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Smart Tags Add Touch Controls To Ordinary Objects (ieee.org)
The idea of an inexpensive tag capable of transforming any object into a smart device is not necessarily new. But most cheap smart tags that lack batteries or complicated electronics can only perform simple functions, such as passively storing and sharing identifying information about an object. A new technology promises to change that. From a report: By comparison, new LiveTag technology allows for interactive controls or keypads that can stick onto objects, walls, or even clothing, and let people remotely operate music players or receive hydration reminders based on the amount of liquid remaining in a water bottle. "These tags can sense the status of everyday objects and humans, and also sense human interactions with plain everyday objects," says Xinyu Zhang, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering at the University of California, San Diego.
Zhang and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin -- Madison developed the LiveTag technology after brainstorming about ways to easily incorporate ordinary objects into the Internet of Things without adding costly hardware and batteries. Their LiveTag designs and early prototypes are detailed in a paper [PDF] posted on the University of Wisconsin website. The basic LiveTag technology seems deceptively simple: copper foil printed onto lightweight paper-like materials without any batteries or discrete electronic components. The key is in the geometric copper foil patterns that are designed to absorb Wi-Fi signals of specific frequencies, even as the overall tag generally reflects 2.4/5 GHz signals from nearby Wi-Fi device transmitters.
Zhang and his colleagues at the University of Wisconsin -- Madison developed the LiveTag technology after brainstorming about ways to easily incorporate ordinary objects into the Internet of Things without adding costly hardware and batteries. Their LiveTag designs and early prototypes are detailed in a paper [PDF] posted on the University of Wisconsin website. The basic LiveTag technology seems deceptively simple: copper foil printed onto lightweight paper-like materials without any batteries or discrete electronic components. The key is in the geometric copper foil patterns that are designed to absorb Wi-Fi signals of specific frequencies, even as the overall tag generally reflects 2.4/5 GHz signals from nearby Wi-Fi device transmitters.
It's not their fault, Google is making them dumber.
#DeleteFacebook
Something everyone has been asking for: even more e-waste for the landfills!
#DeleteFacebook
I'm reading your post in the bathroom after holding it too long because I was was very focused on some code I working on.
This isn't nearly sophisticated enough to connect to a LAN. It's just a colored sticker, which might change color wheel it gets wet, or when it gets hot, or whatever.
The only thing "new" about this idea is the colors of the stickers would be far outside the range of wavelengths human eyee can see. Way down into the wavelengths a WiFi radio can see. It's still just reflecting a color, though, the sticker doesn't DO anything or connect to anything.
" receive hydration reminders based on the amount of liquid remaining in a water bottle."
I am all for convenience, but really?
I just want to know if they read as half-empty or half-full.
The original Zork was written in an object oriented style, in a Lsip like language. It was ported to Fortran where it became popular because it was available on many more systems. However, that object oriented stuff in Fortran was a particular challenge to figure out...