SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIGITAL MULTI-LATERAL PROOFREADING DURING A MEETING

• US 20100156756A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: U-See 2 Limited
• Original Assignee: U-See 2 Limited
• Inventors: Sitbon, David Eduard
• Granted Patent: US 9,530,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

A digital multi-lateral system and method for proofreading a composition during a meeting. The system comprises a multi-screened monitor unit having a first screen and at least one oppositely facing second screen mounted in a common housing, images of a selected composition being viewable simultaneously on the first screen and the at least one second screen, a computer coupled to the monitor unit and provided with a dedicated software module for interfacing with the monitor unit, one or more primary and secondary co-author input devices, and means for transmitting signals generated by each co-author input device to the computer. Correction data is transmitted by a co-author input device to the computer, which transmits corrected image data simultaneously to the first and second screens. In one embodiment, the monitor unit receives VGA data and USB video data from the computer and transmits the same to the first and second screens, respectively.

Claims

1. A digital multi-lateral system for proofreading a composition during a meeting, comprising:

a) a multi-screened monitor unit having a first screen and at least one oppositely facing second screen mounted in a common housing, images of a selected composition being viewable simultaneously on said first screen and said at least one second screen;

b) a computer coupled to said multi-screened monitor unit and provided with a dedicated software module for interfacing with said monitor unit;

c) one or more primary co-author input devices by which a primary co-author is able to perform a proofreading operation while viewing said composition on said first screen, said one or more primary co-author input devices being coupled to said computer;

d) one or more sets of secondary co-author input devices by which a corresponding secondary co-author is able to perform a proofreading operation while viewing said composition on a corresponding second screen during a meeting with the primary co-author; and

e) means for transmitting signals generated by each of said secondary co-author input devices to said computer,

wherein correction data is transmittable from said one or more primary co-author input devices to said computer, or from said one or more sets of secondary co-author input devices to said computer,

wherein said computer is adapted to generate corrected image data in response to said transmitted correction data and to transmit said corrected image data simultaneously to said first and second screens.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the monitor unit is a kit which is releasably coupleable with the computer.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for preventing a primary co-author input device and a secondary co-author input device to operate simultaneously during a multi-lateral proofreading operation.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the monitor unit comprises a controller which is in data communication with the computer, for converting signals generated by an input device into universal serial bus (USB) signals.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-screened monitor unit comprises means for receiving video graphics array (VGA) data from the computer and for transmitting the same to the first screen, and means for receiving USB video data and for transmitting the same to each of the second screens, images associated with said transmitted VGA data and with said transmitted USB video data being simultaneously displayable on said first and second screens, respectively.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for identifying each of the co-authors.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising an authentication server with which the computer is in data communication, for authenticating a co-author identification.

9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising means for disabling a proofreading operation if a co-author identification is not authenticated.

10. The system according to claim 8, further comprising means for attaching a digital signature to an approved composition.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein a primary or secondary co-author input device is an input device which is external to the monitor unit.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein a primary or secondary co-author input device is an input device which is integral with the monitor unit.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the integral input device is a touch screen.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the transmitted corrected image data is a displayed feature of the composition which is indicated by means of a touch screen.

15. The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting signals generated by each secondary co-author input device to the computer is a controller housed within the monitor unit and in data communication with the computer, each secondary co-author input device being in data communication with said controller.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein a secondary co-author input device is coupled to the monitor unit.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein a secondary co-author input device is coupled to the computer.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein a secondary co-author input device is in wireless communication with the computer.

6. The system according to claim 6, wherein the monitor unit further comprises a control module for controlling the flow of USB control and video data received from the computer, a switch module for delivering video data to a client side in response to the operation of the control module, a video splitter for splitting received VGA data into a first portion transmitted through a first line to the first screen and into a second portion transmitted through a second line to said switch module, a first USB segment extending from said control module to said switch module, and a second USB segment extending from said switch module to the second screen.

19. A method for the digital multi-lateral proofreading of a composition during a meeting, comprising:

a) providing a multi-screened monitor unit having a first screen and at least one oppositely facing second screen mounted in a common housing;

b) coupling said monitor unit to a computer;

c) simultaneously viewing images of a selected composition during a meeting by a co-author on each corresponding screen of said monitor unit;

d) one of said co-authors performing a proofreading operation whereby correction data is transmitted from an input device to said computer;

e) generating corrected image data in response to said transmitted correction data; and

f) transmitting said corrected image data simultaneously to said first and second screens.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein all secondary co-author input device input devices are disabled for a predetermined period of time after a primary co-author input device has performed a proofreading operation, and all primary co-author input device input devices are disabled for a predetermined period of time after a secondary co-author input device has performed a proofreading operation.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein a primary co-author sets a secondary co-author input device to a disabled mode.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the primary co-author is a grantor and the secondary co-author is a grantee.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the monitor unit operates in an agent only mode, a uniform mode whereby the first screen and the second screen both display the same images, or in a dual mode, whereby in the dual mode the first screen displays images corresponding to received VGA data and the second screen displays images corresponding to received USB data.

24. A multi-screened computer monitor unit capable of being coupled to a computer, comprising:

a) a first screen;

b) at least one oppositely facing second screen;

c) a control module for controlling the flow of USB control and video data received from a computer;

d) a switch module for delivering video data to each of said second screens in response to the operation of said control module;

e) a video splitter for splitting received VGA data into a first portion transmitted through a first line to said first screen and into a second portion transmitted through a second line to each of said switch modules;

f) a first USB segment extending from said control module to each of said switch modules;

g) a second USB segment extending from each of said switch modules to a corresponding second screen;

h) means for selecting a desired mode of operation, corresponding USB control data being transmittable to said control module upon selection of the desired mode of operation;

i) for each corresponding second screen, a set of one or more input ports to each of which a client input device is coupled; and

j) for each corresponding second screen, a set of one or more output ports in communication with a corresponding input port, from each of said output ports is transmittable USB signals generated by a client input device,

wherein said control module is adapted to generate, a disable signal and to transmit the same to said switch module during an agent only mode to suppress the transmission of the VGA data via said second line,

wherein said control module is adapted to generate an enable signal and to transmit the same to said switch module during a uniform mode to enable the transmission of the VGA data via said first and second lines simultaneously,

wherein said control module is adapted to generate, a disable signal and to transmit the same to each of said switch modules during a dual mode, the USB video data being transmittable via the first USB bus segment and each of second USB bus segments to each of said corresponding second screens, respectively, images associated with said VGA data and with said USB video data being simultaneously displayable on said first and second screens, respectively.

25. The monitor unit according to claim 24, wherein the first screen is stationary and the second screen is displaceable.

26. The monitor unit according to claim 24, wherein the second screen is angularly spaced from the first screen.

27. The monitor unit according to claim 24, wherein the multi-screened monitor unit further comprises means for selecting a desired mode of operation, corresponding USB control data being transmittable to the control module upon selection of the desired mode of operation.

28. The monitor unit according to claim 24, wherein the control module generates a disable signal and transmits the same to the switch module during an agent only mode to suppress the transmission of the VGA data via the second line.

29. The monitor unit according to claim 24, wherein the control module generates an enable signal and transmits the same to the switch module during a uniform mode to enable the transmission of the VGA data via the first and second lines simultaneously.

30. The monitor unit according to claim 24, wherein the control module generates a disable signal and transmits the same to the switch module during a dual mode, the USB video data being transmittable via the first and second USB bus segments to the client side.