TaPuMa: tangible public map for information acquirement through the things we carry

The vast improvement in classical methods of information access and information retrieval has resulted from the invention of keyword-based search mechanism. Keywords serve as filters for desired information when users search in structured knowledge bases or with search engines such as Yahoo! or Google. In this paper we introduce TaPuMa, a Tangible Public Map, which allows people to use their own belongings, the objects they usually carry with them to access relevant, just-in-time information and to find locations of places or people from a public map. The paper also outlines and analyzes the advantages and challenges of this novel interaction mechanism, where real life objects serve as interfaces for information acquirement. At the end of the paper we briefly discuss the broad concept behind the project TaPuMa, 'Object Amelioration', where the functions of everyday objects can be expanded by using their affordances or functionalities in a variety of different contexts.