Sensor and Location Platform
The Windows Sensor and Location platform simplifies the integration and use of sensors.
The platform consists of a driver component and a client component. For Windows 8, the platform includes the following new features for hardware engineers and driver developers:
- An inbox class driver for sensors that supports the Human Interface Device (HID) protocol.
- Reference code for this class driver which ships as a sample in the Windows Driver Kit.
- Inbox support for screen rotation and brightness adjustments.
- Support for the Windows Location Provider which is capable of retrieving location data using Wi-Fi triangulation or IP addresses.
- Support for GPS devices.
- A sample Geolocation driver that demonstrates a simulated GPS device.
- A new Sensor Diagnostic Tool for testing your hardware and device-driver.
The platform includes the following new features for modern-sensor app developers:
- A Sensors namespace (Windows.Devices.Sensors) that includes support for a variety of motion, device-orientation, and light sensors. (The output for one motion, and one device-orientation, sensor is the result of sensor fusion—the combining of data from multiple sensors.)
- Support for Javascript apps and Windows apps using HTML
- Support for VB/C#/C++ XAML apps
The platform includes the following new features for modern-location app developers:
- A Geolocation namespace (Windows.Devices.Geolocation) that is capable of retrieving the computer’s location using either the Windows Location Provider or GPS input.
- Support for Javascript apps and Windows apps using HTML
- Support for VB/C#/C++ XAML apps
Note that Microsoft is shipping a number of apps that use the Windows Sensor and Location platform. For an example, see the Star Chart app that is available in the store.
In this section
| Topic | Description |
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Designing Windows Biometric Framework fingerprint management applications |
This topic provides design guidance to developers of fingerprint management applications (FMAs) that are compatible with the Windows® Biometric Framework (WBF). |
Microsoft includes native support for sensors in Windows 7. This support is found in the Windows Sensor and Location platform. This platform provides a standard way to integrate sensor and location devices into Windows, as well as a standard programming interface for applications to take advantage of these devices. |
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This paper provides information about new ambient light sensor (ALS) features in the Windows 7 operating system. It provides guidelines for hardware manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate ALS hardware with computers that use the adaptive brightness feature and with applications that use light sensor data. |
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Integrating Ambient Light Sensors with Computers Running Windows 8 |
This paper provides information about ambient light sensor (ALS) features in the Windows 8 operating system. It provides guidelines for hardware manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate ALS hardware with computers that use the adaptive brightness feature and with applications that use light sensor data. |
Microsoft has created sample firmware, a sample sensor driver, and a Visual Studio .NET application that demonstrate the use of sensors in Windows 7. The sample application works with a passive infrared (PIR) sensor to record a date and timestamp each time that the sensor detects motion. |
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This paper provides information about sensor calibration for Windows 8. It contains guidance for IHVs and OEMs who are designing and manufacturing sensors. It assumes that the reader is familiar with the sensor platform for Windows 8. |
See also
Sensors driver sample for geolocation devices
Testing sensor functionality with the Sensor Diagnostic Tool
Windows.Devices.Sensors namespace API reference
Responding to motion and orientation sensors (Windows app)
Responding to light sensors (Windows app)
Windows.Devices.Geolocation namespace API reference
Detecting geolocation (Windows app)
Sensor API (Desktop technologies)
Build Your Own Game Controller (Windows 7 archives)
Sensor Video-Capture Solution (Windows 7 archives)