surface computing
#1

Abstract:
Surface computing is the term for the use of a specialized computer GUI in which traditional GUI elements are replaced by intuitive, everyday objects. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, the user interacts directly with a touch-sensitive screen,
Microsoft Unveils first 'Surface' Computing model, recently which features a 30-inch diagonal square display built into a table configuration. It consists of a computer running a customized version of Windows Vista, a rear projection screen and five cameras that look through the screen to recognize and read items placed on the surface, as well as to track hand gestures and touch. It has wired 10/100Mbit Ethernet and wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 support built in.

[Image: msftsurfacemap.jpg]
for more read
http://en.wikipediawiki/Surface_computing
http://clintonfitchsurface/MSSurfacePR_FINAL.pdf
http://internetnewsec-news/article.php/3680631
http://kiruthik.googlepagesMS_Surface_History.pdf
http://faculty.washington.edu/wobbrock/p...i-09.2.pdf
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#2
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surface computing

The Human Touch


Microsoft Surface puts people in control of their experiences with technology, making everyday tasks entertaining, enjoyable and efficient. Imagine ordering a beverage during a meal with just the tap of a finger. Imagine quickly browsing through music and dragging favorite songs onto a personal playlist by moving a finger across the screen. Imagine creating and sending a personal postcard of vacation pictures instantly to friends and family, while still wearing flip-flops.

Surface also features the ability to recognize physical objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes. This means that when a customer simply sets a wine glass on the surface of a table, a restaurant could provide them with information about the wine they're ordering, pictures of the vineyard it came from and suggested food pairings tailored to that evening's menu. The experience could become completely immersive, letting users access information on the wine-growing region and even look at recommended hotels and plan a trip without leaving the table.

Surface computing at Microsoft is an outgrowth of a collaborative effort between the Microsoft Hardware and Microsoft Research teams, which were struck by the opportunity to create technology that would bridge the physical and virtual worlds. What started as a high-level concept grew into a prototype and evolved to today's market-ready product that will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live. It's a major advancement that moves beyond the traditional user interface to a more natural way of interacting with information. Surface computing, which Microsoft has been working on for a number of years, features four key attributes:




http://studentbank.in/report-microsoft-s...ull-report
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#3
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SURFACE COMPUTING / SEEMLESS INTERFACES

Prepared By : Niraj Trivedi
Pratibha Sharma
C.E. (Sem IV)

HOW THE RESEARCH STARTED :-

2001: Microsoft researchers Steve Bathiche and Andy Wilson developed idea of an interactive table
2003: 1st prototype was presented to Bill Gates for approval
2007: Interactive tabletop device was built that seamlessly brings both the physical and virtual worlds into one
The table is built with wireless devices using Bluetooth and WI-FI technology
Designed to match up with wireless objects placed on the table
Multitouch screen is used like the technology behind the iPhone (no keyboard or mouse needed)

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#4
Submitted By:
Kevin R. Paghdar

Guided By:
Mr.Hardik Upadhyay

[attachment=6260]


INTRODUCTION

Surface computing is a platform that responds to natural hand gestures and real world objects. It has a 360-degree user interface, a 30-inch reflective surface with a XGA DLP projector underneath the surface which projects an image onto its underside, while five cameras in the machine's housing record reflections of infrared light from objects and human fingertips on the surface. The surface is capable of object recognition, object/finger orientation recognition and tracking, and is multi-touch and is multi-user. Users can interact with the machine by touching or dragging their fingertips and objects such as paintbrushes across the screen, or by placing and moving placed objects. This paradigm of interaction with computers is known as a natural user interface (NUI).
Surface has been optimized to respond to 52 touches at a time. During a demonstration with a reporter, Mark Bolger, the Surface Computing group's marketing director, "dipped" his finger in an on-screen paint palette, then dragged it across the screen to draw a smiley face. Then he used all 10 fingers at once to give the face a full head of hair.
Using the specially-designed barcode-style "Surface tags" on objects, Microsoft Surface can offer a variety of features, for example automatically offering additional wine choices tailored to the dinner being eaten based on the type of wine set on the Surface, or in conjunction with a password, offering user authentication.
A commercial Surface Computer unit is $12,500 (unit only), whereas a developer Microsoft Surface unit costs $15,000 and includes a developer unit, five seats and support.
Partner companies use the Surface in their hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. The Surface is used to choose meals at restaurants, plan vacations and spots to visit from the hotel room. Starwood Hotels plan to allow users to drop a credit card on the table to pay for music, books, and other amenities offered at the resort. In AT&T stores, use of the Surface include interactive presentations of plans, coverage, and phone features, in addition to dropping two different phones on the table and having the customer be able to view and compare prices, features, and plans. MSNBC's coverage of the 2008 US presidential election used Surface to share with viewers information and analysis of the race leading up to the election. The anchor analyzes polling and election results, views trends and demographic information and explores county maps to determine voting patterns and predict outcomes, all with the flick of his finger. In some hotels and casinos, users can do a range of things, such as watch videos, view maps, order drinks, play games, and chat and flirt with people between Surface tables.
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#5
[attachment=7113]
What is surface computing


“Surface Computing is the term used of specialized computer GUI. Instead of keyboard and mouse, the user interact directly with a touch sensitive screen ”
“It is natural user interface that allow people to interact with digital content the same way they have interacted in everyday life ”
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#6


Prepared by
KIRAN ANTONY
CTAHEEC058
Dept . of ECE
KMCTCE


[attachment=7845]

INTRODUCTION
Revolutionary multitouch computer with different look & feel.

It is a surface with a computing platform that responds to natural hand gestures and real world objects.

Surface is a 30-inch display in a table-like form factor that’s easy for individuals to interact just like in the real world.

This uses a multi touch screen as user interface.

Surface can simultaneously recognize dozens and dozens of movements such as touch, gestures and actual unique objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes.


HISTORY
2001: Microsoft researchers Steve Bathiche and Andy Wilson developed idea of interactive table that could understand the manipulation of physical pieces.


2003: 1st prototype model named T1which is based on an IKEA table was born.


2005 :Attention turned to its form factor- Tub proto type was designed.


2007:Final structure finalised,interactive tabletop device was built that seamlessly brings both the physical and virtual worlds into one.

FEATURES OF SURFACE COMPUTING
Direct interaction : Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands and interact with content by touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.

Multi-touch contact : Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger, as with a typical touch screen, but up to dozens and dozens of items at once.

Multi-user experience : The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.
Object recognition : Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.


STRUCTURE

(1) Screen: A diffuser turns the Surface's acrylic tabletop into a large horizontal "multitouch" screen, capable of processing multiple inputs from multiple users. The Surface can also recognize objects by their shapes or by reading coded "domino" tags.

(2) Infrared: Surface's "machine vision" operates in the near-infrared spectrum, using an 850-nanometer-wavelength LED light source aimed at the screen. When objects touch the tabletop, the light reflects back and is picked up by multiple infrared cameras with a net resolution of 1280 x 960.


(3) CPU: Surface uses many of the same components found in everyday desktop computers — a Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 256MB graphics card. Wireless communication with devices on the surface is handled using WiFi and Bluetooth antennas (future versions may incorporate RFID or Near Field Communications). The underlying operating system is a modified version of Microsoft Vista.

