EBall Technology

E-BALL TECHNOLOGY 2016

Chapter-1

INTRODUCTIONThe 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.

The name data processor is more inclusive because modern computers not only compute in a

usual sense but also perform other functions with data that flows to and from them. The

activity of processing data using computer is called data processing.Data processing consists

of three sub-activities: capturing input data, manipulating the data, and managing output

results. Data is basically a raw material used as input to data processing and information is

processed data obtained as output of data processing.

8th sem, Dept of CSE, KNSIT Page 1


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.

A) 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 code instructions that specify how it will do a

particular job.

B) 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 micro seconds,nano seconds and even

picoseconds. A powerful computer is capable of performing several billion simple arithmetic

operations per second.

C) 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.

D) 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.

E) DILIGENCE

Unlike human beings, a computer is free from monotony, tiredness, and lack of

concentration. It can continuously work for hours without creating any error and without

grumbling. Hence, computer score over human beings in doing routing type jobs that require

great accuracy.

EVOLUTION OF COMPUTERS



A) 1623: Mechanical calculator Wilhelm Schickard invented first known mechanical

calculator, capable of simple arithmetic. Similar mechanical adding machine made in 1640’s

by Blaise Pascal.

B) 1673: More advanced mechanical calculator.1673byGerman mathematician Gottfried

Leibniz Capable of multiplication and division purely mechanical with no source of power.

C) 1823: Charles Babbage begins work on Difference Engine. He designed, but it was

completed by a Swedish inventor in 1854. Image of the Difference Engine from Niagara

College.

D) 1833: Charles Babbage begins Analytical Engine Never completed. Important

concept: a general-purpose machine capable of performing difference functions based on

programming.

E) 1834: Ada Byron, Lady Lovelace impressed with the concept of the Analytical Engine at

a dinner party. Daughter of poet Lord Byran Created plans for how the machine could

calculate Bernoulli numbers. This is regarded as the first “computer program," and she is the

first "programmer" The Department of Defense named a language “Ada” in her honor in

1979.

F) 1890:Punched cards used by Herman Hollerith to automate Census Concept of

programming the machine to perform different tasks with punched cards was from Babbage.

Punch cards based on Josph Marie Jacquard’s device to automate weaving looms. Hollerith

founded a company that became International Business Machines(IBM) to market the

technology.

G) 1946: ENIAC completed Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer. By Presper

Eckert and John Mauchly 18,000 vacuum tubes, occupied a 30 by 50 foot room Programming

by plugging wires into a patch panel. Very difficult to do, because this style programming

requires intimate knowledge of the computer.



1.2) Computer GenerationsThe 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 computer separate, resulting

in increasingly smaller, cheaper, more powerful, more efficient and reliable devices.

First Generation (1940-1956) Vacuum TubesThe 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 malfunctions.

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

language understood by computers, to perform operations, and they could only solve one

problem at a time. Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output was

displayed on printouts.

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. Figure (a) shows first generation computer.



Second Generation (1956-1963) TransistorsTransistors 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 printouts 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. Figure (b) shows

second generation computer

Third Generation (1964-1971) Integrated CircuitsThe 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 Figure(c) shows second generation computer.

Fourth Generation (1971-Present) MicroprocessorsThe 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 computer—from the central processing unit and memory to input/output

controls—on 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.

Figure(d) shows second generation.

Fifth Generation (Present and Beyond) Artificial IntelligenceFifth 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. Figure (e) shows second generation computer.



FIGURE (e)



Chapter-2

THE MEANING OF E-BALL TECHNOLOGY

2.1) Defining E-Ball Technology 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.



2.2) Features Of E-Ball

→I-TECH VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

→DUAL CORE PROCESSOR

→2 GB–RAM

→350-500 GB HARDDRIVE

→INTEGRATED GRAPHICS AND SOUND CARD

→SPEAKERS

→WIRELESS OPTICAL MOUSE

→LAN AND WLAN CARD

→LCD PROJECTOR

→PAPER HOLDER

→MODEM



FIGURE (G)

FIGURE (H)



A) PROCESSORIntel 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.

