System and method for providing a two-tiered virtual communications architecture in a network environment

1. A method, comprising:

receiving information indicative of a marking with an object on a surface of an electronic display;

communicating data related to the marking to a first memory element associated with the electronic display and to a second memory element included in a collaboration server, wherein the data communicated to the first memory element is used to render a local image on the electronic display, the local image being gradually removed over a configured time period; and

receiving from the collaboration server additional data to be used to replace the local image on the electronic display contemporaneously with the local image being gradually removed over the configured time period, wherein the additional data is generated when at least a portion of the local image has been changed.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the local image has an associated time to live parameter for removing the local image, wherein the time to live parameter is configured to be longer than a delay for data propagation between the electronic display and the collaboration server that includes the second memory element.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

combining first image data from the second memory element with second image data from the first memory element to render an updated image on the electronic display.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the time to live parameter is configured via a calibration phase in which a sequence of markings is made by a writing instrument that is operative to interact with the electronic display.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the delay is measured during a session involving the electronic display in order to update an expiration time of the local image.

6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

maintaining the configured time period for removing the local image on a per-pixel basis, wherein if a delay between the electronic display and the collaboration server is shorter than a specified threshold, activities associated with the local image being removed over the configured time period are bypassed.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

maintaining a master copy of a plurality of images for the electronic display; and

communicating the master copy of the plurality of images to one or more additional electronic displays.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

using the additional data to delete and to update temporary image data being maintained for the electronic display.

9. Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory tangible media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor operable to perform operations comprising:

receiving information indicative of a marking with an object on a surface of an electronic display;

communicating data related to the marking to a first memory element associated with the electronic display and to a second memory element included in a collaboration server, wherein the data communicated to the first memory element is used to render a local image on the electronic display, the local image being gradually removed over a configured time period; and

receiving from the collaboration server additional data to be used to replace the local image on the electronic display contemporaneously with the local image being gradually removed over the configured time period, wherein the additional data is generated when at least a portion of the local image has been changed.

10. The logic of claim 9 , wherein the local image has an associated time to live parameter for removing the local image, wherein the time to live parameter is configured to be longer than a delay for data propagation between the electronic display and the collaboration server that includes the second memory element.

11. The logic of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprising:

combining first image data from the second memory element with second image data from the first memory element to render an updated image on the electronic display.

12. The logic of claim 10 , wherein the time to live parameter is configured via a calibration phase in which a sequence of markings is made by a writing instrument that is operative to interact with the electronic display.

13. The logic of claim 10 , wherein the delay is measured during a session involving the electronic display in order to update an expiration time of the local image.

14. The logic of claim 10 , wherein the operations further comprise:

maintaining the configured time period for removing the local image on a per-pixel basis, wherein if a delay between the electronic display and the collaboration server is shorter than a specified threshold, activities associated with the local image being removed over the configured time period are bypassed.

15. The logic of claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise:

using the additional data to delete and to update temporary image data being maintained for the electronic display.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a memory element configured to store electronic code,

a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the electronic code, and

an agent element configured to interface with the processor and further configured to:

receive information indicative of a marking with an object on a surface of an electronic display;

communicate data related to the marking to a first memory element associated with the electronic display and to a second memory element included in a collaboration server, wherein the data communicated to the first memory element is used to render a local image on the electronic display, the local image being gradually removed over a configured time period; and

receive from the collaboration server additional data to be used to replace the local image on the electronic display contemporaneously with the local image being gradually removed over the configured time period, wherein the additional data is generated when at least a portion of the local image has been changed.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising:

an image module configured to interact with the electronic display, wherein the local image has an associated time to live parameter for removing the local image, wherein the time to live parameter is configured to be longer than a delay for data propagation between the electronic display and the collaboration server that includes the second memory element.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein first image data from the second memory element is combined with second image data from the first memory element to render an updated image on the electronic display.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the configured time period for removing the local image is maintained on a per-pixel basis.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein if a delay between the electronic display and the collaboration server is shorter than a specified threshold, activities associated with the local image being removed over the configured time period are bypassed.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the delay is measured during a session involving the electronic display in order to update an expiration time of the local image.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the collaboration server further comprises:

a common image module configured to maintain a master copy of a plurality of images for the electronic display, wherein the master copy of the plurality of images is communicated to one or more additional electronic displays.

23. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the agent element is further configured to:

use the additional data to delete and to update temporary image data being maintained for the electronic display.