Epson Easy Interactive Tools - for Interactive Projectors
Overview
Epson Easy Interactive Software is an optional tool for users of the Epson Interactive Short-Throw Projectors.
Using the Projector:
Step 1: Power on the projector using the remote or touch panel
Step 2: Select the source. To display a laptop, hook up the desired cable (VGA or HDMI) and select the corresponding source
Step 3: to use the whiteboard function select "whiteboard" on the remote
Using the Interactive functions of the projector:
Finger touch: you may use your finger to annotate at any time
Using the pens: you may want to use the pens for writing rather than your fingers as it makes writing easier
slide over the power button on the pen: *NOTE: the green light will show for only a moment to let you know you have powered it on. it does not stay on. the pen can now annotate just like the finger touch
Using the white board along with a connected laptop as a mouse (see below in "software tools for more specifics)
Step 1: Connect the laptop and display the source using the correct video cable.
Step 2: Connect the USB cable to the wall plate and your laptop
Step 3: Allow drivers to install on your laptop
Step 4: Using the pen or finger, press the "annotate" button and change it to a mouse on the projector
Step 5 : You are now ready to use your finger or pen as a mouse.
PEN USE : Pressing the pen down on the board will act as a normal click (left click) and pressing the button on the side of the pen will act as a left click
Software Tools
These tools allow users to interact with the whiteboard (a.k.a., dry erase markerboard) by using a battery operated pen (or stylus). While in Mouse-Mode, the pen-clicks on the whiteboard act as mouse clicks (to right-click, press the board with the pen for about 3 seconds), and dragging the pen across the whiteboard acts as moving the mouse pointer or curser around a computer screen (to click-and-drag: tap, then drag the pen). While in Pen-Mode, the pen operates like a pen, chalk, high-lighter, or marker, with various colors and widths of pen-tips available. An Eraser can be selected, or an Erase All button can be selected, which will remove all annotations from the screen and reveal just the projected source image.
One of the advantages of using this software is the ability to annotate over a graphic, document, video, etc., and save the annotated graphic as a .jpg or .pdf file, to a computer, a network drive, or a USB flash drive. A USB cable must be connected from the projector (usually via a wall plate connection), to the computer or tablet for this feature.
Annotating and screen capture features require that the computer--or at least a USB flash drive--be connected to the projector. The ability to write, highlight, draw shapes, etc., does not require a computer or flash drive to be connected to the projector via USB cable.
When to use these software tools
This software provides similar functionality to a Smart Board or other Interactive White Board (IWB), and some additional functionality, which is useful when an instructor or students are standing in front of a classroom and wish to mark on a vertical surface for an audience to see.
Two types of software tools included
- Built-In Toolbar. This can be used without hooking up any source equipment. It can also be used to annotate over top of any source.
- Easy Interactive Tools: Same functionality as Bulit-In Toolbar, but adds:
- Ability to use both pens simultaneously
- Save Annotated images
The Easy Interactive Tools requires a software installation. Select the Operating System of the computer on which you are installing the software, and then click on Utilities.
How to use these software tools
Many of the useful features of this equipment and software package are covered in these videos.
Where to access this software
If you are connecting to a short-throw projector using an Apple computer, you will need this software for Mac.
If you are connecting to a short-throw projector using a Windows computer, you will need to download this software for your PC.
Where to access other helpful information
This site provides links to drivers, downloads, tutorial videos, and FAQ for the standard installed model, BrightLink Pro 1485Fi.
Where to use this software on campus
The software is only beneficial while you are connected to an Epson BrightLink interactive short throw projector.
Currently, these are installed in:
GMN 202
PAC 132
PAC 133
PAC 135
PAC 137
PAC 150
PAC 160
RWC 240
RWC 254
RWC 264
WSEM 204 (x5)
WSEM 208
OHSN 151
OHSN 153 (x2)
OHSN 157
OHSN 163
OHSN 251 (x2)
OHSN 253
OHSN 257
OHSN 260 (x3)
OHSN 262 (x2)
OHSN 272
OHSN 282
OHSN 351
OHSN 353
OHSN 362 (x2)
OHSN 380 (x3)
OHSN 382
BHSN 120A
BHSN 130
BHSN 220 (x2)
BHSN 222
BHSN 230
BHSN 239 (x5)
BHSN 336
BSC 282G
BSC 282N
BSC 290 Life Calling
Hardware Tools
If your projector is wall mounted out of reach, you should use the included wireless remote control, which is labeled Epson Projector.
If your projector is model 1410wi, then an additional wall-mounted control panel provides an easy-access Power button, as well as a Save button, to allow PC-free display and image capture. This little white box has a USB jack, where a thumb drive can be inserted, to show photos or documents.
In addition to the mounted projector, an interactive pen is required for the content to be interactive. Each projector comes with two pens that have different colored ends, orange and blue.
The pens are to be stored in a white, hinged-top container with the Epson logo on it. It has magnets integrated into the container, so the ideal location to store this is directly on a magnetic whiteboard. Others may be found in the pen tray at the bottom of the whiteboard, among the standard dry erase markers. Still other department have restricted access to these pens by putting them in a locked drawer, to prevent loss or theft.
To use one of these pens, first power on the projector. Then locate the power switch on the pen top (opposite end of the tip). Slide the switch until it clicks, and wait for the adjacent green LED to illuminate. Then hold the pen perpendicular to the whiteboard, near where the image is being projected.
The projector comes with a battery charger and four AA batteries, labeled "enelope." Remember to recharge these after heavy use, or after every week.
The projector has control buttons on its surface, near where the lens is located. If the projector is table mounted, you can use these buttons to power on and off the projector, and to changes sources, but pressing these buttons may cause the projector to become mis-alligned, and may require recalibration. For this reason, it is preferable to use the remote controls to the built-in buttons.
In the new SNB, most of the interactive projectors can be turned on and off via the control touch panel, located on top of the instructors' teaching stations. The exceptions are the stand-alone student interactive projectors in rooms 151 and 153, which are turned on and off via the wall-mounted control panel, located beneath the projector.
Troubleshooting
If the battery in the interactive pen is low, the LED will flash. Replace the AA battery with a fully charged battery.
If the pen doesn't start working immediately when it is picked up, be patient: the pens turn off automatically afer 20 minutes of inactivity. Slide the switch to turn the pen back on.