Concept Encyclopedia Frame offers augmented reality

Posted on 22 February 2008 by Chris Davies




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Tokyo-based designer Mac Funamizu has created a concept that would take advantage of not only pervasive data networks but the growing knowledge available online and, most importantly, the difficulty in accessing it on a mobile device.  Resembling a transparent slide, holding the mobile encyclopedia frame up to a building, passage of text or even an insect would call up context-specific information retrieved via WiFi or one of the cellular data networks (such as HSUPA, WiMax or LTE).  Touching the screen - for instance, the floor of a particular building or a certain word - would prompt more specific data retrieval, such as a definition or floorplan. 

Mobile Encyclopedia Frame

Mobile Encyclopedia Frame

Mac envisages Google Maps or Google Earth being preloaded, together with a normal web browser, and the device would obviously be able to capture images and scan documents.  It’s similar in theme to Nokia’s research into augmented reality, superimposing data onto an image in real-time, but obviously far glossier in appearance.  Elements of the concept, though, are possible now (if not so sleek): mobile devices have cameras, GPS and high-speed connectivity (in metropolitan areas, at least) and there’s a wealth of information available online.  What would need polishing is that data source, perhaps, making sure the information available was relevant and reliable.  You wouldn’t want to have to trawl through a Google search results page, after all.

Mobile Encyclopedia Frame

[via Coolest Gadgets]



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4 Comments For This Post

  1. Faisal Riaz says:

    I don’t know where this technology end… Impossible things are becoming possible… Waoo… How kind is God to human being Who gave us sense and knowledge.

  2. John decola says:

    Hey Faizal, this is the just the beginning of technology revolution. i believe it will end no where till the extent that you would have modified breed of human governed by technology. i hope its only facilitating not governed else humans will become slaves of technology

  3. darkflame says:

    Cool, but why not glass’s based? :-/
    Pupil-projection or OLED methods are both very possible now.
    It seems silly to have physicaly held divices by comparison.

    Incidently see; Denno Coil

  4. Frank says:

    …imagin what would happen when this is connected to biometric face perception software. Displaing informations out of a database which is keeping persanal information about passing by pedestrians: A nightmare!?

3 Trackbacks For This Post

  1. Technology news - Enkin augmented-reality for Android: video demo says:

    [...] view of a user’s surroundings. As an idea it’s similar to designer Mac Funamizu’s encyclopedia frame concept, using real-time queries of online information to offer users pertinent information about their [...]

  2. Enkin augmented-reality for Android: video demo | Smartphone User Guide says:

    [...] view of a user’s surroundings. As an idea it’s similar to designer Mac Funamizu’s encyclopedia frame concept, using real-time queries of online information to offer users pertinent information about their [...]

  3. Enkin augmented-reality for Android: video demo says:

    [...] view of a user’s surroundings. As an idea it’s similar to designer Mac Funamizu’s encyclopedia frame concept, using real-time queries of online information to offer users pertinent information about their [...]

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