i-mirror: An Interaction : Information Environment Based on a Mirror Metaphor

Abstract

The topic of this paper is interaction/information environments in our daily life space. When designing these systems, it is thought to be important that they match where they are placed and that they have congruous interfaces. To realize the concept above, the authors propose the method "Enhance objects based on their own metaphor". Based on this method we implemented two i-mirror (intelligent/informative mirror) systems (each has different optical system). Basically, the i-mirror systems imitate a mirror using special optical systems, and the applications are based on virtualizing and enhancing features of a mirror. Four mirror-metaphor-based (interactive) applications (a mirror with gain, a mirror with memory, a look-younger/older mirror, and an intelligent lounge with a mirror searchable past scenes) were implemented on the i-mirror systems. We found the interfaces brought from the concept effective for congruous interaction, from users' reaction.