Using physical objects in conjunction with an interactive surface

A system comprising:

• an interactive management module configured to manage an interactive surface, the interactive management module comprising:
• logic configured to detect placement of a physical article at a first location on the interactive surface;
• logic configured to display an interface object on the interactive surface for use in association with the physical article, the interface object surrounding the physical article;
• logic configured to detect when a user identifies the physical article for copying by touching the interface object surrounding the physical article with a finger and dragging the finger away from the physical article;
• and
• logic configured to, responsive to the user dragging the finger away from the physical article, generate a digital image of the physical article and display the digital image of the physical article on the interactive surface at a second location identified by the user, wherein the second location of the digital image of the physical article on the interactive surface is different than the first location of the physical article on the interactive surface;
• and
• one or more processing devices configured to execute the interactive management module,
• wherein the logic configured to display the interface object is configured to display the interface object responsive to the placement of the physical article on the interactive surface and before the user identifies the physical article for copying.

A method for managing an interactive surface, the method comprising:

• detecting placement of a physical article at a first location on the interactive surface;
• displaying an interface object on the interactive surface for use in association with the physical article, the interface object being displayed proximate to the physical article;
• detecting when a user identifies the physical article for copying by contacting the interface object that is proximate to the physical article with a contact point and moving the contact point away from the physical article;
• obtaining, a digital image of the physical article, the digital image of the physical article being obtained responsive to detecting the moving of the contact point away from the physical article;
• and
• displaying the digital image of the physical article on the interactive surface at a second location, wherein the second location of the digital image of the physical article on the interactive surface is different than the first location of the physical article on the interactive surface,
• wherein at least the obtaining is performed by one or more processing devices, and
• wherein the interface object is displayed responsive to the placement of the article on the interactive surface and is displayed before the user identifies the physical article for copying.