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US 7,161,578 B1Granted
Universal presentation device
AssigneeLogitech Europe S.A.
InventorGerhard A. Schneider
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A universal presentation device discloses having two or more presentation elements for use in environments such as presentation environments. For example, the universal presentation device may include a combination of a laser pointer element, a pointing device element, and/or a writing instrument element. The universal presentation device is dimensioned to house each element within a single logical housing. Further, each element is operable with any of the other elements present within the universal presentation device. A method of operating the universal presentation device, including its use environment, is also disclosed.
Claims45
A universal presentation device comprising:
- an electronic control device configured to communicatively couple with a computer system to provide a control mechanism for the computer system;
- a radio-frequency transmitter configured to communicatively couple the electronic control device with the computer system;
- and
- a coherent light source configured to provide a coherent light beam for pointing the coherent light beam on an object;
- a user-operable switch having a first state configured to select operation of the electronic control device, a second state configured to select operation of the coherent light source, and a third state configured to select operation of the electronic control device and the coherent light source for substantially simultaneously operating for combined operation of the electronic control device and the coherent light source, which are dimensioned to form a substantially unitary device when at least one of the electronic control device or the coherent light source is operational,
- a first housing portion including the electronic control device, a first power source, and a first electrical contact for the first power source;
- and
- a second housing portion including the coherent light source, a second power source, and a second electrical contact for the second power source, wherein
- the first housing potion and the second housing portion are separable and combinable,
- if the first housing portion and the second housing portion are combined, the first and second electrical contacts are configured to contact and the first power source and the second power source are configured to provide a single power source configured to be shared by the electronic control device and the coherent light source.
7 more elements
A modular universal presentation device comprising:
- a first presentation module configured to provide a first presentation function, the first presentation function including the use of an electrical circuit;
- a second presentation module configured to provide a second presentation function;
- and
- a releasable locking assembly configured to releaseably couple the first presentation module with the second presentation module to form a unitary article, wherein:
- the first presentation module and the second presentation module are configured to be separable,
- the first presentation module including a first power source and a first battery contact, and
- the second presentation module including a second power source and a second battery contact
- the first and second battery contacts are configured to contact if the first presentation module and the second presentation module are combined, and the first power source and the second power source are configured to provide one power source that is shared by the first presentation module and the second presentation module.
5 more elements
A universal presentation device comprising:
- a communication means for communicating with a host system;
- an application control means for controlling the host system;
- a coherent light source means for generating a coherent light beam to light at least a portion of an object;
- a housing means for housing the communication means, the application control mechanism means and the coherent light source means;
- and
- a switching means for selecting operation of the coherent light source, the application control means, or the simultaneous combined operation of the coherent light source means and the application control means, wherein:
- the housing means is configured to be separable into a first portion that includes the coherent light source means and a second portion the include the application control means,
- the first portion includes a first power source and a first electrical contact,
- the second portion includes a second power source and a second electrical contact, and
- if the first portion and the second portion are combined, the first and second electrical contacts are configured to contact and the first power source and the second power are configured to form a single power source shared by the first portion and the second portion.
7 more elements
In a universal presentation device, a method comprising the steps of:
- combining a first portion of the device with a second portion of the device to contact a first electrical contact in the first portion to a second electrical contact in the second portion;
- in response to contacting the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, coupling a first power source in the first portion to a second power source in the second portion to provide a single power source to power a coherent light source in the first portion and an electronic control device in the second portion;
- switching a switch to operate the coherent light source, the electronic control device, or the coherent light source and the electronic control device in combination substantially simultaneously;
- communicating with a computer system,
- receiving a user input via the electronic control device;
- controlling the computer system in response to the user input, and
- providing the coherent light source for generating a coherent light beam to reflect off an object housing the electronic control device and the coherent light source in a unitary off an object.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.