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Microsoft Surface
A Seminar Report On
Microsoft Surface
Submitted By:
Asma Abdullah Saad 428830091
Wafa mohmmed 427830755
Sabah mohmmed 428830096
Maha saad shflot 428830207
Roqayah mohmmad 427830983
Guided By:
Mrs. Tallat Naz, Mrs. Shabana Anju , Msr. Noor Zeba Khan
Level : 8 Course code: 492 NAL
Date of submission : Saturday 7 MAY 2011
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
KING KHALID UNIVERSITY
Microsoft Surface
In the name of God the Merciful
I
Microsoft Surface
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Dedicated to God and whoever has helped me in this successful
completion of the seminar and I am really thankful to all the people
who had inspired and motivated me .
To the fountain of patience, optimism and hope, to my dear
mother.
To those who have demonstrated to me what is the most beautiful
of life, the Big Heart (my dear father).
To the people who paved our way of science and knowledge, to all
our teachers distinguished.
To the taste of the most beautiful moments with them, to my
friends.
I present you this project.
II
Microsoft Surface
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.
III
Microsoft Surface
Table of content
Chapter 1:INTRODUCTION ……………………….……..…page 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION……….…………………………..……page 2
1.2 OVERVIEW………………………………………..……..page 3
1.3 MICROSOFT SURFACE………………….……..……..page 3
1.4 SURFACE COMPUTING……………,…….…..………page 4
1.5 HISTORY…………..…………….………………..……..page 5
1.5.1 An Idea Inspired by Cross-Division Collaboration….…page 5
1.5.2 Humble Beginnings on a Table…………………...…..…page 5
1.5.3 Hardware Design…………...........................................page 6
1.5.4 From Prototype to Product ………….……………..……page 7
Chapter 2 :KEY ATTRIBUTES OF SURFACE
COMPUTING…………………………………………………..page 8
2.1 Direct interaction……..…………….………...…………..page 9
2.2 Multi‐touch contact……………………………………….page 9
2.3 Multi‐user experience…………………………………….page 9
2.4 Object recognition………………………………......…….page 10
Chapter 3:Technology used in Surface Computing…...…..page 11
3.1 Technology behind Surface Computing…..……….….page 12
3.2 System Hardware………………………..…………...….page 13
3.3 system Software……………………..………….…….….page 16
3.4 Microsoft Surface Architecture…………………………page 17
IV
Microsoft Surface
3.5 The components of the Microsoft Surface platform….…page 18
Chapter 4:Application……………………………..………..….page 20
4.1 Applications of Surface Computing……………………..page 21
4.1.1Water…………………………………………,,,……….page 21
4.1.2 Music…………………………………...……………….page 21
4.1.3 Photos…………………………………………….…….page 22
4.1.4 Dining Restaurant……………………………..…..…..page 23
4.1.5 T-mobile stores………………………………….…..…page 23
4.1.6 Education…………………………………….....……..page 24
4.1.7 Hospital…………………………………………..…….page 24
4.2 Applications development………………………..…...….page 25
4.2.1 Windows Presentation Foundation………….…page 25
4.2.2 XNA……………………………………………….page 26
Chapter 5 :Using the Microsoft Surface……………………..page 28
5.1 Who’s using the Surface today?....................................page 29
5.2 Advantages of using the Surface ………………..……...page 29
5.3 Disadvantages of using the Surface …………………….page29
5.4 The using the Surface In Future……………………..….page 30
Chapter 6 : Conclusions……………………………….……...page 31
V
Microsoft Surface
Figures
Figure 1.1-The “Tub” model……………………………..……page 6
Figure 1.2-“T1 Prototype”……………………………………..page 7
Figure 2.1 - KEY ATTRIBUTES OF SURFACE
COMPUTING…………………………………………………… page 9
Figure 3.1- Technology behind Surface Computing………page 12
Figure 3.2 -Skeleton View of Surface Computer………… page 13
Figure 3.3 - Microsoft Surface Architecture………………..page 17
Figure 4.1 – Water Application…………………………...... page21
Figure 4.2 – Music Application……………………..……….page 22
Figure 4.3 – Photo Application…………………………..… page 22
Figure 4.4 – Dining Restaurant Application…………..….. page 23
Figure 4.5 – T-mobile stores Application…..…………..… page 23
Figure 4.6 – Education Application…….…………………. page 24
Figure 4.7 -Hospital Application...………………………... page 24
Figure 5.1 – Surface In Future ………………………..….. page 30
Tables
Table 3.1 - Microsoft Surface Components……………… page 18
VI
Microsoft Surface
References / Bibliography
www.microsoftsurface.com – for clear information regarding
the product and video clips.
