Microsoft Surface revealed in patent form

While it's hardly as big a deal now that Microsoft itself has let its much-anticipated Surface/Project Milan out of the bag, those that prefer to get their information in the form crude sketches and less-than-readable sentences can finally get their fix, as the USPTO has now revealed Microsoft's patent application for the device. Filed way back in November of 2005, the application describes a "function-oriented user interface," and lays out many of the features that we saw first-hand last week, including resizing pictures using two fingers, and dragging one element to another in order to initiate an activity. So, not a lot of new information, but if you're looking for something more to tide you over until you can get your hands on a Surface yourself, you can hit up the link below for a glimpse at its origins (and plenty more sketches).

[Via PC Joint, thanks Staksa]

[Mark @ Jun 6th 2007 1:30PM]

OK... never mind the last post... the first time I went to it, it showed page 2 of comments from something about the xbox 360 back in 2005... I'm quite confused....

[Ray-- @ Jun 6th 2007 1:30PM]

yeah engadget is borked... this was posted and some random comments from way back when were attached to the article... it was really confusing, they were talking about xbox and lasers and stuff... rofl

[Jon @ Jun 6th 2007 1:31PM]

What happened to all the 'they copied Apple's multitouch' comments?

And why is this thread populated by Xbox/PS fanboys?

[Jon @ Jun 6th 2007 1:32PM]

Never mind.

[LM @ Jun 6th 2007 2:59PM]

Sooooo, 2005 heh, who copied who again?

[3rdsun @ Jun 6th 2007 3:04PM]

Looks like Apple took a trip to Redmond, saw this in its early stages and decided MS couldn't do anything useful with it so they renamed it and dedided to put it to use in one of their future products.

[Aaron @ Jun 6th 2007 3:35PM]

Apple fanboys aren't commenting because they can't dispute the facts.

My God, somebody else actually has good ideas - not just his holiness Steve Jobs?!? You mean it wasn't "stolen/copied" from Apple like everything else in creation?!?

This is one cool device no matter who made it.

Imagine that and think different.

[Greenline @ Jun 6th 2007 3:54PM]

ok I wasn't going to speak up until you had to go and say what you said.

Small difference between the 'surface' and the iPhone. One is coming out in 3 weeks and costs as much as a high end smartphone the other is a fricken prototype that will cost $10,000 and to me doesn't have a real purpose unless you already rub your coffee table looking for emails? Nice desperate Microsoft, lets hurry up and get a prototype to the photo studio so it looks real before the iPhone comes out. I would rather think different and imagine REAL products with Apple.

[Nick Catalano @ Jun 6th 2007 3:53PM]

It is important to note that this is just a patent for the interface you have once you are using Surface, not the "technology" behind it.

That technology has been used before. In fact, it is really simple (put a camera and a projector underneath a surface, and have the camera detect where objects are and the projector provide dynamic output related to the location that those objects are found on the camera)

The super-easy way to do it would be to have a projector above a table then a camera pointed down. I've seen that done before and you can do some REALLY cool stuff.

[michael @ Jun 6th 2007 4:43PM]

@Greenline:

It's not 'a small difference' the way you think it is.
1. The iPhone is just a phone. Yes, it is gorgeous, but that's all it is. Just something nice to have. Touchscreens have been used before, and the only multi-touch in the iPhone is just for resizing images, which isn't that amazing really.
2. The $10,000 price tag you claim, is just the price of their highest unit currently, which ranges from $5,000-$10,000. Microsoft and other analysts said that they expect prices to go down in the next few years, until they're ready for mass production for consumers. You can't expect this new way of computing of this type to just come instantly, do you?
3."Nice desperate Microsoft, lets hurry up and get a prototype to the photo studio so it looks real before the iPhone comes out." - That's a very idiotic statement there. Microsoft has been developing this since 2001. I even read that one of the Microsoft developers had something to do with this technology back in 85'. Whatever it is, for sure Microsoft has been doing this technology since 2001. Apple has only announced it about a year ago. So how can Microsoft be rushing this out to 'look real' when it is real. For even more proof, look at the movie "The Island" back in 2004. There's a scene that shows the doctor using the Microsoft Surface prototype in his office. It's real, and I was actually there to help with the set, so I would know. Plus it's on Wikipedia if you just search Microsoft Surface on it. So Microsoft Surface didn't pop out of nowhere. It's not something that they made just last minute either. It actually takes time. I doubt the news media is lying, do you?
4. Microsoft does make 'REAL' products. I'm not sure, but I think I've touched a Xbox 360, used Windows, played with a Zune, and I don't see how what I've used just doesn't exist. So to me, it is real. And usually when Microsoft says something, they mean it.

