DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VISUAL SHARING OF DATA

The present invention relates to a device sharing visual data, and at sharing method associated therewith.

More specifically, the invention relates to a local sharing data, c'est to say a data sharing between different people in a meeting present, in particular in one location.

Indeed, in a manufacturing setting, scientific or educational, it often happens that a group of people unites in one location to exchange one or more subjects.

Today, it is common to use a computer for presenting data to different persons from a same screen.

The data presented can be made available to persons present, either currently or subsequently, on a paper medium or on a digital medium such as a laptop computer or a touchpad.

Thus the data shared, and each can annotate or modify them on its own support with additional data, for example from about and interventions of different people, proven tedious and inconvenient when the initial data must be enriched.

It is also frequent during meetings collaborative workspace need to share information recorded in different specific formats, for example formats for individual software computer-aided design (CAD). in these cases, the local sharing data, requires a computer capable of reproducing all formats to centralize the data to be shared and display them on the screen sharing.

The method firstly lack of speed and flexible and costly, most of these software for creating having usage licenses fee-charging.

Further the solutions require bulky file transfers performance of hardware resources and to simultaneously initiate the necessary applications if they want to be avoided cost time by starting an application to each opening of a file. Another drawback of known methods is privacy data contributed by each team member that is unprotected, especially when a file is copied on some other computer for displaying results.

In effect, full access to the data files must be allowed such that the computer centrally locating the data can operate them.

Therefore, the second method of local sharing of data is not optimal.

There is also in the conventional sharing means for sharing in real time via a local area network a video stream of a computer.

Although these sharing means provide a better solution preceding sharing methods with regard to the flexibility and control of access to data, it is difficult or impossible to share real-time video streams, hence, generated by multiple computers.

Indeed, despite the increasing performance presented by the local networks, the video streams are increasingly important due to the increase in resolution screens, and the number of video streams to be shared is necessarily limited by the maximum bandwidth of the network used.

Even if only one video stream is shared, it may be found of latency to the display on the screen of the destination computer, the transfer speed of a video stream by a local area network is slower than that of a transfer by simple video cable.

Also, these sharing means generally do not provide simultaneously display, and side-by-side on a same screen, data from heterogeneous sources or different computers.

There are also solutions takes advantage of tables interactive, most often touch, for displaying digital information.

These solutions suffer however same fault as the other methods mentioned. In effect, transmission capacities, recovery and processing information are slow and inflexible.

Generally, the data must pass through the file copy on mass storage devices and their new copy on the table. No means is proposed to speed real time exchange of information accessible over a computer terminal.

While providing suitable display and manipulation of multiple digital information on a single surface, these solutions are also limited in the formats, and exchanges data that they receive.

Indeed, it is for example incapable of adding annotations atop the set or a subset of the displayed data, from heterogeneous sources and formats, to create new enhanced information the appraisal users.

It is also complicated duplicating the information displayed to be made available for each of the users may be viewed and comfortable, while providing timing of actions of different users to allow simultaneous updating of each of the duplicate contents. In effect, the existing solutions focus on sending a thumbnail of a user to the other, in which case the original user does not have the content available.

Also, the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

To this end, the invention concerns a

assembly comprising a device sharing visual data and at least one computer, or terminal incorporating a computer, wherein the sharer visual data comprises processing means and means for storing data, a touch screen, and network connection means enable a connection with one or more computers or terminals incorporating a computer, the device comprising a frame with at least one flange adjacent the touch screen and on which can be placed one or more computers or terminals incorporating a computer without they impinge the surface of the touch panel, the at least one computer or terminal incorporating a computer being connected to the network to which the device belongs.

In the assembly, the at least one computer, or terminal incorporating a computer, comprises a client software, active when this computer, or terminal incorporating a computer, is connected by network device sharing visual data, the client software comprising a series of instructions that performs transmission via the network to sharing device visual data snapshot, i.e. a data representation in a text form or graphic form of the interpretation of said data, all or part of a display of the at least one computer or terminal incorporating a computer following a predefined action capture on said computer, or a computer terminal incorporating.

