ANU K LEKSHMY

MCAB5 V SEM
CLASS NO: 04

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ABOUT…..
• Picture a surface that can recognize physical objects from a paintbrush
to a cell phone and allows hands-on, direct control of content such as
photos, music and maps….
• Resize pictures and video by stretching the object out with our fingers,
transfer files between the computer and our phone by placing it on top
of the table, move things around by hand, and much more….
• Imagine playing games on the table while you wait for your food or
splitting your check with your friends and just dragging the menu
items from the table to your credit card you just place on it…
• Here comes to this Microsoft era, an absolute caricature that allows
hand-on controls to take place and that is MICROSOFT
SURFACE…..
• Surface Computing is a major advancement that moves beyond the
traditional user interface to a more natural way of interacting with a
digital content.
• It was on May 29 2007 that Microsoft Corporation CEO Steve
Ballmer unveiled the Company’s first surface computing product
Microsoft Surface- an innovation that will change the way people
shop, dine, entertain and live.
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Responds to touch and gestures placed
on Surface…

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 IN THE BEGINNING…..
• Typing & N-Key Rollover (IBM and Others)
• Flexible Machine Interface(1994)
• DSI Datotech(1995)
• Active Desk(1995/97)
• T3(1997)
• Fingerworks(1998)
• Portfolio Wall(1999)
• Diamond Touch(2001)
• Touch Light(2002)
• PlayAnyWhere(2005)
• Synaptics & Pilotfish(2006)
• Apple iPhone(2007)
• Microsoft Surface Computing(2007)

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BEYOND MOUSE AND KEYBOARD…..
• An idea inspired by Cross-Division Collaboration…
In 2001 two scientists of Microsoft Research devised an
idea for an interactive table that could understand the manipulation of
physical pieces. This idea had later evolved itself into the birth of
Surface.
• Humble beginnings on an IKEA table…
In early 2003, the team of Consumer Products Group
presented the idea to Bill Gates, who had instantly liked the idea and
encouraged the team to continue to develop their thinking. The virtual
team expanded and through constant brainstorming sessions, the first
humble prototype was born and nicknamed T1.

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CONTD….
• The model was based on an IKEA table with a hole cut on the top. The
evolution of Surface had begun. 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…
• HARDWARE DESIGNS…
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 was 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 a bar-height
model that could be used while standing…

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THEN…..
• From prototype to Product…
The next phase of the development of Surface focused on
continuing journey from concept to the product. There was significant
work to be done to develop a market-ready product that could be
scaled to a mass production. The growth of Surface from a small gem
of an idea to a working prototype and then to a full-fledged market-
ready product has been an amazing journey. This is a radically
different user-interface experience than anything and it’s really a
testament to the innovation that comes from combining brilliance and
creativity.
• Microsoft Surface Today…..

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Digital photos by sliding the across the table with flick of
fingers…

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WHAT IS MICROSOFT’S NEW
VENTURE??????
• Product Overview…
The launch of Microsoft Surface marks the beginning of a new
technology category and a user interface revolution. It is a Powerful
technology that is visually compelling. Surface is a horizontal display
on a table-like form factor that morphs from an ordinary table-top into
a new, vibrant way to bring connected entertainment and digital
content to users. The cool factor is the way we interact with digital
content by using our hands to get what we need. Because Surface is
essentially housed in a table, it’s easy for individuals or multiple
peoples to gather around it in a way that feels familiar-making
collaboration more powerful and fun…
• Description…
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 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.

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STRUCTURE….

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• 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.
3) 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 resolution.
5) CPU….
Surfaces use many of the same components found in everyday desktop
computers--- a Core 2 Duo processors, 2GB of RAM, and a 256MB graphics
card.
7) Projector…
The Surface uses the same DLP light engine found in many rear projection
HDTV's. The footprint of the visible light screen is actually smaller than the
invisible overlapping infrared projections to allow for better recognitions at the
edges of screen.

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SURFACE COMPUTING…
• Surface Computing is a powerful movement. In fact it’s as significant as
the move from DOS to GUI. Many researches shows that people are
intimidated and isolated by today’s technology. Many features available
in mobile phones, PCs and other electronic devises like digital cameras
are not used effectively because that technology is intimidating.
• Surface Computing breaks down traditional barriers between people and
technology to provide effortless interactions with all form of digital
contents through natural gestures, touch, and physical objects instead of
mouse and keyboard.
• The intuitive user interface works without a traditional mouse or
keyboard, allowing people to interact with content and information on
their own or collaboratively with their friends and families just like in
the real world. Its about a technology adapting to the user rather than
user adapting to the technology. Bringing this kind of natural user
interface innovation to the computing space is what Microsoft is all
about….