I don't want to rain down on your parade or anything, but throwing out stupid statements, without checking the facts is kind of ignorant.

[Poorieuser @ Jun 6th 2007 4:14PM]

I saw this stuff at Drexel a couple of weeks ago. Quite cool but it was hard for most of their systems to run actually.

[Mark G @ Jun 6th 2007 4:35PM]

Not much of entry but I gotta say I was blown away by the demo of surface. This is the first MS product in a long time that actually has some "Wow" factor.

[Greenline @ Jun 6th 2007 5:46PM]

While I appreciate your response in pointing out some things I'll admit I didn't know, your words didn't change the fact that the iPhone is real and the Surface is still a pipedream. It is cool it is amazing, but Apple brings amazing things to the market, microsoft only brings things to the market that are going to make money, not change the world. While it may have been in development for years, by they time the Surface becomes available, that technology won't be cutting edge, might be an advance of whatever is available but the iPhone is the start of that technology being available to the common man.

Oh and your. . "You can't expect this new way of computing of this type to just come instantly, do you?" . . .line?

You are right I don't believe it comes instantly, but it is coming on June 29th and not only will it fit in my living room like the Surface it will fit in my pocket.

I'll call you from my iPhone and see if your Surface answers.

[R. Garrett Hanzel @ Jun 6th 2007 5:07PM]

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

[Tim Quinn @ Jun 6th 2007 5:36PM]

OK, check out this talk from Jeff Han at TED in February 2006. The parallels to the MS Surface demo are uncanny.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/65

Note that his demo is LIVE, not canned.

As someone else pointed out, the MS patent is for the user interface, not the tech.

[Forrest @ Jun 6th 2007 5:58PM]

I've seen fanboys, but Holy Mother of Jobs, this guy...

If you can take the Apple outta your arse for a second or two, you might realize you're spouting utter garbage.

[Aaron @ Jun 6th 2007 6:34PM]

"Apple brings amazing things to the market, microsoft only brings things to the market that are going to make money, not change the world"

Greenline, have you actually read what you posted? Those are your words about a company that makes computers, an mp3 player and a phone! This is a corporation we are talking about, not Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna or whoever. ALL corporations are out to make money for their shareholders, that's their "true" mission: to get as many people to buy as much of the stuff they produce as possible so they can make as much money as possible, end of story.

They may dress it up in marketing hocus - pocus, but at the end of the day, they just want your money. That's true whether it's Apple, Microsoft or your local supermarket.

I use and mostly enjoy Microsoft products but I don't think they are out to save the world or should be elevated to the level of deity.

For your own sake, please visit your local church, synagogue or temple to find something really worth putting so much faith in. A corporation aint worth it.

[Greenline @ Jun 6th 2007 7:31PM]

Not utter garbage, but maybe to you it is. All I am saying is that the iPhone is happening now and the timing of this buzz about the Surface is a little funny to me, especially when they have made "over 85 protoypes?" Someone at Microsoft realized that Apple just might have something here. (we'll see I guess)

[Greenline @ Jun 6th 2007 7:29PM]

Aaron - thanks for the econ lesson. I, not anyone who reads this blog is dumb enough to think that Apple isn't in it to make money for the shareholders. But as a shareholder I would much rather see things making a difference while making money. Apple isn't a religion and everyone knows they don't do everything right, but they are trying to and I don't see that from Microsoft.