Further, in the assembly, the system includes software effecting storing snapshot transmitted by the at least one computer, or terminal incorporating a computer, and together the display on the touch screen, at least one thumbnail of the snapshot stored, said software comprising a set of logical units including the capability to interpret actions of an operator on the surface (22) of the touch screen to act on the thumbnail displayed.

Due to the combination of such a flange, network connection means, the device of the invention allows the sharing of data between different people, simply and intuitively, this share being visual through the touch panel and allowing people exponent data maintain the choice of data it transmits and confidentiality of its its computer files.

By snapshot, the invention refers to any means of representing, recording and sharing digital information, of some dimension or format as they are.

This includes, on the one hand, conventionally, any digital file storing data in a given format.

In one embodiment, these data formats include well-known the JPG format, GNP, PDFs, CAT, XSL stylesheets, obj is, or CATIA.

This also includes the textual information that could be copied or entered by the user.

In one embodiment, the data is a URL or text information that self-sufficient in themselves or to supplement the information accessible in another snapshot.

This includes finally, on the other hand, the capture and recording of the interpreted data and/or displayed on the screen of a computer terminal.

In a preferred embodiment, this data is a copy as a file picture of all pixels displayed on the screen, allows sharing the screen content of a user at an instance in time.

Advantageously, in this preferred embodiment, this copy as a file picture may be accompanied by a set of metadata records the content characteristics interpreted and/or displayed at the time of capture of the snapshot.

In another embodiment, the data is an encoded video stream in real time a display screen, which can be decoded by the processing means of the sharing device, and thus allowing for sharing of animation of a terminal screen.

In yet another embodiment, the data is a recording as imaging a set of annotations made over a set of snapshots, the sharer itself being considered a computer terminal.

Advantageously, the assembly support of these snapshot allows the processing means of the present invention account for transparently any digital information, which can thus be transmitted or viewed either as a file, or in the form of screen capture, either in the form of sharing video screen.

In one embodiment of the assembly capturing a snapshot performed on the computer, or a computer terminal incorporating, has preset metadata in the client software resident on said computer, or a computer terminal incorporating, optionally following setup or data entry by the computer user, or terminal incorporating a computer, associated with the image and transmitted to the system with said snapshot captured.

It is therefore maintained or supplied to the transmitted information attributes useful information and in particular to means for traceability information.

In one embodiment the actions on a thumbnail displayed comprises all or part of: reducing a thumbnail in icon and displaying the snapshot corresponding to a thumbnail; manipulating said snapshot;

duplicating said snapshot; aggregating a plurality of snapshot images received; enriching said snapshot; annotating said snapshot;

archiving said snapshot; returning said snapshot, optionally enriched, to one or more computers networked together with the device.

Thus it is possible to realize on the touch screen manipulations of images corresponding to information of snapshot in order to make visual access lighter and more comfortable at participating in a meeting around the device and entering new data relating to these snapshots.

In one embodiment, the system includes at least one physical button connected to the processing means and enabling a user to act on the data displayed on the touch screen.

In one embodiment the processing means are configured such that an action on a virtual button displayed on the touch screen or a physical switch and has the effect of blocking all or some of the interpretations of part or all interactions of an operator on all or a portion of the touch screen.

In one embodiment the processing means are configured such that an action on a virtual button displayed on the touch screen or a physical switch and operative to perform a capture of a snapshot of interpreted data and or displayed on the touch screen and save said snapshot in the data storage means.

II is in these forms can be achieved readily and intuitively high level instruction on the snapshots.

In one embodiment, the processing means are configured such that snapshots of data captured on the touch screen and saved in the storage means is accessed from a data repository window displayed on the touch screen.

It is thus possible to maintain traces actions performed and intermediate steps of a meeting, for example at end of creating a report.

