MICROSOFT SURFACE

PRESENTED BY – HAYMKARRAN SINGH BHALLA

Second Year IT Engineering.

FROM -
G.H.Raisoni College Of Engineering, Wagholi , PUNE.
Index Page No.
1) Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………………. 3

2) Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………….. 4

3) History of Microsoft
Surface…………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

4) Working explained……………………………………………………………………………. 8

5) Software Platform…………………………………………………………………………….. 9

6) Microsoft Surface current installations……………………………………………………… 11

7) Pros and Cons…………………………………………………………………………………. 14

8) Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………….. 15

9) Reference……………………………………………………………………………………… 16
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my sincere gratitude and whole hearted thanks to my presentation guide Prof. “Mrs. Sunita S.
Nandgave” who has made this presentation a better work with her valuable guidance. I also express my
sincere gratitude and whole hearted thanks to my Head Of Department Prof. “Dr.R.S.Bichkar” for his co-
operation and overall support. I would always be thankful to my parents who consistently encouraged me
and supported me throughout my work.

I wish to thank all those who helped me directly or indirectly and gave valuable and constructive
guidance during the course of this work.

Haymkarran Singh Bhalla.

ABSTRACT
What is Microsoft
Surface?
Microsoft Surface is a revolutionary multi-touch
computer that responds to natural hand
gestures and real-world objects, helping people
interact with digital content in a simple and
intuitive way. With a large, horizontal user
interface, Surface offers a unique gathering
place where multiple users can collaboratively
and simultaneously interact with data and each
other.
Microsoft Surface (code name Milan) is a
multi -touch product from Microsoft which
is developed as a software and hardware
combination technology that allows a user,
or multiple users, to manipulate digital
content by the use of gesture recognition.
This could involve the motion of hands or
physical objects. It was announced on May
29, 2007 at D5 conference. Initial customers
will be in the hospitality businesses, such as
restaurants, hotels, retail, public
entertainment venues and the military for
tactical overviews. The preliminary launch
was on April 17, 2008, when Surface
became available for customer use in AT&T
stores. The Surface was used by MSNBC
during its coverage of the 2008 US
presidential election; and is also used by
Disneyland’s future home exhibits, as well
as various hotels and casinos. The Surface is
also featured in the CBS series CSI: Miami
and EXTRA! Entertainment news. As of
March 2009, Microsoft had 120 partners in
11 countries that are developing applications
for Surface's interface.
For Users: Microsoft Surface represents a
fundamental change in the way we interact
with digital content. Leave the mouse and
keyboard behind. Surface lets you grab digital
content with your hands and move information
with simple gestures and touches. Surface also
sees and interacts with objects placed on the
screen, allowing you to move information
between devices like mobile phones or
cameras. The result is a fun, social and exciting
computing experience like you’ve never had
before.
For Businesses: Microsoft Surface
provides tremendous potential for businesses
to improve communication, and be more
efficient in how they deliver information and
services to their customers. The intuitive and
approachable interface is easy to learn and the
familiar software platform makes it easy to
manage, too. The multi-touch and multi-user
capabilities create an incredibly collaborative
experience, where sharing and exploring
information is easier than ever.
How does Microsoft
Surface work?
Microsoft Surface uses cameras and image
recognition in the infrared spectrum to
recognize different types of objects such as
fingers, tagged items and shapes. This input
is then processed by the computer and the
resulting interaction is displayed using rear
projection. The user can manipulate content
and interact with the computer using natural
touch and hand gestures, instead of a typical
mouse and keyboard.
Microsoft Surface has four key
capabilities that make it such a unique
experience:
 Direct interaction. Users can
grab digital information with their
hands and interact with content on-
screen by touch and gesture –
without using a mouse or keyboard.
 Multi-user experience. The
large, horizontal, 30 inch display
makes it easy for several people to
gather and interact together with
Microsoft Surface - providing a
collaborative, face-to-face
computing experience.
 Multi-touch. Microsoft Surface
responds to many points of contact
simultaneously - not just from one
finger, as with a typical touch screen,
but from dozens of contact points at
once.
 Object recognition. Users can
place physical objects on the screen
to trigger different types of digital
responses – providing for a multitude
of applications and the transfer of
digital content to mobile devices.
HISTORY
The technology behind Surface is called
multi-touch and has at least a 25-year
history, beginning in 1982, with pioneering
work being done at the University of
Toronto (multi-touch tablets) and Bell Labs
(multi-touch screens). The product idea for
Surface was initially conceptualized in 2001
by Steven Bathiche of Microsoft Hardware
and Andy Wilson of Microsoft Research.
In October 2001, a virtual team was formed
with Bathiche and Wilson as key members,
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.
On April 17, 2008 AT&T became the first
retail location to launch Surface. In June
2008 Harrah’s Entertainment launched
Microsoft Surface at Rio iBar and
Disneyland launched it in Tomorrowland,
Innoventions Dream Home. On August 13,
2008 Sheraton Hotels introduced Surface in
their hotel lobbies at 5 locations. On
September 8, 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.

