Surface Computing

Many of us might have heard the term Surface Computing and for those who didn’t, “Its the term for the use of a specialized computer GUI in which traditional user Interface elements are replaced by everyday objects. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, the user interacts directly with a touch-sensitive screen.” Hence a surface computer is a computer that interacts with the user through the surface of an ordinary object, rather than through a monitor and keyboard.

   

Earlier work in this area was done at the University of Toronto, Alias Research, and MIT. However Recent minor innovations in the surface computing field are attributed to Apple, Inc and to Microsoft Corporation. Apple had demonstrated surface computing interfaces intended for professional use since 2006, with no expected product release date. Microsoft unveiled plans for the Microsoft Surface in May 2007. The Microsoft Surface (code name Milan) seems to be closer to production. Finally, there is Linux surface computing software aswell, called Linux MPX.

The Surface is a horizontal display on a table-like form. Somewhat similar to the iPhone, the Surface has a screen that can incorporate multiple touches and thus uses them to navigate multimedia content. Unlike the iPhone, which uses fingers’ electrical properties to detect touch, the Surface utilizes a system of infrared cameras to detect input. Uploading digital files only requires each object (e.g. a Bluetooth-enabled digital camera) to be placed on the Surface. People can physically move around the picture across the screen with their hands, or even shrink or enlarge them. This could be the next generation of KIOSK. Below is the diagram from Microsoft Surface (Codename Milan).

 

1. MultiTouch Screen: This is the multitouch screen display. The Surface is so far advanced than we could imagine that it can recognize objects by their shapes or by reading coded “domino” tags when placed on the table.

2. Infrared: Used for collection input/s. When objects touch the tabletop, the light reflects back and is picked up by multiple infrared cameras. 

3. CPU: Surface uses many of the same components found in everyday desktop computers.

4. Projector: These are set of projectors inside to display images. 

references: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/index.html