In one embodiment, the processing means are configured such that an action on a virtual button displayed on the touch screen and or a physical button acts to activate, deactivate and, annotation functions over all or a portion of the touch screen.

It is thus possible to protect certain categories of action by activating them or the deactivating, optionally independently for each thumbnail, or even preventing conflicts between actions taken by different particpants on thumbnails related.

In one embodiment the frame of the device is designed in the form of a table in which the touchscreen is integrated between four flanges forming a frame to said touch screen, said frame being of a width equal to or greater than twenty centimeters, and said frame having preferably jacks for local network and or of the power for at least one computer or terminal incorporating a computer, preferably as many taps of each type as of workstations provided around the table.

It is thus obtained a device particularly ergonomic and grouping into a suitable shape all needs of participating in a meeting.

It applies also to a method of sharing visual data in which data to be shared between several people are displayed on a touch screen of visual data sharing device, particularly a device of the invention, from data contained in at least one computer or terminal incorporating a computer, which method of sharing visual data comprises a prior step of connecting the at least one computer, or terminal incorporating a computer, said computer a recognition step, or terminal incorporating a computer, by the sharer visual data and display on a display of said at least one computer, or terminal incorporating a computer, data to be shared.

The method then comprises steps:

- perform capture data sharing in the computer or terminal incorporating a computer, or a computer terminal incorporating, previously connected in the form of a snapshot;

- transmitting by the computer or terminal incorporating a computer the snapshot data captured at sharing device visual data via network connection means thereof;

- storage by the sharer visual data of said snapshot and

- displaying at least one thumbnail on the touchscreen materializing said snapshot on said touch screen sharing system of said visual data.

It is thus exchanged between participant information controlled over which the participants will be able to work collaborative.

In one implementation, transmission by the computer or terminal incorporating a computer is triggered by at least one click on a virtual button of a software client residing on said computer, or a computer terminal incorporating, or by dragging/depositing of a file in a window of sending said client software.

The owner of the computer to transmit a snapshot control over the content and the time of transmission of the information of the snapshot.

In one implementation, the device transmits a snapshot of data captured on said sharing device visual data, via the network connection means, to a computer or terminal incorporating a computer, connected to said network, by at least one click on a thumbnail displayed on the touch screen and identifying said computer, or a computer terminal incorporating, or by dragging a file in/depositing said thumbnail.

It is thus provide a simple transmission images back current to different participating in a meeting collectively or selectively.

In one implementation, a two-dimensional picture or in three dimensions is displayed on the touch screen when the snapshot transmitted from the computer or terminal incorporating a computer corresponds to digital data of a picture in two dimensions or in three dimensions.

The snapshots are thus displayed automatically except that a métat data transmitted with the snapshot or setting up the system does not limit this possibility.

In one implementation, when a snapshot is represented two or more times by thumbnail images displayed on the touch screen, all or part of interpretations performed by the device on one of said thumbnails, actions of an operator, is reflected on all other said thumbnails.

Each participant who has a thumbnail can therefore follow the work performed by one of the participant on a thumbnail.

In one implementation, the device maintains in storage means of said device backups of all or a portion of the images of the touch screen, said backups being performed periodically defined time interval, and each share or contributes to enriching information contained within a snapshot, and or on an action by an operator on a real or virtual button.

Thus it is avoided to lose information that was present that temporarily on the touch screen and keep track of proposals.

Of course, the connection means being bidirectional network, splitting method is symmetrical.

Also, in a preferred embodiment, a snapshot taken from the sharing device can be transmitted, and/or stored, and/or displayed as a window on at least one computer terminals connected.

The making of simple snapshot data to share and the display on the touch screen as thumbnails eliminates the problems related to bandwidth limitations, control access given to this data to other users, simplify interactions between users over the sharing device to facilitate understanding by users of the data displayed by the touch screen, and also aid in filing shared data during a meeting collaborative workspace.

