Embodied data objects: tangible interfaces to information appliances

This paper describes the idea of embodied data objects. Using this concept, everyday objects can be used to represent bits and bytes of active information. These data objects can be used to interact with information-appliance-like devices that provide specific services as dictated by the context of interaction. The inherent affordances of physical artifacts are leveraged to make the interaction with these service-oriented devices intuitive and natural. We describe the idea of embodied data objects, followed by the design and implementation of two such service-oriented devices: a presentation projector and a printer.