An article about new software developed at Sydney University which appeared in the IT section of the online version of the publication Australian had more than just copy; it included a video, provided to the publication, depicting this software “in action.” Given the nature of the software, video was an ideal medium. Called Focus, the software works on a tabletop, which is transformed into what functions like a large version of an iPod. Images can be dragged and dropped  – by hand — across the tabletop, at the same time they are being shared with remote conference participants, who can also perform the same functions.

Sydney University PhD student Anthony Collins developed the application over the past couple of years for his thesis, in conjunction with PhD student Trent Apted and computer human-adapted interaction head Professor Judy Kay. The Focus application, which is being billed as a rival to Microsoft’s Surface, uses cameras to interpret gestures and movements made across a table to control an onscreen computer interface. The team assembled a surface computer for less than $5,000 using a projector, a laptop, a motion sensor called a mimeograph, and of course, a table.

The software allows groups to use a surface computer to access and share stored files and information; these can be moved across to other computing devices. Some observers see natural marketing applications for the software. “We can definitely see something like this in the boardroom of the future, where people need to call on documents to show them to others,” says Collins. “It’s very general; it could be magazine editors pulling up stories to figure out what they’re going to include in the magazines.”

Microsoft has begun selling its $20,000 Surface product in a high-profile marketing campaign, and bedazzled executives have bought even before deciding how to use it. In a different approach, the group in charge of commercializing this software will launch the device after it has developed proven applications for customers across industries. The Smart Services co-operative research centre owns the IP and is working with customers to develop applications for the technology, according to Smart Services CRC chief executive Warren Bradey. That process should be completed by the end of the year, he says.

Source: The Australian

Posted March 9th, 2010 under Intellectual Property Marketing

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