Integrated information presentation system with environmental controls

• US 7,248,231 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Speakeasy Incorporated (Fusion Connect, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Speakeasy Incorporated (Fusion Connect, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lamb, Edward F., Hurley, Gerald C., Lamb, Francis B., Andrews, Earle H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Awad; Amr A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHERMAN, STEPHEN G
• Application Number:
  US10/700,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20040090424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/87, 345 11- 34, 345168-169, 455/463, 455/454
• US Class Current: 345/2.1
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/06 Adjustment of display parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T

Abstract

A system including environmental controls that at least enhance the experience of giving or viewing a presentation. Controls are available which enable the presenter to have direct control of the presentation environment. Presenters can also practice a presentation before actually giving it, transmit a presentation, either pre-recorded or live, from a remote location(s), record a presentation for later distribution, view a pre-recorded or live presentation from a remote location(s), or upload a video or audio message to a website. The system also includes a stylus, a remote control, and an interface device to enable a handheld computing device to be used as a remote, or even as the source for presentations themselves. The system includes a combination of an Integrated Information Presentation Device (PowerPodium), an Integrated Presentation Environment Assembly with Controls (Presentation Booth), an Information Display Device System (PDA Device), a stylus and a remote control.

Claims

1. An information display system comprising:

a presentation device capable of displaying a presentation, maintaining status information and managing the functionality of;

an environmental control module adapted to adjust one or more environmental controls;

a messaging system capable of receiving messages from one or more audience members; and

a detachable presenter unit that is at least capable of being in communication with the presentation device and is at least capable of controlling one or more functions of the presentation device; and

a remotely located presentation booth that is adapted to emulate the functionality of the presentation device during a practice session for the presentation.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a broadcasting system that is capable of distributing the presentation to a plurality of locations.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more profiles that specify a particular set of environmental controls.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the messaging system receives electronic messages from one or more audience members, one or more of these electronic messages being displayed in a messaging center.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more of an active or passive pointing stylus.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a presentation loading system adapted to receive one or more presentations from one or more of a recorded media, a wireless transmission, a wired transmission and a presentation booth.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the presentation device comprises a primary screen and a secondary screen, the primary screen displaying a presenter view and the secondary screen displaying a presentee view.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distributed network access device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental controls comprise at least one of lighting controls, temperature controls, shade controls, volume controls, microphone controls, screen controls, fan controls and automated hardware controls.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a recording system.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the environmental control module utilizes an identification scheme to identify specific environmental controls.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a detachable presenter locating device.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a personal digital assistant in communication with and adapted to control the information display system.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more of an assistance required button, an internet access button, a next slide button, a previous slide button, a skip to slide button, video camera control, web cam controls, telephone controls, remote environment adjustment controls, shortcut mode buttons and speakers notes displayed concurrently with slide information, with the speakers notes not being visible to an audience.

22. The system of claim 1, further comprising an agenda file organizer adapted to manage one or more documents associated with one or more presentations.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the presentation booth utilizes one or more of hardware and software to replicate features of the presentation device.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the presentation booth is adapted to transmit or receive a presentation to, or from, respectively, a remote location.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the presentation booth is geographically remote from the information display system.

15. A presentation method comprising:

loading a presentation in a presentation device;

adjusting one or more environmental controls using the presentation device;

initializing a messaging system in the presentation device;

initializing a remote presenter unit using the presentation device;

practicing a presentation in a remotely located presentation booth, the presentation booth simulating the functionality of the presentation device; and

presenting the practiced presentation at the presentation device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising starting a recording mode.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving electronic communications from one or more audience members.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising accessing a distributed network from the presentation device.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the environmental controls comprise at least one of lighting controls, temperature controls, shade controls, volume controls, microphone controls, screen controls, fan controls and automated hardware controls.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising controlling aspects of the presentation with the remote presenter unit.

21. An information display system comprising:

means for displaying a presentation, maintaining status information and managing the functionality of;

means for adjusting one or more environmental controls;

means for receiving messages from one or more audience members; and

means for remotely controlling one or more functions of the information display system; and

means for remotely emulating the functionality of the means for displaying a presentation during a practice session for the presentation.

26. An information display system comprising:

a presentation device capable of displaying a presentation and maintaining status information;

an environmental control module adapted to adjust one or more environmental controls;

a detachable presenter unit that is at least capable being in communication with the presentation device and is at least capable of controlling one or more functions of the presentation device;

a presentation booth replicating the functionality of the presentation device, the environmental control module and the detachable presenter unit.

27. An information display system comprising:

a presentation booth adapted for practicing a presentation; and

a power podium in communication with the presentation booth and for presenting the presentation, each being adapted to;

display the presentation and maintain status information;

adjust one or more aspects of a presentation environment;

receive one or more presentations; and

organize the one or more presentations in accordance with an agenda file organizer.