CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
The word computer comes from the word compute, which means, to calculate.
Hence, people usually consider a computer to be a calculating device that can perform
arithmetic operations at high speed.

In fact, the original objective for inventing a computer was to create a fast calculating
machine. However, more than 80% of work done by computers today is non-mathematical
or non- numerical nature. Hence, to define a computer merely as a calculating device is to
ignore over 80% of its functions. More accurately, we can define a computer as a device
that operates upon data. Data can be anything like bio-data of applicants when computer is
used for short listing candidates for recruiting; marks obtained by students in various
subjects when used for preparing result; details (name, age, sex, etc.) of passengers when
used for making airlines or railways reservations; or number of different parameters when
used for solving scientific research problems, etc.

Hence, data comes in various shapes and sizes depending upon the type of computer
application. A computer can store, process, and retrieve data as and when desired. The fact
that computers process data is so fundamental that many people have started calling it as
data processor.

1.1. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPUTERS

Increasing popularity of computers has proved that it is very powerful and useful tool. The
power and usefulness of this popular tool are mainly due to its following characteristics.

1.1.1. AUTOMATIC

An automatic machine works by itself without human intervention. Computers are

automatic machines because once started on a job, they carry out the job until it is finished.
However, computers being machines cannot start themselves and cannot go out and find
problems and solutions. We need to instruct a computer using coded instructions that
specify how it will do a particular job.

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1.1.2. SPEED

A computer is a very fast device. It can perform in a few seconds, the amount of work that
a human being can do in an entire year. While talking about speed of a computer we do not
talk in terms of seconds or milliseconds but in terms of microseconds, nanoseconds and
even picoseconds. A powerful computer is capable of performing several billion simple
arithmetic operations per second.

1.1.3. ACCURACY

In addition to being very fast, computers are very accurate. Accuracy of a computer is
consistently high and the degree of its accuracy depends upon its design. A computer
performs every calculation with the same accuracy.

1.1.4. VERSATILITY

Versatility is one of the most wonderful things about computer. One moment it is preparing
result of an examination, next moment it is busy preparing electricity bills etc. In brief, a
computer is capable of performing almost any task, if the task can be reduced to a finite
series of logical steps.

1.2. COMPUTER GENERATIONS

The history of computer development is often referred to in reference to the different

generations of computing devices. Each generation of computer is characterized by a
major technological development that fundamentally changed the way computers operate,
resulting in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful, more efficient and reliable
devices.

1.2.1. First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum Tubes

The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and
were often enormous, taking up entire rooms. They were very expensive to operate and in
addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the
cause of mal functions.

First generation computers relied on machine language, the lowest-level programming

language understood by computers, to perform operations, and they could only solveone
problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was
displayed on printouts.

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 The UNIVAC and ENIAC computers are examples of first-generation computing devices.
The UNIVAC was the first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the
U.S.Census Bureau in 1951. Fig. 1.1 shows first generation computer.

Fig.1.1 First generation computer Fig. 1.2 Second generation computer

1.2.2. Second Generation (1956-1963) Transistors

Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers. The
transistor was invented in 1947 but did not see widespread use in computers until the late
1950s. The transistor was far superior to the vacuum tube, allowing computers to become
smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable than their first-generation
predecessors. Though the transistor still generated a great deal of heat that subjected the
computer to damage, it was a vast improvement over the vacuum tube. Second-generation
computers still relied on punched cards for input and print outs for output.

Second-generation computers moved from cryptic binary machine language to symbolic,

or assembly, languages, which allowed programmers to specify instructions in words.
High-level programming languages were also being developed at this time, such as early
versions of COBOL and FORTRAN. These were also the first computers that stored their
instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic drum to magnetic core
technology. The first computers of this generation were developed for the atomic energy
industry. Fig. 1.2 shows second generation computer

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1.2.3. Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated Circuits

The development of the integrated circuit was the hallmark of the third generation of
computers. Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon chips, called
semiconductors, which drastically increased the speed and efficiency of computers. Instead
of punched cards and printouts, users interacted with third generation computers through
keyboards and monitors and interfaced with an operating system, which allowed the device
to run many different applications at one time with a central program that monitored the
memory. Computers for the first time became accessible to a mass audience because they
were smaller and cheaper than their predecessors Fig. 1.3 shows third generation computer.