Microsoft.com/surface, 2008 Microsoft Corporation.
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/about.html
Derene, Glenn, “Microsoft Surface: Behind-the-Scenes First
Look” July 2007 Popular Mechanics
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4217.
html
Dept. of CSE S H M Engineering College ,Kadakkal 20
VII
Microsoft Surface
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 OVERVIEW
1.3 MICROSOFT SURFACE
1.4 SURFACE COMPUTING
1.5 HISTORY
1.5.1 An Idea Inspired by Cross-Division Collaboration
1.5.2 Humble Beginnings on a Table
1.5.3 Hardware Design
1.5.4 From Prototype to Product
page 1
Microsoft Surface
1.1 INTRODUCTION
For years engineers and computer technicians have looked for a better
way for people to communicate with their computers. Keyboards while feeling
natural to many of us has advanced very little beyond the typewriters which
have been around for well over a hundred years and though the mouse is a
step above that it still takes practice for someone who has never used one to
become used to the idea of moving the mouse with it and after years of using
a computer many older people still have trouble with the concepts of double
clicking, right clicking, dragging, dropping and other techniques that can seem
simple to more advanced computer users.
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and developing
computer technology, computer hardware and software. It is the computer
specific part of information technology.
Surface computing or Microsoft surface (codename : Milan) is a multi-
touch product form Microsoft which h is developed as a software and
hardware combination technology that allows a user are multiple user to
manipulate digital content by the use of natural motions , hand gestures, or
physical objects.
Microsoft Surface Computer is the first in a new category of surface
computing products from Microsoft that will break down traditional barriers
between people and technology. It is the next generation of computer
interfaces those offer multi touch technology. Unlike most touch screens,
surface computer can respond to more than one touch at a time without
keyboard or a mouse. The next generation of computer interfaces will be
hands on.
Chapter 1 page 2
Microsoft Surface
1.2 OVERVIEW
Surface is essentially a Windows Vista PC tucked inside a table,
topped with a 30-inch reflective surface in a clear acrylic frame. A projector
underneath the surface projects an image onto its underside, while five
cameras in the machine's housing record reflections of infrared light from
human fingertips .The camera can also recognize objects placed on the
surface if those objects have specially-designed "tags" applied to them. 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
tagged objects. Prices will reportedly be $5,000 to $10,000 per unit.
MICROSOFT SURFACE 1.3
It is a revolutionary multi touch computer with different look & feel. It is
a surface with a computing platform the responds to natural hand gestures
and real world objects.
Microsoft Surface turns an ordinary tabletop into a vibrant , interactive
surface. It provides effortless interaction with digital content through natural
gestures, touch and physical objects.
The 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 .Microsoft Surface
represents a fundamental change in the way we interact with digital content.
This uses a multi touch screen as user interface. The System composed of a
horizontal touch screen under a coffee table-like surface, with cameras
mounted below to detect user interaction activities.
The 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.
Chapter 1 page 3
Microsoft Surface
1.4 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. user interface
innovation to the computing space is what Surface Computing is all about.
Chapter 1 page 4
Microsoft Surface
1.5 HISTORY
1.5.1 An Idea Inspired by Cross-Division Collaboration
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 Play Table, 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.
1.5.2 Humble Beginnings on a Table
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
Chapter 1 page 5
Microsoft Surface
could be applied to a number of different embodiments and form factors. •
Humble Beginnings on a Table 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.
1.5.3 Hardware Design
Figure 1.1-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
Chapter 1 page 6
Microsoft Surface
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.
1.5.4 From Prototype to Product
Figure 1.2-“T1 Prototype”
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
leader ship, 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. 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.
Chapter 1 page 7
Microsoft Surface
Chapter 2
KEY ATTRIBUTES OF
SURFACE COMPUTING
2.1 Direct interaction
2.2 Multi‐touch contact
2.3 Multi‐user experience
2.4 Object recognition
page 8
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft notes four main components being important in Surface's
interface: direct interaction, multi-touch contact, a multi-user experience, and
object recognition.
2.1 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.
2.2 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.
2.3 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
Figure 2.1 - KEY ATTRIBUTES OF SURFACE COMPUTING
Chapter 2 page 9
Microsoft Surface
2.4 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. This is made possible by the fact that,
in using cameras for input.
