Control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace

• US 9,510,672 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2014
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barco NV
• Original Assignee: Steelcase Incorporated
• Inventors: Epstein, Lewis, Kincaid, Brett, Yoo, Hyun, Stage, Suzanne, Scherrer, Lukas, Cheng, Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): BILGRAMI, ASGHAR H
• Application Number:
  US14/293,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20140285720A1
• Time in Patent Office: 918 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 13/08 Table tops; Rims therefor not restricted to table tops A47B95/04
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2021/066 with power or communication connection interface
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2083/003 Table combination having a central power access component
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2083/006 having an incorporated display screen
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/00 Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 21/06 characterised by means for holding, fastening or concealing cables
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 37/00 Tables adapted for other particular purposes glass cutting tables C03B33/03
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 83/001 Office desks or work-stations combined with other pieces of furniture, e.g. work space management systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/268 Signal distribution or switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/66 Transforming electric information into light information scanning details H04N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 : Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 : for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A method of selecting video source devices to drive first and second presentation spaces provided by at least one display screen in a collaborative workspace, the method comprising the steps of providing a control assembly that includes a plurality of control interfaces, each control interface including a separate selectable control associated with each of the presentation spaces, associating at least first and second video sources with first and second of the control interfaces, respectively, for each of the control interfaces, when a selectable control is selected, providing video information from the video source device associated with the control interface used to make the selection to the presentation space associated with the selectable control such that a plurality of video images from at least first and second different video source devices can be presented simultaneously in the presentation spaces.

Claims

1. An assembly for sharing content from video source devices, the apparatus comprising:

a table assembly having a top member and a table support structure for supporting the top member in a substantially horizontal orientation, the top member forming a top surface and an opening in the top surface;

a display assembly including at least a first display screen supported adjacent the table top and generally residing at a height above the height of the top surface of the table top;

a switching device supported by the table support structure and linked to the display assembly for providing content thereto to be presented via the first display screen;

a plurality of control cables, each control cable having proximal and distal ends, each distal end linked to the switching device below the table top and each proximal end moveable between a stowed position below the table top and adjacent the opening and a use position pulled out through the opening and to a location proximate the top surface of the table top for connection to a video source device; and

a control assembly including a control interface for each of the control cables, each control interface including at least a first selectable control;

wherein, a video source device is associated with one of the control interfaces by linking the distal end of a control cable associated with the control interface to the source device; and

wherein, when a source device is linked to one of the control cables, selection of the first selectable control on the interface associated with the linked control cable causes the switching device to provide video information to replicate the content from the display screen of the source device associated with the control interface including the selected first selectable control on the first display screen.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the display assembly further includes at least a second display device supported adjacent the table top and generally residing at a height above the height of the top surface of the table top, each control interface further including at least a second selectable control, wherein, when a source device is linked to one of the control cables, selection of the second selectable control on the interface associated with the linked control cable causes the switching device to provide video information to replicate the content from the display screen of the source device associated with the control interface including the selected second selectable control on the second display screen.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the second display screen is supported adjacent the first display screen with display surfaces of the first and second display screens residing substantially in a single plane.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the first and second display screens are located adjacent an edge of the table top.

5. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second display screens are located adjacent the edge of the table top.

6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein each of the first and second selectable controls includes an indicator capable of indicating at least first and second states, the first state indicating that no source is linked to a control cable associated with the control interface that includes the indicator and the second state indicating that a source is linked to the control cable associated with the control interface that includes the indicator.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the indicator is a light device.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein each control interface indicates the second state by illuminating the light device and indicates the first state by turning off the light device.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the second state indicates that a source is linked to the control cable associated with the control interface that includes the indicator but that the source content is not replicated on the display screen, each indicator is also controlled to indicate a third state when a source is linked to the control cable associated with the control interface that includes the indicator and the source content is replicated on the display screen.

10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of control cables include at least four control cables.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the control assembly is connected to the table assembly.

12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the control interfaces include a flat surface and wherein the selectable controls are presented as selectable icons on the flat surface and wherein the flat surfaces are substantially horizontal.

13. The assembly of claim 3 wherein each control interface is connected to an associated control cable.

14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the control interfaces includes an indicator that can indicate at least first and second states, the first state indicating that no source is linked to an associated control cable and the second state indicating that a source is linked to the control cable.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the indicator is a light device.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein each control interface indicates the second state by illuminating the light device and indicates the first state by turning off the light device.

17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the second state indicates that a source is linked to the control cable associated with the control interface that includes the indicator but that the source content is not replicated on the display screen, each indicator is also controlled to indicate a third state when a source is linked to the control cable associated with the control interface that includes the indicator and the source content is replicated on the display screen.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the second and third states are indicated by generating first and second different illuminated effects.