(4) Projector: Microsoft's Surface uses the same DLP light engine found in many rear projection HDTVs. The footprint of the visible light screen, at 1024 x 768 pixels, is actually smaller than the invisible overlapping infrared projection to allow for better recognition at the edges of the screen.

WORKING
Microsoft Surface uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. This user input is then processed and displayed using rear projection.

Microsoft Surface uses this rear projection system which displays an image onto the underside of thin diffuser.

Image processing system processes the camera images to detect fingers, custom tags and other objects such as paint brushes when touching the display.

The objects recognized with this system are reported to applications running in the computer so that they can react to object shapes, 2D tags, movement and touch.





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#7


Elaine Bain

Surface Computing
2001: Microsoft researchers Steve Bathiche and Andy Wilson developed idea of an interactive table
2003: 1st prototype was presented to Bill Gates for approval
2007: Interactive tabletop device was built that seamlessly brings both the physical and virtual worlds into one
The table is built with wireless devices using Bluetooth and WI-FI technology (RIFD-Radio Frequency Identification will come later)
Designed to match up with wireless objects placed on the table
Multitouch screen is used like the technology behind the iPhone (no keyboard or mouse needed)

Touch based graphical user interface
Dynamic interface that can recognize multiple objects that are placed on the surface and distinguish the difference between them- two cell phones to compare features or prices
Allows manipulation and direct control of digital content like photos- which can be resized bigger or smaller instantly with the touch of a finger(s)
Uses multipoint sensors on the surface to recognize many points of contact so many people can use it at one time


Surface technology attributes
Direct Interaction: interacting with touch instead of a keyboard or mouse
Multitouch: several points of contact at once
Multiuser: many users collaborating at one time
Object Recognition: physical objects have tags to recognize and trigger different responses

Microsoft operating system of Vista
Intel dual core processor backed by 2GB of RAM
256MB video card
5 video infared cameras
30 inch screen 1024 x 768 resolution (sits 21 inches off ground)
DLP projector

Each unit will cost between $5,000 - $10,000 currently

Multitouch Screen
Infared LED light source- multipule cameras net resolution 1280 x 960
CPU- Central Processing Unit
Projector- DLP light engine (like the ones in HDTV’s) resolution 1024 x 768 pixels

Technology

Demonstration of the multitouch screen with the use of an object- paintbrush to simulate painting a picture

Surface technology using an object with a tag- wineglass placed on surface to bring up other information about this particular wine

This new technology will be used first as an entertainment commodity in hotels, restaurants and retail venues
It will be initially launched at Harrah’s hotel in Las Vegas, Starwood Hotels and T-mobile.
Restaurant uses- see a virtual menu on screen and order right from the table your beverages and food selections then split the bill and pay electronically at the same time by putting your card on the surface.
Hotel uses- conceirge services for guests to look up a theater in the area and order tickets, pull up a map on how to get there and download the directions and the tickets into your cell phone or mobile device
T-mobile stores- can place two cell phones on the surface and compare the different price points and features, experiment with ring tones and look at plans then program the phone to your liking and have it all set to use before you walk out of the store
Video puzzle- use clear tiles on the surface and each tile has a moving piece of the puzzle that you have to match up with other pieces while the picture(video) is in perpetual motion on the tiles


Positive vs Negative

Positive
• Multi users- collaborative effort of users interacting
• Seamless- no wires or USB ports
• Instant download/upload of photos
• Users have more control of technology- ordering food or manipulating photos fast
• Educational- learn more info about the products you are using

Negative
• Not portable- table has to stay put
• Must own devices such as a cell phone to upload photos into or
share with others
• Have to be careful of table surface to not damage it
• Very expensive to own
• Tailored to high end clients


FOR MORE



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#8

Submitted by: KARTHIK KUMAR.H. P (1CG05EC030) Guide: Manjula. R CIT, Gubbi, Tumkur HOD: Prof. V. C. Kumar, M.Tech CIT, Gubbi, Tumkur
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
Channabasaveshwara Institute of Technology


SEMINAR REPORT on “Surface Computing”

ABSTRACT
The name Surface comes from "surface computing," and Microsoft envisions the coffee-table machine as the first of many such devices. Surface computing uses a blend of wireless protocols, special machine-readable tags and shape recognition to seamlessly merge the real and the virtual world — an idea the Milan team refers to as "blended reality." The table can be built with a variety of wireless transceivers, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and (eventually) radio frequency identification (RFID) and is designed to sync instantly with any device that touches its surface.

It supports multiple touch points – Microsoft says "dozens and dozens" -- as well as multiple users simultaneously, so more than one person could be using it at once, or one person could be doing multiple tasks. The term "surface" describes how it's used. There is no keyboard or mouse. All interactions with the computer are done via touching the surface of the computer's screen with hands or brushes, or via wireless interaction with devices such as smartphones, digital cameras or Microsoft's Zune music player. Because of the cameras, the device can also recognize physical objects; for instance credit cards or hotel "loyalty" cards. For instance, a user could set a digital camera down on the tabletop and wirelessly transfer pictures into folders on Surface's hard drive. Or setting a music player down would let a user drag songs from his or her home music collection directly into the player, or between two players, using a finger – or transfer mapping information for the location of a restaurant where you just made reservations through a Surface tabletop over to a smartphone just before you walk out the door.

Surface Computing
1. Introduction:

Over the past couple of years, a new class of interactive device has begun to emerge, what can best be described as “surface computing”. Two examples are illustrated in this report. They areSurface Table top Perceptive Pixel The Surface table top typically incorporates a rear-projection display coupled with an optical system to capture touch points by detecting shadows from below. Different approaches to doing the detection have been used, but most employ some form of IR illumination coupled with IR cameras. With today’s camera and signal-processing capability, reliable responsive and accurate multi-touch capabilities can be achieved. The multitouch pioneer and his company, Perceptive Pixel, have devoted the better part of two years to building an entirely new multitouch framework from the ground up. Instead of simply mapping multitouch technology to familiar interfaces and devices, Han's goal is far more sweeping: To use the technology as a foundation for an entirely new operating system. Because they are new to most, the tendency in seeing these systems is to assume that they are all more-or-less alike. Well, in a way that is true. But on the other hand, that is perhaps no more so than to say that all ICs are more-or-less alike, since they are black plastic things with feet like centipedes which contain a bunch of transistors and other stuff. In short, the more that you know, the more you can differentiate. But even looking at the two systems in the photo, there is evidence of really significant difference.

The really significant difference is that one is vertical and the other is horizontal. Why is this significant? Well, this is one of those questions perhaps best answered by a child in kindergarten. They will tell you that if you put a glass of water on the vertical one, it will fall to the floor, leading to a bout of sitting in the corner. On the other hand, it is perfectly safe to put things on a table. They will stay there.
 
