Online graphical message service

• US 7,904,514 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Jacqueline Anne, Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): ANYAN, BARBARA BURGESS
• Application Number:
  US12/212,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20090024935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/204, 709/205, 235/487, 235/494, 235/382, 235/470, 235/375, 235/432, 345171-175, 345177-179
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/608 Watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 118/15 Roller structure

Abstract

A system and method for achieving an electronic information service (also called an online graphical message service) hosted by a computer system (e.g., a server) connected to a network. Remote users can write information into and read information from the information service over the network. In response to a request from a first user, the service may create a first information object that comprises a virtual whiteboard. The virtual whiteboard may include information written by the remote users. Then, the service may transmit the first information object via the network to the first user. Later, the service may receive a second information object from the first user corresponding to part of the virtual whiteboard. The second information object may include modifications the first user made to the virtual whiteboard. The service may then update the virtual whiteboard utilizing the received second information object.

Claims

1. A method for providing an electronic information service in a computer system connected to a network, the method comprising:

creating, in a whiteboard storage server, a first information object comprising at least part of a virtual whiteboard into which a plurality of users can write information and from which the plurality of users can read information via respective computer terminals;

transmitting the first information object from the whiteboard storage server via the network to a first computer terminal of a first user included in the plurality of the users, such that the first computer terminal causes the virtual whiteboard to be printed together with a position-coding pattern on a substrate, said printed position-coding pattern having sufficient resolution to define strokes of an optically-imaging pen when the pen is moved over the position-coding pattern;

receiving, in the whiteboard storage server, a second information object from the first computer terminal of the first user, the second information object including a modification of at least part of the virtual whiteboard, said second information object comprising position information generated by the pen; and

updating the virtual whiteboard stored in whiteboard storage server utilizing the second information object,

wherein the position information generated by the pen is used to provide a graphical image which is created by moving the pen over the position-coding pattern.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving a request from the first computer terminal of the first user for at least part of the virtual whiteboard.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual whiteboard comprises a plurality of graphical images.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

sending the updated virtual whiteboard from the whiteboard storage server to a second computer terminal of a second user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual whiteboard has an associated end time.

6. A system for creating and updating a virtual whiteboard, said system comprising:

(A) a whiteboard storage server configured for;

creating a first information object comprising at least part of a virtual whiteboard into which a plurality of users can write information and from which the plurality of users can read information via respective computer terminals;

transmitting the first information object from the whiteboard storage server via a network;

(B) a first computer terminal of a first user configured for receiving the first information object;

(C) a printer connected to the first computer terminal, said printer being configured for printing the virtual whiteboard together with a position-coding pattern on a substrate;

an optically imaging pen configured for;

imaging the printed position-coding pattern when the pen is moved over the printed position-coding pattern; and

generating position information identifying digital ink strokes,

wherein the whiteboard storage server is further configured for;

receiving a second information object from the first computer terminal of the first user, the second information object including a modification of at least part of the virtual whiteboard, said second information object comprising the position information generated by the pen; and

updating the virtual whiteboard utilizing the second information object.