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

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for managing audiovisual information in collaborative workspaces are not intuitive, leading to confusion and productivity losses during transitions between presenters, as they require multiple cables and complex control processes, lacking clear indication of which presenter is sharing information.

Innovation Solution

A control interface with visually distinct buttons and indicators, including illumination devices, is provided for each presenter, allowing easy selection and indication of which laptop is presenting on common displays, with separate controls for each display and the ability to wirelessly communicate with laptops.

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 control the video display, but the device complexity and number of cables increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability of multiple attendees to control video displayVSAvoidnumber of cables and switching devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal control interface is provided that can be used by any presenter, eliminating the need for separate cables and switching devices for each attendee. The interface universally supports multiple presenters through software-based source selection rather than hardware-based cable management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple audio/video cable connections are merged into a single control interface that can select between different video sources. The switching function is combined with the control interface, eliminating the need for separate switching devices and reducing cable clutter on the conference table.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If sequential cable connection is used for each presenter, then the system is simple, but the transition time between presenters increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtransition time between presenters

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

All audio/video cable connections are established in advance and remain connected throughout the presentation. The control interface is pre-configured with buttons for each presenter, allowing immediate source switching without the need to physically connect or disconnect cables during transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If control interface provides clear visual indication of active presenter, then confusion is reduced, but the device complexity increases with additional indicators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclarity of presenter identificationVSAvoidnumber of indicators and visual elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different colors are used to indicate the active video source on the control interface. When a presenter's video is displayed, the corresponding button or indicator changes color to provide clear visual feedback about which source is active, eliminating confusion without requiring complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The control interface provides immediate visual feedback to indicate which video source is currently being displayed. This feedback mechanism helps presenters and attendees understand the current state of the system, reducing confusion during transitions between presenters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If multiple cables are provided for each presenter, then connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex cable management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidease of cable management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management problem is extracted and separated from the presentation control function. All cables remain permanently connected to the switching device, removing the need for presenters to handle cable connections. The control interface extracts the source selection function from physical cable management, allowing presenters to simply press buttons without dealing with cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11743425B2Personal control apparatus and method for sharing information in a collaborative workspace

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 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.