Japan's Takram Develops Paper-Based Input For Projected Display

The idea of collaborating with coworkers in person while using a tablet the size of a table-top has always sounded cool — it was Microsoft's first vision for the Surface, after all — but it's still likely to be a long ways off. However, Japanese design firm Takram has come up with an idea for an interactive digital table that is just as cool, but even more elegant in execution. It's completely based on paper, or rather "On the Fly Paper," and it developed for Intel's Japanese Collaboration Center.

The design uses an infrared sensor in combination with a computer display projected on any table surface. Input relies on special pieces of paper, which can be placed on the table to change the image being projected. Simply moving the paper around or covering physical holes can also manipulate the interface.

You can see the technology demonstrated in the videos here, but it's clear what's most impressive is how quickly actions are picked up by the sensors, there's little delay and it's almost as quick as touchscreen device. Even better is that is doesn't require a special table, or any table for that matter, since it will work on any surface that an image can be projected onto.

Prior to the first public demonstrations in Taipei recently, the technology could only be used by engineers at Intel, or guests to the Japanese Collaboration Center. It's still just a concept at this point, but since there's no reliance on special hardware, it may not be long before the technology turns up in real products.

SOURCE Takram

VIA Engadget