Group based computer use system
First Claim
1. A communication system comprising:
- a plurality of data input devices, each said data input device being operable by a respective person to facilitate communication with each of the other of the respective persons;
at least one computer to which said data input devices are operatively coupled;
a control program stored in said at least one computer and operable to permit data entered respectively on each and any of said data input devices to be transferred to said at least one computer;
at least one display means coupled to said at least one computer and observable by each of said persons, each said display means simultaneously displaying a common image generated by said at least one computer, said common image including a plurality of mutually exclusive display areas with each said input device having a corresponding display area, wherein said data entered by said input devices is substantially simultaneously displayed in the corresponding display area thereby permitting each of the persons to view simultaneously their own entered data and data entered by the other of the persons as said data is entered; and
at least one control device connected to said at least one computer and operable to select specific data displayed in any of said display areas and to facilitate both transfer and display of said specific data to any other display area.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A facilitation system to facilitate communication amongst a number of persons having access to data input devices. The system has a host computer, a control program stored in the computer and operable to permit data entered on any of the input devices to be transferred to the computer, and at least one display. Each display means is configured to display a common single image generated by the computer for simultaneous viewing by each of the persons. The single image includes a plurality of display areas, with each input device having a corresponding display area wherein data simultaneously and separately input via each input device is simultaneously displayed in the corresponding display area. At least one control device is connected to the computer and operable to select specific data displayed in any of the display areas and to both transfer and display the specific data in any of the display areas.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A communication system comprising:
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a plurality of data input devices, each said data input device being operable by a respective person to facilitate communication with each of the other of the respective persons;
at least one computer to which said data input devices are operatively coupled;
a control program stored in said at least one computer and operable to permit data entered respectively on each and any of said data input devices to be transferred to said at least one computer;
at least one display means coupled to said at least one computer and observable by each of said persons, each said display means simultaneously displaying a common image generated by said at least one computer, said common image including a plurality of mutually exclusive display areas with each said input device having a corresponding display area, wherein said data entered by said input devices is substantially simultaneously displayed in the corresponding display area thereby permitting each of the persons to view simultaneously their own entered data and data entered by the other of the persons as said data is entered; and
at least one control device connected to said at least one computer and operable to select specific data displayed in any of said display areas and to facilitate both transfer and display of said specific data to any other display area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of facilitating communications between a plurality of persons, each having access to a data input device, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving data simultaneously and separately input from each and any of said data input devices in at least one computer;
assimilating said data into a file stored within said at least one computer;
displaying said data by displaying said file as a common image on at least one display means simultaneously observable by each of said persons such that, when initially received, data input from each of said input devices is displayed in a corresponding one of a plurality of mutually exclusive display areas of said image associated with said one input device; and
manipulating said file to select specific data displayed in any one of said corresponding display areas to transfer said specific data for display in said common image in another display area. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A communication system comprising:
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a plurality of data entry keyboard devices each being operable by a respective person to facilitate communication with other respective persons;
a facilitator unit coupled to said keyboard devices and configured to buffer signals sourced from said keyboard devices to at least one computer;
at least one display means;
a computer program stored in said at least one computer and operable to generate a common image for simultaneous display one each of said display means, said common image including a plurality of mutually exclusive display areas, with each said keyboard device having a corresponding one of said display areas and there being at least one further display area, the data entered via each said keyboard device being simultaneously displayed in the corresponding display area thereby permitting each of the persons to view simultaneously their own entered data and data entered by others of said persons; and
at least one control device connected to said at least one computer and operable to select specific data displayed in said display areas and to instigate both transfer and display of said specific data in any other of said display areas.
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30. A method of facilitating structured communications between a plurality of persons at least greater than two, each having access to at least one of a predetermined plurality of data input devices, said method comprising the steps of:
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(i) using at least one computer to form a common image on at least one display means simultaneously observable by each of said persons, said common image comprising at least one user display area corresponding to each said input device;
(ii) creating a structured sequence by which said communication is to be interactivity facilitated and presenting at least part of said sequence within said common image;
(iii) displaying said common image simultaneously to each of said persons and, in response thereto;
(iv) receiving data simultaneously and separately input from each and any of said data input devices in at least one computer;
(v) assimilating said data into a file stored within said at least one computer such that, when initially received, data input from any one of said input devices is displayed in a dedicated display area of said common image associated with said one input device; and
(vi) manipulating said file to select specific data displayed in any one of said dedicated display areas to transfer said specific data for display in said common image in another display area. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification