Microsoft PixelSense
Version 2.0 Microsoft Windows 7
Microsoft Pixel Sense is a computer of Microsoft Corporation in the form of an interactive table. He was introduced on 30 May 2007 and ran until June 2012 under the name Microsoft Surface (codename Milan). He does not need a mouse, keyboard or other traditional input devices. All entries are made by hand (or multiple hands ) on the 30 or 40 inch table top. This multi-touch technique called allowed interactions between humans and computers or between computers and other devices.
History
The technology on which this computer is based, has been developed from 1982. Already at that time took place first research on multi-touch devices at the University of Toronto and Bell Laboratories. The actual concept was conceived in 2001 by Microsoft employees Steven Bathiche and Andrew D. Wilson. In October 2001, was established under the leadership of the two, a project group that would advance the concept.
In 2003, the idea was the chairman of Microsoft, Bill Gates presented. Subsequently, the development team has been enlarged and built a first prototype of an Ikea table. By 2005, a total of 85 prototypes and some software applications have been completed.
Steve Ballmer introduced the Surface finally on 30 May 2007 under the " D: All Things Digital " conference in Carlsbad, California before. It will initially be sold only to corporate customers. Intended use of expensive at the beginning $ 12,500 unit sold since spring 2008, should be restaurants, hotels and shops. First used to found the desktop computer in the shops of mobile operator AT & T as well as in a casino in Las Vegas. To the next companies that want to use the Surface, T-Mobile USA will be one.
In June 2012, it was renamed the computer, Microsoft Surface Microsoft Pixel Sense or Samsung SUR40 with Pixel Sense Microsoft, as under the previous name new tablet computer with Windows were presented 8.
Functions
The Pixel Sense / Surface based on a new user interface, called NUI ( Native User Interface). It does not require input devices such as mouse or keyboard. Instead, infrared reflections from five cameras installed inside the box are recorded. The system is similar in principle to the operation of a touch screen, but allows more complex settings. Thus it is for example possible to use any number of fingers simultaneously or recognize objects. Therefore the user can perform actions with both hands or work with other users together on the screen, for example in the context of a tabletop groupware. The device is theoretically able to register an unlimited number of touch points and process. The specification of Microsoft is that at least four people can work with ten fingers and 3 objects at the same time it must without that performance suffers.
The display is positioned horizontally on a black box, where the hardware is located. It is similar in design coffee table. This structure allows multiple people to place themselves at the device and use it together.
The Pixel Sense / Surface uses Microsoft's Vista operating system business and has, among other Wi-Fi ( IEEE 802.11b / g) Ethernet 10/ 100 and Bluetooth 2.0.
Specifications
The unit measures 56 cm in height, 53 cm in depth and 107 cm in width. Its display is 30 "( 76 cm) tall and is made of Plexiglas from Evonik Röhm GmbH, Darmstadt (Hesse), which rests on a powder coated steel frame. The standard resolution is 1024 × 768 pixels.
Platform 2
At CES 2011, Microsoft introduced on January 5, 2011, the second version of the Surface computer before. The device was developed in collaboration with Samsung, is only about 10 cm thick and can also be used standing now. In the newer version of the hardware has been revised. The Surface 2.0 now has a 1080p LCD HD screen whose diagonal is 40 inches ( 102 cm), as the processor is an AMD Athlon II X2 and a Radeon HD 6700m used as graphics card. The operating system Windows 7 is employed. In the so-called screen pixel sense technology be used instead of infrared cameras now, when every eighth pixel of the screen acts as an optical sensor.