Microsoft Surface

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Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface.png
Developer(s) Microsoft, Samsung
Initial release Microsoft Surface 1.0 (April 17[1] 2008)
Stable release

Hardware: Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface (2012)

Software: Microsoft Surface 2.0 (2011)
Development status Commercial applications
Operating system

Microsoft Surface 1.0: Windows Vista (32-bit)

Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface: Windows 7 Professional for Embedded Systems (64-bit)
Platform

Microsoft Surface 1.0: Microsoft Surface 1.0

Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface: Microsoft Surface 2.0
Available in English, Danish, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish
Website www.surface.com

Microsoft Surface (“Surface”) is a commercial computing platform that enables people to use touch and real world objects to share digital content at the same time. The Surface platform consists of software and hardware products that combine vision based multitouch PC hardware, 360-degree multiuser application design, and Windows software to create a natural user interface (NUI) for users. Microsoft Surface 1.0, the first version of Surface, was announced on May 29, 2007 at the D5 Conference.[2] It shipped to customers in 2008 as an end-to-end solution with Microsoft producing and selling the combined hardware/software platform. Microsoft and Samsung partnered to announce the current version of Surface, the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface (“SUR40”), at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2011.[3] Samsung began shipping the new SUR40 hardware with the Microsoft Surface 2.0 software platform to customers in early 2012. Microsoft also provides the free Microsoft Surface 2.0 Software Development Kit (SDK) for developers to create NUI touch applications for Surface and Windows 7 touch PCs.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Microsoft Surface is a commercial surface computing platform from Microsoft that enables people to use touch and real world objects to share digital content at the same time. The Surface platform consists of software and hardware products that combine vision based multitouch PC hardware, 360-degree multiuser application design, and Windows software to create a natural user interface (NUI).

The first Surface product, Microsoft Surface 1.0, is a 30 in (76 cm) 4:3 rear projection display (1024x768), with integrated PC, and five near-infrared (IR) cameras that can see fingers and objects placed on the display. The display is placed in a horizontal orientation, giving it a table-like appearance. The product and its applications are designed so that several people can approach the display from all sides to simultaneously share and interact with digital content. The cameras’ vision capabilities enable the product to see a near-IR image of what’s placed on the screen; captured at approximately 60 times per second. The Surface platform processing identifies three types of objects touching the screen: fingers, tags, and blobs. Raw vision data is also available and can be used in applications. The device is optimized to recognize 52 simultaneous multitouch points of contact. Microsoft Corporation produces the hardware and software for the Microsoft Surface 1.0 product. Sales of Microsoft Surface 1.0 were discontinued in 2011 in anticipation of the release of the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface and the Microsoft Surface 2.0 software platform.

The current Surface product, the Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface, is a 40 in (102 cm) 16:9 LED backlit LCD display (1920x1080), with integrated PC, and PixelSense technology; which replaces the cameras in the previous product. PixelSense technology enables Samsung and Microsoft to reduce the thickness of the product from 22 in (56 cm) to 4 in (10 cm). The size reduction enables the product to be placed horizontally, and adds the capability to be mounted vertically while retaining the ability to recognize fingers, tags, blobs and utilize raw vision data. Samsung produces the hardware and Microsoft produces the software platform for the SUR40.

Surface is designed primarily for use by commercial customers to use in public settings. People interact with the product using direct touch interactions and by placing objects on the screen. Objects of a specific size and shape, or with tag patterns, can be uniquely identified to initiate a preprogrammed response by the computer. The device does not require the use of a traditional PC mouse or keyboard, and generally does not require training or foreknowledge to operate. Additionally, the system is designed to interact with several people at the same time so that content can be shared without the limitations of a single-user device. These combined characteristics place the Microsoft Surface platform in the category of so-called natural user interface (NUI), the apparent successor to the graphical user interface (GUI) systems popularized in the 1980s and 1990s.

Microsoft states that sales of Surface are targeted toward the following industry verticals: retail, media and entertainment, healthcare, financial services, education, and government. Surface is available for sale in 23 countries including: United States, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United Kingdom (UK), Australia, Korea, India, Singapore, Hong Kong. Samsung is expected to expand in to additional markets in 2012; but, no official announcements have been made.

[edit] History

Peterbilt application on Microsoft Surface low quality.ogv
Demonstration using Microsoft Surface (View in high quality)

The product idea for Surface was initially conceptualized in 2001 by Steven Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research.[4]

In October 2001, DJ Kurlander, Michael Kim, Joel Dehlin, Bathiche and Wilson formed a virtual team to bring the idea to the next stage of development.

