1. 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

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 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

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

9. 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.

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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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 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.

20. 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.

21. Contact Hide Tokuda Lab. Keio University, Japan
We look for the research partners. If you are interested in our research, please contact the address. Thank you for listening.