2. What is surface computing?
Surface computing is a new way of working with computers that moves beyond the traditional mouse-and-keyboard experience. It is a natural user interface that allows people to interact with digital content the same way they have interacted with everyday items such as photos, paintbrushes and music their entire life: with their hands, with gestures and by putting real-world objects on the surface. Surface computing opens up a whole new category of products for users to interact with. Surface computing is a completely intuitive and liberating way to interact with digital content. It blurs the lines between the physical and virtual worlds. By using your hands or placing other unique everyday objects on the surface – such as an item you’re going to purchase at a retail store or a paint brush – you can interact with, share and collaborate like you’ve never done before. Imagine you’re out at a restaurant with friends and you each place your beverage on the table – and all kinds of information appears by your glass, such as wine pairings with a restaurant’s menu. Then, with the flick of your finger, you order dessert and split the bill. We really see this as broadening content opportunities and delivery systems. Surface computing is a powerful movement. In fact, it’s as significant as the move from DOS [Disk Operating System] to GUI [Graphic User Interface]. Our research shows that many people are intimidated and isolated by today’s technology. Many features available in mobile phones, PCs and other electronic devices like digital cameras aren’t even used because the technology is intimidating. Surface computing breaks down those traditional barriers to technology so that people can interact with all kinds of digital content in a more intuitive, engaging and efficient manner. It’s about technology adapting to the user, rather than the user adapting to the technology. Bringing this kind of natural user interface innovation to the computing space is what Surface Computing is all about.

  3. History of Surface Computing:
Surface computing is a major advancement that moves beyond the traditional user interface to a more natural way of interacting with digital content. Microsoft Surface™, Microsoft Corp.’s first commercially available surface computer, breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology to provide effortless interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects instead of a mouse and keyboard. The people will be able to interact with Surface in select restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and public entertainment.

In 2001, Stevie Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research began working together on various projects that took advantage of their complementary expertise in the areas of hardware and software. In one of their regular brainstorm sessions, they started talking about an idea for an interactive table that could understand the manipulation of physical pieces. Although there were related efforts happening in academia, Bathiche and Wilson saw the need for a product where the interaction was richer and more intuitive, and at the same time practical for everyone to use. This conversation was the beginning of an idea that would later result in the development of Surface, and over the course of the following year, various people at Microsoft involved in developing new product concepts, including the gaming-specific PlayTable, continued to think through the possibilities and feasibility of the project. Then
 
Surface Computing
in October 2001 a virtual team was formed to fully pursue bringing the idea to the next stage of development; Bathiche and Wilson were key members of the team.

In early 2003, the team presented the idea to Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman, in a group review. Gates instantly liked the idea and encouraged the team to continue to develop their thinking. The virtual team expanded, and within a month, through constant discussion and brainstorming, the first humble prototype was born and nicknamed T1. The model was based on an IKEA table with a hole cut in the top and a sheet of architect vellum used as a diffuser. The evolution of Surface had begun. A variety of early applications were also built, including pinball, a photo browser and a video puzzle. As more applications were developed, the team saw the value of the surface computer beyond simply gaming and began to favor those applications that took advantage of the unique ability of Surface to recognize physical objects placed on the table. The team was also beginning to realize that surface computing could be applied to a number of different embodiments and form factors. Over the next year, the team grew significantly, including the addition of Nigel Keam, initially software development lead and later architect for Surface, who was part of the development team eventually tasked with taking the product from prototype to a shipping product. Surface prototypes, functionality and applications were continually refined. More than 85 early prototypes were built for use by software developers, hardware developers and user researchers.

One of the key attributes of Surface is object recognition and the ability of objects placed on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content. This feature went through numerous rounds of testing and refining. The team explored various tag formats of all shapes and sizes before landing on the domino tag (used today) which is an 8-bit, three-quarter-inch-square tag that is optimal thanks to its small size. At the same time, the original plan of using a single camera in the vision system was proving to be unreliable. After exploring a variety of options, including camera placement and different camera lens sizes, it was decided that Surface would use five cameras that would more accurately detect natural movements and gestures from the surface.
 
3.1 Hardware Design:

The “Tub” model

By late 2004, the software development platform of Surface was well-established and attention turned to the form factor. A number of different experimental prototypes were built including “the tub” model, which was encased in a rounded plastic shell, a desk-height model with a square top and cloth-covered sides, and even a bar-height model that could be used while standing. After extensive testing and user research, the final hardware design (seen today) was finalized in 2005. Also in 2005, Wilson and Bathiche introduced the concept of surface computing in a paper for Gates’ twice-yearly “Think Week,” a time Gates takes to evaluate new ideas and technologies for the company.

 3.2 From Prototype to Product:

[b]“T1 Prototype”[/b]

The next phase of the development of Surface focused on continuing the journey from concept to product. Although much of what would later ship as Surface was determined, there was significant work to be done to develop a market-ready product that could be scaled to mass production.

In early 2006, Pete Thompson joined the group as general manager, tasked with driving end-to-end business and growing development and marketing. Under his leadership, the group has grown to more than 100 employees. Today Surface has become the market-ready product once only envisioned by the group, a 30-inch display in a tablelike form factor that’s easy for individuals or small groups to use collaboratively. The sleek, translucent surface lets people engage with Surface using touch, natural hand gestures and physical objects placed on the surface. Years in the making, Microsoft Surface is now poised to transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live. This is a radically different user-interface experience than anything and it’s really a testament to the innovation that comes from marrying brilliance and creativity.
     
4. Key attributes of Surface Computing:
Surface computing features four key attributes:

• Direct interaction. Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands and interact with content through touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.

• Multi‐touch contact. Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger as with a typical touch screen, but up to dozens and dozens of items at once.

• Multi‐user experience. The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face‐to‐face computing experience.

• Object recognition. Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.

  5. Technology behind Surface Computing:
Microsoft Surface uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and touch. This user input is then processed and displayed using rear projection. Specifically: Microsoft Surface uses a rear projection system which displays an image onto the underside of a thin diffuser. Objects such as fingers are visible through the diffuser by series of infrared–sensitive cameras, positioned underneath the display. An image processing system processes the camera images to detect fingers, custom tags and other objects such as paint brushes when touching the display. The objects recognized with this system are reported to applications running in the computer so that they can react to object shapes, 2D tags, movement and touch. One of the key components of surface computing is a "multitouch" screen. It is an idea that has been floating around the research community since the 1980s and is swiftly becoming a hip new product interface — Apple's new iPhone has multitouch scrolling and picture manipulation. Multitouch devices accept input from multiple fingers and multiple users simultaneously, allowing for complex gestures, including grabbing, stretching, swiveling and sliding virtual objects across the table. And the Surface has the added advantage of a horizontal screen, so several people can gather around and use it together. Its interface is the exact opposite of the personal computer: cooperative, handson, and designed for public spaces.
6. Microsoft Surface Overview:
Microsoft Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant, interactive computing experience. The product provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects. In Essence, it’s a surface that comes to life for exploring, learning, sharing, creating, buying and much more. Currently available in select in restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and public entertainment venues, this experience will transform the way people shop, dine, entertain and live. Surface is a 30‐inch display in a table‐like form factor that’s easy for individuals or small groups to interact with in a way that feels familiar, just like in the real world. Surface can simultaneously recognize dozens and dozens of movements such as touch, gestures and actual unique objects that have identification tags similar to bar codes. Surface computing breaks down traditional barriers between people and technology, changing the way people interact with all kinds of everyday content, from photos to maps to menus. The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information by using their hands and natural movements. Users are able to access information either on their own or collaboratively with their friends and families, unlike any experience available today.
6.1 The Hardware:
Essentially, Microsoft Surface is a computer embedded in a medium-sized table, with a large, flat display on top that is touch-sensitive. The software reacts to the touch of any object, including human fingers, and can track the presence and movement of many different objects at the same time. In addition to sensing touch, the Microsoft Surface unit can detect objects that are labeled with small "domino" stickers, and in the future, it will identify devices via radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags. The demonstration unit I used was housed in an attractive glass table about three feet high, with a solid base that hides a fairly standard computer equipped with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, an AMI BIOS, 2 GB of RAM, and Windows Vista. The team lead
would not divulge which graphics card was inside, but they said that it was a moderatelypowerful graphics card from either AMD/ATI or NVIDIA.
(1) Screen: A diffuser turns the Surface's acrylic tabletop into a large horizontal "multitouch" screen, capable of processing multiple inputs from multiple users. The Surface can also recognize objects by their shapes or by reading coded "domino" tags. (2) Infrared: Surface's "machine vision" operates in the near-infrared spectrum, using an 850-nanometer-wavelength LED light source aimed at the screen. When objects touch the tabletop, the light reflects back and is picked up by multiple infrared cameras with a net resolution of 1280 x 960. (3) CPU: Surface uses many of the same components found in everyday desktop computers — a Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM and a 256MB graphics card. Wireless communication with devices on the surface is handled using WiFi and Bluetooth antennas (future versions may incorporate RFID or Near Field Communications). The underlying operating system is a modified version of Microsoft Vista. (4) Projector: Microsoft's Surface uses the same DLP light engine found in many rearprojection HDTVs. The footprint of the visible light screen, at 1024 x 768 pixels, is actually smaller than the invisible overlapping infrared projection to allow for better recognition at the edges of the screen.
 