19. The assembly of claim 1 further including a compartment below the table top for receiving the cables when in the stowed positions.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the table support structure forms the compartment.

21. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the top surface of the table top forms a plane, the assembly further including a sub-assembly for restricting downward movement of the distal end of each of the control cables below the opening so that when a control cable is in the stowed position, the distal end is retained proximate the opening in the table top at a height below the plane formed by the top surface of the table top.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein each of the control cables includes a connector at the distal end for linking the cable to a source device, the assembly for restricting downward movement including a deck member supported below the opening in the table top where the deck member forms separate deck openings for each of the control cables to pass through.

23. A method of selecting video source devices to drive first and second presentation spaces provided by at least one display screen in a collaborative workspace, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a control assembly that includes a plurality of control interfaces, each control interface including a separate selectable control associated with each of the presentation spaces;

associating at least first and second video sources with first and second of the control interfaces, respectively;

for each of the control interfaces, when a selectable control is selected, providing video information from the video source device associated with the control interface used to make the selection to the presentation space associated with the selectable control such that a plurality of video images from at least first and second different video source devices can be presented simultaneously in the presentation spaces.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the first and second presentation spaces are provided by first and second separate display screens, respectively.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the first and second presentation spaces are provided on different parts of a single display screen.

26. The method of claim 23 further including the step of associating a separate control cable with each of the control interfaces, each control cable including a connector at a distal end for connection to a video source device.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein each selectable control includes an indicator capable of indicating three states including a first state when no source device is linked to an associated control cable, a second state when a source is linked to an associated control cable and the linked source is not used to drive the presentation space associated with the selectable control and a third state when a source is linked to an associated control cable and the linked source is used to drive the presentation space associated with the selectable control, the method further including the steps of:

when a source device is linked to a control cable and prior to selection of a selectable control on the control interface associated with the control cable, causing the indicator associated with the selectable control to indicate the second state and,

with a source device linked to a control cable, when a selectable control on the control interface associated with the control cable is selected, causing the indicator associated with the selected selectable control to indicate the third state.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein each of the indicators includes a light and wherein the first state is indicated by turning off the light and the second and third states are indicated by illuminating the light in first and second visually distinguishable ways, respectively.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the selectable controls and indicators for each control interface are mounted within a separate housing.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein each of the control interfaces is mounted to an associated one of the control cables.

31. The method of claim 23 wherein the plurality of control interfaces includes four control interfaces.

32. A method for use with source devices that include display screens and that present content on the display screens, the method for selecting displayed content from source devices to be replicated on at least a first common presentation space in a collaborative workspace, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a control assembly that includes;

(i) a first control interface including at least a first interface first control button associated with the at least a first common presentation space, the first interface first control button including a first interface first indicator capable of indicating first, second and third different states;

(ii) a second control interface including at least a second interface first control button associated with the at least a first common presentation space, the second interface first control button including a second interface first indicator capable of indicating first, second and third different states;

associating first and second control cables with the first and second control interfaces, respectively, each control cable including a connector at a distal end for connection to a source device;

prior to linking a source device to the first control cable, causing the first interface first indicator to indicate the first state;

upon linking a source device to the first control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is not replicated on the first common presentation space, causing the first interface first indicator to indicate the second state;

with the source device linked to the first control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is replicated on the first common presentation space, causing the first interface first indicator to indicate the third state;

when the first interface first control button is selected, replicating the content from the source device linked to the first control cable on the at least a first common presentation space;

prior to linking a source device to the second control cable, causing the second interface first indicator to indicate the first state;

upon linking a source device to the second control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is not replicated on the first common presentation space, causing the second interface first indicator to indicate the second state;

with the source device linked to the second control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is replicated on the first common presentation space, causing the second interface first indicator to indicate the third state; and

when the second interface first control button is selected, replicating the content from the source device linked to the second control cable on the at least a first common presentation space.

33. The method of claim 32 also for use with at least a second common presentation space, wherein:

the first control interface includes at least a first interface second control button associated with the at least a second common display screen, the first interface second control button including a first interface second indicator capable of indicating first, second and third different states;

the second control interface including at least a second interface second control button associated with the at least a second common display screen, the second interface second control button including a second interface second indicator capable of indicating first, second and third different states;

prior to linking a source device to the first control cable, causing the first interface second indicator to indicate the first state;

upon linking a source device to the first control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is not replicated on the first common presentation space, causing the first interface second indicator to indicate the second state;

with the source device linked to the first control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is replicated on the first common presentation space, causing the first interface second indicator to indicate the third state;

when the first interface second control button is selected, replicating the content from the source device linked to the second control cable on the second common presentation space;

prior to linking a source device to the second control cable, causing the second interface second indicator to indicate the first state;

upon linking a source device to the second control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is not replicated on the second presentation space screen, causing the second interface second indicator to indicate the second state;

with the source device linked to the second control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is replicated on the second presentation space screen, causing the second interface second indicator to indicate the third state; and

when the second interface second control button is selected, replicating the content from the source device linked to the second control cable on the at least a second common presentation space.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein each if the indicators includes a light device.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein each of the indicators indicates the different states by causing the light device to generate a state distinct visual effect.

