Human Computer Interaction International 2007 Smart Furoshiki: A Context Sensible Cloth for Supporting Everyday Activities Active Computing Environments Research Group Hide Tokuda Lab. Keio University, Japan Ryo Ohsawa, Kei Suzuki, Masayuki Iwai, Takuya Imaeda, Kazunori Takashio, and Hideyuki Tokuda

What is Smart Furoshiki ? Research Concept What is Furoshiki ? Furoshiki which is a type of traditional Japanese cloth used to wrap merchandise, is large, square-shaped, and flexible. What is Smart Furoshiki ? Smart Furoshiki can identify objects that are covered by it or placed on it and recognize user actions such as wrapping, covering, and bending.

Outline Research Background Approach - Smart Furoshiki Comparison with Other Approaches Applications Feasibility Test Conclusion 3

Research Background Messy Desk Messy Bag There are a large amount of objects around people. Then it is hard to manage these objects neatly. For example, I usually misplace a paper, a pen, a key, etc.

Previous Research However … u-Texture Our Previous Research DigiDesk Microsoft ConnecTable German National Research Center Previous researches have proposed the embedding of computers and sensors in user environments so as to provide assistance. However … ① These research are bound on a device shape and it is hard to move them. → We want to make the device which users can carry easily. ② The cost of these device is very high. 5

Approach Furoshiki has long been used universally. Wrapping objects I was thinking about the material which is used easily and inexpensive… Furoshiki has long been used universally. Wrapping objects Covering objects Spreading under objects (Table Cloth) Furoshiki has applicability and mobility. Then, we approach making smart furoshiki which enables identify the objects. 6

Basic Technology of Smart Furoshiki Fabric RFID Antenna Smart Furoshiki is made of fabric, which is conductive, and can play the role as the antenna for detecting 13.56 MHz RFID tag. Because of the flexible material, users can carry it, wash it, and even crumple it. RFID tag The Prototype of Smart Furoshiki Book We use the RFID tag which is less than 10 cents and, assume that the RFID tags are attached into many objects in the future. When objects are attached to RFID tags, the furoshiki can detect the objects. 7

Specification of Smart Furoshiki 13.56MHz passive RFID antenna One Smart Furoshiki has 4～8 antennas Small rechargeable battery (Li-ion) Bluetooth

The Functions of Smart Furoshiki Recognizing both which area of it a object is located on and what kind of the object. Recognizing human actions such as wrapping, covering, and bending Since RFID tags are also embed into the furoshiki, it can figure out own entire shape.

Outline Research Background Approach - Smart Furoshiki Comparison with Other Approaches Applications Feasibility Test Conclusion 10

Comparison with Other Approaches Sensor Node A sensor node is a node in a wireless sensor network that is capable of performing some processing, gathering sensor information. Ability to sense temperature, acceleration, light, etc. If sensor nodes attached into objects, users can find where the object is. Mica Mote Zigbee Crossbow Technology However… The sensor node is more expensive than RFID tag. Since our research target is only tracking object, then the function sensing environments is not needed.

Ultrasonic Position Detection Comparison with Other Approaches Ultrasonic Position Detection Using ultrasonic receiver and sender, the system can recognize where objects are. Ultrasonic Receiver The accuracy of position detection is higher than any other approaches. Ultrasonic Sender IS-600 InterSense, Inc However… The system is very expensive and users set the ultrasonic receiver to a ceiling in advance. It is not easy to use this system.

Comparison with Other Approach Accuracy of Location Cost Hardware Tolerance Mobility Smart Furoshiki Sensor Node - Ultrasonic * * Very High Accuracy Compared with other approaches, Smart Furoshiki has an advantage in the assumed scenario; users can look for the everyday objects.

Applications (1/3) Task Recorder Smart Desk: A Smart Desk is a desk covered with the Smart Furoshiki. It can identify objects that are placed on objects. Smart Wall: A Smart Wall is realized by hanging the Smart Furoshiki on a wall like tapestry. A user can pin up his/her memos written with electronic pen. Timeline Viewer: Timeline Viewer displays the events on the Smart Desk and Smart Wall. The user can subsequently recall the cyber-world document based on his/her real-world objects that were placed on the desk before and a memo on a wall. RFID RFID For example,,, on the wall so that they are able to recall them easily at a later date. Smart Desk Smart Wall Timeline Viewer 14

Applications (2/3) Antitheft Alarm Cover A user can lock the objects to prevent other people from using them by covering them with Smart Furoshiki. If malicious person uncovers the Furoshiki, a security system immediately sets off an alarm. In order to uncover the Smart Furoshiki, the user’s identifying object such as ID card, etc. must be placed on it. 15

Applications (3/3) Smart Bag Smart Furoshiki can change own shape to a bag. The bag can know which item is in it. If a user forgets putting a item into the bag, the bag alert him/her. Mobile objects Recognize wht

Outline Research Background Approach - Smart Furoshiki Comparison with Other Approaches Applications Feasibility Test Conclusion 17

Feasibility Test (1/2) In order to investigate the basic performance, We measured the sensing area of Smart Furoshiki In this test, a 200 x 200 (mm ) square-size antenna was used. The blue line indicates an antenna embedded into the Smart Furoshiki. The orange area can identify the RFID tag that is placed. 2

Feasibility Test (2/2) ・ We assume that RFID tags are attached into everyday goods. Then, we attached RFID tags both above and under such objects and checked whether the tags are detected. The 13.56 MHz radio signal that the is strongly influenced by aluminum and metal materials. However, using the On-Metal Tag whose one surface is made of rubber, the influence is reduced.

Conclusion We have created Effective and inexpensive hardware named smart-Furoshiki to support everyday objects management. Multiple-area detectable RFID antennas which are made of flexible fabric. We implemented applications and tested the feasibility.

Contact Hide Tokuda Lab. Keio University, Japan smart-furoshiki@ht.sfc.keio.ac.jp http://www.ht.sfc.keio.ac.jp/smart-furoshiki/ We look for the research partners. If you are interested in our research, please contact the e-mail address. Thank you for listening.