[Le Master @ Jun 6th 2007 7:06PM]

@GREENLINE

"You are right I don't believe it comes instantly, but it is coming on June 29th and not only will it fit in my living room like the Surface it will fit in my pocket.

I'll call you from my iPhone and see if your Surface answers."

Since when does ANYONE put their home PC in their pocket or use it as a telephone? Are you really putting down the Surface because it is not a cellphone?? You're insane.

[Greenline @ Jun 6th 2007 7:37PM]

No, but the comment I was responding to said that is was only better because it was a phone. What I am trying to say is that the iPhone is the end product of the technology behind the surface. So why would I get excited about the thing, when I can go buy the future of it on the 29th?

*yes I know there is more to the surface, but again the surface isn't out now and I am sure that the 'Apple Touchscreen Line' with run circles around it, someday ;)

[Greenline @ Jun 6th 2007 7:38PM]

Whew - anyone else?

[JeffM @ Jun 6th 2007 7:57PM]

*yes I know there is more to the surface, but again the surface isn't out now and I am sure that the 'Apple Touchscreen Line' with run circles around it, someday ;)

You mean iTable?

If Apple shareholders are made up of folks like yourself I'm going to go get a high interest loan and short AAPL now!

You really believe! ;)

[LM @ Jun 6th 2007 8:58PM]

@Greenline

You sure you're not Steve Jobs???? And the fact that you have Apple shares means jack shit here as far as the merits of a product.
Are you ACTUALLY comparing the iPhone (soon to be known as the Lame-Phone...lol), with the Surface. Man you need to get out of that apple store and see the sun every now and then.

Yeah it's great to use multitouch to zoom pics and stuff, but who the hell cares and for $600. I'd rather keep my $300 and NOT give 50% of that price to apple for it's good looks.

And how are you going to call surface when your phone is dead 2-3 hours after you start playing with it. Surface will send your call to voicemail, lol.

P.S.
"....I am sure that the 'Apple Touchscreen Line' with run circles around it, someday ;)" Then you better be the first in line bashing apple for copying MS when that happens...or shut the hell up now.


P.P.S.
Check out surface open to the public on June 9 at the Sheraton in NYC. I'll see u there.

[Jake @ Jun 6th 2007 9:21PM]

@Greenline

"What I am trying to say is that the iPhone is the end product of the technology behind the surface."

Correction: The iPhone is the end product of the technology behind a touch screen.

The dual sensing (at least on the iPhone) is a gimmick. It's more of a "look what I can do" type thing. And Apple products don't "change the world," they simply exist in the world.

Kid, be careful. Don't drink the Kool-Aid.

[Greenline @ Jun 6th 2007 10:19PM]

I love you all but you aren't seeing the surface for what it is, just on the surface. There is a lot more that went into getting the iPhone where it is, and yes even years. I won't be afraid to knock the iTable but I don't think Steve would do that because who in the hell wants to have to sit up on something for those uses. For drafting or design work I could see it being really sweet, but for my first venture into touchscreen (and yes even two fingers) I want to be able to take it with me. Godspeed Microsoft, but until you become cool again to me, I'll stick with Sir-Stevie and his team of dreamers.

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree. . . peace out.

[Firebird @ Jun 7th 2007 1:08AM]

'Godspeed Microsoft, but until you become cool again to me, I'll stick with Sir-Stevie and his team of dreamers.'

Aw. Microsoft isn't cool enough. You sound like you are ditching a 'nerdy' old friend to sit with a bunch of stoners at lunch in the middle school cafeteria.

[Jay @ Jun 11th 2007 1:06PM]

How long before Jobs presents this as Apple's new idea?

I mean, they invented the mouse and "introduced touchscreen technology to the consumer" - or so he claimed at the iPhone launch.