Liberating the Desktop

We report on a system supporting cross-platform mirroring of user-selectable regions from one or multiple computer desktops onto nearby network accessible projectors and displays (NADs). The purpose is a simple and flexible use of nearby display resources requiring no permanent installation of new software on the desktop computer. The NAD system architecture consists of a NAD side and a desktop side. The desktop software is downloaded to the desktop computer on demand, from a web server running on the NAD. The desktop and NAD software handle the integration of user-selectable desktop regions and remote control between the desktop computer and the NAD. The system is implemented in Java 1.6. At a resolution of 800 by 600 pixels the system supports mirroring of dynamic content at 38.6 fps. At 1600 by 1200 pixels the refresh rate is 12.85 fps. For static content such as images and slide show presentations the system's bandwidth usage is within the capacity of a 11 Mbit/s wireless network. For dynamic content such as videos and games the system requires at least a 100 Mbit/s connection.