Multiple display workstation with conductive surface overlay control
First Claim
1. An interactive video workstation for processing video images comprising:
- a plurality of display units for displaying video images, including at least a first display unit for displaying textual information, a second display unit for displaying graphic information and a third display unit for displaying control information, wherein each of the display units has a substantially planar display surface;
a coordinate sensing means having a single transparent energized conductive surface with a front surface and a back surface, a stylus and a coordinate calculation means, wherein the stylus and single conductive surface are each connected to the calculation means and wherein the calculation means calculates the coordinate position of the stylus with respect to the single conductive surface, and wherein the plurality of video display units are positioned in proximity to the back surface of the single conductive surface wherein the single conductive surface substantially overlays the entire surface area of each of the display surfaces of the plurality of display units;
function symbols mechanically affixed to the single conductive surface adjacent to one or more of the video display units, wherein each of the function symbols is associated with a particular video image processing function of the workstation; and
control means connected to each of the display units and to the coordinate sensing means for controlling each of the display units, wherein the control means is responsive to the position of the stylus with respect to the single conductive surface and wherein the control means is further responsive to the coordinate calculation means of the coordinate sensing means when the stylus is positioned near any of the function symbols, wherein the video images displayed on the plurality of display units are controlled by the position of the stylus with respect to one or more of the plurality of display units and/or function symbols, and wherein the textual information displayed on the first display unit corresponds to the graphic information displayed on the second display unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A workstation with multiple, functionally related displays clustered under and controlled by a common transparent overlay control device. The position of a hand-held stylus is sensed by the overlay control device and is used as a system input to control system operations, system communications and input, manipulation and editing of images displayed on the displays. Control of certain workstation operations is achieved by directing the stylus towards function symbols which are affixed to the overlay surface. Actuators or other adjustment mechanisms are provided for adjustment of the height and pitch of the workstation for the comfort of the operator. Further, the workstation provides integrated data audio communication over ordinary narrow-band telephone lines or high speed data lines with other linked workstations.
65 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An interactive video workstation for processing video images comprising:
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a plurality of display units for displaying video images, including at least a first display unit for displaying textual information, a second display unit for displaying graphic information and a third display unit for displaying control information, wherein each of the display units has a substantially planar display surface; a coordinate sensing means having a single transparent energized conductive surface with a front surface and a back surface, a stylus and a coordinate calculation means, wherein the stylus and single conductive surface are each connected to the calculation means and wherein the calculation means calculates the coordinate position of the stylus with respect to the single conductive surface, and wherein the plurality of video display units are positioned in proximity to the back surface of the single conductive surface wherein the single conductive surface substantially overlays the entire surface area of each of the display surfaces of the plurality of display units; function symbols mechanically affixed to the single conductive surface adjacent to one or more of the video display units, wherein each of the function symbols is associated with a particular video image processing function of the workstation; and control means connected to each of the display units and to the coordinate sensing means for controlling each of the display units, wherein the control means is responsive to the position of the stylus with respect to the single conductive surface and wherein the control means is further responsive to the coordinate calculation means of the coordinate sensing means when the stylus is positioned near any of the function symbols, wherein the video images displayed on the plurality of display units are controlled by the position of the stylus with respect to one or more of the plurality of display units and/or function symbols, and wherein the textual information displayed on the first display unit corresponds to the graphic information displayed on the second display unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 12, 13)
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4. A workstation comprising:
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a plurality of video display units for displaying image data, including at least a first display unit for displaying textural information, a second display unit for displaying graphic information and a third display unit for displaying control information, wherein each of the display units has a substantially planar display surface; a coordinate sensing means having a single transparent energized conductive surface with a front surface and a back surface, a stylus and a coordinate calculation mode, wherein the stylus and single conductive surface are each connected to the calculation means and wherein the calculation means calculates the coordinate position of the stylus with respect to the single conductive surface, and wherein the plurality of video display units are positioned in proximity to the back surface of the single energized conductive surface wherein the single conductive surface substantially overlays the entire surface area of each of the display surfaces of the plurality of display units; and control means connected to the coordinate calculation means for controlling the image data displayed on the plurality of video display units, wherein the control means is responsive to the coordinate calculation means of the coordinate sensing means, and wherein the image data displayed on the video display units is dependent upon the coordinate position of the stylus with respect to the single conductive surface, and wherein in response to positioning the stylus over the control information displayed on the third display unit the control means displays textual information on the first display unit and graphic information on the second display unit. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14)
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Specification