Sprout (computer)

Last updated
Sprout
TypeImmersive Computer
InventorBrad Short
Inception2014, 2016, 2017
Manufacturer HP Inc. (formerly Hewlett-Packard)
Models madeSprout, Sprout Pro, Sprout Pro G2
Website Sprout Sprout Pro Sprout Pro G2

Sprout by HP (stylized as sprout) was a personal computer from HP Inc. announced on October 29, 2014 and released for sale on November 9, 2014. The system was conceived by Brad Short, Distinguished Technologist at HP Inc., who along with Louis Kim, Head of the Immersive Computing Group at HP Inc., co-founded and led a team within HP Inc. to develop and productize the computing concept. [1] [2]

Contents

Sprout Product Launch

Sprout was launched in tandem with HP's Jet Fusion 3D Printer (formerly Multi Jet Fusion, MJF), a Powder Bed Fusion 3D Printing platform. Together, the product launches unveiled a 3D strategy to enable blended reality workflows, bridging the physical-to-digital and digital-to-physical divides, simplifying creation and collaboration in productivity, education, engineering, and manufacturing. [3] [4]

Sprout Product Description

Novel Dual Displays

Sprout is a novel immersive computing configuration consisting of dual interactive touch screens: one a traditional LCD, the other a unique horizontally projected display called the "TouchMat", a 2.5mm thick flexible touch-sensitive mat. The interactive screens are positioned in a novel orientation, one above the other, once facing forward, one facing upward, instead of side-by-side. The vertical screen serves as a traditional PC display positioned in front of the user and above the TouchMat display which serves as a unique interactive working surface on the table in front and below the primary display. The TouchMat displays digital content and serves as a 2D and 3D capture platen to place documents and 3D objects for scanning. Once scanned, the digital capture of the document or 3D object is re-projected coincident with the original document or 3D object at true scale, resulting in a hyper real effect due to the superposition of the actual physical content and its superimposed digital twin.

The Illuminator

The signature integrated column and armature called the "Sprout Illuminator" is positioned above and behind the vertical display and houses a custom DLP projector, a high resolution camera, and a real-time depth sensor all aiming down at the thin flexible working surface of the TouchMat. Sprout's unique configuration and combination of interactive displays, cameras, and sensors enables immersive interactions that blend the physical and digital domains allowing, for example, documents and objects to co-exist with digital content projected on the TouchMat. The physical content can also be instantly 2D scanned or quickly 3D scanned and re-projected on the TouchMat (effectively converted from the physical domain to the digital domain) ready for digital manipulation in an intuitive manner as if working on paper with real objects. This functionality allows for seamless digital creation and remote collaboration using physical media and digital content blended together in a WYSIWYG manner, as well as providing traditional user inputs such as a projected virtual keyboard and a virtual trackpad. [5] For additional user input, Sprout includes an Adonit stylus, as well as a Bluetooth-powered set of keyboard and mouse. This enables users to interact with physical and digital content while working. [6] Content can be digitally captured and manipulated in 2D or 3D directly on the TouchMat interface. [6] HP claims that this greatly simplifies and streamlines the creative process.

Sprout Model Releases

Sprout

HP Sprout Immersive Computer - 2014 worldwide launch. SproutG1-image.jpg
HP Sprout Immersive Computer - 2014 worldwide launch.

Sprout, launched in 2014, was the original and first model to be commercially introduced.

Sprout Pro

Sprout Pro, launched in 2016, was an upgraded Pro version of Sprout which received minor compliancy updates to internal specs and components in order to add support for commercial markets, enabling expansion into education and retail kiosk applications. [7]

Sprout Pro G2

HP Sprout Pro G2 Immersive Computer - 2017 worldwide launch. SproutG2-image.jpg
HP Sprout Pro G2 Immersive Computer - 2017 worldwide launch.

Sprout Pro G2, launched in 2017, was the Gen-2 version of Sprout Pro which received brand new features and a major redesign of both the product hardware (internal components and industrial design) as well as the software. A new custom designed TouchMat was developed to add an active stylus with 256 levels of pressure sensing and palm rejection. The projector for the TouchMat display was upgraded to a full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution to match the vertical display. The Sprout Pro G2 shipped with a new suite of applications called WorkTools that worked seamlessly with all Windows applications to bring 2D capture, 3D scan, and mixed-reality creation tools to existing workflows. [8] Sprout Pro G2 was the last model to be released of the HP Sprout. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer-aided design</span> Constructing a product by means of computer

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computers to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design. This software is used to increase the productivity of the designer, improve the quality of design, improve communications through documentation, and to create a database for manufacturing. Designs made through CAD software help protect products and inventions when used in patent applications. CAD output is often in the form of electronic files for print, machining, or other manufacturing operations. The terms computer-aided drafting (CAD) and computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) are also used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augmented reality</span> View of the real world with computer-generated supplementary features

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated 3D content. The content can span multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory. AR can be defined as a system that incorporates three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects. The overlaid sensory information can be constructive, or destructive. As such, it is one of the key technologies in the reality-virtuality continuum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital art</span> Art that is generated digitally with a computer

Digital art refers to any artistic work or practice that uses digital technology as part of the creative or presentation process. It can also refer to computational art that uses and engages with digital media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mixed reality</span> Merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments

Mixed reality (MR) is a term used to describe the merging of a real-world environment and a computer-generated one. Physical and virtual objects may co-exist in mixed reality environments and interact in real time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gesture recognition</span> Topic in computer science and language technology

Gesture recognition is an area of research and development in computer science and language technology concerned with the recognition and interpretation of human gestures. A subdiscipline of computer vision, it employs mathematical algorithms to interpret gestures.