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Instantly compares while shopping…

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KEY ATTRIBUTES…
• Direct Interaction:-
Users can actually “grab” digital information with their hands
and interact with content through touch and gestures, without the use
of a mouse or keyboard.
• Multi touch contact:-
Recognizes many points of contact simultaneously, not just from
one finger as with a typical touch screen, but up to 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
contents.
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View, sort, stack and organize photos
with hands…

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FEATURES….
• Multi-touch display:-
The Surface display is capable of multi-touch interaction,
recognizing dozens and dozens of touches simultaneously including
fingers, hands, gestures and objects placed on the surface.
• Horizontal Orientation:-
The 30-inch display in a table-sized form factor allows user to
share, explore and create experiences together, enabling a truly
collaborative computing experience.
• Dimensions:-
Surface is 22 inches high, 21 inches deep and 42 inches wide.
• Materials:-
The Surface tabletop is acrylic, and its interior frame is powder
coated steel.
• Requirements:-
Standard 110-120V power.
• System:-
The Surface custom software platform runs on Windows Vista
and has wired Ethernet 10/100 and wireless 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth
2.0 connectivity.
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Interaction with digital content by
share, drag and drop digital images…

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HOW DOES SURFACE WORK?
• At a high level, Surface uses cameras to sense objects, hand gestures
and touch. This user input is then processed and the result is displayed
on the surface using rear projection.
PROS….
• Multi touch interface allows for more functions and users.
• Innovative design and user experience
• The ability to use brushes to paint
CONS….
• Handhelds that rely on touch screens for input virtually all require two
hands to operate, one to hold the devise and the other to operate it.
Thus operating system generally requires both eyes and hands.
• Probably incredibly expensive (10,000$)
• Currently only for restaurants, hotels, etc.
• Need for dim lighting to avoid washing out the screen
• Need to put bar codes on objects for the system to recognize them…

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PARTNERS EXPLORING AVENUES…..
• The first partners of Surface comes from the leisure, entertainment and
retail industries and Surface has the potential to span many other
industries. That’s part of the beauty of surface computing-the market
of this type of experience is significant.
• Harrah’s Entertainment:- Explore the wide variety of dining,
entertainment, night life and gaming experiences…
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide:- Will initially launch
Surface at Sheraton Hotels. Surface will help bring interactions,
connectivity, and play to Sheraton Hotels new Lobby Experience…
• T-Mobile USA:- Customers in T-Mobile retail stores might place
different cell phones on Surface’s interactive surface where product
features, prices and phone plans would appear so they could easily be
compared…
• Surface will also be made available through a distribution and
development agreement with IGT (International Game Technology), a
global company specializing in design, development, manufacturing,
distribution and sales of computerized gaming machines and system
products…
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SURFACE RESTAURANT…

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FUTURE INNOVATIONS….
• Will incorporate a myriad of devise-sync capabilities. For instance
users could set a digital camera or mobile phone on the surface and
watch as their pictures spill out across the table. As our world
continues to be permeated by digital content from music and photos to
games, surface computers will put users back in control by making it
easy and natural to interact with the digital world…
• Over time, there will be a wide range of surfaces with surface
computing technology and believe that this technology will become
pervasive both inside and outside of the home…
• As form factors continue to evolve, surface computing will be in any
number of environments and in any number of form factors-part of the
countertop, the wall or the refrigerators…
• Beginning at the end of this year, consumers will be able to interact
with surfaces in hotels, restaurants, retail establishments and public
entertainment venues with unique experiences…
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Quickly browse through play list entries dragging favorite
song to the current track…

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SUMMING UP….
• Surface Computing is going to revolutionize everyday lives, much like
the way ATMs changed how we get money from the bank. Surface
lets us manipulate a tremendous amount of information with our hands
so that the content works. For example, with Surface’s mapping
applications, we can manipulate a map and move it, shrink it and
access personalized data for the local sites, attractions and venues. To
do this today, we may need a paper map, books, concierge and even a
bookstore to find and gather all the information's.
• But with Surface’s photo application, we have the ability to sort
through pictures, decide which ones we want to share, zoom in for a
closer look and more. In these ways, Surface is unlocking content;
making it rich, more fun and easier to use….

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