Mechanisms are provided for identifying an object placed on a clear surface. An indication is received that an object has been placed on the surface. A plurality of physical characteristics are identified that are associated with the object. Using the plurality of physical characteristics, a data structure is searched to determine the existence of a single object with physical characteristics that matches the plurality of physical characteristics. Responsive to a match, a determination is made as to whether the single object has an associated presentation. Responsive to an existence of the associated presentation, the associated presentation is presented to a user through the clear surface on which the object has been placed.