PRESENTED BY:ROSEMARY JOSEKUTTY THOMAS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my

faculty, Saneesh John, under whose supervision I chose the topic “Microsoft Surface” and

began the preparation. He has been abundantly helpful, and has assisted me in numerous

ways to complete the report. I would also like to express our gratitude to the faculties of

NIIT for their guidance and suggestions. Furthermore, I would like to thank my friends and

family who aided me in all the possible ways.

Table of Contents

Introduction..........................................................................................................................................2History..................................................................................................................................................4Features.................................................................................................................................................9Specifications......................................................................................................................................11Design and Working...........................................................................................................................14Implementation...................................................................................................................................16Pros and Cons.....................................................................................................................................18References..........................................................................................................................................20

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Introduction

Microsoft SurfaceTM is a revolutionary surface computing platform that responds to natural

hand gestures and real-world objects, helping customers interact with technology in a way

that is simple, intuitive and unprecedented.

Using this innovative technology, multiple users can manipulate and maneuver digital

content, drive specific interactions with objects, and allow for devices to connect and

engage with Microsoft Surface. The 360-degree user interface invites individuals and

groups to discover and interact with technology in a way that helps inspire cutting-edge,

engaging experiences and transactions that differentiate your business.

The product behind the Milan project is called the Microsoft Surface, and the company's

unofficial Surface showman is Jeff Gattis. He spoke in sentences peppered with "application

scenarios," "operational efficiencies" and "consumer pain points" while he took me through

a few demonstrations of what the Surface can do. One of Gattis's consumer pain points is

the frustrating mess of cables, drivers and protocols that people must use to link their

peripheral devices to their personal computers. Surface has no cables or external USB ports

for plugging in peripherals. For that matter, it has no keyboard, no mouse, no trackball — no

obvious point of interaction except its screen.

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’s

first commercially available surface computer, breaks down the traditional barriers between

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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.

Although customers will be able to interact with Surface in select restaurants, hotels, retail

establishments and public entertainment venues by the end of the year, the product has been

years in the making at Microsoft.

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History

An Idea Inspired by Cross-Division Collaboration

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 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.

Humble Beginnings on an IKEA Table

In early 2003, the new Consumer Products Group, led by David Kurlander, 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

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top and a sheet of architect vellum used as a diffuser. The evolution of Surface had begun.

T1 prototype

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 embodiment 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,

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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.

Hardware Design

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.

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Tub prototype

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.

From Prototype to Product

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.

“So much work goes into turning a prototype into a product that can handle the strain and

stress of everyday use,” Keam said. “For instance, when we developed the T1 prototype, it

couldn’t be moved without having to re-calibrate it. Now, obviously the product can easily

be moved. To get Surface to where it is today, the code had to be rewritten from the ground

up.”

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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 table-like 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. “Seeing Surface grow from a small

germ of an idea to a working prototype and then to a full-fledged market-ready product has

been an amazing journey,” Wilson said. “This is a radically different user-interface

experience than anything Microsoft has done before, and it’s really a testament to the

innovation that comes from marrying brilliance and creativity.”

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FeaturesSurface 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:

Direct Interaction: Customers will benefit from Microsoft Surface instantly. Interacting

with content is natural, simple, intuitive, and fun. Users can actually “grab” digital

information with their hands—interacting with content by touch and gesture.

Multi-Touch: Microsoft Surface revolutionizes the idea of surface computing. Microsoft

Surface recognizes many points of contact simultaneously—not just from one finger as with

a typical touch screen. Your customers can use both hands to reach and interact with dozens

of items at once.

Multi-User Experience: The 30-inch diagonal display and horizontal Microsoft Surface

creates a unique, branded gathering place where multiple users can collaboratively interact

with data and each other.

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Object Recognition: Microsoft Surface sees what touches it and can recognize real-world

objects, providing the potential for a multitude of applications and transfer of information

between devices.

