DynaTags: Low-Cost Fiducial Marker Mechanisms

Abstract

Printed fiducial markers are inexpensive, easy to deploy, robust and deservedly popular. However, their data payload is also static, unable to express any state beyond being present. For this reason, more complex electronic tagging technologies exist, which can sense and change state, but either require special equipment to read or are orders of magnitude more expensive than printed markers. In this work, we explore an approach between these two extremes: one that retains the simple, low-cost nature of printed markers, yet has some of the expressive capabilities of dynamic tags. Our "DynaTags"are simple mechanisms constructed from paper that express multiple payloads, allowing practitioners and researchers to create new and compelling physical-digital experiences. We describe a library of 23 mechanisms that can be read by standard smartphone reader apps. Through a series of demo applications (augmenting reality through e.g., sounds, environmental lighting and graphics) we show how our tags can bring new interactivity to previously static experiences.