Pin-based shape displays present shapes and motion by moving arrays of pins. However, using many linear actuators to achieve this inevitably increases the size and cost of the device. MagneShape instead uses magnetic force to control the levitation height of passive magnetic pins to display shape and motion. While it is simple and inexpensive, MagneShape offers only limited interactivity. Since a certain distance has to be maintained between the magnetic pins to avoid magnetic interference arising between them, MagneShape requires appropriate magnetic patterns and time-consuming magnetization processes to display characters properly. To address this limitation, we improved the configuration of the magnetic pins and developed MagneSwift, a magnetic belt conveyor system with a high-density pin array. When a hand-drawn magnetic pattern is conveyed under the high-density pin array, the drawn pattern is presented on the pin array. We also demonstrate several interactive applications and discuss future possibilities.

Pin-based shape-changing displays can present dynamic shape changes by actuating a number of pins. However, the use of many linear actuators to achieve this makes the electrical structure and mechanical construction of the display complicated. We propose a simple pin-based shape-changing display that outputs shape and motions without any electronic elements. Our display consists of magnetic pins in a pin housing, with a magnetic sheet underneath it. The magnetic sheet has a specific magnetic pattern on its surface, and each magnetic pin has a magnet at its lower end. The repulsive force generated between the magnetic sheet and the magnetic pin levitates the pin vertically, and the height of the pin-top varies depending on the magnetic pattern. This paper introduces the basic structure of the display and compares several fabrication methods for the magnetic pins, to highlight the applicability of this method. We have also demonstrated some applications and discussed future possibilities.

Magnets are very useful for the rapid prototyping of haptic interactions. However, it is difficult to arrange fine and complex magnetic fields rapidly. Therefore, we invented a method for fabricating complex geometric magnetic patterns by overlaying multiple magnetic rubber sheets. This method resolves the tradeoff between magnetized pattern complexity and the time required for magnetization. By layering multiple magnetic sheets that have simple magnetic patterns, various types of geometric magnetic patterns, such as checkered and diamond ones, can be generated on the top surface. By applying superposed magnetic fields, various types of tactile stimuli and haptic interaction can be created rapidly. Furthermore, the superposed magnetic fields can be changed dynamically by rotating the layered magnetic sheets. In this paper, we clarify the material requirements and describe the design method for creating these geometric magnetic patterns. We also demonstrate several of their applications.

We describe a method for rapid prototyping of haptic interfaces for touch devices. A sheet-like touch interface is constructed from magnetic rubber sheets and conductive materials. The magnetic sheet is thin, and the capacitive sensor of the touch device can still detect the user's finger above the sheet because of the rubber's dielectric nature. Furthermore, tactile feedback can be customized with ease by using our magnetizing toolkit to change the magnetic patterns. Using the magnetizing toolkit, we investigated the appropriate size and thickness of haptic interfaces and demonstrated several interfaces such as buttons, sliders, switches, and dials. Our method is an easy and convenient way to customize the size, shape, and haptic feedback of a wide variety of interfaces.

This paper presents a method for designing tactile macrotextures with magnetic rubber sheets. In the method, named "Magnetic Plotter", a desktop digital plotting machine combined with a tiny neodymium magnet writes fine magnetic patterns on the surface of the magnetic rubber sheets. This method enables users to design magnetic fields freely with inexpensive commercially available materials as if they are drawing pictures. Moreover, when the magnetic sheets are rubbed together, unique haptic stimuli are displayed on the fingers. The haptic stimuli can be changed by the magnetic patterns designed on the rubber sheets. We developed a prototype of the Magnetic Plotter and investigated the range of the generated haptic stimuli and the texture design possibilities.

This study presents a technique to make 3D objects by folding a resin sheet using a piece of common home electronic equipment: a microwave oven. Though personal fabrication has grown widely popular because of the price reduction of digital fabrication tools such as 3D printers or laser cutters, printing a 3D object is still slow. Moreover, installation of laser cutter at home is still difficult because of issues of health and safety. So, we have proposed a simple but widely applicable home fabrication method called "MOR4R": Microwave Oven Recipes for Resins. By putting properly sized microwave susceptor strips onto a piece of acrylic sheet, and microwaving it for about 3 minutes at a power of 800 W, only the part where the susceptor has been placed becomes soft. This paper reveals a suitable size of susceptor strips for folding an acrylic sheet. This technique allows the creator to form a rigid and strong object, much like folding an origami.

Post-it notes are a popular paper format that serves a multitude of purposes in our daily lives, as they provide excellent affordances for quick capturing of informal notes, and location-sensitive reminding. In this paper, we present Move-it, a system that combines Post-it notes with a technologically enhanced paperclip to demonstrate how a passive piece of paper can be turned into an "active" medium that conveys information through motion. We present two application examples that investigate the applicability of Move-it sticky notes for ambient information awareness. In comparison to existing notification systems, experimental results show that they reduce negative effects of interruptions on emotional state and performance, and provide unique affordances by combining advantages of physical and digital systems into a novel active paper interface.