Talking about the Interaction Plan of Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a new network-based architecture that provides a vast new platform for the majority of computer users to enjoy a whole new range of applications and services, though this technology is being watched by many people. However, users can easily access all of its capabilities only if they have the ability to interact with this large repository. We found that the combination of the three tools of interaction, client and cloud computing has tremendous value and commercial value.

Microsoft Research has conducted a series of studies on cloud computing in areas such as computer security and cryptography, operating system design, cloud software, data center building, related devices, and green computing. This diversity is well demonstrated at the 2010 Microsoft Technology Festival (TechFest 2010, Microsoft Research's Annual Frontier Research Project Results Showcase) held by Microsoft Research in Redmond, March 3-4.

One of the most fascinating research projects that stand out from the technology festival is called "Inside the Cloud: New Cloud-Computing Interaction." In this project, researchers at Microsoft Research Asia and Microsoft Research Cambridge are exploring ways to use cloud as a rich and evolving ecosystem to find new ways to use it The result was jointly conceived.

The combination of client-side and cloud computing gives us a vision of where we can access data both consistently and unhindered wherever and whenever we are; and through data mining on the Internet, social networks, and public and personal information files The amount of data that customers can access will be staggering, with vast amounts of information at your fingertips.

"Because of the tremendous amount of cloud computing resources," said Richard Harper, principal investigator at the Socio-Digital Systems team at the Cambridge Research Institute. "In this case, the traditional two-dimensional desktop design is acquiring and delivering data , Calendars, and locations, cloud computing needs to be based on new ways of interacting, and the new I / O technology is a prerequisite for its implementation. "

Cloud mouse prototype

Cloud Mouse is one such technology, initiated by Zhang Chunhui researcher (Research Project Leader) at Microsoft Research Asia and in collaboration with Harper, a new universal user interface designed specifically for cloud computing. The project brought together Harper and fellow researchers at Microsoft Asia Research Institute, Zhao Minshui, Yuan Tong and Wang Min of the Human-Computer Interaction Group in the Hardware Computing Group.

Researchers have realized that "the cloud" brings together a large number of user-generated data and information, and only provides users with a way to efficiently access useful resources from such a complex and dynamic information, which makes it possible to provide users with valuable information And services, which is why they study the cloud mouse. "The cloud is such a way that human-computer interaction can get out of the reach of desktops," Harper said. "This technology brings users from the desktop into the cloud and gives users a richer experience in close contact with the data."

The research team envisaged the scenario where data would be presented directly to the user either through a handheld projector or augmentedeglasses, or a multidimensional display of the screen (such as 3D imaging), and the cloud mouse would be the direct interaction of the user with the data Required hardware device. When the user moves the cloud mouse in these visualized data, different sensory signal outputs (such as vibrations or squeaks) can alert the user where to retrieve or view the information, mark or store the information, or direct the user to the target.

Cloud mouse basic operation

No matter how the data is presented, the cloud mouse can help users interact with the data in the virtual world in all aspects, such as 360-degree three-dimensional movement, showing the depth, proximity and geometric relationship between the targets. In a demonstration, a user checks a photo and he / she will have an experience immersed in the image: By changing the orientation of the cloud mouse up and down, 360 degree movement can be viewed and the picture can be viewed further.

"Cloud mice do a lot of things," Harper said. "It allows users to browse and convert between multiple screens and give users real-world feel and feel. Using a cloud mouse, you can click directly on an object in the cloud space Or drag and drop easily between different screens, we want users to feel as if they are in the real-world cloud space. "