Mimio
Encyclopedia
Mimio is a brand name of a line of technology products aimed at the education market. The primary products are focused around computer whiteboard
capture devices. Mimio devices also allow users to capture all of the ink strokes that are written on the whiteboard. When used in conjunction with a video projector
it turns the ordinary whiteboard surface into a fully interactive whiteboard
.
The product line was originally designed by Virtual Ink
. On October 4, 2006 Newell Rubbermaid
acquired the Mimio interactive whiteboard (iWB) product line.
In November 2008, a Graphics tablet
called Mimio Pad was launched under the Mimio brand. It comes with the most popular Mimio studio functions pre-programmed for ease of use. It uses 2.4 GHz wireless technology and has a range of 12m.
and Infrared
. Essentially ultrasonic pulses are timed as transmitted from the stylus and received at two points on the receiver. Through Trilateration
the location of the stylus can be determined. Unlike traditional interactive board based technologies, such as Resistive Touch, the combination of ultrasound and infrared can scale from small whiteboard to very large ones. Furthermore up to 4 mimio bars can be added together to create a huge interactive whiteboard or wall.
Whiteboard
A whiteboard is a name for any glossy, usually white surface for nonpermanent markings. Whiteboards are analogous to chalkboards, allowing rapid marking and erasing of markings on their surface...
capture devices. Mimio devices also allow users to capture all of the ink strokes that are written on the whiteboard. When used in conjunction with a video projector
Video projector
A video projector is an image projector that receives a video signal and projects the corresponding image on a projection screen using a lens system. All video projectors use a very bright light to project the image, and most modern ones can correct any curves, blurriness, and other...
it turns the ordinary whiteboard surface into a fully interactive whiteboard
Interactive whiteboard
An interactive whiteboard , is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device...
.
The product line was originally designed by Virtual Ink
Virtual ink
Virtual Ink was a MIT start-up company founded in 1997.The founders business plan was first runner up in the 1996 MIT $50K Contest. Virtual Ink launched its first product mimio in 1999. Over the next 7 years the company released a number of products in the interactive whiteboard space...
. On October 4, 2006 Newell Rubbermaid
Newell Rubbermaid
Newell Rubbermaid is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products including such well-known brands as Rubbermaid food storage, home organization, and refuse container products; Sharpie, PaperMate, Parker and Waterman writing instruments; Calphalon gourmet cookware; Goody beauty and...
acquired the Mimio interactive whiteboard (iWB) product line.
History
The first Mimio was introduced in 1997.In November 2008, a Graphics tablet
Graphics tablet
A graphics tablet is a computer input device that enables a user to hand-draw images and graphics, similar to the way a person draws images with a pencil and paper. These tablets may also be used to capture data or handwritten signatures...
called Mimio Pad was launched under the Mimio brand. It comes with the most popular Mimio studio functions pre-programmed for ease of use. It uses 2.4 GHz wireless technology and has a range of 12m.
Technology
The Mimio interactive whiteboard is based upon a combination of UltrasoundUltrasound
Ultrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Ultrasound is thus not separated from "normal" sound based on differences in physical properties, only the fact that humans cannot hear it. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is...
and Infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
. Essentially ultrasonic pulses are timed as transmitted from the stylus and received at two points on the receiver. Through Trilateration
Trilateration
In geometry, trilateration is the process of determinating absolute or relative locations of points by measurement of distances, using the geometry of circles, spheres or triangles. In addition to its interest as a geometric problem, trilateration does have practical applications in surveying and...
the location of the stylus can be determined. Unlike traditional interactive board based technologies, such as Resistive Touch, the combination of ultrasound and infrared can scale from small whiteboard to very large ones. Furthermore up to 4 mimio bars can be added together to create a huge interactive whiteboard or wall.
See also
- MimeoMimeoMimeo may refer to:* M.I.M.E.O. – an experimental musicgroup* Mimeograph machine...
(abbreviation of mimeograph) - a mechanical duplication device. The name mimio was likely chosen to evoke an association with this device.
External links
- EXPO mimio website
- (http://www.mimioconnect.com/ mimio community website)
- EXPO website
- Newell Rubbermaid website
- Cnet.com review of the Mimio Xi.
- Mimio in Russia