Chapter 1

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION TO E-BALL

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Aren‟t you tired of your PC? By his ugly shape and the way that it looks? Well,

this is exactly what designer Apostol Tnokovski was feeling when he decided to create the

smallest PC ever made.

Apostol Tnokovski introduced a new pc that is E-Ball Concept pc. The E-Ball

concept pc is a sphere shaped pc which is the smallest design among all the laptops and

desktops. This computer has all the feature like a traditional computer, elements like

keyboard, mouse, dvd, large screen display etc

E-Ball is designed to be placed on two stands , opens by simultaneously pressing

and holding the two buttons located on each side. E Ball concept pc don't have any

external display unit.It has a button when you press this button a projector will pop and it

focus the computer screen on the wall which can be adjusted with navigation keys. This

concept PC will measure 160mm in diameter and it was designed for Microsoft Windows

OS.

For the moment there is no word on pricing or when it‟s going to be available,

however, I am sure that everybody would like to see a small spherical PC like this E-

BALL shape is spherical because in Tnokovski‟s opinion this is the best shape in nature

and it draws everybody‟s attention.

E-Ball will feature a dual core processor, 250-500GB HDD, 2GB of RAM,

integrated graphic card and sound card, 2 x 50W speakers, HD-DVD recorder, wireless

optical mouse and laser keyboard, LAN and WLAN card, modem, Web cam and

integrated LCD projector.

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Figure 1.1 E ball

1.2 FEATURES OF E-BALL

I-tech virtual keyboard

Dual core processor

2gb – ram

350-500 gb harddrive

Integrated graphics and sound card

Speakers

Wireless optical mouse

Lan and Wan card

Lcd projector

Paper holder

Modem

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Figure 1.2: Elements of E ball

PROCESSOR

Intel Core is a brand name used for various mid-range to high-end consumer and

business microprocessor made by Intel. The current lineup of Core processors

includes the latest following processors:

Intel Core i7 Intel Core i5

Intel Core i3 Intel Core

Intel Core Intel Core 2 Duo

Intel Core 2 Solo Intel Core 2 Quad

The e-ball pc basically uses Intel core 2 Duo processor.

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Figure 1.3: Intel core 2 Duo processor

RAM

RAM stands for Random Access memory. It gets the word “random” because

information can be accessed in non-sequential order. Though the data itself is stored

tighter, it could be anywhere in the “container” or amount of RAM available. RAM is

measure in “bits”, and 8 bits equal to 1 byte.

RAM

SRAM DRAM

Figure 1.4 :classification of ram

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SRAM don‟t require external refresh circuitry

SRAM is faster than DRAM.

SRAM is more power-efficient when idle.

SRAM is several times more expensive than DRAM

HARD DRIVE

Hard drive is basically a secondary storage device. It is non-volatile in nature. It

consists of metal platter coated with oxide that can be magnetized to represents data. We

can directly access the data from hard drive. The e-ball pc basically consists 350-500 GB

of hard drive

GRAPHIC & SOUND CARD

A video card, display card, graphics card, or graphics adapter is an expansion

card which generates output images to a display. Most video cards offer various functions

such as accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics , MPEG-2/MPEG-4

decoding, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors (multi-monitor). Other

modern high performance video cards are used for more graphically demanding purposes,

such as PC games. Video hardware is often integrated into the motherboard, however all

modern motherboards provide expansion ports to which a video card can be attached. In

this configuration it is sometimes referred to as a video controller or graphics A video

card, display card, graphics card, or graphics adapter is an expansion card controller.

Figure 1.5:graphic card

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Chapter 2

VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

2.1 VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

Virtual Keyboard is just another example of today‟s computer trend of „smaller

and faster‟. It uses sensor technology and artificial intelligence to let users work on any

surface as if it were a keyboard.

Virtual Keyboard is a small Java application that lets you easily create

multilingual text content on almost any existing platform and output it directly to web

pages. Virtual Keyboard, being a small, handy, well-designed and easy to use application,

turns into a perfect solution for cross platform multilingual text input.

The main features are: platform-independent multilingual support for keyboard

text input, built-in language layouts and settings, copy/paste etc. operations support just

as in a regular text editor, already existing system language settings remain intact, easy

and user-friendly interface and design, and small file size.

Figure 2.1:virtual keyboard

The Virtual Keyboard uses light to project a full-sized computer keyboard onto

almost any surface, and disappears when not in use. Used with Smart Phones and PDAs,

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the VKey (TM) provides a practical way to do email, word processing and spreadsheet

tasks, allowing the user to leave the laptop computer at home.

VKey technology has many applications in various high-tech and industrial

Sectors. These include data entry and control panel applications in hazardous and harsh

environments and medical markets.

Projection key boards or virtual key boards claim to provide the convenience of

compactness with the advantages of a full-blown qwerty keyboard. An interesting use of

such keyboards would be in sterile environments where silence or low noise is essential

like operation theaters.