In 2003, the team presented the idea to the Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, in a group review. Later, the virtual team was expanded and a prototype nicknamed T1 was produced within a month. The prototype was based on an IKEA table with a hole cut in the top and a sheet of architect vellum used as a diffuser. The team also developed some applications, including pinball, a photo browser and a video puzzle. Over the next year, Microsoft built more than 85 early prototypes for Surface. The final hardware design was completed in 2005.

A similar concept was used in the 2002 science fiction movie Minority Report. As noted in the DVD commentary, the director Steven Spielberg stated the concept of the device came from consultation with Microsoft during the making of the movie. One of the film's technology consultant's associates from MIT later joined Microsoft to work on the Surface project.[5]

Surface was unveiled by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on May 30, 2007 at The Wall Street Journal's 'D: All Things Digital' conference in Carlsbad, California.[6] Surface Computing is part of Microsoft's Productivity and Extended Consumer Experiences Group, which is within the Entertainment & Devices division. The first few companies to deploy Surface will include Harrah's Entertainment, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, T-Mobile and a distributor, International Game Technology.[7]

On April 17, 2008, AT&T became the first retail location to launch Surface.[8] In June 2008 Harrah’s Entertainment launched Microsoft Surface at Rio iBar[9] and Disneyland launched it in Tomorrowland, Innoventions Dream Home.[10] On August 13, 2008 Sheraton Hotels introduced Surface in their hotel lobbies at 5 locations.[11] On September 8th, 2008 MSNBC began using the Surface to work with election maps for the 2008 US Presidential Election on air. MSNBC's political director, Chuck Todd, was placed at the helm.

[edit] Features

Object recognition.

Microsoft notes four main components being important in Surface's interface: direct interaction, multi-touch contact, a multi-user experience, and object recognition.

Direct interaction refers to the user's ability to simply reach out and touch the interface of an application in order to interact with it, without the need for a mouse or keyboard. Multi-touch contact refers to the ability to have multiple contact points with an interface, unlike with a mouse, where there is only one cursor. Multi-user is a benefit of multi-touch—several people can orient themselves on different sides of the surface to interact with an application simultaneously. Object recognition refers to the device's ability to recognize the presence and orientation of tagged objects placed on top of it.

The technology allows non-digital objects to be used as input devices. In one example, a normal paint brush was used to create a digital painting in the software.[12] This is made possible by the fact that, in using cameras for input, the system does not rely on restrictive properties required of conventional touchscreen or touchpad devices such as the capacitance, electrical resistance, or temperature of the tool used (see Touchscreen).

The computer's "vision" is created by a near-infrared, 850-nanometer-wavelength LED light source aimed at the surface. When an object touches the tabletop, the light is reflected to multiple infrared cameras with a net resolution of 1024 x 768, allowing it to sense, and react to items touching the tabletop.

Surface will ship with basic applications, including photos, music, virtual concierge, and games, that can be customized for the customers.[13]

A unique feature that comes preinstalled with Surface is the pond effect "Attract" application. Simply, it is a "picture" of water with leaves and rocks within it (a lot like Microsoft Surface Lagoon, included in the Surface Touch Pack). By touching the screen, users can create ripples in the water, much like a real stream. Additionally, the pressure of touch alters the size of the ripple created, and objects placed into the water create a barrier that ripples bounce off, just as they would in real life.

[edit] PixelSense

PixelSense is a technology used in newer Surface devices. It allows recognition of fingers, hands, and objects that are placed on the screen, enabling vision-based interaction without the use of cameras. Sensors in the individual pixels in the display register what is touching the screen.

A step-by-step look at how PixelSense works:

  1. An object is placed on the display
  2. An infrared back light illuminates the object (through the optical sheets, LCD and protection glass)
  3. Light reflected back from the object is registered by the sensors integrated in the pixels
  4. Values reported from all of the sensors are used to create a picture of what is on the display
  5. The picture is analyzed using image processing techniques creating a corrected image
  6. The corrected sensor image and information about the objects placed on the display are sent to the PC

