Uchida Yoko has introduced an extremely interesting "communication support tool" called the "Projection Table." The table uses transparent acrylic cubes and RFID, so that when you place certain cubes (which contain RFID tags) o­n it, the information inside will be displayed. This makes more sense if you read the article...

Uchida Yoko Corporation has developed the "Projection Table" communication support tool using an RFID interface, and will begin sales o­n April 20th. Its price is about 9 million yen. o­nly 20 sets will be made in the first year.

The Projection Table is a device which, when transparent cubes using RFID are placed at the edge of the table, will read the information stored inside the tag, and display contents called from the server. Because this setup doesn't use anything like a mouse or keyboard and uses o­nly real objects, it is said to have a "tangible interface," reportedly allowing for intuitive operation.

The set is comprised of three basic elements: the "Icon Cube" acrylic cubes containing minatures and RFID tags, a PC and projector, and the "Table" which will read the contents stored in the cubes and display them. Finally, a "Shelf" stores the cubes and has a graphics panel.

At the announcement event which took place at the Uchida Yoko Corporate Museum, a demonstration using the Projection Table took place. This system was not developed with the intent o­n being sold; it was developed by Uchida Yoko for their own corporate museum. A prototype was completed in May of last year.

On the wall, various epoch-making products are introduced along with Uchida Yoko's history were introduced. But o­ne particularly feature-esque item are the transparent cubes containing miniatures. When you take these cubes from the wall and put them o­n the Projection Table in the middle of the room, corresponding contents can be summoned.

Inside each 4.5cm acrylic cube is a miniature and RFID tag using a frequency of 13.56MHz. The tag is made by Texas Instruments. The RFID tag reader at the edge of the table contains an anti-collision function, so even if multiple cubes are recognized, their contents will be displayed in order.

Though the display of contents currently cannot be changed, Uchida Yoko has said that they are researching controlling the rotation or page turning of contents by rotating or turning the cube itself.




Inspired by:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2005/0405/uchida.htm

Corporate Museum:
http://www.uchida.co.jp/ubiquitous/surprise.html