Other features and advantages shall become apparent from the description which will follow of the invention, described by way of example only, facing of attached drawings on which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a sharing device visual data according to the invention,

figure 2 is a side view of a device sharing visual data according to the invention,

figures 3 to 10 are different screen shots shown schematically and illustrating the possibilities of sharing the data offered by the device and method of sharing visual data according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows schematically a device 10 sharing visual data according to the invention.

The device 10 sharing visual data comprises processing means and means for storing data, a touch screen 12 preferably type "multitouch", and network connection means enable a connection with one or more computers 14.

The processing means includes at least one logic unit comprising the ability to receive data via the network, to interpret them, for display, manipulate, of replicating them, of aggregating them, enhance them, of annotated either globally or locally, archiving, returning it by the network.

Enriching and annotate data includes the device of the invention in addition thereto complementary data, e.g. remarks or changes submitted by a meeting collaborative workspace, for modifying at least one appearance.

The device 10 includes a frame 16 sharing comprising at least one flange 18 adjacent the touch screen 12 and on which can be placed one or more laptop computers and or one or more mobile terminals incorporating a computer 20 without encroaching on the surface 22 of the touch screen.

Preferably, this flange 18 has a width w18 of twenty centimeters.

To accommodate different users all around the touch screen 12, the flange 18 surrounds the touch screen 12 on its four sides (24.26.28.30).

In a preferred embodiment for facilitating the collaborative workspace, the device 10 sharing visual takes the form of a table 32, the touch screen 12 and the flange 18 resting horizontally on a base 34, as shown in the side view of the device in Figure 2.

Thus, all users around the table 32 can see the data displayed on the touch screen 12, and operate or follow manipulations of the data performed during a meeting using the touch screen.

By manipulation, the invention refers to any interaction of a user having an effect on the displayed data, of which the objective may be to perform operations on a thumbnail, for creating or accessing other content, or change its geometric features or spatial absolute or relative to other content or containers, or on the data in it, for in adjusting the representation or interpretation.

In one embodiment, the operations on the thumbnails has move them along a plane 2d, thereby undergo rotations, thereby change its dimensions, of accessing metadata associated therewith, of replicating them, of the annotating or highlighting and point to particular information.

In one embodiment, the operations on contents of the data are specific to the nature of a instantaneous manipulated, and specifically including zooming of a picture, manipulate a 3d model, or moving in a text document.

Preferably, the base 34 holds the touch screen 12 and the flange 18 has a height h34 1 meter or greater. Thus, persons standing can participate in the meeting, and simple observers have better viewpoint on the exchanged data.

Alternatively, the base 34 may maintain the touch screen 12 and the flange 18 at a height h34 lower, as at about 75 cm to form a meeting table a standard, at or about 45 cm to form a lower table.

Advantageously, the device 10 sharing includes chairs, or replaced, arranged around the table 32 and height adapted for providing comfort to users of the device 10.

Advantageously, the base 34 contains the processing means and the means for storing data, and incorporates means of network connection.

To facilitate certain manipulations of data displayed on the touch screen 12, especially by users little accustomed to touch manipulation, the rim 18 optionally integrates physical buttons 36 allows a user to operate on the data displayed on the touch screen 12.

Alternatively, physical buttons 38 may be provided on a displaceable housing 40 and connected to the means of treatments of the sharing device 10.

In one embodiment, to facilitate certain manipulations of data displayed on the touch screen 12, and in particular to annotate data associated therewith, the device 10 comprises a stylus sharing electronic 46 adapted for operation with the touch screen 12.

To complete the means for importing data to be shared, and facilitate export of shared data, digitally or on a physical medium, the device 10 sharing visual has ports 42 for connecting outer peripheral mass storage, such as a USB flash drive or an external hard disk, or a printer.

Advantageously, the device 10 further comprises visual sharing power supply sockets 44 for connection of the laptops 20 connected with the device 10 sharing.

The device 10 is particularly suited for sharing share data from any type of computer or computer terminal incorporating a more or less strong, in particular computers 20 portable, digital tablets, of smartphones, other devices sharing 10... as long as they have means for network connection compatible with the connection means of the device 10.

