Collaborative system and method for managing digital records - Patents.com

Abstract

A method of collaboration using recordings among multiple users during a videoconferencing or other network session. Images or videos of individual physical recordings are captured via a user device, such as a mobile phone with a digital camera. The physical recordings are converted into corresponding digital recordings that are displayed on the user device. The users use their user devices to identify locations on a shared digital screen or board, which locations can be indicated using icons on the shared screen or board. The users can then use their user devices to electronically transfer one or more of the digital recordings to locations on the shared screen or board. Thus, all users can privately create their own digital recordings and transfer those recordings to the shared screen or board for viewing and collaboration among users during the session.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Paper records have been widely used to record, share, and communicate ideas and information. For example, during a collaboration session (e.g., a brainstorming session), participants write ideas on repositionable sticky notes, whiteboards, or pieces of paper and then share them with each other. In addition, people commonly use records throughout the day to memorialize information or content that the individual does not want to forget. As another example, people frequently use records as reminders for future actions or events, such as making a phone call, revising a document, or filling out a timesheet.

[0002] Software programs now exist that allow computer users to create software-based records in digital form and make the digital records available within a computing environment. For example, a computer user can create a digital record and "attach" the digital record to an electronic document, desktop, or electronic workspace presented by the computing environment. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The collaboration method and system using recordings allows users to capture a physical recording via a user device, such as a mobile phone with a digital camera, for conversion into a corresponding digital recording, and then electronically transfer the digital recording to a shared screen or board during a video conferencing session, other network sessions, or between user devices. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0004] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a representation showing an example of a user using an image capture device on a mobile device to capture an image of a work location where a record is located. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile device. [Figure 1C]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a records management application running on a mobile device. [Figure 1D] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a record recognition system. [Figure 1E] FIG. 1 illustrates another embodiment of a records management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a collaboration architecture using records. [Figure 3A] FIG. 1 illustrates an augmented reality process for collaboration using recordings. [Figure 3B] FIG. 1 illustrates an augmented reality process for collaboration using recordings. [Figure 3C] FIG. 1 illustrates an augmented reality process for collaboration using recordings. [Figure 3D] FIG. 1 illustrates an augmented reality process for collaboration using recordings. [Figure 3E] FIG. 1 illustrates an augmented reality process for collaboration using recordings. [Figure 3F] FIG. 1 illustrates an augmented reality process for collaboration using recordings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0005] Overview This disclosure describes techniques for creating and manipulating software records that represent physical records. For example, techniques are described that recognize physical records present in a physical environment, capture information from them, and create digital representations that correspond to the physical records, which are referred to herein as digital or software-based records. Additionally, at least some aspects of this disclosure are directed to techniques for managing multiple records.

[0006] Generally, records may include physical records and digital records. A physical record generally refers to an object that has an overall boundary and a recognizable content. A physical record may include an object that is the result of a person writing, drawing, or making other types of input on an object, such as a piece of paper, a whiteboard, or other object that receives input. By way of example, a physical record may include handwritten repositionable sticky notes, paper, film, a whiteboard with drawings, a poster, or a sign. In some cases, a physical record may be generated using digital means, such as printing on printable repositionable sticky notes or a printed document. In some cases, an object may include several records. For example, several ideas may be written on a piece of poster paper or a whiteboard. A physical record may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. A physical record may have various shapes and sizes. For example, a physical record may be a 3 inch by 3 inch record, a physical record may be a 26 inch by 39 inch poster, and a physical record may be a triangular metal sign. In some cases, a physical record has a known shape and / or size. A digital record generally refers to a digital object that has information and / or ideas. A digital record can be created using digital input. Digital input may include, for example, a keyboard, a touch screen, a digital camera, a digital recording device, a stylus, a digital pen, etc. In some cases, a digital record may be a representation of a physical record.

[0007] Records Management System FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a record recognition environment 10. In the example of FIG. 1A, the environment 10 includes a mobile device 15 that captures and recognizes one or more records 22 from a work location 20. As described herein, the mobile device provides an execution environment for one or more software applications that can efficiently capture and extract record content from a number of physical records, such as a collection of records 22 from the work location 20, as described. In this example, the records 22 may be the result of a collaborative brainstorming session having multiple participants. As described, the mobile device 15 and software running thereon may perform various record-related operations, including the automated creation of digital records that represent the physical records 22 of the work location 20.