Enterprise content management (ECM) extends the concept of content management by adding a timeline for each content item and, possibly, enforcing processes for its creation, approval, and distribution. Systems using ECM generally provide a secure repository for managed items, analog or digital. They also include one methods for importing content to manage new items, and several presentation methods to make items available for use. Although ECM content may be protected by digital rights management (DRM), it is not required. ECM is distinguished from general content management by its cognizance of the processes and procedures of the enterprise for which it is created.

A virtual tour is a simulation of an existing location, usually composed of a sequence of videos, still images or 360-degree images. It may also use other multimedia elements such as sound effects, music, narration, text and floor map. It is distinguished from the use of live television to affect tele-tourism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3D computer graphics</span> Graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data

3D computer graphics, sometimes called CGI, 3-D-CGI or three-dimensional computer graphics, are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering digital images, usually 2D images but sometimes 3D images. The resulting images may be stored for viewing later or displayed in real time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Immersion (virtual reality)</span> Perception of being physically present in a non-physical world

In virtual reality (VR), immersion is the perception of being physically present in a non-physical world. The perception is created by surrounding the user of the VR system in images, sound or other stimuli that provide an engrossing total environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microsoft PixelSense</span> Interactive surface computing platform by Microsoft

Microsoft PixelSense was an interactive surface computing platform that allowed one or more people to use and touch real-world objects, and share digital content at the same time. The PixelSense platform consists of software and hardware products that combine vision based multitouch PC hardware, 360-degree multiuser application design, and Windows software to create a natural user interface (NUI).

Surface computing is the use of a specialized computer GUI in which traditional GUI elements are replaced by intuitive, everyday objects. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, the user interacts with a surface. Typically the surface is a touch-sensitive screen, though other surface types like non-flat three-dimensional objects have been implemented as well. It has been said that this more closely replicates the familiar hands-on experience of everyday object manipulation.

A projection augmented model is an element sometimes employed in virtual reality systems. It consists of a physical three-dimensional model onto which a computer image is projected to create a realistic looking object. Importantly, the physical model is the same geometric shape as the object that the PA model depicts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interaction technique</span>

An interaction technique, user interface technique or input technique is a combination of hardware and software elements that provides a way for computer users to accomplish a single task. For example, one can go back to the previously visited page on a Web browser by either clicking a button, pressing a key, performing a mouse gesture or uttering a speech command. It is a widely used term in human-computer interaction. In particular, the term "new interaction technique" is frequently used to introduce a novel user interface design idea.

In computing, 3D interaction is a form of human-machine interaction where users are able to move and perform interaction in 3D space. Both human and machine process information where the physical position of elements in the 3D space is relevant.

In computing, a natural user interface (NUI) or natural interface is a user interface that is effectively invisible, and remains invisible as the user continuously learns increasingly complex interactions. The word "natural" is used because most computer interfaces use artificial control devices whose operation has to be learned. Examples include voice assistants, such as Alexa and Siri, touch and multitouch interactions on today's mobile phones and tablets, but also touch interfaces invisibly integrated into the textiles furnitures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Computer-generated imagery</span> Application of computer graphics to create or contribute to images

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) is a specific-technology or application of computer graphics for creating or improving images in art, printed media, simulators, videos and video games. These images are either static or dynamic. CGI both refers to 2D computer graphics and 3D computer graphics with the purpose of designing characters, virtual worlds, or scenes and special effects. The application of CGI for creating/improving animations is called computer animation, or CGI animation.

Fyuse is a spatial photography app which lets users capture and share interactive 3D images. By tilting or swiping one's smartphone, one can view such "fyuses" from various angles — as if one were walking around an object or subject.

Volumetric capture or volumetric video is a technique that captures a three-dimensional space, such as a location or performance. This type of volumography acquires data that can be viewed on flat screens as well as using 3D displays and VR goggles. Consumer-facing formats are numerous and the required motion capture techniques lean on computer graphics, photogrammetry, and other computation-based methods. The viewer generally experiences the result in a real-time engine and has direct input in exploring the generated volume.

Tactile technology is the integration of multi-sensory triggers within physical objects, allowing "real world" interactions with technology. It is similar to haptic technology, as both focus on touch interactions with technology, but whereas haptic is simulated touch, tactile is physical touch. Rather than using a digital interface to interact with the physical world, as augmented reality does, tactile technology involves a physical interaction that triggers a digital response.

Lego Fusion was a Lego theme that combined standard Lego bricks with a mobile app that was designed to interact and communicate with the build models according to the principle of augmented reality. The theme was first introduced on 1 August 2014 and exclusively in North America. It was eventually discontinued by the end of July 2015.

References

  1. ABC News. "Hewlett Packard's New Sprout Aims to Bridge Physical and Digital Worlds". ABC News .
  2. Freeman, Mike (20 November 2014). "HP's Sprout computer has roots in San Diego". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  3. Edward C. Baig, USA TODAY (29 October 2014). "First Look: HP pushes into 3-D printing, Blended Reality". USA Today .
  4. Jack Clark (29 October 2014). "HP Unveils Cheaper, 3-D Printing System to Spur Sales". Bloomberg.com .
  5. "HP's Sprout is like no computer you've ever seen". www.cbsnews.com. CBS News. 2014-10-31. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Hands-on with the HP Sprout, an imaging powerhouse built into a touch-friendly PC". PCWorld.com. 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  7. "AMS Sprout Pro by HP G2 Datasheet (Data sheet/4AA6-9020ENUC.pdf)". www8.hp.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-08.
  8. Blanco, Xiomara. "You probably don't need a computer with a 3D scanner, but it's still pretty damn cool". CNET. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  9. "HP Sprout Pro shop".