Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for controlling and presenting information on large format common displays in collaborative workspaces are not intuitive, leading to confusion and delays during transitions between presenters, and they do not provide clear indications of which presenter is sharing information.

Innovation Solution

A control interface with visually distinguishable indicators and buttons for each attendee, allowing easy selection and display of information on multiple screens, and a cable management system that hides cables when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate audio/video cables and switching devices are provided for each presenter, then multiple attendees can share information on the video display, but the system complexity and number of cables increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability of multiple attendees to present informationVSAvoidnumber of cables and switching devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple audio/video cables and switching functions into a single integrated cable assembly for each presenter. Each assembly includes audio cables, video cables, and control cables bundled together, eliminating the need for separate cables and reducing the number of switching devices required at the display end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated cable assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it carries audio signals, video signals, and control signals all through one connection interface. This multi-functional design allows a single cable assembly to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate cables and control devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cables and switching devices are used to enable presenter transitions, then information sharing capability is improved, but transition time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation sharing capabilityVSAvoidtransition time between presenters

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

All necessary cables (audio, video, and control) are pre-bundled into integrated assemblies during setup. This preliminary organization means that when a presenter transition is needed, the system is already configured to accept new connections without requiring multiple separate cable manipulations, thus reducing transition time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By merging control functions into the same integrated cable assembly as audio and video signals, the patent enables simultaneous switching of all signals through a single control action, rather than requiring separate operations for each signal type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional switching devices are used, then multiple video sources can be controlled, but the user interface is not intuitive and causes confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol of multiple video sourcesVSAvoidintuitiveness of control interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates visual indicators (such as LED lights) on the control interface that provide immediate feedback about which presenter is currently active or selected. This feedback mechanism makes the system state transparent to users, eliminating confusion about who is controlling the display and improving the intuitiveness of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If separate control interfaces are provided for each presenter, then individual control capability is improved, but the number of control devices and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of control devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges control functionality into the existing integrated cable assemblies, so that each presenter's cable assembly includes its own control capabilities. This approach provides individual control for each presenter without requiring separate standalone control devices, as the control functions are embedded within the already-necessary cable assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12621410B2Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 BARCO NV

AI summary

A conferencing assembly for sharing content from source devices includes a common display screen, a switcher controlling input to the screen, and a table assembly with a tabletop opening. A control cable assembly has a first end linked to the switcher, a second ends having a plug connectable to a source device communication port, and a first control cable located therebetween. A take up assembly including a first weight is disposed below the opening. The control cable assembly links to the first weight to apply a force tending to pull the second end of the control cable assembly toward the opening. A first user interface including a control button useable to send a signal to the switcher causing it to provide first content from a source device connected to the control cable assembly to the screen is integrated into the table assembly and is associated with the control cable assembly.