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Specifications

Physical Dimensions

Surface unit including display and housing (L x W x H)

42.5 x 27 x 21 inches/108 x 69 x 54 cm

With metal panels: 180 pounds/82 kg

With acrylic panels: 198 pounds/90 kg

Shipping pallet and container (L x W x H)

49 x 34 x 32.5 inches/124.5 x 86 x 82.5 cm

Pallet, box, foam: 80 pounds/36 kg

Technical Specifications

Display

Type: 30-inch XGA DLP® projector

ATI X1650 graphics card with 256 MB of memory

Maximum resolution: 1024 x 768

Lamp mean-life expectancy: 6,000+ hours

Maximum pressure on the display: 50 pounds/square inch/3.5 kg per cm

Maximum load: 200 pounds

Input Devices

Camera-based vision system with LED infrared direct illumination

Bluetooth® keyboard and mouse (available to administrators only)

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Computing System

2.13-GHz Intel® Core TM 2 Duo processor

Memory: 2 GB dual-channel DDR2

Storage: Minimum 250 GB SATA hard-disk drive

Audio

Output type: Stereo flat panel built-in speakers

Output compliant standards: Stereo

Input: None

Network Protocols and Standards

Network adapter: Intel Gb LAN

Wireless LAN connectivity supported: Yes

Data Link Protocol: IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet

Network Standards: IEEE802.11b, IEEE802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0

I/O Connections

2 headphone jacks

6 USB 2.0 ports

RGB component video

S-VGA video (DB15 external VGA connector)

Component audio

Ethernet port (Gigabit Ethernet card [10/100/1000])

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External monitor port

Bays for routing cables

On/Standby power button

AC Input Ratings

AC input: 100-240 VAC, 50/60Hz, 10A, 650W

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Design and WorkingMicrosoft 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.

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1) Screen

A diffuser turns the Surface's acrylic tabletop into a large horizontal "multi-touch" 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) System Unit

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 OS 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.

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ImplementationSurface will be shipped to partners with a portfolio of basic applications, including photos,

music and virtual concierge applications that can be customized to provide their customers

with unique experiences. Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Worldwide Inc., and T-Mobile USA Inc. will be some of the first companies to provide their

customers with Surface computing experiences. These first partners are exploring a variety

of avenues for Surface:

Harrah’s Entertainment: Guests at Harrah’s Entertainment’s Las Vegas properties,

including Caesars Palace and the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, can explore the wide variety

of dining, entertainment, night life and gaming experiences available at its network of area

casinos. Using the interactive virtual concierge in Microsoft Surface, guests can reserve

tickets to an Elton John concert, review the menu at chic eatery Bradley Odgen, take a tour

of the world-famous PURE nightclub, book a luxurious spa treatment or redeem Total

Rewards loyalty program credits for a broad range of merchandise. The virtual concierge

can directly connect users to amenities available at any of Harrah’s seven Las Vegas casinos,

allowing guests to “visit” multiple venues and plan their itineraries without ever getting up

from their table.

“When visitors to Las Vegas choose to stay at one of our casinos, they can enjoy the

amenities at all of them,” said Tim Stanley, Harrah’s chief information officer and senior

vice president of innovation, gaming and IT. “Microsoft Surface is a great way to help our

guests get the most out of their trips to Las Vegas by putting all the offerings and

experiences we make available at their fingertips.”

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

(NYSE: HOT) will initially launch Surface at Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Starwood’s largest

and most global brand. Surface will help bring interaction, connectivity and play to Sheraton

hotels’ new lobby experience, currently being rolled out in key cities worldwide. To provide

guests with greater service, unique experiences and entertainment, Sheraton embraced

Surface as a key component of its lobby transformation. Surface will enable guests to

browse and listen to music, create their own playlists, send photos home, download books,

and even order food and drinks — all with the drop of a credit card or their Starwood

Preferred Guest loyalty card.

“We are creating new and engaging ways for our guests to connect with their passions while

away from home. Microsoft Surface puts us at the forefront of technology and allows guests

to interact with each other and our hotel in a revolutionary way,” said Hoyt H. Harper II,

senior vice president for Sheraton.

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 be easily compared. “We are continuously working to build the greatest retail

experience we can for our customers,” said Bonita Inza, vice president of Retail at T-Mobile

USA.