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. 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.
As form factors continue to evolve, touch
computing will be in a number of environments,
from schools to home, from walls to
countertops to TV screen.

.
Working
(1) Screen: A diffuser turns the Surface's acrylic
tabletop into a large horizontal "multitouch"
screen, capable of processing multiple inputs
from multiple users. The Surface can also
recognize objects by their shapes or by reading
coded "domino" tags.
(2) Infrared: Surface's "machine vision"
operates in the near-infrared spectrum, using
an 850-nanometer-wavelength LED light source
aimed at the screen. When objects touch the
tabletop, the light reflects back and is picked up
by multiple infrared cameras with a net
resolution of 1280 x 960.
(3) CPU: Surface uses many of the same
components found in everyday desktop
computers — a Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of
RAM and a 256MB graphics card. Wireless
communication with devices on the surface is
handled using WiFi and Bluetooth antennas
(future versions may incorporate RFID or Near
Field Communications). The underlying
operating system is a modified version of
Microsoft Vista.
(4) Projector: Microsoft's Surface uses the same
DLP light engine found in many rear projection
HDTVs. The footprint of the visible light screen,
at 1024 x 768 pixels, is actually smaller than the
invisible overlapping infrared projection to
allow for better recognition at the edges of the
screen.
 Microsoft Surface uses cameras
to sense objects, hand gestures
and touch. This user input is
then processed and displayed
using rear projection.
 Microsoft Surface uses this rear
projection system which
displays an image onto the
underside of thin diffuser.
 Image processing system
processes the camera images to
detect fingers, custom tags and
other objects such as paint
brushes when touching the
display.
 The objects recognized with this
system are reported to
applications running in the
computer so that they can react
to object shapes, 2D tags,
movement and touch.
 ownership, broader international support,
and faster, easier ways to design innovative
Software Platform applications.

Vision-based interaction

Microsoft Surface is more than a computer.

It’s a leap ahead in digital interaction. By
enabling you to use your hands instead of a
keyboard and mouse, it revolutionizes the
The sophisticated camera system of Surface
way you interact with digital content, while
sees what is touching it and recognizes
keeping the ability to connect with other
fingers, hands, paintbrushes, tagged objects
devices such as networks, printers, mobile
and a myriad of other real-world items. It
devices, card readers, and more.
allows you to grab digital information and
interact with the content through touch and
Microsoft Surface is currently based on the
gesture. And unlike other touch-screens,
Windows Vista platform, which makes it
Surface recognizes many points of contact
especially easy for companies to manage,
simultaneously, 52 to be exact. This allows
deploy and support Microsoft Surface units.
multiple people to use Surface at the same
The current version for the software
time, creating a more engaging and
platform is Microsoft Surface 1.0 Service
collaborative computing experience than
Pack 1, which enhances Surface with an
what is available via traditional personal
enhanced user interface, improved
computers, mobile devices, or public kiosks.
manageability to help reduce the cost of
Tagged Object Recognition

Tagged object recognition is a particularly

innovative feature of Microsoft Surface. The tag
is what lets Surface uniquely identify objects,
helping the system tell the difference between
two identical looking bottles of juice, for
example. Applications can also use a tag to start
a command or action, so simply placing a
tagged object on the screen can open up a
whole new experience. A tagged object might
also identify a cardholder, so they can charge
purchases or participate in a loyalty program. A
tag can even tell Surface to display unique
information about a tagged object, such as
showing more information about a bottle of
wine, the wine grower, the type of grape and
vintage.