However, the connection means allow connection of network can also optionally a desktop computer, type "desktop publishing", which is also network connection means.

The connection may be made via wire or wireless, radio link or by infrared link, depending on the means of connection network implemented by the device 10 sharing.

Due to its network connection means, the device 10 sharing can be connected on the same local network as the other computers 20.

Preferably, the device 10 sharing, creates, through its operating software and software dedicated to data sharing, its own local network, users connecting to this local network transparently by installing a module of the sharing software on their computers 20.

The present invention also concerns a method for sharing visual data using the device 10 sharing visual just described.

According to the invention, the sharing process visual includes:

connecting at least one computer 20 containing data to be shared with the device 10 sharing via the network connection means;

performing a capture of a snapshot of the data to be shared in the computer 20 connected and accessible from a display of said computer 14;

transmitting the snapshot data to the device 10 sharing via its network connection means, and;

displaying the snapshot data in the form of a thumbnail 48 on the touch screen 12, as shown in Figure 3.

In the context of collaborative work, different computers or terminals comprising a computer 20 of different users are connected to the apparatus 10 sharing via its network connection means.

In this case, the method provides that captures a snapshot of data are performed on different computers or terminals 20 connected, and then transmitted to the device 10 sharing via its network connection means, and then are simultaneously displayed as different thumbnails (48 - 1, 48 - 2) on the touch screen 12.

Each snapshot, and thus the content of each thumbnail (48 - 1, 48 - 2), consists of a two-dimensional picture or a three-dimensional data to share open on a computer connected to the device 20 10 sharing.

By snapshot, it wishes to include in the context of the invention a frozen display at a time selected by an operator of digital information.

An a priori snapshot comprises imaging data to be displayed in the form of files having a standard. It may be of textual or graphical representation of the LED ' interpretation of data.

A snapshot can therefore be any type of digital file, for example the files as most as those complying with standard identified in the files of type.jpg, .png, .pdf, .doc, .odt, the STEP....

A snapshot may also correspond to combinations of files, for example for containing text information that would be copied or inputted by a user.

In one embodiment, the data represents a URL or text information that self-sufficient in themselves or to supplement the information accessible in another snapshot.

A snapshot may result from capturing or recording the data interpreted and/or displayed on the screen of a computer terminal.

In a preferred form, an instantaneous picture corresponds to a data set forming a picture file of all or a portion of a screen, allows sharing the screen content of a user at a given time.

Advantageously, in this preferred form, said set of data comprises in addition to the picture file metadata, and automatically generated or generated by the user, giving content characteristics interpreted and/or displayed at the time of capture of the snapshot.

In another form, the data correspond to an encoded video stream in real time a display screen, which can be decoded by the processing means of the sharing device, and thus allowing for sharing of animation of a terminal screen.

In another form, the data correspond to a recording as imaging a set of annotations made over a set of snapshots, the device (10) sharing is considered a terminal computer.

In this context, a snapshot is for example a photographic picture, by extending a video file, or a hard copy for a two-dimensional picture, or for example a three-dimensional representation of an object

the manipulable in a virtual three-dimensional space, such as for example a modeled object using a three dimensional design software for a snapshot in three dimensions.

The invention hearing in the virtual space, in two or three dimensions, a fictitious environment, in two or three dimensions, created by a computer and displayable on a screen.

Optionally, it may also be provided a three dimensional imagery on the touch screen 12 by a method such as stereoscopic.

The different snapshot usable by the device 10 sharing are created first onto the computers 20 connected using their operating software, or program installed on the computers to create, modify or simply read the data to be shared, or from other utilities.

The different snapshot data on different computers 20 connected can be performed automatically by the installed software, but preferably, the sensings snapshot are triggered by the users to control the shared contents.

In a preferred embodiment, a lightweight program is installed on the client computers and concentrates the set communication facilities. The user can thus transmit to the device 10 sharing visual data a capture of a snapshot of the contents of its screen simply by clicking on a button, or a capture of a snapshot of a file stored on its hard disk by sliding and depositing the icon of the file on that of the sharing program.