[0008] In this example implementation, mobile device 15 includes, among other components, image capture device 18 and presentation device 28. Additionally, although not shown in FIGURE 1A, mobile device 15 may include one or more processors, microprocessors, internal memory and / or data storage, and other electronic circuitry that execute software or firmware to provide the functionality described herein.

[0009] In general, image capture device 18 is a camera or other component configured to capture image data representative of work place 20 and records 22 located therein. In other words, the image data captures a visual representation of an environment having a plurality of visual records, such as work place 20. Image capture device 18 is described as a camera of mobile device 15, but may include other components capable of capturing image data, such as a video recorder, an infrared camera, a CCD (charge-coupled device) array, a laser scanner, etc. Additionally, the captured image data may include at least one of an image, a video, a sequence of images (i.e., multiple images taken within a period of time and / or in a certain order), a collection of images, etc., and the term input image is used herein to refer to various exemplary types of image data.

[0010] Presentation devices 28 include, but are not limited to, electronically addressable displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or other types of display devices, for use with mobile devices 28. In some implementations, mobile devices 15 generate the contents of a record for display on presentation device 28 in various formats, such as lists grouped into rows and / or columns, flow diagrams, etc. In some cases, mobile devices 15 may communicate display information for display on other devices, such as tablet computers, projectors, electronic bulletin boards, or other external devices.

[0011] As described herein, the mobile device 15 and software executing thereon provide a platform for creating and manipulating digital records representative of the physical records 22. For example, the mobile device 15 is generally configured to process image data generated by the image capture device 18 to detect and recognize at least one of the physical records 22 located within the work location 20. In some examples, the mobile device 15 is configured to recognize the record(s) by determining the overall boundaries of the record(s). After recognizing the record, the mobile device 15 extracts content of at least one of the one or more records, where the content is visual information of the record 22.

[0012] In some example implementations, the mobile device 15 provides functionality that enables the user 26 to export the digital records to other systems, such as a cloud-based repository (e.g., cloud server 12) or other computing devices (e.g., computer system 14 or mobile device 16).

[0013] 1A, mobile device 15 is shown as a mobile phone, but in other examples, mobile device 15 may be a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop computer, a media player, an e-book reader, a wearable computing device (e.g., a watch, eyewear, a glove), or any other type of mobile or non-mobile computing device suitable for implementing the techniques described herein.

[0014] 1B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a mobile device that operates in accordance with the techniques described herein. For purposes of example, the mobile device of FIG. 1B is described with reference to mobile device 15 of FIG. 1A.

[0015] In this example, the mobile device 15 includes various hardware components that provide core functionality for the operation of the device. For example, the mobile device 15 includes one or more programmable processors 70 configured to operate according to executable instructions (i.e., program code) typically stored in a computer-readable medium or data storage 68, such as a static random access memory (SRAM) device or a flash memory device. As described in FIG. 1A, the I / O 76 may include one or more devices, such as a keyboard, a camera button, a power button, a volume button, a home button, a back button, a menu button, or a presentation device 28. The transmitter 72 and the receiver 74 provide wireless communication, such as, but not limited to, high frequency radio frequency (RF) signals, with other devices, such as the cloud server 12, the computer system 14, or other mobile devices 16, as described in FIG. 1A, via a wireless communication interface, as described in FIG. 1A. The microphone 71 converts audio information into a corresponding electrical signal. The speaker 73 converts the electrical signal into a corresponding audio information. The vibration motor 75 is used to vibrate the mobile device 15 or its housing. Mobile device 15 may include additional discrete digital logic or analog circuitry not shown in FIG. 1B.

[0016] Generally, an operating system 64 runs on the processor 70 to provide an operating environment for one or more user applications 77 (commonly referred to as "apps"), including a records management application 78. The user applications 77 may include, for example, executable program code stored in a computer-readable storage device (e.g., data storage 68) for execution by the processor 70. As another example, the user applications 77 may include firmware, or in some examples may be implemented in separate logic.

[0017] During operation, the mobile device 15 receives input image data and processes the input image data according to the techniques described herein. For example, the image capture device 18 may capture an input image of an environment having multiple records, such as the work place 20 having records 22 of FIG. 1A. As another example, the mobile device 15 may receive image data via the receiver 74 from an external source, such as a cloud server 15, a computer system 14, or a mobile device 16. Generally, the mobile device 15 stores the image data in the data storage 68 for access and processing by the records management application 78 and / or other user applications 77.