The system does not rely on restrictive properties required of conventional
touch screen or touchpad devices such as the capacitance, electrical
resistance, or temperature of the tool used .
Chapter 2 page10
Microsoft Surface
Chapter 3
Technology used in Surface
Computing
3.1 Technology behind Surface Computing
3.2 System Hardware
3.3 system Software
3.4 Microsoft Surface Architecture
3.5 The components of the Microsoft Surface
platform.
page 11
Microsoft Surface
3.1 Technology behind Surface Computing
The technology allows non-digital objects to be used as input devices.
This is made possible by the fact that, in using cameras for input, the system
does not rely on restrictive properties required of conventional touch screen
or touchpad devices such as the capacitance, electrical resistance, or
temperature etc.
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 allowing it to
sense, and react to items touching the tabletop.
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.
An image processing system processes the camera images to detect
fingers, custom tags and other objects such as paint brushes etc 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.
Figure3.1- Technology behind Surface Computing
Chapter 3 page 12
Microsoft Surface
3.2 System 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.
Hardware of surface computer consists of 4 parts
(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 an850-nanometer-wavelength LED light source aimed at the screen.
Chapter 3 page 13
Figure 3.2 -Skeleton View of Surface Computer
Microsoft Surface
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 Wi-Fi 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.
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
Chapter 3 page 14
Microsoft Surface
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 track pad is available to
diagnose problems with the unit, although for regular use it is not required.
Chapter 3 page 15
Microsoft Surface
3.3 system Software
Microsoft Surface works much like another Microsoft product, Media
Center, in that the main application run son 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).
Chapter 3 page 16
Microsoft Surface
3.4 Microsoft Surface Architecture
Microsoft Surface is a hardware and software platform for developing
multi-input, touch-enabled applications .The platform enables designers and
developers to create rich and visually appealing applications that offer a new
user experience in which users use only their hands and various objects to
manipulate and interact with the applications. A Microsoft Surface application
should be natural and intuitive and should show little or no resemblance to a
traditional Microsoft Windows or Web application. In fact, a user should not
know that there is a computer in a Microsoft Surface unit. The Microsoft
Surface development platform integrates several features and complex
hardware and software technologies. To create effective Microsoft Surface
applications, you should understand the architecture of the development
platform.
Figure 3.3 - Microsoft Surface Architecture
Chapter 3 page 17
Microsoft Surface
3.5 The components of the Microsoft Surface
The following table describes the components of the Microsoft Surface
platform.
Component Description
Windows Vista Microsoft Surface runs on the Windows Vista operating
system. Windows Vista provides all the administrative,
security, and directory functionality of the Surface unit.
Developers and administrators who are working on a
Microsoft Surface unit have full access to Windows
functionality (in administrator mode). However, when
users interact with Microsoft Surface applications, the
Windows user interface is completely suppressed (in
user mode)
Hardware The hardware of a Microsoft Surface unit includes the
cameras, projection display, and computer that is running
Windows Vista. The hardware captures video of contacts
on or close to the screen at a specific frame rate
Vision System The Vision System software processes the video data that
the hardware captures and converts the raw video into
data that you can access through Surface SDK APIs.
Occasionally, you might have to use a calibration tool to
configure the cameras for optimum performance. There
are two types of calibration: basic and full. You run
full calibration whenever you move a Microsoft Surface
unit to a new location, and you run basic calibration
whenever lighting conditions change drastically. For more
information about how to use the calibration tool, see the
Calibrating a Surface Unit article
Presentation
and Core Layer
The Microsoft Surface SDK informs applications when
contacts appear on the Microsoft Surface screen over the
application window. As users put contacts on the display
Chapter 3 page 18
Microsoft Surface
and manipulate them, the Microsoft Surface SDK notifies
applications and gives them a chance to update their user
interface. For each contact, applications can determine
the position, orientation, bounding box, and central ellipse.
For contacts that are made with tagged objects (which
have tags printed on the bottom of the objects),
applications can also determine the contact tag value. The
Microsoft Surface SDK exposes two sets of APIs: the
Presentation layer and the Core layer. You can use only
one layer when you are developing a Microsoft Surface
application:
The Presentation layer integrates with Windows
Presentation Foundation (WPF) and includes a
suite of Microsoft Surface-enabled controls.
You can use the Core layer together with almost
any user interface framework.