The display screen is a 4:3 rear-projected DLP display measuring 30 inches diagonally. The screen resolution is a relatively modest 1024x768, but the touch detection system had an effective resolution of 1280x960. Unlike the screen resolution, which for the time being is constant, the touch resolution varies according to the size of the screen used—it is designed to work at a resolution of 48 dots per inch. The top layer also works as a diffuser, making the display clearly visible at any angle. Unlike most touch screens, Surface does not use heat or pressure sensors to indicate when someone has touched the screen. Instead, five tiny cameras take snapshots of the surface many times a second, similar to how an optical mouse works, but on a larger scale. This allows Surface to capture many simultaneous touches and makes it easier to track movement, although the disadvantage is that the system cannot (at the moment) sense pressure. Five cameras mounted beneath the table read objects and touches on the acrylic surface above, which is flooded with near-infrared light to make such touches easier to pick out. The cameras can read a nearly infinite number of simultaneous touches and are limited only by processing power. Right now, Surface is optimized for 52 touches, or enough for four people to use all 10 fingers at once and still have 12 objects sitting on the table. The unit is rugged and designed to take all kinds of abuse. Senior director of marketing Mark Bolger demonstrated this quite dramatically by slamming his hand onto the top of the screen as hard as he could—it made a loud thump, but the unit itself didn't move. The screen is also water resistant. At an earlier demonstration, a skeptical reporter tested this by pouring his drink all over the device. Microsoft has designed the unit to put up with this kind of punishment because it envisions Surface being used in environments such as restaurants where hard impacts and spills are always on the menu. The choice of 4:3 screen was, according to Nigel Keam, mostly a function of the availability of light engines (projectors) when the project began. Testing and user

  feedback have shown that the 4:3 ratio works well, and the addition of a slight amount of extra acrylic on each side leaves the table looking like it has normal dimensions. Built-in wireless and Bluetooth round out the hardware capabilities of Surface. A Bluetooth keyboard with a built-in trackpad is available to diagnose problems with the unit, although for regular use it is not required.

6.2 System software:
Microsoft Surface works much like another Microsoft product, Media Center, in that the main application runs on top of Windows and takes over the whole screen. Like Media Center, it is designed to be difficult to exit the application without using a mouse or keyboard. I asked if the Surface team considered allowing the user to drop into Windows mode while retaining the touch functionality, but they felt that the product worked better if it stayed in this mode. The various demonstration programs are accessed from a main menu, which scrolls left and right in an endless loop. The user moves the selection by swiping back and forth and selects an application with a single tap. This works reasonably well and feels quite natural. When an application is selected, a swirly purple ring appears in the center of the screen to indicate that the program is loading. There were eight different programs available: Water, Video Puzzle, Paint, Music, Photos, Casino, a T-Mobile demonstration app, and Dining. Much of the software was written using Microsoft's WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), though the XNA development toolkit, a framework originally created for writing PC and Xbox 360 games, is also supported. XNA allows programmers to use managed code written in C# to manipulate various DirectX features; managed code frees the programmer from worrying about handling memory, allocating and discarding memory automatically. This approach has allowed Microsoft and its partners to write impressive-looking demonstration programs for Surface more quickly than would otherwise be possible.

7. Features:
Multi-touch display. The Microsoft Surface display is capable of multi-touch interaction, recognizing dozens and dozens of touches simultaneously, including fingers, hands, gestures and objects.

Perceptive Pixel’s touch screens work via frustrated total internal reflection Technology. The acrylic surface has infrared LEDs on the edges. When undisturbed, the light passes along predictable paths, a process known as total internal reflection. When one or more fingers touch the surface, the light diffuses at the contact points, changing the internal-reflection pathways. A camera below the surface captures the diffusion and sends the information to image-processing software, which translates it into a command.

Multitouch technology has been around since early research at the University of Toronto in 1982. With multitouch devices, one or more users activate advanced functions by touching a screen in more than one place at the same time. For example, a person could expand or shrink images by pinching the edges of the display window with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, explained Microsoft principal researcher Bill Buxton. Users could also, while in contact with a point on a map, touch other controls to make the system display information, such as nearby restaurants, about the area surrounding the
 
indicated location. This is accomplished much as it has been in PCs for years. For example, desktop users can press the Alt and Tab keys at the same time to toggle between open windows. The OS translates the simultaneous keystrokes into a single command. Industry observers say tabletop computers are likely to become a popular multitouchscreen implementation. Because multiple users at different positions will work with tabletop systems, the computers must be able to display material in different parts of the screen and move controls around to keep them from blocking reoriented content. The systems can determine users’ locations based on the positions from which they input commands or data. The computers then orient their displays toward the tabletop edge nearest to the user. Vendors are beginning to release commercial multitouch systems. For example, Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories’ Diamond Touch table, which includes a developer’s kit, can be used for small-group collaboration.

Horizontal orientation. The 30-inch display in a table-sized form factor allows users to share, explore and create experiences together, enabling a truly collaborative computing experience. Dimensions. Microsoft Surface is 22 inches high, 21 inches deep and 42 inches wide. Materials. The Microsoft Surface tabletop is acrylic, and its interior frame is powder-coated steel.

  8. Perceptive Pixel:

Jeff Han demos one of Perceptive Pixel’s multitouch devices by calling up various Minority Report photos from the Web on his virtual keyboard. With a flick of his finger, he severs Tom Cruise's head from his body and sets it frenetically bobbing across the screen.

