Electronic whiteboard system eraser

• US 20020157880A1
• Filed: 04/29/2002
• Published: 10/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bernard Geaghan, Stephen Atwood
• Inventors: Atwood, Stephen, Geaghan, Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 6,667,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 178/20.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard with a protrusion area on the erasing surface forming a convex area on the erasing surface for establishing a positive point of contact with the whiteboard; an electronic whiteboard system including such an eraser, a controller for storing data relating to information written on and erased from the whiteboard data, and a filter for preventing the storage of digital data relating to contacts with the whiteboard not attributable to normal writing or erasing actions.

Claims

1. An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard, the eraser comprising:

an erasing surface including at least one protrusion extending therefrom forming a convex area on the erasing surface.

2. The eraser of claim 1 in which the erasing surface is circular shaped for eliminating the need to orient the eraser on the whiteboard in a predetermined manner.

3. The eraser of claim 2 further including a cylindrical shaped body portion attached to the erasing surface.

4. The eraser of claim 1 in which the protrusion is centrally located on the erasing surface.

5. The eraser of claim 1 in which the protrusion has a surface area which is substantially less than the surface area of the erasing surface.

6. The eraser of claim 1 in which the erasing surface further includes a plurality of bristles.

7. The eraser of claim 1 further including a body portion having a recess therein.

8. The eraser of claim 7 in which the protrusion is formed by a member partially residing in the recess.

9. The eraser of claim 8 in which the member includes a shaft portion and a cap portion on said shaft portion.

10. The eraser of claim 9 in which said shaft portion is made of foam.

11. The eraser of claim 9 in which said cap portion is made of plastic.

12. The eraser of claim 7 in which said body portion is made of foam.

14. The eraser of claim 13 in which the body portion is cylindrically shaped and the erasing surface is circular shaped.

15. The eraser of claim 13 in which the body portion includes a recess therein, and in which the protruding member partially resides in the recess thereby forming the convex area on the erasing surface.

16. The eraser of claim 15 in which the body portion is made of a compliant material for allowing the protruding member to recoil into the body portion.

20. The eraser of claim 19 in which said protruding member is nipple shaped.

13. An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard, the eraser comprising:

a body portion;

an erasing surface on the body portion; and

at least on protruding member forming a convex area on the erasing surface.

17. An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard, the eraser comprising:

a circular shaped erasing surface for eliminating the need to orient the eraser on the whiteboard in a predetermined fashion; and

a protruding convex area centrally located on the erasing surface and having a surface area which is substantially less than the total surface area of the erasing surface.

18. An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard, the eraser comprising:

a body portion made of compliant material and including a recess on one surface thereof;

a protruding member partially residing within said recess; and

an erasing surface covering said surface of the body portion and the protruding member.

19. An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard, the eraser comprising:

a body portion;

a protruding member on the body portion; and

an eraser surface on the body portion covering the protruding member.