Desktop computer conferencing system

• US 20060097998A1
• Filed: 12/23/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1989
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: NetAirus Systems
• Original Assignee: NetAirus Systems
• Inventors: Ditzik, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US11/315,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097998A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/0073 liftable above the desk top
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2200/0073 Desk with integrated computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• 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 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4406 Loading of operating system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/921 Plural angular
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

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.

Claims

1. A method for information sharing on a personal computer comprising the following steps in any order:

a) executing a communication program in cooperation with a personal computer operating system;

b) communicating data under control of the personal computer operating system to and from a second roughly equivalent personal computer at a remote location via an external communications network;

c) conferring information between another personal computer system in a peer to peer manner in cooperation with the communicating data step using said computer program and an external communication function; and

d) adapting said personal computer system for multiple data input devices.

2. A computer program residing on a computer readable medium, comprising instructions for causing one or more personal computer systems to:

a) communicate information to and from another roughly same type personal computer system remotely located in cooperation with an operating system with a window graphical user interface capable of single window operation while communicating information,

b) communication information via an external remote communications network in a roughly peer-to-peer process, such a user has the option to execute programs

c) control downloading of information from said roughly same type personal computer system via the external remote communication network, wherein said information is processed;

d) control uploading of information to said roughly same type personal computer via the external remote communication network, wherein said information is processed; and

e) process said information for communication to and from the remote personal computer, such that said communication of information is for a business purpose.

3. A computer program as recited in claim 2, in which the computer program is communicating information for the purpose of conferencing and application sharing.

4. A computer program as recited in claim 2, in which the information communicated includes audio or voice information.

5. A computer program as recited in claim 2, in which the information communicated includes audio and video information.