Computer scientists see technologies such as surface computing and multitouch as the key to a new era of ubiquitous computing, where processing power is embedded in almost every object and everything is interactive. Last year, New York University professor Jeff Han launched a company called Perceptive Pixel, which builds six-figureplus custom multitouch drafting tables and enormous interactive wall displays for large corporations and military situation rooms. "I firmly believe that in the near future, we will have wallpaper displays in every hallway, in every desk. Every surface will be a point of interaction with a computer," Han says, "and for that to happen, we really need interfaces like this." The display’s surface is a six-millimeter-thick piece of clear acrylic, with infrared LEDs on the edges. Left undisturbed, the light passes along predictable paths within the acrylic, a process known as total internal reflection. When objects such as fingers touch the surface, the light diffuses at the contact point, causing the acrylic’s internal-reflection
 
pathways to change. A camera below the surface captures the diffusion and sends the information to image-processing software, which can read multiple touches simultaneously and translate them into a command. The system sends information about screen touches to applications via the lightweight Open Sound Control protocol, utilized for network-based communication between computers and multimedia devices, and User Datagram Protocol data transport technology. The applications then take the appropriate actions. Perceptive Pixel, which has built a prototype that measures 36 _ 27 inches, is still working on applications for its displays, Han noted. They could be used for collaborative work on design-related and other projects, perhaps in place of interactive whiteboards, he said.

Short-term success for a technology can be measured by how much attention a product gathers when it is new. Long-term success is measured by how effectively that product disappears into the everyday routine of life. Surface computing has enormous potential to do both — it is a splashy new computer interface, surrounded by hype, but it is also, quite literally, furniture. It is a technology in its infancy, where even the engineers behind it can't predict its full impact; but the possibilities are everywhere, underhand and underfoot — on every surface imaginable.

  9. Applications of Surface Computing:
9.1 Water

Water is used as an "attract mode" for the Surface desktop, and it is certainly attractive. The default background picture is an image of smooth pebbles that appear to sit beneath a thin layer of rippling water. By itself, the water moves as if it were being disturbed by a light breeze, but it is when you touch the screen that it becomes more interesting than just another screensaver. Tapping anywhere on the surface causes larger ripples to spread out from the point of contact. Many people can tap at the same time, making an effect similar to a rainstorm. But by far the most fun is when you sweep your whole hand across and cause waves to bounce back and forth. The physics of the water simulation is not perfect: the ripples never get above a certain intensity, and there is no way to simulate diffraction. However, the overall effect is strangely compelling and is certainly a good way to introduce people to Surface.

One interesting feature of Water is that if you take any object (the team used a regular stove dial) and stick an identification sticker on the bottom, the program will switch background pictures whenever you turn the dial.

9.2 Video Puzzle
Video Puzzle showcases the power of the little identification tags mentioned above. The tags consist of a pattern of variously-sized dots; Keam mentioned that the dots currently represent an 8-bit code (256 permutations) but that 128-bit tags were in the works. The neat thing about the tags is that they can be very nearly transparent and the system will still pick them up. Not only can the tags transmit numerical information, but the geometrical arrangement of the dots means that Surface can also tell, to a high degree of accuracy, how much the tag (and therefore the object) has rotated. In Video Puzzle, these virtually invisible tags are placed upon small squares of glass. When the pieces of glass are put on the table, the screen starts playing video clips underneath each one. Because the video moves whenever you move the squares, it creates the illusion that the glass itself is displaying the video, which looks very futuristic. As you move the squares around, you quickly realize that the video clips are all pieces of a larger video. Flipping the glass squares over inverts the video playing underneath, making completing the puzzle even more of a challenge. When you complete the puzzle correctly, the system senses the achievement, congratulates you, and shows you the time taken to finish. According to Mark Bolger, the current record for finishing when the pieces are fully randomized is 1 minute and 53 seconds. On my first attempt, I finished in just over 2 minutes, but the squares were all right side up to begin with (Microsoft is nice to journalists, it seems).

9.3 Paint

 Paint programs have been a natural demonstration application for new platforms ever since MacPaint graced the first Macintosh back in 1984. Surface’s paint program is even lighter on features than MacPaint was, but the natural user interface makes up for this deficiency. There are three draw modes that can be toggled by touching an icon on the bottom of the toolbar: brush, paint, and reveal, the last of which is kind of a negative brush that shows a background bitmap underneath. The brush mode is a bit spotty and tends to skip, but the paint mode is smooth and fun. You can draw using one finger, all your fingers at once (good for drawing hair), the palm of your hand, or using any natural object such as a regular paintbrush. Using the program is like having a flashback to finger painting back in kindergarten (minus the mess), and certainly children will have tons of fun with this kind of application. That said, having this great touch interface absolutely cries out for a more fullfeatured program, something that can mix colors (like Microsoft's own paint program that comes with the Tablet PC version of Windows) and play around with textures and natural materials. I immediately thought of Fractal Design Painter and how much fun it would be with this interface. Of course, real digital artists have been using advanced pressure 

sensitive graphics tablets for years, and Surface is not aimed at replacing this kind of workflow. Still, a more full-featured Paint program would be nice to have, and Keam mentioned that the team is still deciding whether or not to add features to Paint or instead take an existing paint program and rework it for Surface.

9.4 Music

 The Music application works like a virtual jukebox, displaying music arranged by album and allowing the user to flip over albums, select songs, and drag them to the "Now Playing" section. The album browser works a bit like Apple’s Cover Flow, although many albums are visible at once without scrolling. In addition to playing music that is already stored on the unit's hard drive, Music can also transfer songs from portable music players. Mark Bolger demonstrated this by placing two Zunes on top of the Surface and using the wireless connection to drag and drop songs between the units, the song list, and the Now Playing section. I mentioned to the team that this was the first time I had ever seen even one Zune "in the wild," and they joked that Microsoft headquarters didn’t really count as being in the wild. Bolger noted that sharing songs in this manner would be "subject to DRM restrictions, of course."

9.5 Photos

 Sharing photos is a much more unrestricted activity, thanks to the fact that the consumer is also the creator of the content, and the photo album application reflected this freedom. By simply placing a Bluetooth-equipped digital camera on the tabletop, Surface was able to import the photos and place them in a pile on the screen, which Bolger verified by taking a picture of Cindy, my Microsoft PR contact who was sitting in the next chair. Most of the other photos were pictures of Microsoft employees' children; Bolger joked that only the cutest kids were allowed to be put in the demonstration. Photos are arranged into albums that look like piles. Tapping the pile once spreads it around the screen and from there you can drag, rotate, and resize the images to your heart’s content. Since Surface can detect many touches at the same time, multiple people can sort and resize pictures, which could potentially turn a tedious job into a fun family affair. The program can also apparently sort photos into stacks by using metadata tags, although I did not see this feature demonstrated. Not only pictures but full-motion videos can be viewed in this way; tapping the video once starts the playback, and it can be smoothly resized and rotated while it plays.

  9.6 Casino
The Casino application was developed in cooperation with Harrah's of Las Vegas and is a good example of how Surface can be used in a hospitality environment. The background image is a giant map of the hotel and casino, with all the attractions marked for further inspection. Hotel customers can place their card anywhere on the screen and reserve tickets to any of these shows. The background map can be easily scrolled with a brush of the hand, and zoomed in and out by performing the two-finger pinch.

9.7 Dining

 The application allows diners to preview the entire menu by choosing a category (drinks, appetizers, main courses, and so forth) and then scrolling left and right through the available options. Items can be dragged into a central "ordering area" and when everyone is satisfied with their choices, a single tap on the Order button sends the list out to the waiter. This could potentially save service people huge chunks of time and would be very useful for busy restaurants. The software can display the daily specials, and for regular customers with their own identification cards, it could display a list of "favorites" to make ordering even easier. Combine this with entertainment activities for the kids (perhaps Paint?) and you can see how many restaurants could view this as a compelling application.