The advantage of such a system is that you do not need a surface for typing, you

can even type in plain air. The company's Virtual Keyboard is designed for anyone who's

become frustrated with trying to put information into a handheld but doesn't want to carry

a notebook computer around. There is also the provision for a pause function to avoid

translating extraneous hand movements function, so that users can stop to eat, drink etc

2.2 COMPONENTS

This system comprises of three modules,

The sensor module,

IR-light source

The pattern projector

SENSOR MODULE

The Sensor Module serves as the eyes of the Keyboard Perception technology.

The Sensor Module operates by locating the user's fingers in 3-D space and tracking the

intended keystrokes, or mouse movements. Mouse tracking and keystroke information is

processed and can then be output to the host device via a USB or other interface.

Electronic Perception Technology:

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Electronic perception technology enables ordinary electronic devices to “see” the

world around them so they can perceive and interact with it. Now everyday electronic

devices in a variety of markets can perceive users actions, gaining functionality and ease

of use.

The tiny electronic perception chips and embedded software work by developing

a 3D “distance map” to nearby objects in real-time. This information is factored through

an on-chip processor running imaging software that translates the image into defined

events before sending it off-chip for application-specific processing. It‟s an action that is

continually repeated, generating over 30 frames of 3D information per second.

Figure 2.2:sensor module

Electronic perception technology has a fundamental advantage over classical

image processing that struggles to construct three-dimensional representations using

complex mathematics and images from multiple cameras or points of view. This single

chip “contour mapping” approach results in a high reduction of complexity, making it

possible to embed the application independent processing software directly into the chips

themselves – so they may be used in the most modestly-priced, and even pocket-sized

electronic devices.

IR-LIGHT SOURCE

The Infrared Light Source emits a beam of infrared light. This light beam I

designed to overlap the area on which the keyboard pattern projector or printed image

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resides. This is done so as to illuminate the users fingers by the infra-red light beam. This

helps in recognizing the hand movements and the pressing of keys. The light beam

facilitates in scanning the image. Accordingly the information is passed on to the sensor

module which decodes the information.

An invisible infra-red beam is projected above the virtual keyboard. Finger makes

keystroke on virtual keyboard. This breaks infrared beam and infrared light is reflected

back to projector. Reflected infrared beam passes through infrared filter to camera. The

camera photographs angle of incoming infrared light. The Sensor chip in the sensor

module determines where the infrared beam was broken, detected co-ordinates determine

actions or characters to be generated.

figure 2.3:IR light source

THE PATTERN PROJECTOR

The Pattern Projector or optional printed image presents the image of the

keyboard or mouse zone of the system. This image can be projected on any flat surface.

The projected image is that of a standard qwerty-keyboard, with all the keys and

control functions as in the keyboard.

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The Projector features a wide-angle lens so that a large pattern can be projected

from relatively low elevations. A printed image, with replaceable templates allows

system flexibility, permitting most any kind of keyboard configuration for greater

functionality.

In some types of virtual keyboards, a second infra-red beam is not necessary.

Here the projector itself takes the inputs, providing dual functionality. A sensor or camera

in the projector picks up the finger movements, and passes the information on to the

sensor modules.

Figure 2.4:pattern projector

2.3 ADVANTAGES

Portability

Accuracy

Speed of text entry

Lack of need for flat or large typing surface

Ability to minimize the risk for repetitive strain injuries

Flexibility

Keyboard layouts can be changed by software allowing for foreign or Alternative

keyboard layouts

DISADVANTAGES

Virtual keyboard is hard to get used to. Since it involves typing in thin air, it

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requires a little practice. Only people who are good at typing can use a virtual keyboard efficiently.

It is very costly ranging from 150 to 200 dollars.

The room in which the projected keyboard is used should not be very bright so that the keyboard is properly visible.

APPLICATIONS

High-tech and industrial Sectors

Used with Smart phones, PDAs, email, word processing and spreadsheet tasks

Operation Theatres

As computer/PDA input

Gaming control

TV remote control

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Chapter 3

WORKING OF E-BALL

3.1 WORKING

E Ball concept pc don't have any external display unit, It has a button when you

press this button a projector will pop and it focus the computer screen on the wall which

can be adjusted with navigation keys.

If there is no wall then it has a paper sheet holder that divides into three pieces

like an umbrella just after popping up, and it will show desktop on the paper sheet. Also,

the E-Ball PC supports a paper holder and the paper sheet on the holder could act like a

screen where you can watch movies or something.

This concept PC will measure 160mm in diameter and it was designed for

Microsoft Windows OS, sorry about the others. For the moment there is no word on

pricing or when it‟s going to be available, however, I am sure that everybody would like

to see a small spherical PC like this one.

E-Ball concept pc has a laser keyboard that is fully a concept keyboard that is

visible when the pc is in working. The keyboard is not physical - it is interpreted by lasers

that appear after you press the respective button. It recognizes your fingers with the help

of an IR sensor when you are typing at a particular place, while the mouse is a pop out wonder

making this an unique piece of technology.

