Multimedia, multiuser system and associated methods

1. A multiuser, multi-interface computing surface, comprising:

a computer; and

a touch screen including a continuous touch detection surface and a display, the touch detection surface configured as a primary input to the computer, the continuous touch detection surface being divided into at least two simultaneously active sections, touches in the at least two simultaneously active sections having independent effects within the at least two simultaneously active sections, each simultaneously active section having an independent interface configured to select distinct applications in each simultaneously active section, each distinct application running separately in each active section, wherein the computer is configured to:

perform a first action in response to a first touch in a first section of the at least two simultaneously active sections of the touch screen;

perform a second action in response to a second touch in a second section of the at least two simultaneously active sections of the touch screen without affecting the first action, even when the first and second touches are simultaneous; and

perform a third action in response to a third touch on the continuous touch detection surface, the third action reconfiguring at least one of a number and orientation of the at least two continuously active sections.

2. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the continuous touch detection surface is integrated into a table top.

3. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the computer is configured to perform a fourth action in the first section in response to a fourth touch in the first section of the touch screen, the fourth action replacing the first action, but not affecting the second action.

4. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first touch is a continuous action and the second touch is a tap, the tap occurring after the continuous action begins but before the continuous action is complete, the computer being configured to complete the second action before completing the first action.

5. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first action includes navigating a menu and the second action includes a continuous action.

6. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the continuous action includes one of drawing and playing a game.

7. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an action in response to a touch within a section is confined to that section.

8. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the continuous detection surface includes a control section configured to receive the third touch.

9. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the computer is in communication with a secondary screen to be viewed at a same orientation of all users of the touch screen.

10. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the computer is adapted to send media files to the secondary screen in response to a selection input through the continuous touch detection surface.

11. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the continuous touch detection surface is configured to be used for navigation and the secondary screen is configured to display the media files sent by the computer.

12. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when the third touch is in a section, the computer is configured to rotate an orientation of that section.

13. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a touch in a section plays a media file in that section.

14. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least two simultaneously active sections have user defined orientations.

15. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the touch screen is configured to display representations of media files to be displayed on the secondary screen and to serve as selection input for the media files.

16. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the computer has a separate programming thread for playing media files on the secondary screen, the separate programming having a higher priority than operations of the continuous touch detection surface other than touch detection in order to ensure continuous playing of media file on the secondary screen.

17. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the selection input is a continuous action.

18. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the continuous action is a toss.

19. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the computer is configured to play a media file, different from those on the secondary screen, in at least one of the at least two continuously active regions.

20. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least two continuously active sections cover a majority of the touch screen.

21. The multiuser, multi-interface computing surface as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the distinct applications are different applications.