10. Surface Computing - In Future:

Although surface computing is a new experience for consumers, over time Microsoft believes there will be a whole range of surface computing devices and the technology will become pervasive in people’s lives in a variety of environments.

As form factors continue to evolve, surface computing will be in any number of environments— schools, businesses, homes — and in any number of form factors — part of the countertop, the wall or the refrigerator.

  11. Conclusions:
Some people will look at Surface and claim that it does nothing that hasn't been tried before: computers with touch screens have been around for years and have already found niches in ATMs, ticket ordering machines, and restaurant point-of-sale devices. This view largely misses the point of the product. Like most projects, Surface takes existing technology and presents it in a new way. It isn't simply a touch screen, but more of a touch-grab-move-slide-resize-and-place-objects-on-top-of-screen, and this opens up new possibilities that weren't there before. Playing with the unit felt a bit like being in the movie Minority Report (in a good way), but it also felt like a more natural and enjoyable method of doing certain computing tasks. Sharing and looking at family photos, for example, is more fun on Surface than on any other device. The retail applications, particularly the dining application, show how businesses could use the technology to really stand out from competitors, though one wonders how diners will react when their table locks up and needs a reboot. Many people who viewed the early Xerox PARC demonstrations of the GUI came out of that experience knowing that every computer would work that way someday, and they were right. Playing with Surface, one gets the sense that although not every computer will work like this someday, many of them will. More importantly, computers running Surface-like software will end up in places that never had computers before, and the potential applications are exciting. Imagine a multiplayer real-time strategy game where you and another human opponent can move units around as quickly as you can point to them. Or perhaps an educational environment, where university students could assemble and disassemble anything from molecules to skyscrapers quickly and easily.
 
12. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Apple iPhone Multi-touch. http://appleiphone/ 2. scribd.com 3. whereisdoc.com 4. docjax.com 5. Microsoft Surface, http://surface.com 6. Perceptive Pixel, http://perceptivepixel.com

 



Reply
#9
[attachment=8713]
Surface Computing
 2001: Microsoft researchers Steve Bathiche and Andy Wilson developed idea of an interactive table
 2003: 1st prototype was presented to Bill Gates for approval
 2007: Interactive tabletop device was built that seamlessly brings both the physical and virtual worlds into one
 The table is built with wireless devices using Bluetooth and WI-FI technology (RIFD-Radio Frequency Identification will come later)
 Designed to match up with wireless objects placed on the table
 Multitouch screen is used like the technology behind the iPhone (no keyboard or mouse needed)
 Touch based graphical user interface
 Dynamic interface that can recognize multiple objects that are placed on the surface and distinguish the difference between them- two cell phones to compare features or prices
 Allows manipulation and direct control of digital content like photos- which can be resized bigger or smaller instantly with the touch of a finger(s)
 Uses multipoint sensors on the surface to recognize many points of contact so many people can use it at one time
 Surface technology attributes
 Direct Interaction: interacting with touch instead of a keyboard or mouse
 Multitouch: several points of contact at once
 Multiuser: many users collaborating at one time
 Object Recognition: physical objects have tags to recognize and trigger different responses
Software/Hardware
 Microsoft operating system of Vista
 Intel dual core processor backed by 2GB of RAM
 256MB video card
 5 video infared cameras
 30 inch screen 1024 x 768 resolution (sits 21 inches off ground)
 DLP projector
 wired Ethernet 10/100 and wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity
 Each unit will cost between $5,000 - $10,000 currently
 Multitouch Screen
 Infared LED light source- multipule cameras net resolution 1280 x 960
 CPU- Central Processing Unit
 Projector- DLP light engine (like the ones in HDTV’s) resolution 1024 x 768 pixels
Technology
 Demonstration of the multitouch screen with the use of an object- paintbrush to simulate painting a picture
 Surface technology using an object with a tag- wineglass placed on surface to bring up other information about this particular wine
 This new technology will be used first as an entertainment commodity in hotels, restaurants and retail venues
 It will be initially launched at Harrah’s hotel in Las Vegas, Starwood Hotels and T-mobile.
 Restaurant uses- see a virtual menu on screen and order right from the table your beverages and food selections then split the bill and pay electronically at the same time by putting your card on the surface.
 Hotel uses- conceirge services for guests to look up a theater in the area and order tickets, pull up a map on how to get there and download the directions and the tickets into your cell phone or mobile device
 T-mobile stores- can place two cell phones on the surface and compare the different price points and features, experiment with ring tones and look at plans then program the phone to your liking and have it all set to use before you walk out of the store
 Video puzzle- use clear tiles on the surface and each tile has a moving piece of the puzzle that you have to match up with other pieces while the picture(video) is in perpetual motion on the tiles
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#10
presented by:
S.S.K.CHAITANYA