1.2.4. Fourth Generation (1971-Present) Microprocessors

The microprocessor brought the fourth generation of computers, as thousands of integrated

circuits were built onto a single silicon chip. What in the first generation filled an entire
room could now fit in the palm of the hand. The Intel 4004 chip, developed in 1971,
located all the components of the computerfrom the central processing unit and memory
to input/output controlson a single chip. In 1981 IBM introduced its first computer for
the home user, and in 1984 Apple introduced the Macintosh. Microprocessors also moved
out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more
everyday products began to use microprocessors. As these small computers became more
powerful, they could be linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the
development of the Internet Fourth generation computers also saw the development of
GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices. Fig 1.4 shows fourth generation.

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 Fig. 1.3 Third generation computer Fig. 1.4 Fourth generation computer

1.2.5. Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial Intelligence

Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in

development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being
used today. The use of parallel processing and superconductors is helping to make artificial
intelligence a reality. Quantum computation and molecular and nanotechnology will
radically change the face of computers in years to come. The goal of fifth-generation
computing is to develop devices that respond to natural language input and are capable of
learning and self-organization. Fig. 1.5 shows fifth generation computer.

Fig. 1.5 Fifth generation computer

CHAPTER 2
THE MEANING OF E-BALL PC
2.1. DEFINING E-BALL PC

Arent 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.

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 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 doesnt 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.

Fig. 2.1 Sphere shape of E-ball

2.2. FEATURES OF E-BALL

I-TECH VIRTUAL KEYBOARD
DUAL CORE PROCESSOR
2 GBRAM
350-500 GB HARDDRIVE
INTEGRATED GRAPHICS AND SOUND CARD
SPEAKERS
WIRELESS OPTICAL MOUSE
LAN AND WLAN CARD
LCD PROJECTOR
PAPER HOLDER

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 MODEM

Fig. 2.2 Different views of E-Ball

2.2.1. 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. Figure shown below shows the
Intel core 2 duo process.

2.2.2. 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.

A kilobyte is equal to 1024 bits, and megabyte is equal to 1024 kilobyte. The E-BALL pc
uses 2 GB of RAM.

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 SRAM doesnt require external refresh circuitry.
SRAM is faster than DRAM.
SRAM is more power-efficient when idle.
SRAM is several times more expensive than DRAM
2.2.3. 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 350-500GB of hard drive

2.2.4. 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.

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 CHAPTER 3
VIRTUAL KEYBOARD
3.1. VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

Virtual Keyboard is just another example of todays 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.

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 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.

Fig. 3.1 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, 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.

3.2. COMPONENTS

This system comprises of three modules,

The sensor module

IR-light source
The pattern projector
3.2.1. 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
3Ddistance 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. Its an action that is
continually repeated, generating over 30 frames of 3D information per second.

3.2.2. 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 resides. This is
done so as to illuminate the user 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.

3.2.3. 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.

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.

3.3. ADVANTAGES
Portability

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 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

3.4. DISADVANTAGES
Virtual keyboard is hard to get used to. Since it involves typing in thin air, it
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.
3.5. 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 4
PROJECTOR USED IN E-BALL
4.1. 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

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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.

Fig. 4.1 LCD Projector

LCD projectors employ a three-panel LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) system, referred to
as 3 LCD. LCD projectors crisply reproduce bright, naturally colored images that are easy
on the eyes. LCD projectors are also capable of detailed shadow reproduction that is ideal
for demanding business and home theater applications.

Fig. 4.2 Internal parts of projector

The white light from the projector lamp is split into red, green, and blue components using
two dichroic mirrors, special mirrors that only transmit light of a specified wavelength.
Each red, green and blue beam then passes through a dedicated LCD panel made up of
thousands of miniscule pixels. An electrical current turns the panel's pixels on or off to
create the grayscale equivalent of that color channel. The three colors are then recombined
in a prism and projected through the projector lens and onto the screen.

