A Compact Battery-less Information Terminal For Interactive Information Support

One target of a ubiquitous computing environment is to aid users to get necessary information and services in a situation-dependent form. We have proposed a locationand orientation-based information support system using the Compact Battery-less Information Terminal (CoBIT). The CoBIT is a small, low cost communication terminal that works using only energy from the information carrier and the user. We realized one example of CoBIT, which downloads sound information and uploads position and orientation of the user along with signs from the user. However, previous work realized only earphone-type CoBITs and no detailed characteristics of communication between CoBIT and the interface system were discussed. We have investigated detailed characteristics of the CoBIT system download and upload processes. We also developed two types of CoBIT and used them in demonstration services that have been used by more than 200,000 people. Furthermore we will introduce a liquid crystal shutter, which emit the ID of the CoBIT realizing personalized information support. And the user can also use high spec personal computer on a desk or cellular phone in the hand seamlessly cooperated with the CoBIT.