“They tell us they want more information about our products and services, but in a way that

is easily accessible, at their own pace and with the amount of detail that they prefer. Surface

is one example of how we’re turning our stores into a playground where customers can

comfortably explore exciting new products in their own personal way.”

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Surface will also be made available through a distribution and development agreement with

IGT (International Game Technology NYSE: IGT), a global company specializing in the

design, development, manufacturing, distribution and sales of computerized gaming

machines and systems products.

“Consumers now have an entirely new way to get the information they need, turning their

everyday tasks into enjoyable and engaging experiences,” said Pete Thompson, general

manager of Microsoft Surface Computing. “There are hundreds of thousands of restaurants,

hotels and retail locations that are looking to give their customers the unique and memorable

experiences that Surface will provide. In turn, companies have a new opportunity for

generating additional revenue streams and increasing retail traffic.”

Today consumers can interact with Surface at the iBar located in the Rio All Suite Hotel &

Casino in Las Vegas, at select Sheratons in the U.S., the Disney Innovations House in

Anaheim, California and at Hotel 1000 in Seattle. In the future, other Surface deployments

will continue in restaurants, retail, leisure and public entertainment venues.

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Pros and Cons

With the Microsoft Surface, this allows a 'better flow in traffic', due to it's easy to handle

touch surface. For instance, using the Microsoft Surface in hotels would increase the speed

of check-in, because customers could use a self check-in system with the Surface, with the

self check-in system, they customer does not need to make any human interactions with the

employees. Without the communication customers may do exactly what they want without

the extra time spend on communication.

In Retail, customers can easily design a living room or a kitchen with just a touch of the

fingers. With the Surface, customers can pick out the design and furniture around the room,

and seeing an instance image of it. If the customers do not like what they're seeing, they can

easily just delete it. With clothing retailers, the same idea applies, men can mix and match

their ties and suits until they see what they want, and women can mix and match their

accessories until they see what they like which makes sales much easier. In restaurants

customers may order and pay right from their table, with this, customers and employees can

save a lot more time! Using the surface would eliminate the need for employees to take the

order, and eliminates the need to hand the bill to the customers.

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Education wise, the Microsoft Surface could be used as the Teacher's Assistant, and assist

the teachers in classroom discussions. This would give the students a new method to learn

their school material, and may help the students increase their knowledge with the new

technology. This would be very efficient for the teachers, because the teachers would always

have the materials all ready in the Microsoft Surface, ready for the students to have hands

on experiments.

Summing up the advantages, the Microsoft Surface would make the whole world a very

convenient place to work and operate in, due to it's easy to use system, and eliminating the

old tasks that used to be needed to be done by other people.

The Microsoft Surface is a really expensive product, and is currently not available for

individual consumer purchase. A commercial Microsoft Surface unit is $12,500 (unit only),

whereas a developer Microsoft Surface units costs $15,000 and includes a developer unit,

support and five site licenses for access to the SDK. It is currently available in the US,

Canada, 12 select EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) markets and Austria, Belgium,

France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Spain, Sweden the United Arab

Emirates (UAE) and the UK.

The Microsoft Surface also has some disadvantages,like the need for dim lighting to avoid

washing out the screen and the need to put bar codes on objects for the system to recognize

them. With the size of this device, the Microsoft Surface may become quite inconvenient,

because this would make it hard for people to transport it from one destination to another.

Due to it's size, disposing it would cause big environmental damage, unless if Microsoft, or

recycling programs find a more efficient and environmentally friendly way of disposing this

device.

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ReferencesMicrosoft Surface Datasheet 2008

Microsoft Launches New Technology Category: Surface Computing Comes to Life, 18th July 2007

History of Microsoft Surface, May 2007

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/31/microsoft-surface-hands-on/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Surfaces

http://www.pcworld.com/

http://themediaguru.blogspot.com/2007/06/how-does-microsoft-surface-work.html

http://images.google.co.in/images?q=microsoft surface

http://wiki.ucalgary.ca/page/Computers Taking Over The World Microsoft Surface (Microsoft Surface)

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