For more information about the Presentation and Core
layers, see Presentation and Core Layers
Surface Shell Surface Shell is the component that manages
applications, windows, orientation, and user sessions and
provides other functionality. Every Microsoft Surface
application must integrate with Surface Shell.
Surface and
Windows
Integration
The integration between Microsoft Surface and the
Windows operating system provides system-wide
functionality on top of the Windows operating system. You
must use this functionality to support unique aspects of
the Microsoft Surface experience, such as managing user
sessions, switching between the Windows user interface
(administrator mode) and the user experience (user
mode), monitoring critical Microsoft Surface processes,
and handling critical failures
Table 3.1 - Microsoft Surface Components
Chapter 3 page 19
Microsoft Surface
Chapter 4
Application
4.1 Applications of Surface Computing
4.1.1Water
4.1.2 Music
4.1.3 Photos
4.1.4 Dining Restaurant
4.1.5 T-mobile stores
4.1.6 Education
4.1.7 Hospital
4.2 Applications development
4.2.1 Windows Presentation Foundation
4.2.2 XNA
page 20
Microsoft Surface
4.1 Applications of Surface Computing:
4.1.1 Water
Water is used as an "attract mode" for the Surface desktop, and it
is certainly attractive. 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. By touching the screen, you can create ripples in
the water just like you were putting your hand into 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 .
4.1.2 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. In addition to playing music that
is already stored on the unit's hard drive, Music can also transfer songs from
portable music players.
Figure 4.1 – Water Application
Chapter 4 page 21
Microsoft Surface
4.1.3 Photos
Sharing photos is a much more unrestricted activity. Photos are
arranged into albums that look like piles. Tapping the pile once spreads it
around the screen and from there user can drag, rotate and resize the
images. Since Surface can detect many touches at the same time, multiple
people can sort and resize pictures.
Figure 4.2 – Music Application
Figure 4.3 – Photo Application
Chapter 4 page 22
Microsoft Surface
4.1.4 Dining Restaurant
uses The application allows diners to see a virtual menu on screen.
Items can be dragged into a central “ordering area” order right from the table
beverages and food selections then split the bill and pay electronically at the
same time by putting customer’s card on the surface.
4.1.5 T-mobile stores
Two cell phones can be placed 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
Figure 4.4 – Dining Restaurant Application
Figure 4.5 – T-mobile stores Application
Chapter 4 page 23
Microsoft Surface
4.1.6 Education
Used by students in education for several purposes, including:
Arrangement and composition of words and to identify the clerical rules where
students can debate with others bitten by understanding more of the
traditional education. The use of color and to identify the type and color tone.
As well as students can use in leisure as a means of entertainment as
containing many of the games.
4.1.7 Hospital
In the hospital is used to view the status of the patient and his news
Bichat by presenting a comprehensive picture of where each Xi seen the
patient, for example development of the brain or the state of link joints and so
on. The patient uses his credit card, for example, account or payment card to
enter the hospital and Tussle account and view its data.
Figure 4.7 -Hospital Application
Figure 4.6 – Education Application
Chapter 4 page 24
Microsoft Surface
4.2 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 can 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.
4.2.1 Windows Presentation Foundation
The windows Presentation Foundation (or WPF) is graphical
subsystem for rendering user interfaces in Windows based applications. WPF,
initially released as part of .NET Framework 3.0, is another step in Microsoft’s
evolving rich client strategy. Designed to remove dependencies on the aging
GDI subsystem, WPF is built on DirectX, which provides hardware
acceleration and enables modern UI features like transparency, gradients and
transforms. WPF provides a consistent programming model for building
applications and provides a clear separation between the user interface and
the business logic.
WPF also offers a new markup language, known as XAML which is an
alternative means for defining UI elements and relationships with other UI
elements. A WPF application can be deployed on the desktop or hosted in a
web browser. It also enables rich control ,design, and development of the
visual aspects of Windows programs. It aims to unify a number of application
services: user interface, 2D and 3D drawing, fixed and adaptive documents,
advanced typography, vector graphics, raster graphics ,animation, data
binding ,audio and video.