36. The method of claim 33 wherein, when a control button is selected on any of the control interfaces while the control cable associated with the control interface is linked to a source device, the content from the display screen of the linked source device is used to replace current content on the common presentation space associated with the selected control button irrespective of whether or not content from another source device is being presented via the common presentation space when the control button is selected.

37. The method of claim 33 wherein the first control interface is separate from the second control interface.

38. The method of claim 33 wherein the control assembly is attached to a conference table.

39. The method of claim 33 wherein the first and second common presentation spaces are two different segments of a single large display screen.

40. The method of claim 33 wherein the first and second common presentation spaces are formed by first and second distinct display screens.

41. A method for use with source devices that include display screens and that present content on the display screens, the method for selecting displayed content from source devices to be replicated on at least a first common display screen in a collaborative workspace, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a switching device that includes video inputs and at least a first output that is linked to the at least a first common display screen;

providing at least a first control cable linked to a first of the video inputs at a distal end and that includes a proximal end;

providing a first control interface that is associated with the at least a first control cable, the first control interface for controlling the switching device and including at least a first selectable control button and a first indicator capable of indicating at least two states when a source device is linked to the associated control cable including a first state when content on the linked source device display is not replicated on the at least a first common display screen and a second state when content on the linked source device display is replicated on the at leas a first common display screen;

linking a source device to the first control cable;

prior to an initial selection of the first control button, controlling the indicator to indicate the first state;

upon an initial selection of the first control button, replicating the content from the source device display linked to the first control cable on the at least a first common display and controlling the indicator to indicate the second state.

42. The method of claim 41 further including the step of, with the content from the source device display linked to the first control cable replicated on the at least a first common display, upon another selection of the first control button, removing the content from the source device display linked to the first control cable from the at least a first common display and controlling the indicator to indicate the first state.

43. The method of claim 42 further including the steps of:

providing at least a second control cable linked to a second of the video inputs at a distal end and that includes a proximal end;

providing a second control interface that is associated with the at least a second control cable, the second control interface for controlling the switching device and including at least a second selectable control button and a second indicator capable of indicating at least two states when a source device is linked to the associated control cable including a first state when content on the linked source device display is not replicated on the at least a first common display screen and a second state when content on the linked source device display is replicated on the at leas a first common display screen;

linking a source device to the second control cable;

prior to an initial selection of the second control button, controlling the second indicator to indicate the first state;

upon an initial selection of the second control button, replicating the content from the source device display linked to the second control cable on the at least the first common display and controlling the second indicator to indicate the second state, wherein the most recently selected control button controls which content is replicated on the at least one common display.

44. An apparatus for use with source devices that include display screens and that present content on the display screens, the apparatus for selecting displayed content from source devices to be replicated on at least a first common presentation space in a collaborative workspace, the apparatus comprising:

(i) a first control interface including at least a first interface first control button associated with the at least a first common presentation space, the first interface first control button including a first interface first indicator capable of indicating first, second and third different states;

(ii) a second control interface including at least a second interface first control button associated with the at least a first common presentation space, the second interface first control button including a second interface first indicator capable of indicating first, second and third different states; and

first and second control cables with the first and second control interfaces, respectively, each control cable including a connector at a distal end for connection to a source device;

wherein, prior to linking a source device to the first control cable, the first interface first indicator indicates the first state, upon linking a source device to the first control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is not replicated on the first common presentation space, the first interface first indicator indicates the second state, with the source device is linked to the first control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is replicated on the first common presentation space, the first interface first indicator indicates the third state, and, when the first interface first control button is selected, replicating the content from the source device linked to the first control cable on the at least a first common presentation space; and

wherein, prior to linking a source device to the second control cable, the second interface first indicator indicates the first state, upon linking a source device to the second control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is not replicated on the first common presentation space, the second interface first indicator indicates the second state, with the source device linked to the second control cable and while the content on the display screen of the source device is replicated on the first common presentation space, the second interface first indicator indicates the third state, and when the second interface first control button is selected, replicating the content from the source device linked to the second control cable on the at least a first common presentation space.