Surface computing
Encyclopedia
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
. It has been said that this more closely replicates the familiar hands-on experience of everyday object manipulation.
Early work in this area was done at the University of Toronto, Alias Research, and MIT. Surface work has included customized solutions from vendors such as GestureTek, Applied Minds for Northrop Grumman
. Major computer vendor platforms are in various stages of release: the iTable by PQLabs, Linux MPX, the Ideum
MT-50
, and Microsoft Surface
.
The Microsoft Surface
is starting to pick up popularity and has been used in various places and venues. AT&T
became the first retailer to use Surface to help their customers purchase phones. Customers could place the phones on the Surface and receive full phone specs, as well as pricing. It has also been used in a wide variety of locations which include hotel lobbies, such as Sheraton Hotels, as well as venues which included Super Bowl XLIII to help police organize and monitor the event in great detail. It is also starting to gain use in the broadcasting industry and has been used by MSNBC
during the 2008 US Presidential Elections
. However, USD $15,500 (device only) is still considered expensive for most businesses.
There are other new surface computing applications that are still being developed, one of which is from the MIT Media Lab
where students are developing wearable computing systems that can be used on almost any surface. The name of this device is SixthSense
.
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
in which traditional GUI elements are replaced by intuitive, everyday objects. Instead of a keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
and mouse
Mouse (computing)
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons...
, the user interacts directly with a touch-sensitive screen
Touchscreen
A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus...
. It has been said that this more closely replicates the familiar hands-on experience of everyday object manipulation.
Early work in this area was done at the University of Toronto, Alias Research, and MIT. Surface work has included customized solutions from vendors such as GestureTek, Applied Minds for Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American global aerospace and defense technology company formed by the 1994 purchase of Grumman by Northrop. The company was the fourth-largest defense contractor in the world as of 2010, and the largest builder of naval vessels. Northrop Grumman employs over...
. Major computer vendor platforms are in various stages of release: the iTable by PQLabs, Linux MPX, the Ideum
Ideum
Ideum is a company based in Corrales, NM that produces multitouch tables and interactive web and media applications. The company was founded in 1999 by Jim Spadaccini, who created interactive exhibits for San Francisco's Exploratorium before becoming creative director at Ideum...
MT-50
MT-50 Multitouch Table
The MT-50 is an interactive multitouch table developed by Ideum. The table has a 50" display with a 1280 x 720 resolution that uses IR flood technology to register multi-user, multitouch gestures, and uses the NUI Snowflake software package to handle optical processing. It supports over 50 discrete...
, and Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface 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...
.
Applications
Surface computing is slowly starting to catch on and is starting to be used in real world applications. Here is just a sample of what surface computing technologies have been used.The Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface 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...
is starting to pick up popularity and has been used in various places and venues. AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
became the first retailer to use Surface to help their customers purchase phones. Customers could place the phones on the Surface and receive full phone specs, as well as pricing. It has also been used in a wide variety of locations which include hotel lobbies, such as Sheraton Hotels, as well as venues which included Super Bowl XLIII to help police organize and monitor the event in great detail. It is also starting to gain use in the broadcasting industry and has been used by MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
during the 2008 US Presidential Elections
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
. However, USD $15,500 (device only) is still considered expensive for most businesses.
There are other new surface computing applications that are still being developed, one of which is from the MIT Media Lab
MIT Media Lab
The MIT Media Lab is a laboratory of MIT School of Architecture and Planning. Devoted to research projects at the convergence of design, multimedia and technology, the Media Lab has been widely popularized since the 1990s by business and technology publications such as Wired and Red Herring for a...
where students are developing wearable computing systems that can be used on almost any surface. The name of this device is SixthSense
SixthSense (device)
Sixthsense is a wearable gestural interface device by Pranav Mistry, a PhD student in the Fluid Interfaces Group at the MIT Media Lab. The concept is similar to Telepointer, a neckworn projector/camera system developed by Media Lab student Steve Mann .-Construction and workings:The SixthSense...
.