[attachment=8969]
SURFACE COMPUTING
What is Surface Computing?
Surface computing is a new way of interacting with information on various “surfaces,” rather than through a traditional device (i.e., keyboard and mouse on a computer, keypad on a mobile phone). Surface computing typically includes three key attributes:
Direct interaction: Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands—interacting with • content by touch and gesture, without the use of traditional devices such as a mouse and keyboard.
Multi-Touch: Surface computing recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from • one finger, but up to dozens of items at once.
Multi-User: Surface computing allows several people to gather around any surface, providing a • collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.*
Some solutions even recognize objects that users place on the surface triggering responses. For instance, if a user places a digital camera on the surface, it pulls pictures from the camera so they can interact with the library of photos.
Why Should I Use Surface Computing?
Surface computing is an interactive out-of-home solution, meaning users don’t have to own the device to have an experience with it. Anyone can interact with it, wherever it is. At this point, surface computing is primarily used to transfer large amounts of multimedia data but it can also be used to transfer more traditional data. It seems to be an effective engagement vehicle because it allows for multiple users to interact with multiple pieces and forms of information. However, it is only a matter of time before more complex programs are available for use that would help with effective acquisition, conversion, or retention tactics. If used correctly (with the right content, the right amount of content, and the right enabling devices), surface computing can be an extremely powerful tool.
What Options are Available?
Many companies have begun developing some type of surface computing. Some, like Microsoft, turn customized furniture (i.e., tabletops or bars) into interactive surfaces; while others, such as GesturTek, design their systems to work with pre-existing structures like walls and floors. While the following does not detail all of the surface computing solutions in market today, it does provide an overview of the major players.
Microsoft Surface – Microsoft Surface is arguably the best known surface computing solution in market today. Surface is a table-top only, multi-touch display that uses cameras (within the tables) and rear-projection to provide interactivity through natural gestures, touch, and physical objects.
Laser Touch (Microsoft) – Laser Touch is a low-cost solution that can transform any display (monitor, projector, etc.) into a touch screen. The biggest difference from Surface, aside from price, is Laser Touch’s ability to be used on multiple displays, not just tables. Unfortunately, there are no plans to commercialize it.
GestureTek – GestureTek’s solutions include interactive displays for any surface (tables, floors, and walls), as well as virtual gaming and interactive signage. GestureTek also uses its solutions for industry-based specialties (i.e., health and mobile), enough that it has created different divisions within the company for these two. It has enough solutions to offer a custom toolkit to potential clients, including components of its different solutions or whole solutions themselves.
Perceptive Pixel – Perceptive Pixel was founded by Jeffry Han, considered by many to be the revolutionary mind of multi-touch displays. Han has developed large-scale, multi-touch displays for corporations and the government, and he is also rumored to be the mind behind iPhone’s multi-touch display. Perceptive Pixel specializes in giant, wall-sized touch screens that support multiple inputs. These displays were used on CNN during the 2008 election season.
Diamond Touch (Mitsubishi) – Diamond Touch is a table-top only, multi-touch display that supports small group collaborations. Diamond Touch was specifically intended for in-office business use. Its unique technology uses antennas instead of cameras.
Smart Table – Smart Table is a table-top only, multi-touch display intended for child education.
Catchyoo – Catchyoo provides interactive solutions for floors, walls, and tables. Its solutions are designed for large system deployment and include worldwide network capabilities. These networks are similar to comprehensive digital signage networks with features like content management, real-time administration, and scheduling.
Reactrix – Reactrix’s solutions are more sophisticated than Catchyoo’s, but almost identical. According to MediaWeek, as of October 2008, Reactrix is up for sale and is in discussions with potential buyers.
Sensacell – Sensacell is an interactive floor system comprised of different “modules” that can form any shape of any size (up to thousands of square feet). Once the user is within six feet of the modules or steps on them, sensors identify the proximity/pressure and react by illuminating.
Surface computing is one of the key emerging trends in human-computer interaction. It provides a new way to engage audiences in rich and meaningful ways across multiple environments. We will see commercially-available solutions increase over the next few years. Currently, the primary differences among companies are the depth and breadth of the solutions and cost. At this stage, partnerships are a viable solution for both provider and buyer (look no further than AT&T and Microsoft Surface). Before moving forward with a “surface” provider, buyers should identify their goals and objectives. Factors like reach, network, type and frequency of use, and of course, cost should be considered.
SURFACE COMPUTER
A surface computer is a computer that interacts with the user through the surface of an ordinary object, rather than through a monitor and keyboard.
The category was created by Microsoft with Surface (codenamed Milan), the surface computer from Microsoft which was based entirely on a Multi-Touch interface and using a coffee-table like design, and was unveiled on 30 May 2007. Users can interact with the machine by touching or dragging their fingertips and objects such as paintbrushes across the screen, or by setting real-world items tagged with special bar-code labels on top of it.
The Surface is a horizontal display on a table-like form. Somewhat similar to the iPhone, the Surface has a screen that can incorporate multiple touches and thus uses them to navigate multimedia content. Unlike the iPhone, which uses fingers' electrical properties to detect touch, the Surface utilizes a system of infrared cameras to detect input. Uploading digital files only requires each object (e.g. a Bluetooth-enabled digital camera) to be placed on the Surface. People can physically move around the picture across the screen with their hands, or even shrink or enlarge them. The first units of the Surface will be information kiosks in the Harrah's family of casinos.
The Surface has a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of memory, an off the shelf graphics card, a scratch-proof spill-proof surface, a DLP projector, and 5 infrared cameras as mentioned above. However, the expensive components required for the interface also give the Surface a price tag of between $12,500 to $15,000.
Reply
#11
[attachment=9424]
INTRODUCTION
Surface computing does not use the traditional key board and mouse
It allows people to interact with digital content the same way they interact with everyday items
Designed to match up with wireless objects placed on the table
It’s a technology that adapts to the user
History
2001: Microsoft researchers Steve Bathiche and Andy Wilson developed idea of an interactive table
2003: 1st prototype was presented to Bill Gates for approval
2007: Interactive tabletop device was built that seamlessly brings both the physical and virtual worlds into one
Surface Computing
Touch based graphical user interface
Dynamic interface that can recognize multiple objects that are placed on the surface and distinguish the difference between them
Allows manipulation and direct control of digital content like photos
Uses multipoint sensors on the surface to recognize many points of contact so many people can use it at one time
Key Attributes
Surface technology attributes

Direct Interaction: interacting with touch instead of a keyboard or mouse
Multitouch: several points of contact at once
Multiuser: many users collaborating at one time
Object Recognition: physical objects have tags to recognize and trigger different responses
System Requirements
Microsoft operating system of Vista
Intel dual core processor backed by 2GB of RAM
256MB video card
Applications
Demonstration of the multitouch screen with the use of an object- paintbrush to simulate painting a picture
Surface technology using an object with a tag- wineglass placed on surface to bring up other information about this particular wine
Applications
This new technology is used as an entertainment commodity in hotels, restaurants and retail venues
It was initially launched at Harrah’s hotel in Las Vegas, Starwood Hotels and T-mobile.
Restaurant uses- see a virtual menu on screen and order right from the table your beverages and food selections then split the bill and pay electronically at the same time by putting your card on the surface.
Hotel uses- conceirge services for guests to look up a theater in the area and order tickets, pull up a map on how to get there and download the directions and the tickets into your cell phone or mobile device
T-mobile stores- can place two cell phones on the surface and compare the different price points and features, experiment with ring tones and look at plans then program the phone to your liking and have it all set to use before you walk out of the store
Video puzzle- use clear tiles on the surface and each tile has a moving piece of the puzzle that you have to match up with other pieces while the picture(video) is in perpetual motion on the tiles
Disadvantages
• Not portable- table has to stay put
• Must own devices such as a cell phone to upload photos into or share with others
• Have to be careful of table surface to not damage it
• Very expensive to own
• Tailored to high end clients
Technology
Surface computers use cameras to sense objects,touch and hand gestures
An image processing system processes the camera to detect fingers,custom tags and paint brushes etc while touching
The objects recognized are reported to applications
Advantages&Disadvantages
Advantage
• Multi users- collaborative effort of users interacting
• Seamless- no wires or USB ports
• Instant download/upload of photos
• Users have more control of technology- ordering food or manipulating photos fast
• Educational- learn more info about the products you are using
Surface computing in future
Surface computing is expected to carry on to more fields like schools,homes,buisnesses etc
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#12
i want report and ppt on surface computing
i want ppt on surface computing
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#13
Presented By:
PAVAN.D

[attachment=12947]
INTRODUCTION
 SURFACE is a Whole new category of computer device.
 It is near to same computer as the our PC,Laptop.
 Invention by Microsoft Group
 It was announced on May 29, 2007
OVERVIEW
 Microsoft Surface is a Multi-touch product from
Microsoft which is developed as a software and
hardware combination.
 Technology that allows a user, or multiple users, to
manipulate digital content by the use of natural
motions, hand gestures, or physical objects.
1.Screen
• A diffuser turns the Surface's acrylic tabletop into a large horizontal "Multitouch" screen.
• It is capable of processing multiple input.
• The Surface can also recognize objects by their shapes.
2.Infrared
• Surface's "machine vision" operates in the infrared spectrum.
• LED light source aimed at the screen. When objects touch the tabletop, the light reflects back and is picked up by multiple infrared cameras with a net resolution of 1280 x 960.
3.CPU
• Surface uses many of the same components found in everyday desktop computers.
Eg :-
 Core 2 Duo processor,
 2GB of RAM and
 256MB graphics card.
4.Projector
• Microsoft's Surface uses the same DLP Projectors.
• The footprint of the visible light screen, at 1024 x 768 pixels, is actually smaller than the invisible overlapping infrared projection
Features
1.Direct interaction

• Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands, interacting with content by touch and gesture, without the use of a mouse or keyboard.
2.Multi-touch
• Surface computing recognize many points of contact simultaneously, not just from one finger like a typical touch-screen, but up to dozens of items at once.
3.Multi-User
The horizontal form factor makes it easy for several people to gather around surface computers together, providing a collaborative, face-to-face computing experience.
4.Object recognition
Users can place physical objects on the surface to trigger different types of digital responses, including the transfer of digital content.
Applications
 At phone store.
 At restaurants to display menu.
 Digital interective painting.
 Play games and use the internet.
 Wireless-transfer pictures from camera to surface and cell phone.
 For payment of bills using credit cards.
Reply
#14
[attachment=14274]
Surface Computing
What is Surface Computing?
Origins
Origins
Four Key Attributes
Direct interaction means that, we can interact with the Surface by using our fingers.
No other input device is needed to give input.
This provides a natural interface effect.
Ordinary touch screens provide only single touch sensing
In surface more than one touch can be recognized at the same time.
Object recognition is done in the surface by using special bar codes called Domino tags.
These are infrared sensitive patterns which are read by the infrared sensing cameras inside the surface.
Hardware Specification
Technology Behind Surface Computing

Uses IR cameras to sense objects, hand gestures and finger touch.
Uses a Rare projection system which displays on to the underside of a thin diffuser.
Technology Behind Surface Computing (contd..)
Objects such as fingers are visible through the diffuser by series of IR cameras, positioned underneath the display.
An image processing system processes the camera images to detect the fringes.
Objects recognized are reported to the applications running in the computer so that they can react to objects shape, movement and touch of the finger.
At Microsoft's MSDN Conference, Bill Gates told developers of "Maximum" setup the Microsoft Surface was going to have:
Intel Core Quad Xeon "WoodCrest" @ 2.66GHz
4GB DDR2-1066 RAM
1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive
It has a custom motherboard form factor about the size of two ATX motherboards.
Advantages..
Quick and easy to use
Multi users- collaborative effort of users interacting.
Seamless- no wires or USB ports.
Instant download/upload of photos.
Users have more control of technology- ordering food or manipulating photos fast.
Educational- learn more info about the products you are using.
Disadvantages..
Not portable
Incredibly expensive.
Privacy - Open for many to view.
Screen Visibility - Glare, finger prints/dirt and human interaction obscuring interface.
Objects needs to be tagged (domino tags or RFIDs).
Need for dim lighting to avoid washing out the screen.
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#15
[attachment=14911]
INTRODUCTION
Microsoft Surface is a forthcoming Multi-touch product from Microsoft which is developed as software and hardware combination technology.
Minority Report meets the kitchen table in the new Surface from Microsoft. Claiming that surface computing is "as significant as the move from DOS to GUI," the company today announced a tabletop device with an integrated 30-inch screen and five cameras to enable multitouch access to music, photos, the web, and more. According to Microsoft, Surface isn't simply a regular PC with a touch interface.
It’s a whole new category of computing device that will supplement rather than replace traditional machines. Surface is essentially a Windows Vista PC tucked inside a table, topped with a 30-inch reflective surface in a clear acrylic frame.
Surface features a touch interface, but it doesn't use a touch screen. Instead, five separate cameras are used to record motion on the table's surface.
As spoke with Nigel Keam, a member of the Surface team, about the
1 What is surface computing?
Surface computing is a new way of working with computers that moves beyond the traditional mouse-and-keyboard experience. It is a natural user interface that allows people to interact with digital content the same way they have interacted with everyday items such as photos, paintbrushes and music their entire life: with their hands, with gestures and by putting real-world objects on the surface. Surface computing opens up a whole new category of products for users to interact with.

Surface computing is a completely intuitive and liberating way to interact with digital content. It blurs the lines between the physical and virtual worlds. By using your hands or placing other unique everyday objects on the surface – such as an item you’re going to purchase at a retail store or a paint brush – you can interact with, share and collaborate like you’ve never done before. Imagine you’re out at a restaurant with friends and you each place your beverage on the table – and all kinds of information appears by your glass, such as wine pairings with a restaurant’s menu. Then, with the flick of your finger, you order dessert and split the bill. We really see this as broadening content opportunities and delivery systems.
Surface computing is a powerful movement. In fact, it’s as significant as the move from DOS [Disk Operating System] to GUI [Graphic User Interface]. Our research shows that many people are intimidated and isolated by today’s technology. Many features available in mobile phones, PCs and other electronic devices like digital cameras aren’t even used because the technology is intimidating. Surface computing breaks down those traditional barriers to technology so that people can interact with all kinds of digital content in a more intuitive, engaging and efficient manner. It’s about technology adapting to the user, rather than the user adapting to the technology. Bringing this kind of natural user interface innovation to the computing space is what Surface Computing is all about.
2 History of Surface Computing:
Surface computing is a major advancement that moves beyond the traditional user interface to a more natural way of interacting with digital content. Microsoft Surface™, Microsoft Corp.’s first commercially available surface computer, breaks down the traditional barriers between people and technology to provide effortless interaction with all forms of digital content through natural gestures, touch and physical objects instead of a mouse and keyboard. The people will be able to interact with Surface in select restaurants, hotels, retail establishments and public entertainment.
In 2001, Stevie Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research began working together on various projects that took advantage of their complementary expertise in the areas of hardware and software. In one of their regular brainstorm sessions, they started talking about an idea for an interactive table that could
understand the manipulation of physical pieces. Although there were related efforts happening in academia, Bathiche and Wilson saw the need for a product where the interaction was richer and more intuitive, and at the same time practical for everyone to use. This conversation was the beginning of an idea that would later result in the development of Surface, and over the course of the following year, various people at Microsoft involved in developing new product concepts, including the gaming-specific PlayTable, continued to think through the possibilities and feasibility of the project. In early 2003, the team presented the idea to Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman, in a group review. Gates instantly liked the idea and encouraged the team to continue to develop their thinking. The virtual team expanded, and within a month, through constant discussion and brainstorming, the first humble prototype was born and nicknamed T1. The model was based on an IKEA table with a hole cut in the top and a sheet of architect vellum used as a diffuser. The evolution of Surface had begun. A variety of early applications were also built, including pinball, a photo browser and a video puzzle. As more applications were developed, the team saw the value of the surface computer beyond simply gaming and began to favor those applications that took advantage of the unique ability of Surface to recognize physical objects placed on the table. The team was also beginning to realize that surface computing could be applied to a number of different embodiments and form factors. Over the next year, the team grew significantly, including the addition of Nigel Keam, initially software development lead and later architect for Surface, who was part of the development team eventually tasked with taking the product from prototype to a shipping product. Surface prototypes, functionality and applications
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#16
Can someone please post me some more ppts on this topic(Surface computing).Also do you think i could get full marks if i present this topic in our technical seminar sesion?kindly respond please
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#17

to get information about the topic surface computing full report ,ppt and related topic refer the page link bellow

http://studentbank.in/report-surface-computing

http://studentbank.in/report-surface-computing?page=3

http://studentbank.in/report-surface-computing-ppt

http://studentbank.in/report-surface-computing?page=4

http://studentbank.in/report-multitouch-...-computing

http://studentbank.in/report-microsoft-surface


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