Microsoft surface current
installations:
iBAR at Las Vages
 Flirt Vegas style by adding a hip
ultra-lounge vibe to the flirting
experience. This application allows
guests to chat and meet people, in an
exciting new way, from one Surface
to another. Strategically placed
video cameras at each Surface add
even more energy to the action,
allowing guests to interact with old
friends, flirt with new acquaintances,
and take and send photos across the
lounge.
 Mixologists are inspired to create
and order their own signature
cocktails or to send one to that
special someone across the room
using the interactive food and
beverage application.
online videos with their friends on
Surface.
 Head games are taken to a whole
new level with a creative suite of
play-for-fun games. With the unique
Surface interface, Harrah's adds an
exciting new take on some old
favorites such as "High Roller
bowling," multiplayer pickup
pinball, and a Last Call musical
memory game, all of which,
encourage the whole group to play
together. Leaderboards add
excitement as guests compete with
one another to see who can climb to
the top of the scoreboard
 See and be Scene is what guests can
do as they tour all of Harrah's Vegas
properties and explore attractions in
Vegas without leaving their seat at
the iBar.
 Virtual Vegas aptly describes how
guests will take a virtual walk down
the Las Vegas strip on Surface,
letting their fingers be the guide.
Guests will be able to get
information on the latest events and
attractions at all Harrah's properties
throughout Vegas.

 Hip-notic describes how guests will

feel when kicking back to find and
view the latest and most popular

Sheraton Hotels
•CityTips®. At the guests’ fingertips are the
Surface 360-degree satellite maps and tools
to search for local restaurants and bars,
entertainment, recreation, shopping,
transportation and services, such as banks
and pharmacies. Guests can discover all a
city has to offer by simply moving their
hands across Surface.
•Sounds of Sheraton. Microsoft Surface
also serves as a lobby-based digital
jukebox, enabling guests to create personal
music playlists by choosing selections from
Sheraton’s exclusive offering of Sony
BMG artists, including John Legend,
Kenny Chesney and Lauryn Hill.
•Sheraton Snapshots. Guests can explore
Sheraton hotels and resorts throughout the
world by simply browsing the Surface
photo library of Sheraton resorts and hotel
properties to help them plan for future
business or leisure travel.
“Sheraton is redefining the hospitality
experience by offering our guests
technology that will allow them to interact
with each other and our hotel in a
revolutionary way,” said Hoyt H. Harper II,
senior vice president for Sheraton. “We are
proud to partner with Microsoft to offer the
groundbreaking Microsoft Surface product,
which will enable our guests to stay
informed, connected and entertained while
traveling.”
“We’re excited to be working with Sheraton
in its efforts to feature innovation and
redefine the guest experience in its hotel
properties,” said Pete Thompson, general
manager, Microsoft Surface. “Surface takes
a common activity, such as looking up
information about a local city, and
transforms it into an intuitive and social way
for hotel guests to plan their visit. We
believe this is just the beginning of how
Surface will completely change the hotel
guest experience.”
Sheraton Locations Featuring Microsoft
Surface
•Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers – 811
7th Ave. 53rd St., New York
•Sheraton Boston Hotel – 39 Dalton St.,
Boston
•Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers – 301
East North Water St., Chicago
•Sheraton Seattle Hotel – 1400 6th Ave.,
Seattle
•Sheraton Gateway San Francisco Airport
Hotel – 600 Airport Blvd., Burlingame
Hard rock café

AT&T Stores
Pros
 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).

 Object Recognition - Increased functionality aiding user in speed and ease of use

 Time saving by eliminating many processes.

Cons
 Not portable and very expensive.

 Privacy - Open for many to view.

 Screen Visibility - Glare, finger prints/dirt and human interaction obscuring interface.

 Poor Accuracy - Fat fingers are not as accurate as a mouse or stylus.

 Fatigue - Reaching across the table often can cause the arms to ache.

 Objects needs to be tagged (domino tags or RFIDs).

Conclusion
 Microsoft Surface is the future of computers.

 Fundamentally changes the way we interact with technology.

 Surface takes existing technology and presents it in a new way. It isn't simply a touch
screen, but more of a touch-grab-move-slide-resize-and-place-objects-on-top-of-screen,
and this opens up new possibilities that weren't there before.
 Reference

Microsoft official website :

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

Wikipedia source :

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

Sheraton hotels associated with Microsoft surface and applications :

http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2008/aug08/08-13SheratonMSSurfacePR.mspx

At&t : the first retail store to have the Microsoft Surface :

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/apr08/04-01SurfaceRetailPR.mspx

Surface news from engadget :

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/30/microsoft-surface-surface-and-gesture-based-computing-lands/

RFID Tags info :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio-frequency_identification

DLP Projector :

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

Perceptive pixel :

http://www.perceptivepixel.com/