[edit] Hardware specifications

[edit] Microsoft Surface 1.0

  • Software platform: Microsoft Surface 1.0
  • Form factor usage: Tables and counters
  • Display + vision input technology: Rear projection DLP w/cameras
  • Price: Starting at $12,500 USD
  • Weight: 198 lbs (90 kg)
  • Physical dimensions (L x W x H): 42.5 x 27 x 21 in (108 x 68.6 x 53.3 cm)
  • CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.13 GHz processor
  • Graphics (GPU): ATI Radeon X1650 - 256 MB
  • Memory: 2 GB DDR2
  • Storage (hard drive): 160 GB HDD
  • Display size: 30 in (76.2 cm) diagonal
  • Display resolution: 1024 x 768 – 4:3 aspect ratio
  • Extensions (ports): XGA (DE-15) video out, RGB analog component video out, RCA analog component audio out, 4 USB ports
  • Networking: Wi-Fi 802.11g, Bluetooth, and Ethernet 10/100
  • Operating system: Windows Vista (32-bit)

[edit] Samsung SUR40 for Microsoft Surface

  • Software platform: Microsoft Surface 2.0
  • Form factor usage: Tables, counters, kiosks and walls
  • Display + vision input technology: Thin LCD w/PixelSense technology
  • Price: Starting at $8,400 USD
  • Weight: 80 lbs (36 kg)
  • Physical dimensions (L x W x H): 42.7 x 27.5 x 4 in (108.5 x 69.9 x 10.2 cm)
  • CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 2.9 GHz dual-core processor
  • Graphics (GPU): AMD Radeon HD 6570M – 1 GB GDDR5
  • Memory: 4 GB DDR3
  • Storage (hard drive): 320 GB HDD
  • Display size: 40 in (101.6 cm) diagonal
  • Display resolution: 1920 x 1080 – 16:9 aspect ratio
  • Extensions (ports): HDMI input & output, SPDIF 5.1 digital audio surround sound out, RCA analog component audio out, 3.5 mm TRS (stereo mini-jack) audio out, 4 USB ports
  • Networking: Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth, and Ethernet 10/100/1000
  • Operating system: Windows 7 Professional for Embedded Systems (64-bit)

[edit] Applications development

Microsoft Surface applications can be written in Windows Presentation Foundation or XNA. The development process is much like normal Vista development, but custom WPF controls had to be created by the Surface team due to the unique interface of Surface. Developers already proficient in WPF can utilize the SDK to write Surface apps for deployments for the large hotels, casinos, and restaurants.[14]

[edit] Related Microsoft research projects

Microsoft Research has published information about a related technology dubbed SecondLight[15]. Still in the research phase[16], this project augments secondary images onto physical objects on or above the main display.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ AT&T First to Introduce Microsoft Surface in Retail Stores to Enhance Mobile Shopping Experience: First commercial Microsoft Surface launch to begin April 17 in select AT&T stores with expanded deployment planned throughout 2008
  2. ^ "Bumps on the road to Microsoft's Surface". C-Net. http://www.news.com/Bumps-on-the-road-to-Microsofts-Surface/2100-1041_3-6217673.html?tag=nefd.lede. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
  3. ^ http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/microsoft-and-samsung-unveil-sur40-the-surface-2-0-experience/
  4. ^ "Microsoft Surface Fact History". Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/surfacecomputing/docs/SurfaceHistoryBG.doc. Retrieved 2007-05-30. 
  5. ^ Correction: “The Island” did NOT feature a Surface - istartedsomething
  6. ^ "Look What's Surfacing at Microsoft" (Press release). Microsoft. 2007-05-29. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2007/may07/05-29Surface.mspx. Retrieved 2007-05-30. 
  7. ^ "Microsoft Launches New Product Category: Surface Computing Comes to Life in Restaurants, Hotels, Retail Locations and Casino Resorts" (Press release). Microsoft. 2007-05-29. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/may07/05-29MSSurfacePR.mspx. Retrieved 2007-05-30. 
  8. ^ Microsoft Surface Now in AT&T Stores
  9. ^ Harrah’s Entertainment Launches Microsoft Surface at Rio iBar, Providing Guests With Innovative and Immersive New Entertainment Experiences
  10. ^ Disney's Innoventions Dream Home is a Big Ad For Microsoft and HP...But I Still Want It
  11. ^ http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/aug08/08-13SheratonMSSurfacePR.mspx Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Transforms the Hotel Lobby Experience With Microsoft Surface
  12. ^ Bishop, Todd (2007-05-29). "Microsoft Surface brings computing to the table". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/business/317737_msftdevice30.html. Retrieved 2007-05-30. 
  13. ^ "Microsoft Surface Fact Sheet". Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/surfacecomputing/docs/MSSurfaceFS.doc. Retrieved 2007-05-30. 
  14. ^ What lurks below Microsoft's Surface? A brief Q&A with Microsoft
  15. ^ http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/projects/hands-on-computing/default.aspx#secondlight
  16. ^ Clearing up the confusion on future Microsoft Surface

[edit] External links

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