[0018] 1B, user application 77 may invoke kernel functions of operating system 64 to output a graphical user interface (GUI) 79 for displaying information to a user of the mobile device. As described further below, records management application 78 may construct and control GUI 79 to provide an improved electronic environment for creating and manipulating corresponding digital records that represent physical records 22. For example, records management application 78 may construct GUI 79 to include mechanisms that allow user 26 to easily control events that are automatically triggered in response to capturing a record with particular characteristics. Additionally, records management application 78 may construct GUI 79 to include mechanisms that allow user 26 to manage relationships between groups of digital records.

[0019] 1C is a block diagram illustrating one example implementation of a records management application 78 that operates according to the techniques described herein. Although the user application 77 is described as running on a mobile device 15, the examples described herein may be implemented on any computing device, such as a cloud server 12, a computer system 14, or another mobile device.

[0020] In this example, the records management application 78 includes an image processing engine 82 that provides image processing and object recognition functionality. The image processing engine 82 may include an image communication module 90, a record identification module 86, and a digital record creation module 88. In addition, the image processing engine 82 includes an image processing application programming interface (API) 95 that provides a library of image manipulation functions, such as, for example, image binarization, masking, filtering, edge detection, etc., for use by other components of the image processing engine 82.

[0021] Generally, image data may be stored in data storage device 68. In this example, records management application 78 stores images 97 in data storage device 68. Each of images 97 may include pixel data of an environment having multiple physical images, such as workspace 20 of FIG. 1A.

[0022] As described herein, the record identification module 86 processes the image 97 and identifies (i.e., recognizes) a number of physical records within the image. The digital record creation module 88 generates digital records 99 that correspond to the physical records recognized within the image 97. For example, each of the digital records 99 corresponds to one of the physical records identified in the input image 97. During this process, the digital record creation module 88 may update the database 94 to include records of the digital records and may also store in the database information (e.g., content) extracted from the input image within the determined boundaries of the physical records detected by the record identification module 86. Additionally, the digital record creation module 88 may store metadata in the database 94 that associates the digital records with one or more groups of digital records.

[0023] Additionally, the record management application 78 may be configured to specify rules 101 that trigger actions in response to detection of a physical record having a particular characteristic, for example, via user input 26. For example, the user interface 98 may map actions to particular characteristics of records based on user input. The record management application 78 may output a user interface 98 that allows the user to specify rules with actions, such as record grouping actions or actions associated with another software application running on the mobile device, such as an action associated with a calendar application. For each rule, the user interface 98 allows the user to define criteria for triggering the action. During this configuration process, the user interface 98 may prompt the user to capture image data representative of an example record for triggering an action and to process the image data to extract characteristics such as color or content. The user interface 98 may then present the determined criteria to the user to assist in defining a rule that corresponds to the example record.

[0024] Image communication module 90 controls the communication of image data between mobile device 15 and external devices, such as cloud server 12, computer system 14, mobile device 16, or image capture device 18. In some examples, image communication module 90 may enable a user to communicate, for example, processed or unprocessed images 97 of an environment and / or digital recording and associated information extracted therefrom, including metadata from database 68. In some examples, image communication module 90 exports this data to a zip file that can be communicated by FTP, HTTP, email, Bluetooth, or other mechanisms.

[0025] In the example of FIG. 1C, the records management application 78 includes a user interface 98 that configures and controls the GUI 79 (FIG. 1B). As described below, in some examples, the user interface 98 may output to display the input image 97 overlaid with a plurality of digital records 99, with each of the digital records overlaid in place of a corresponding physical record. Additionally, the user interface 98 may display a group of digital records 99 designated by the user. This group of digital records 99 may be, for example, a subset of the digital records recognized within a particular input image 97. The user interface 98 may display this designated group (set) of digital records in a second portion of the GUI 79 and allow the user 26 to easily add or remove digital records 99 from the designated group.

[0026] In some example implementations, the user interface 98 provides an image editor 96 that allows a user to edit the overlay image and / or the digital recording. In another example, the digital recording generation module 88 may include a process or processes that enhance the information extracted from the input image.

