Prior art

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 10904487

The following prior art references are cited within US Patent 10904487. For each, a summary is provided, along with an analysis of which claims it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102, based on the abstract and description of the cited patent.

1. US20060167996A1

• Full Citation: US20060167996A1, Orsolini Garry S, "System and method for enabling electronic presentations"
• Publication Date: July 27, 2006
• Filing Date: January 13, 2005
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system and method for enabling electronic presentations where multiple users can present content from their computing devices to a display in a conference room. The system includes an interface that allows presenters to select content, modify it, and display it. It focuses on managing multiple presentation sources and allowing for collaborative control of the display. It also mentions a shared display of a whiteboard application.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1 (Whiteboard Device): This reference describes displaying content and managing it from various sources, including a whiteboard application. While it mentions shared whiteboard, it does not explicitly detail a system that overlays a menu on an interactive whiteboard window for starting a videoconference session and then overlays a videoconference window specifically. It focuses more on presentation management.
  • Claim 8 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Media): Similar to Claim 1, the instructions described in this reference focus on presentation and content management rather than the specific overlaying of a videoconferencing menu and window on an interactive whiteboard.
  • Claim 15 (Computer-Implemented Method): The method described in this reference revolves around presentation management and sharing, which includes whiteboard-like functionality, but it does not specifically teach the steps of overlaying a menu on an interactive whiteboard for initiating a videoconference and then overlaying a videoconference window.

2. US20080098295A1

• Full Citation: US20080098295A1, Seiko Epson Corporation, "Annotation Management System"
• Publication Date: April 24, 2008
• Filing Date: May 15, 2003
• Brief Description: This patent application describes an annotation management system where a display apparatus displays an image and receives annotations from multiple users. It focuses on managing annotations and sharing them among users, including the ability to store and display annotations independently from the original image. It provides for collaborative input on a shared display.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1 (Whiteboard Device): This reference primarily deals with annotation management on a displayed image. While this could be part of an interactive whiteboard, it does not specifically disclose the integration with videoconferencing in the manner claimed by US10904487, particularly the overlaid menu for starting a videoconference and the subsequent overlaid videoconference window.
  • Claim 8 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Media): The stored instructions in this reference are directed towards annotation and display management, lacking the specific videoconferencing integration described in US10904487.
  • Claim 15 (Computer-Implemented Method): The method focuses on managing annotations and displaying images, not on initiating and displaying videoconference sessions overlaid on an interactive whiteboard.

3. US20080184115A1

• Full Citation: US20080184115A1, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., "Design and design methodology for creating an easy-to-use conference room system controller"
• Publication Date: July 31, 2008
• Filing Date: January 29, 2007
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a conference room system controller designed for ease of use. It involves a display screen that shows a graphical user interface (GUI) to control various conference room equipment, such as projectors, screens, and audio/video systems. The GUI can be customized based on conference scenarios. It enables control over various functions in a conference environment.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1 (Whiteboard Device): This reference focuses on a controller for a conference room system and its GUI for managing conference equipment. It does not describe an interactive whiteboard device itself, nor does it teach the specific steps of displaying an interactive whiteboard window, overlaying a menu on that window for starting a videoconference, and then overlaying a videoconference window in response.
  • Claim 8 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Media): The instructions are for controlling conference room equipment via a GUI, not for the direct integration and overlay management of interactive whiteboards and videoconferencing as claimed.
  • Claim 15 (Computer-Implemented Method): The method relates to controlling conference room systems, not the specific window management and interaction for integrated whiteboard and videoconference sessions on a whiteboard device.

4. US8713454B2

• Full Citation: US8713454B2, Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc., "Method and apparatus for sharing virtual workspaces"
• Publication Date: April 29, 2014
• Filing Date: June 25, 2010
• Brief Description: This patent describes a method and apparatus for sharing virtual workspaces. It enables users to collaborate on shared virtual workspaces, which can include various types of content. The system allows multiple participants to view and interact with content within these shared workspaces. It also mentions integration with communication methods.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1 (Whiteboard Device): This reference discusses "sharing virtual workspaces" and collaboration, which could encompass interactive whiteboard functionality. It also mentions integration with "communication methods." However, it does not explicitly disclose the specific arrangement of overlaying a menu on an interactive whiteboard window to initiate a videoconference and then overlaying a videoconference window on top of the interactive whiteboard window. While it covers general collaborative workspaces and communication, the specific GUI and window management aspects of US10904487 appear distinct.
  • Claim 8 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Media): The instructions relate to managing and sharing virtual workspaces and integrating communication, but not the precise window overlay and menu interaction described in US10904487 for videoconferencing on a whiteboard device.
  • Claim 15 (Computer-Implemented Method): The method involves sharing and interacting with virtual workspaces and communication. The specific steps of overlaying a selection menu on the whiteboard window for starting a videoconference and subsequently overlaying a videoconference window are not explicitly taught.

5. US20150009278A1

• Full Citation: US20150009278A1, Avaya, Inc, "System and method for whiteboard collaboration"
• Publication Date: January 8, 2015
• Filing Date: July 8, 2013
• Brief Description: This patent application describes a system and method for whiteboard collaboration in a communication environment. It enables multiple users to collaborate on a shared whiteboard during a communication session (e.g., a conference call). The system facilitates real-time interaction with the whiteboard content and synchronizes changes across participants' devices.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102):
  • Claim 1 (Whiteboard Device): This reference is highly relevant as it describes "whiteboard collaboration in a communication environment" and mentions a "conference call." This aligns closely with the interactive whiteboard and videoconferencing aspects. However, the critical distinction in US10904487's claims is the specific GUI interaction: displaying the interactive whiteboard window, then overlaying a selection menu on that window to start a video conference, and then overlaying a videoconference window on the interactive whiteboard window. While "whiteboard collaboration" and "communication environment" are present, the exact sequential and overlaid GUI elements for initiating the videoconference from a menu on the whiteboard itself, and then overlaying the videoconference window are not explicitly detailed in the abstract. This reference seems to imply that the whiteboard is part of an existing communication session, rather than providing the mechanism for initiating one from the whiteboard with window overlay.
  • Claim 8 (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Media): Similar to Claim 1, the instructions focus on enabling whiteboard collaboration within a communication session, but the specific GUI-driven initiation and overlay of the videoconference window on the interactive whiteboard window are not clearly anticipated.
  • Claim 15 (Computer-Implemented Method): The method outlines whiteboard collaboration in a communication setting. Again, the specific "overlaid selection menu to receive an instruction for starting a video conference session is overlaid on the interactive whiteboard session window; and after receiving the instruction... a videoconference window to be overlaid on the interactive whiteboard session window" may not be explicitly present, distinguishing it from the specific method steps of US10904487.