Advantageously, such a solution allows to transmit any type of information which can be read by the source computer 20 on which is formed the capturing a snapshot, and not necessarily in its native form on the device 10, and accelerates the transfer of information and flowability of the meeting by avoiding temporarily storing information on a mass storage device, which may still be used.

It is important to mention the immediacy captures used by the method and the device 10 sharing visual data.

As opposed to collaborative working methods in which data to be shared are synchronized in real-time between a computer and a sharing device, the present invention facilitates automating and, by means of a simplified interface sharing data in the state where they are displayed at a time on the computer 20 user who wishes to share data.

Sharing can then be repeated as many times as necessary during a meeting collaborative workspace.

Thus, a user may modify the data to be shared on his computer during the meeting, and sharing as each overlaid changes with other users, as they would by printing its data to each new change.

In one mode of operation, the display on the device 10 snapshot of a computer display screen or terminal includes a connected computer is continuously carried out with sufficient frequency to be perceived as a copyback real-time of the mobile device display.

Providing the operation of the device 10 sharing around captures a snapshot limits the use of the bandwidth of the local network, increase the number of users that can share data simultaneously, and to improve the speed of data sharing.

Generally, the operation based on the transmission of captured snapshot improves the flexibility of the sharing of data, the data being shared on a single surface 22 and usable by all users.

This flexibility of the data sharing also takes to the ergonomics of the touch interface displayed on the touch screen 12 and allows users to manipulate the shared data.

Indeed, according to the sharing process according to the invention provides that each thumbnail (48, 48 - 1, 48 - 2) displayed on the touch screen 12 is operable via the touch screen.

Figures 4 to 7 illustrate some examples of manipulations of thumbnails 48 permitted by the touch panel 12 with a preferred touch interface.

As shown in the fig. 4, the preferred touch interface comprises a virtual library 50 data sharing in the form of a first banner wherein scaled versions of displayed thumbnail images corresponding to the different captured snapshot taken and shared by the computers connected, for instance during a working session.

Subsequently, an operation of the type drag-and-drop from the library 50 to a desired position on the screen to create a thumbnail 48 operable on the working space offered by the surface 22 of the touch screen 12.

In a preferred embodiment, filters may also be associated with the library 50 for temporarily selecting the contents which are displayed and facilitate searching the information.

As shown in Figure 5, the preferred touch interface 48 can move a thumbnail, for example for positioning it in front of a particular user.

As shown in Figure 6, the touch interface further allows resizing a thumbnail 48, for the reduce or enlarge, or rotate the chip, as shown in Figure 7, for properly oriented to a particular user or to be placed beside the other supplemental content.

Advantageously, unlike known solutions, sharing and manipulation of data are performed intuitively so that such operations appear natural to the user and that they integrate easily in its working process.

The actions identified above on the thumbnails are non-limiting examples, and the skilled person will be able to implement the touch interface for more possibilities of action on the thumbnails 48.

For example, the interface may also allow for duplicating a thumbnail for that each user has the same thumbnail available to it, as the photocopies papers would reduce, or eliminate a thumbnail, for example in the exhausting the working space offered by the surface 22 of the touch screen 12, andc.

These manipulations thumbnails (48.48 - 1.48 - 2) can be performed by touch actions, such as a double-tap or slippages fingers, or by virtual buttons 52, for example hooked onto each thumbnail, or by virtual buttons 54 independent and constantly displayed on the working space offered by the surface 22 of the touch screen 12.

It may further be provided a window repository 56 wherein the shared data can be saved, for example by drag and drop, during a collaborative workspace and meeting in the form of vignettes, or snapshots of all or part of the contents of the touch screen 12.

The shared data thus stored in the archive window 56, the snapshots having transmitted to the device 10 and the associated annotations made by means of the device during the meeting, are advantageously used to generate automatic or assisted reported meeting.