[0027] 1D illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a record recognition system 100A. The system 100A may include a processing unit 110, one or more records 120, a sensor 130, and a record content repository 140. The processing unit 110 may include one or more processors, microprocessors, computers, servers, and other computing devices. The sensor 130, e.g., an image sensor, is configured to capture a visual representation of a scene having one or more records 120. The sensor 130 may include at least one of a camera, a video recorder, an infrared camera, a CCD (charge-coupled device) array, a scanner, and the like. The visual representation may include at least one of an image, a video, a sequence of images (i.e., multiple images taken within a period of time and / or in a certain order), a collection of images, and the like. The processing unit 110 is coupled to the sensor 130 and configured to receive the visual representation. In some cases, the processing unit 110 is electronically coupled to the sensor 130. Processing unit 110 is configured to recognize at least one of the one or more recordings 120 from the visual representation. In some embodiments, processing unit 110 is configured to recognize the recording(s) by determining a general boundary of the recording(s). After recognizing the recording, processing unit 110 extracts the content of the recording. In some cases, processing unit 110 is configured to recognize and extract the content of two or more recordings from the visual representation of a scene having those recordings.

[0028] In some cases, the processing unit 110 can execute software or firmware stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium to implement various processes of the system 100A (e.g., recognize recordings, extract recordings, etc.). The recording content repository 140 may execute on a single computer, server, storage device, cloud server, etc. In some other cases, the recording content repository 140 may execute on a series of networked computers, servers, or devices. In some implementations, the recording content repository 140 includes a hierarchy of data storage devices, including local, regional, and central. The recordings 120 can include physical recordings regularly or randomly placed in the collaboration space, and the sensors 130 generate visual representations of the recordings 120 within the collaboration space.

[0029] In some implementations, the recording recognition system 100A may include a presentation device (not shown in FIG. 1D ) that indicates to the user which recordings have been recognized and / or which content of the recordings has been extracted. Additionally, the recording recognition system 100A may present the extracted content via the presentation device. In some embodiments, the processing unit 110 may authenticate the recording before extracting the content of the recording. If the recording is authenticated, the content will be extracted and stored in the recording content repository 140.

[0030] FIG. 1E illustrates an embodiment of a record management system 100B. In this embodiment, the record management system 100B includes a processing unit 110, one or more records 120, one or more record sources 150, and a record content repository 140. In some cases, the system 100B includes a presentation device 160. The processing unit 110, the records 120, and the record content repository 140 are similar to the components of the record recognition system 100A as shown in FIG. 1A. The record source 150 may include a source providing content of a physical record, such as a visual representation of a scene having one or more records, and a source providing content of a digital record, such as a data stream entered from a keyboard. In some embodiments, the record management system 100B includes a first source and a second source, where the first source is a visual representation of a scene having one or more records 120. The first source and the second source are generated by different devices. The second source includes at least one of a text stream, an image, a video, a file, and a data entry. Processing unit 110 recognizes at least one of the recordings from the first source and extracts the content of the recordings, as described for recording recognition system 100A. In some cases, processing unit 110 labels the recordings with a category. Processing unit 110 can label the recordings based on a particular shape, color, content, and / or other information of the recordings. For example, each group of recordings can have a different color (e.g., red, green, yellow, etc.).

[0031] In some embodiments, records management system 100B may include one or more presentation devices 160 to present the contents of records 120 to a user. Presentation devices 160 may include, but are not limited to, electronically addressable displays such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), tablet computers, projectors, electronic bulletin boards, mobile phones, laptops, etc. In some implementations, processing unit 110 generates the contents of the records for display on presentation device 160 in various formats, such as, for example, lists grouped into rows and / or columns, flow diagrams, etc.

[0032] The various components of the record recognition and record management systems, such as the processing unit, the image sensor, and the record content repository, can communicate through communication interfaces. The communication interfaces include, but are not limited to, any short-range and long-range communication interfaces, wired or wireless. The short-range communication interfaces may be, for example, local area networks (LANs) or interfaces conforming to known communication standards, such as Bluetooth standards, IEEE 802 standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11), ZigBee or similar specifications based on IEEE 802.15.4 standards, or other public or proprietary wireless protocols. The long-range communication interfaces may be, for example, wide area networks (WANs), cellular network interfaces, satellite communication interfaces, and the like. The communication interfaces may be either in a private computer network, such as an intranet, or on a public computer network, such as the Internet.

