Summary

This article describes the basics of the SMART Board Hardware.

Content

SMART Board Hardware Basics

 

When you touch the interactive whiteboard's surface, the interactive whiteboard registers the

horizontal and vertical (or x and y) coordinates on the interactive surface. The computer's mouse

driver interprets those coordinates and moves the pointer to the corresponding point on the

projected image.

 

To open an application on the interactive whiteboard, press twice consecutively on the

application's icon. When you press twice to open an application, it's the same as double-clicking

with the mouse to open an application on your computer. Similarly, each time you press once on

the interactive surface, it's the same as a single left click.

NOTE

If necessary, move the mouse, touch the interactive whiteboard's surface or press any key on

the keyboard to bring the computer out of standby mode.

 

WARNING

Do not stand (or allow children to stand) on a chair to touch the surface of the SMART Board

product.

 

Using the Pen Tray

In addition to providing a convenient place to hold the included pens, the interactive pen tray on

the SMART Board M680 or M685 interactive whiteboard has several controls and indicators.

 

Pen tray buttons

In the center of the pen tray, there are six buttons. The middle four change the color of digital ink

that appears when you touch the screen. The buttons on either side of the pen color buttons

default to the select (left button) and eraser (right button) functions. These buttons light up to

indicate the current selected tool.

The left side of the pen tray includes controls for power, volume, and input selection. On PSU systems, this is disabled since we use separate control systems to turn the projector on and off.

The buttons on the right side of the pen tray enable the right-click, on-screen keyboard and orientation

functions. (The following illustration shows the pen tray for the M680 and M685 models of the

interactive whiteboard.)

Understanding the Select button's status light

The Select button's light also indicates the status of the interactive whiteboard. The Select button's

light is solid white when the system is working properly.

 

Select light state Meaning

Flashing white The interactive whiteboard is receiving power and is

communicating successfully with the computer's USB HID

driver, but SMART Product Drivers isn't installed.

 

Customizing the pen tray buttons

You can customize the pen tray button settings. For example, you can change line transparency,

color and style; you can change the width of the eraser; and you can change the Keyboard and

Right-Click button settings so that they perform another action.

 

Using gestures, dual touch and dual write

The interactive whiteboard supports multitouch gestures, dual touch and dual write with a Windows

or Mac computer. (Some gestures might not work in all operating systems.)

Multitouch gestures enable you to use pre-determined commands on the interactive whiteboard

without using the keyboard or mouse. With a series of two-finger touches on the interactive

whiteboard screen, you can navigate pages, change the look of an object and more.

Dual touch enables two users to touch the interactive whiteboard and to simultaneously perform

mouse functions. They can also use their fingers to write on the interactive whiteboard at the same

time.

 

Single-finger gestures

You can perform some gestures using one finger, including selecting an object and double clicking.

Single-finger gestures include the following:

 

Selecting and deselecting an object (clicking)

Quickly press and release the interactive surface to select or deselect

an object or option. This performs a standard mouse click.

 

 

Displaying menu options (right-clicking)

Press and hold the screen with your finger.

In SMART Notebook software, Windows and Microsoft Office programs,

the right-click menu appears.

 

 

Dragging an object or scroll bar

Press and hold an object or scroll bar on the screen. Keep your finger

on the screen and slowly move the object or scroll bar. When you

reach the position you want, release your finger.

 

 

Double-clicking

Quickly press and release the interactive surface twice in the same

spot. This performs a standard double-click.

 

Displaying the next or previous page

Press the screen, and then quickly press again directly to the right of that

point to display the next page.

Press the screen, and then quickly press again directly to the left of that

point to display the previous page.

 

 

Multi-finger gestures

You can perform some gestures using two or more fingers, including scaling, scrolling and

manipulating objects. Multi-finger gestures include the following:

 

Displaying menu options (right-clicking)

Using two fingers on the same hand, press and hold the screen with one finger and then press the

screen directly to the right of that point with a second finger.

Release the first finger from the screen, and then select a menu item with any finger.

 

Enlarging an area or object

Use one finger on each hand to press in the center of the area or object,

and then drag your fingers away from each other.

 

Reducing the scale of an object

Use one finger on each hand to press the screen at opposite ends of the

area or object, and then drag your fingers toward each other.

This gesture scales an object on a page or the entire page, depending

on the application.

 

Scrolling horizontally or vertically

Use two fingers on the same hand to press the screen.

Keeping your fingers on the screen, move up, down, left or right on the

page. Release your fingers when you're satisfied with the view.

 

Rotating an object

Place one finger on either side of the object you want to rotate. Keep

one finger stationary, and quickly move your second finger around the

object. Release your fingers from the screen when you're satisfied with

the angle.

 

Best practices for gestures and tools

Follow these guidelines when you use gestures and tools with the interactive product.

• Hold your fingers perpendicular (90 ) to the interactive surface at the contact point.

Keep your thumb and other fingers away from the interactive surface. They can generate

unintentional commands.

 

• Keep your other hand, elbows and loose clothing away from the interactive surface. They can

generate unintentional commands.

 

• For "click" commands, quickly tap your finger on the interactive surface. Also, make sure you lift

your finger far enough away from the interactive surface between presses so that your finger is out

of the interactive whiteboard cameras' view.

 

Tips for trouble-free performance

The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is durable, but take care to prevent any damage to it and its parts.

• Replace the pen when the nib wears out.
• Don't touch the interactive surface with sharp or pointed objects.
• Don't set up and use the interactive whiteboard in an area with excessive levels of dust, humidity or smoke.
• Do not use dry-erase markers on our SMART Boards. Some types of dry-erase markers be very difficult to erase.
• Don't obstruct the cameras' view of the interactive whiteboard. For example, don't place magnets, stickers or adhesive tape on the interactive surface or rest any objects, including your hand or the pens, in the recess at the bottom of the interactive surface. This interferes with the corner cameras' ability to detect your finger or pens on the interactive surface.

 

Need Additional Help?

For additional training, please visit the Teaching & Learning Technologies Training site or contact the ET&S Help Desk team on your local campus.