Advantageously, the means for connecting being bi-directional.

The sensings snapshot on the device 10 may also be sent to at least one of the computers or terminals comprising a computer connected to the device, thereby constructing a report being meeting.

As functionality and advantageous for facilitating interaction between users, the method of sharing allows, through the touch screen 12, binding at least one thumbnail 48 - 1 to 48 - 2 at least another thumbnail such that manipulations performed on one of the thumbnails, for example annotations, are reflected in real time on the other (e) thumbnails.

Thus, it is possible that each user has a thumbnail duplicated in front of it on which it follows the manipulations performed by another user on another thumbnail.

According to a an enhanced functionality of the sharing of data, the sharing process also may be that content of each thumbnail displayed on the touch screen 48 12 is operable via the touch screen 12.

For example, the touch interface can provide virtual buttons control according to the content of each of the panels.

Thus, the touch interface can provide the usual controls playback of a video file, or causing movement of the virtual object in a virtual environment in two or three dimensions, pointing an area of the content of a thumbnail, or launch animations, andc.

Advantageously, by combining the handle content with the joining of thumbnails, the contents of a thumbnail duplicated to different users can be handled by the live user sharing its data, depending on the needs of its presentation.

For example, the pointing function associated with binding of the thumbnails can be implemented provide explanations concerning the content of a thumbnail.

In another functionality for improving exchanges between users, the visual data sharing method contemplates that a thumbnail 48 or that a group of thumbnails (48 - 1, 48 - 2.48 - 3) can be written by complementary data using the touch screen 12, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 respectively.

The annotations may be performed by a user tactile or using an electronic stylus 46 provide more precision, on the one or more thumbnail (e) or near (O)- Cl.

Advantageously, by combining the annotation with the joining of thumbnails, different users may observe live annotations made by each on content of a thumbnail or more thumbnail (O) (O) to duplicate each of them.

When, the device 10 includes buttons sharing physical (36.38), advantageously all or part of the whole contents of the touch screen 12 is manipulatable via these physical buttons (36, 38).

For example the physical buttons (36, 38) are perform actions such as elimination or backup of all or part of the whole contents of the touch screen 12, for example by a capture of a thumbnail as shown by the single framed in Figure 8 or a thumbnail and an annotation as shown by the framed in Figure 10, or launch the functionalities annotation, duplication and binding, andc.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the functions provided by at least one of physical buttons (36.38) is blocking all or some of the interpretations of part or all interactions over all or a portion of the touch screen 12. in this way, advantageously, at least some of the users can touch, point to, indicate, show the entire contents on the touch screen 12 without triggering of interactions with these contents.

Generally, the sharing process is advantageously provided that all or part of the whole contents of the touch screen 12 is also handled by the virtual buttons 54, to perform the same actions as those carried out with the physical buttons (36.38), or to perform complementary actions.

Thus, a virtual button displayed on the touch screen 12 also may block all or some of the interpretations of part or all interactions over all or a portion of the touch screen 12.

The area that occupies the screen said virtual button preferably maintains all or part of its interactivity.

For example, the physical buttons (36.38) or the virtual buttons 54 save a thumbnail 48, a group of thumbnails (48 - 1, 48 - 2.48 - 3), and/or all or part of the whole contents of the touch screen 12 evenly in the storage means of the device 10 sharing during a meeting collaborative workspace.

Advantageously, additional data, such as a timestamp or a date of last modification, may be added to the backup data, for example in the form of "element tags".

Saving a thumbnail 48, a group of thumbnails (48 - 1, 48 - 2.48 - 3), and/or all or part of the whole contents of the touch screen 12 can also be automated.

Preferably, the method of sharing the saved are exportable via the taps 42 for connecting outer peripheral mass storage, especially in view of the embodiment of reporting a meeting or a repository.

The investigations leading to the present results have the financial support of the seventh program loop of the European Union (7th pc/2007 - 201 3) by virtue of convention n-°242411.