[0033] Collaborate using recordings A collaboration session allows users to share digital recordings within a group of participants. Figure 2 is a diagram of a collaboration architecture using recordings. Figures 3A-3F show an augmented reality process for collaboration using recordings, for example, within the architecture of Figure 2.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3A, a mobile device 202 having a display device 203 and a digital camera 201 can be used to capture an image or video of a physical recording 200. The mobile device 202 can correspond to a mobile device 15, the display device 203 can correspond to a presentation device 28 (possibly having a touch screen), and the digital camera 201 can correspond to an image capture device 18. The physical recordings 200 (labeled 1, 2, 3) can be, for example, repositionable sticky notes. Three physical recordings are shown for illustrative purposes only, and the augmented reality functionality can be used with more or fewer recordings. Apart from the mobile device, other user devices, for example digital cameras, directed at the physical recordings and electronically connected to a computer or computing device can be used to capture and transform the physical recordings.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3B, the mobile device 202 can be positioned such that the physical recording 200 is within the field of view of the digital camera 201. Once within the field of view, the physical recording 200 appears on the display device 203, as shown as a highlighted recording 206. Recordings that appear on the display device 203 within the field of view of the camera can be highlighted with a box around the recording, as shown, or in other ways. When the user presses or activates the button 204 while the physical recording 200 is within the field of view, the physical recording is converted to a corresponding digital recording and appears on the display device 203 as a digital recording 205. Aside from using the button 204, other commands can be used to convert the physical recording 200 to a corresponding digital recording 205. The digital recording 205 can be contained and viewed within a private area or board that can be viewed by the user but not shared with others, where the user can potentially act on or modify the digital recording. The physical recording can be converted to a corresponding digital recording, for example, as described in the Record Management section above. A user may also create a digital record in addition to or instead of converting a physical record to a digital record.

[0036] Here, the digital recording 205 can be shared with other users during a video conferencing session, during other types of network sessions, or between user devices. Examples of video conferencing applications include the Teams product by Microsoft Corporation and the Zoom product by Zoom Video Communications, Inc. Alternatively, a user can share a screen or board over a network connection that allows the user to share or present a digital screen or board to other users over a network connection. The shared screen or board can be viewed by users participating in the session. The video conferencing session, when used for this augmented reality feature, can include a default timer or a timer set by one of more of the users participating in the session.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3C, a user using a mobile device 202 can transfer one of the digital recordings (recording 1) to a shared digital screen or board 208 shown on a display device on a computing device 207. The computing device can also have a digital camera 210 for use during a videoconferencing session if the digital recording is transferred during such a videoconferencing session. Alternatively, the digital recording can be transferred during a network session in which users participating in the session can view the shared screen or board on their respective devices and can communicate with each other via telephone or in other ways. As another alternative, a user can transfer the digital recording from the user's mobile phone to the user's other device, such as a laptop or tablet computer, or other electronic device.

[0038] To transfer this digital recording, the user holds the mobile device 202 within the field of view of the digital camera 210 and places a target icon 212 at a specific location on the screen or board 208. Moving the mobile device 202 around within the field of view of the digital camera 210 causes a corresponding movement of the target icon 212 on the shared screen or board 208. The target icon is shown as a circle with a line through it, but could be implemented with other types of icons or symbols.

[0039] 3D, when the user presses or activates the button 204, the digital recording (RECORD 1) is electronically transferred from the mobile device 202 to the screen or board 208 and appears at or near the location of the icon 212 on the screen or board 208. The digital recording is also removed from view on the display device 203. The digital recording may be transferred electronically over a network connection, such as, for example, the same network connection used for the video conferencing session or another network connection. Aside from pressing or activating the button 204, the digital recording may be transferred using other commands, such as tapping on the record.

[0040] 3E, a user using the mobile device 202 can transfer another one of the digital recordings (recording 2) to a location on the shared screen or board 208 that is different from the location of the first digital recording (recording 1). To transfer this digital recording, the user holds the mobile device 202 within the field of view of the digital camera 210 and places a target icon 214 at a specific location on the screen or board 208. Moving the mobile device 202 around within the field of view of the digital camera 210 causes a corresponding movement of the target icon 214 on the shared screen or board 208. The target icon 214 can be implemented with the same or a different icon or symbol as icon 212.

