Microsoft is working on an interactive whiteboard that aims to interpret users' sketches to complete the diagrams they were drawing.
The firm will unveil the prototype as part of Techfest - an annual event where its researchers reveal some of the projects they are working on.
The digital canvas is designed to help workers make sense of "big data" - the growing amount of information available from sensors and other sources.
The project is still at an early stage.
However, one analyst suggested there would be significant demand for such a product if Microsoft was able to overcome the hurdles involved in bringing it to fruition.
Microsoft spent $9.8bn (£6.5bn) on research and development in its last financial year.
That is less than Samsung Electronics' $10.5bn investment but more than Apple's $3.4bn, Sony's $4.6bn and Google's $6.8bn R&D tallies.