B) RAMRAM 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.



1) SRAM don’t require external refresh circuitry.

2) SRAM is faster than DRAM.

3) SRAM is more power-efficient when idle.

4) SRAM is several times more expensive than DRAM

C) HARD DRIVE1) 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

D) GRAPHIC & SOUND CARDA 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 controll



Chapter-3

VIRTUAL KEYBOARD3.1) Virtual KeyboardVirtual 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.

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, theVKey (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 hand held 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

…

3.2) ComponentsThis system comprises of three modules,

1. The sensor module,

2. IR-light source

3. The pattern projector

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:

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 anon-

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.

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.

2) IR-LIGHT SOURCEThe 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 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.



3)THE PATTERN PROJECTORThe 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.

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 onto the sensor

modules.



(a) Advantages1. Portability

2. Accuracy

3. Speed of text entry

4. Lack of need for flat or large typing surface

5. Ability to minimize the risk for repetitive strain injuries

6. Flexibility

(b) Disadvantages1. 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.

2. It is very costly ranging from 150 to 200 dollars.

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

keyboard is properly visible.

Applications

1. High-tech and industrial Sectors

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

3. Operation Theatres

4. As computer/PDA input

5. Gaming control

6. TV remote control



WORKING OF E-BALL5.1 WorkingE 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. 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 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 (R)



FIGURE (S)

5.2 If there is no wall1) When we are working in an open place we can make use of a paper sheet as a screen.

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

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

5.3 Scenario In Use



5.4 (A) Advantages1) E-BALL is portable.

2) E-BALL has large memory.

3) E-BALL is useful for making video presentation.

4) E-BALL support user defined keyboard layouts.

5) E-BALL is efficient.

6) E-BALL is very easy to use

7) E-BALL is more secure than other computer.

5.4(B) Disadvantages1) Normal operating systems cannot work in these computers.

2) Cost of E-BALL is very high.

3) It is difficult to understand if any problems occur in hardware part.



CONCLUSION, AND REFERENCE

CONCLUSION1) As the year passes, the computer size is becoming smaller.

2) Today’s technology is at its peak point beyond what we could ever imagine.

3) New inventions and innovations are emerging on daily basis.

4) Our imaginations have dressed into reality and today it has become possible to have a whole computer in our pocket all the time.



5) At last this ball technology has taken the computer technology to new horizons

REFERENCES

[1] History of embedded devices, http://www.discussionsworld.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=42603

[2] About E ball, http://www.eballi.org/about/

[3] Early prototype of eball, http://www.eball.org/raspberry-pi-2006-edition/

[4] eball Hardware information, http://elinux.org/RPi_Hardware



[5] How SoC works, http://www.androidauthority.com/how-it-works-systems-on-a-chip-soc-93587/

[6] Boot process, http://thekandyancode.wordpress.com/2013/09/21/how-the-eball-boots-up/

[7] NOOBS, http://wwweballi.org/introducing-noobs/

[8] List of available OS, http://elinux.org/RPi_Distributions

[9] Home automation project, http://www.instructables.com/id/Raspberry-Pi-GPIO-home-

automation

[10] Arcade gaming machine project, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/25-fun-things-to-do-with-a-

eball/

[11] Robot project, http://www.wired.com/2013/01/raspberry-pi-r2d2/

[12] Landline telephone project, https://www.twilio.com/blog/2013/03/build-a-twilio-hard-phone-

with-sip-from-twilio-raspberry-pi-asterisk-freepbx-and-the-obihai-obi100.html

[13] Decoration lights project,

http://www.element14.com/community/community/raspberry-pi/raspberrypi_projects/blog/

2013/12/12/raspberry-pi-enabled-christmas-lights

[14] Advantages-Disadvantages,

https://sites.google.com/site/mis237groupprojectraspberrypi/home/what-is-raspberry-pi/pros-and-

cons-of-the-eball


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