The software interface of E-Ball concept pc is highly stylized with icons that can

be remembered easily that support all type of windows operating system. E-Ball concept

pc work very easy while you are making video presentations, listening music watching

large screen movies, and chatting on the net.

As year passes, the computer size is becoming smaller. This ball is known as E-

Ball and its design is given by Apostol Tnokovski. He was trying to create the smallest

PC in the world when he came across this idea.

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It is shaped like a sphere because in Tnokovski‟s opinion this is the best shape in

nature and it draws everybody‟s attention. You'll see the pop-out laser mouse, a pico

projector inside that illuminates either the wall or a sheet of paper for a screen, and that

laser keyboard that would almost certainly be a clumsy input device. Fix that, and find a

motherboard that‟ll fit inside this palm-sized baby, and Apostol might be onto something

here.

E-Ball will feature a dual core processor, 250-500GB HDD, 2GB of RAM,

integrated graphic card and sound card, 2 x 50W speakers, HD-DVD recorder, wireless

optical mouse and laser keyboard, LAN and WLAN card, modem, Web cam and

integrated LCD projector.

Figure 3.1: display

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Figure 3.2:working of E-Ball

3.2 IF THERE IS NO WALL

When we are working in an open place we can make use of a paper sheet as a

screen.

Paper sheet holder is placed at the back panel of this computer.

The holder can be opened by pressing it in the lower part

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Figure 3.3:paper sheet holder

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3.3 PROJECTORS USED IN E-BALL

LCD Projectors

DLP Projectors

LCD PROJECTORS

LCD projectors are systems that display or project information or video onto a surface.

LCD stands for liquid crystal display, the technology used to project images. They are the

technological descendants of overhead and slide projectors, older systems which serve

the same purpose. They are most commonly used for displaying images in presentations

or lectures, but are also used in home theaters.

Video signals are comprised of three colors: red, green, and blue. LCD projectors

contain a separate glass panel for each. Each panel consists of two plates of glass with a

layer of liquid crystal between them. When a charge is applied, the crystals open to allow

light through or close to block it. This opening and closing of pixels is what forms the

image.

These devices use dichroic mirrors to split the light from the input source into red,

green, and blue components. Each then passes through the corresponding panel, where

pixels form an image. The three colors are then recombined in a prism before being

projected through a lens. LCD projectors use separate panels for each color because it

results in better color saturating than using a single panel for all three.

Figure 3.4:LCD projector

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DLP PROJECTORS

DLP stands for Digital Light Processing.

A video projection technology, developed by Texas Instruments, that utilizes a

chip, referred to as a DMD (Digital Micro mirror Device). In essence, every pixel on a

DMD chip is a reflective mirror.

The video image is displayed on the DMD chip. The micro mirrors on the chip

(remember: each micro mirror represents one pixel) then tilt very rapidly as the image

changes.

This process produces the grayscale foundation for the image. Then, color is

added as light passes through a high-speed color wheel and is reflected off of the micro

mirrors on the DLP chip as they rapidly tilt towards or away from the light source. The

degree of tilt of each micro mirror coupled with the rapidly spinning color wheel

determines the color structure of the projected image. As the amplified light bounces off

the micro mirrors, it is sent through the lens and can be projected on a large screen.

Another way that DLP is implemented is to utilize a separate DLP chip for each

primary color. Light from a single source is passed through a prism, which creates

separate red, green, and blue light sources, then reflected on each of the chips designated

for each primary color, and from there, projected onto a screen. This application very

expensive, in comparison to the color wheel method, and is used only in higher-end

consumer and commercial DLP projectors.This technology is used in both rear-projection

televisions and in separate video projector, screen applications.

Figure 3.5:DLP projector

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3.3 SCENARIO IN USE

Figure 3.6:scenarios of use

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Chapter 4

CONCLUSION

4.1 ADVANTAGES

E-BALL is portable.

E-BALL has large memory.

E-BALL is useful for making video presentation.

E-BALL support user defined keyboard layouts.

E-BALL is efficient.

E-BALL is very easy to use

E-BALL is more secure than other computer

4.2 SUMMARY

As the year passes, the computer size is becoming smaller.Today‟s technology is at its

peak point beyond what we could ever imagine. New inventions and innovations are

emerging on daily basis.Our imaginations have dressed into reality and today it has

become possible to have a whole computer in our pocket all the time. At last this ball

technology has taken the computer technology to new horizons

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REFERENCES

[1] http://www.google.co.in/EBALL

[2] http://www.electronics.howstuffworks.com

[3] http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh

[4] www.canesta.com. www.procams.org

[5] www.billbuxton.com/3state.html

[6] www.smarttech.com

[7] www.3m.com/us/office/meeting/product_catalog/wd.jhtmltp://www.google.com

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