WPF provides a sophisticated layout system that handles the
arrangement of all visual elements .The Layout engine uses a two phase
system. First is the measure phase, where every element in the UI tree is
queried for its desired size .Second is the layout phase, where each element
is instructed as to its actual size and location. This is a recursive process.WPF
ships with a handful of layout panels ( Stack Panel, Wrap Panel, Canvas,
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Microsoft Surface
Uniform Grid, Grid, Dock Panel ) with each panel specializing in a particular
type of layout.WPF also provides a transformation engine .All transforms in
WPF are eventually turned into Direct3D instructions which then become
native GPU TRANSFORM instructions.WPF exposes a number of Transform
classes (Matrix, Rotation, Scale, Translate, Skew ).All graphics, including
desktop items like windows, are based onDirect3D.This aims to provide a
unified avenue for displaying graphics and is the enabling factor that allows
2D, 3D, media and animation to be combined in a single window. Supports
vector-based graphics, which allow lossless scaling .Supports 3D model
rendering and interaction in 2D applications .Interactive 2D content can be
overlaid on 3D surfaces, natively
4.2.2 XNA
Microsoft XNA (XNA’s not Acronymed) is a set of tools with a managed run
time environment provided by Microsoft that facilitates computer game
development and management. XNA attempts to free game developers from
writing “repetitive boiler plate code and bring different aspects of game
production into a single system.XNA currently encompasses Microsoft’s
entire game development sections including the standard Xbox Development
Kit and XNA game studio .
The XNA frame work is based on the native implementation of .NET Compact
Framework 2.0 for the Xbox 360 development and .NET Framework 2.0 on
windows. It includes an extensive set of class libraries, specific to game
development, to promote maximum code reuse across target platforms. The
frame work runs on a version of the common language runtime that is
optimized for gaming to provide a managed execution environment. The
runtime is available for windows XP, windows vista, and Xbox 360.Since XNA
games are written for the runtime, they can run on any platform that supports
the XNA frame work and minimal or no modification games that run on the
frame work can technically be written in any .net compliant language, but only
C# and XNA game studio express IDE and all version of visual studio 2005
are officially supported XNA Build is a set of game asset pipeline
management tools, which help by defining, maintaining, debugging, and
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optimizing the game asset pipeline of individual game development efforts. A
game asset pipeline describes the process by which game content, such as
textures and 3D models, are modified to a form suitable for use by the
gaming engine. XNA Build helps identify the pipeline dependencies, and also
provides API access to enable further processing of the dependency data.
The dependency data can be analyzed to help reduce the size of a game by
finding content that is not actually used .For example, XNA Build analysis
revealed that 40% of the textures that shipped with MechCommander 2were
unused and could have been omitted.
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Chapter 5
Using the Microsoft Surface
5.1 Who’s using the Surface today?
5.2 Advantages of using the Surface
5.3 Disadvantages of using the Surface
5.4 The using the Surface In Future
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Microsoft Surface
5.1 Who’s using the Surface today?
Currently only commercially available and being used in the retail,
hospitality, automotive, banking and healthcare industries.
Current customers are AT&T, T-Mobile, the Rio All Suite Hotel &
Casino in Las Vegas, Sheraton Hotels, Disney Innovations House in
California, Hotel 1000 in Seattle, Harrah’s Entertainment, and Starwood
Hotels and Resorts Worldwide.
5.2 Advantages of using the Surface :
• Large surface area to view different windows and applications.
• Data Manipulation - Selecting, moving, rotating and resizing (manipulating
objects on the screen is similar to manipulating them in the manual world).
• Quick and easy to use.
• More Than One User –Several people can orient themselves on different
sides of the surface to interact with an application simultaneously (Max 52
points of touch).
• Objects Recognition - Increased functionality aiding user in speed and ease
of use.
5.3 Disadvantages of using the Surface :
• Incredibly expensive and not Portable.
• Currently designed only in some areas.
• Loss of Privacy - Open for many to view.
• Tailored to high end clients.
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Microsoft Surface
5.4 The using the Surface In Future:
Computer scientists hope to incorporate this kind of technology in
peoples’ daily lives… Future goals are to surround people with intelligent
surfaces-look up recipes on kitchen counter or table, control TV with coffee
table, etc
As form factors continue to evolve, surface computing will be in any
number of environments school, businesses, homes and any number of form
factors-parts of countertop, the wall or the refrigerator.
Figure 5.1 – Surface In Future
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Chapter 6
Conclusions
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Microsoft Surface
Conclusion:
o Microsoft Surface is the future of computers.
o Surface Computing brings to life a whole new way to interact
with information that engages the senses, improves
collaboration and empowers consumers
o it 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.
o By utilizing the best combination of connected software,
services and hardware developing surface computing
products that push computing boundaries, deliver new
experiences that break down barriers between users and
technology.
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