Meredith A Morris

US Patent:

8427424, Apr 23, 2013

Filed:

Sep 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/241281

Inventors:

Björn U. Hartmann - San Mateo CA, US
Andrew D. Wilson - Seattle WA, US
Hrvoje Benko - Bellevue WA, US
Meredith J. Morris - Bellevue WA, US

Assignee:

Microsoft Corporation - Redmond WA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00
G06F 3/02

US Classification:

345156, 345163, 345168, 345172, 345650, 345676, 715700, 715750, 715757, 715764

Abstract:

An interaction management module (IMM) is described for allowing users to engage an interactive surface in a collaborative environment using various input devices, such as keyboard-type devices and mouse-type devices. The IMM displays digital objects on the interactive surface that are associated with the devices in various ways. The digital objects can include input display interfaces, cursors, soft-key input mechanisms, and so on. Further, the IMM provides a mechanism for establishing a frame of reference for governing the placement of each cursor on the interactive surface. Further, the IMM provides a mechanism for allowing users to make a digital copy of a physical article placed on the interactive surface. The IMM also provides a mechanism which duplicates actions taken on the digital copy with respect to the physical article, and vice versa.