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 By using a combination of three LCDs to produce a final image, LCD projectors are
capable of billions of colors and smooth grayscale gradations. The resolution of the image
is determined by the number of pixels in the LCD panels used. Currently LCD panels offer
resolutions as high as true HD (1920 x 1080) for home theater applications. New panels
promise resolutions as high as 4K (3840 x 2160).

LCDs are not just found in projectors. They are found in many of the electronics you use
every day, from a cell phone to an MP3 player to your digital alarm clock. LCDs are very
common because they offer distinct advantages: they are thinner, lighter, and draw less
power than many competing display technologies. A reliable, sophisticated technology
with universal appeal, 3LCD is the world's most popular projection technology, delivering
high quality images for the most demanding business and consumer audiences.

4.1.1. ADVANTAGES
LCD is generally more light efficient than DLP.
LCD projectors can project bright, vivid images with a low output lamp.
1000 lumen LCD is more preferred than 1200 lumen DLP.
LCD trends to produce a sharper image
More accurate color.
Sharper image.
LCD also delivers a somewhat sharper image than DLP at any given resolution.
Another benefit of LCD is that it is more light-efficient.
One benefit of LCD is that it controls red, green, and blue independently through
4.1.2. DISADVANTAGE
More bulky as there are more internal components.
Dead pixels.
DLC panel can fail.
Screen door effect.
Contrast.
Portability.
Image degradation.
LCD competes extremely well when high light output is required.
4.2. 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.

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 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.

Fig. 4.3 DLP projector

4.2.1. ADVANTAGES
Portability.
Higher contrast.
Reduced pixilation.
Reliability.
Sealed optics this makes it better for use in dusty environment.
Less screen door effects.
Since the DLP light engine consists of a single chip rather than three LCD panels,
DLP projectors tend to be more compact.
Another DLP advantage is that it can produce smooth, high contrast video.
4.2.2. DISADVANTAGES
Rainbow effect
Light leakage.
High cost.
4.3. COMPARISON AND CONCLUSION
I. Pixelization (fill factor)

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 DLP = Seam-less , Film-like.

LCD = Grainy, Pixellated.

II. Contrast Ratio

DLP = Simple optics, easier light management

LCD = Complex optics, more difficult light management

III. Video Quality

DLP = Fast switching, minimal lag

LCD = Slow switching, significant lag

IV. Sharpness

DLP =No misalignment

LCD =Misalignment likely over time

V. Color Quality

DLP = Can match any LCD color gamut

LCD = Cant match any DLP color gamut

R, G, B, bandwidth is depend on each color because of nonsequential system.

VI. Smallest & Brightest

DLP = Simple optical system, good reflectivity.

LCD = Complex optical system

VII. Reliable

DLP = Reflects heat

LCD = Absorbs heat, performance degrades

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 CHAPTER 5
WORKING OF E-BALL
5.1. 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
its 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.

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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. It is shaped like a sphere because in Tnokovskis opinion
this is the best shape in nature and it draws everybodys 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 thatll 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.

Fig. 5.1 working on paper

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 Fig.5.2 How to open the stands

5.2. 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

Fig. 5.3 Paper sheet holder

5.3. SCENARIO IN USE

Fig. 5.4 Scenario in use

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5.4. 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.
5.5. DISADVANTAGES
Normal operating systems cannot work in these computers.
Cost of E-BALL is very high.
It is difficult to understand if any problems occur in hardware part.

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 CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
Summary

As year passes, the computer size is becoming smaller. Todays 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. This ball computer has taken the
computer technology to new horizons.

Future scope

It can be used in high-tech and industrial sectors, used with smart phones, PDAs, email,
word processing and spreadsheet tasks, also in operation theatres. It can be PDA input/ as
computer. Also in gaming control and TV remote control

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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
[5]. www.procams.orgwww.billbuxton.com/3state.html
[6]. www.smarttech.com
[7]. www.3m.com/us/office/meeting/product_catalog/
[8]. http://www.slideshare.net/jominz/e-ball-seminar
[9]. http://wikipedia.org/wiki/s-video
[10]. http://dukedk666.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/e-ball-concept/
[11]. http://www.scribd.com/doc/177282692/FULL-SEMINAR-REPORT-
ON-E-BALL
[12]. http://www.seminarsonly.com/computer%20science/E-Ball-
Technology

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