Generic framework for transforming everyday objects into interactive surfaces

Abstract

According to Mark Weiser, smart environments are physical worlds that are richly and invisibly interwoven with sensors, actuators, displays, and computational elements, embedded seamlessly in the everyday objects of our lives. At present however turn everyday objects into interactive ones is a very challenging issue and this limits their widespread diffusion. In order to address this issue we propose a framework to turn everyday objects, such as a table or a mirror, into interactive surfaces allowing to access and manipulate digital information. The framework integrates several interaction technologies such as electromagnetic, acoustic and optical one, supporting rapid prototype development. Two prototypes, an interactive table and an interactive tray, have been developed using the toolkit to validate the proposed approach. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.