[0041] 3F, when the user presses or activates button 204, this digital recording (recording 2) is electronically transferred from the mobile device 202 to the screen or board 208 and appears at or near the location of icon 214 on the screen or board 208. This digital recording is also removed from view on the display device 203. The digital recording may be electronically transferred over a network connection, such as, for example, the same network connection used for the video conferencing session or another network connection.

[0042] In this manner, as shown in Figures 3C-3F, a user may sequentially transfer one or more of the digital recordings (e.g., recording 1, 2, 3) to a shared screen or board during a videoconferencing session or other type of network session. The digital recordings may be transferred sequentially in any order, possibly determined by the user. Alternatively, the digital recordings may be transferred in groups, e.g., all of the digital recordings or a subset thereof. The digital recordings on the shared screen or board may optionally be electronically transmitted to users participating in the session when or after the session ends.

[0043] As another alternative, the user can transfer a physical recording in addition to the digital recording. By executing a specific command, the physical recording can be automatically converted into a corresponding digital recording and transferred to the shared screen or board. For example, the user can point to or circle the physical recording or press or activate a specific button on the display device 203 when the physical recording is within the field of view of the digital camera 201 of the mobile device 202.

[0044] This augmented reality functionality thus provides the user with a way to capture physical recordings and private areas and act on the corresponding digital recording, as shown by recording 205 and Figures 3A-3B, and a simple user-friendly way to transfer the digital recording to a shared screen or board, as shown in Figures 3C-3F, where it can be viewed by users participating in the session.

[0045] Private / personal staging area on shareable boards When collaborating with other users or participants in a shared board, users can capture physical records that are converted to digital records and create digital records in a private area of ​​their electronic device (e.g., cell phone), where they can sort, edit, and delete the digital records before sharing with other users or participants. This feature captures an important aspect of analog collaboration, where users or participants work "alone together" to capture and create their own records privately, and then selectively share those digital records with other users or participants. This feature also democratizes thinking, as the digital records all look the same when they are finally moved to the shared board, without participants seeing everyone's records at the same time and feeling pressured to conform to others' records. These aspects are the inherent strengths of physically relocatable records, and this feature provides that advantage to digital records.

[0046] Multiple Viewpoints on the Same Board Records can be sorted and / or visualized in many ways on the same board. For example, a user or participant can switch between displaying digital records on a visual board that displays a collection of records, displaying a hierarchical list showing only the text of the records converted via optical character recognition, and a KANBAN board (a workflow visualization tool) that visually shows the records but removes spatial information to focus only on status and sorting. A user or participant can also sort digital records by organizing and / or filtering them by known attributes (metadata), such as timestamp, color, size, alphanumeric text, author, session ID, or other attributes. This functionality provides digital records with new capabilities not possible in the analog world of physical (e.g., paper) relocatable records.

[0047] synthesis This functionality includes finding consistency or meaning within all records. For example, this functionality can include using a computer to help find common concepts, automatically create groups of digital records based on the content of those concepts, create groups and then automatically sort the digital records based on content, automatically find duplicates, or automatically perform other actions on the records. This functionality can be enhanced with machine learning techniques. For example, the system can provide pre-defined electronic templates (e.g., flowcharts, themes, swots, fishbones, etc.) and utilize machine learning to assist the user by automatically pre-sorting the digital records into the selected template based logically on the content.

Claims

1. 1. A method of collaboration using records, comprising: The following is executed by the processor: acquiring, via a user device, digital images or digital videos of the plurality of individual physical records; converting said plurality of physical records into corresponding digital records; displaying the digital recording on the user device; receiving, via said user device, a position on a shared digital screen or board; electronically transferring at least one of said digital recordings to said location on said shared screen or board; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the forwarding step comprises receiving a button activation on the user device.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying on the user device a private area for a user to act on the digital recording, the private area being viewable by the user but not shared with others.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring step includes transferring a digital recording created by a user.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring step comprises transferring the digital records sequentially.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring step includes transferring the digital records as a group.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring step comprises transferring a subset of the digital records.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring step includes transferring the at least one of the digital recordings during a videoconferencing session.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring step comprises transferring the at least one of the digital records during a network session.

10. A collaboration system using records, comprising a processor configured to perform any of the methods according to claims 1 to 9.

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