherein each user operates their own private system;

a cooperation system for a user of a private system to control the public system; and

a workstation including;

a public section including at least one public segment, wherein each public segment is configured to hold a public display for the public system; and

its a plurality of private sections positioned around the public section, wherein each private section is configured to hold a private display for a private system.

2. The system and workstation of claim 1, wherein the public system has at least one public display and each private system has a private display.

3. The system and workstation of claim 2, wherein each user can view a private display for their private system and a public display from a single location.

4. The system and workstation of claim 1, wherein the plurality of private systems and the public system use a plurality of operating systems.

5. The system and workstation of claim 1, wherein each public segment includes at least one public window for a user to view a public display through a public window.

6. The system and workstation of claim 1, wherein each private section includes a private window for a user to view a private display.

7. The system and workstation of claim 1, wherein each private section holds a private system, and wherein a user can control the public system from any private section using an I/O device of a private system.

8. The system and workstation of claim 7, wherein the I/O device is selected from the group consisting of a mouse and a keyboard.

9. The system and workstation of claim 1, further comprising at least one super public display, in communication with a public system, for allowing all users to view output from the public system, wherein each user can view a super-public display and a private display for their private system from a single location.

10. A collaboration system and workstation for allowing collaboration among a plurality of users, comprising:

a collaboration system for a user of a private system to control a public system from the private system, wherein each private system has a private display and the public system has at least one public display;

a public section including at least one public segment, wherein each public segment is configured to hold a public display; and

a plurality of private sections each positioned adjacent to the public section, wherein each private section is configured to hold a private display.

11. The collaboration system and workstation of claim 10, wherein each public segment includes a window for viewing the public display.

12. The collaboration system and workstation of claim 10, wherein each private section includes a window for viewing the private display.

13. The collaboration system and workstation of claim 10, wherein each public segment is adjacent to a plurality of distally positioned private sections.

14. The collaboration system and workstation of claim 13, wherein each public segment is further adjacent to at least one other public segment.

15. The collaboration system and workstation of claim 10, wherein the collaboration system further comprises:

a control module for obtaining control of the public system and relinquishing control of the public system;

a ghost module for ghosting the public system;

a blackening module for controlling the public system to blacken each private display; and

an administration module for establishing and maintaining a database of teams of users.

17. The workstation of claim 16, wherein each public segment includes a window for viewing the public display.

18. The workstation of claim 16, wherein each private section includes a window for viewing the private display.

19. The workstation of claim 16, wherein each public segment is adjacent to a plurality of distally positioned private sections.

20. The workstation of claim 19, wherein each public segment is further adjacent to at least one other public segment.

16. A workstation for allowing collaboration among a plurality of users, comprising:

a public section including at least one public segment, wherein each public segment is configured to hold a public display for a public system; and

a plurality of private sections positioned around the public section, wherein each private section is configured to hold a private display for a private system.