Media Cup

The Media Cup is an ordinary coffee cup augmented with sensing, processing and communication capabilities (integrated in the cup's bottom), to collect and communicate general context information in a given environment. It is an example how to equip everyday objects with computing and communication capabilities. With the MediaCup setup (consisting of several cups and other equipment) we explore the added value of computerized everyday objects. The MediaCup demonstrator is used since Sept., 1999 in an everyday setup (used by non-experts also). 

The MediaCup is original designed an research artifact, but today turns out to be a good demonstration example to explain the principles and use of the research area "ubiquitous computing" in general.

The bottom of the MediaCup is made of rubber, that can be separated from the rest of the Cup. The electronic of the MediaCup is integrated into this rubber bottom; this electronic can be taken away before putting the cup into the dishwasher. To supply the cup with energy a wireless energy recharge system is used that transfer energy to the integrated rechargeable battery system. To recharge the MediaCup, the Cup is placed to a special sauce; a 15 minute recharging cycle allows to run the MediaCup for about 10 hours.
The electronic in the cup senses how the cup is used (e.g. if some one drinks out of the cup) and the temperature. This information is then communicated to other computerized objects in the room (e.g. a coffee machine or a Web server). Programs running on these objects use this data to support the human using these systems.

Hardware  The MediaCup hardware environment consists of the MediaCup, an IrDA compatible infrared network and and a wireless recharging unit to supply MediaCups with energy. MediaCup-electronic complete electronics integrated into the rubber bottom of the cup collects sensor data: acceleration, movement, temperature evaluates sensor data, knows about its state. E.g. the MediaCup knows if someone drinks, if someone plays with the cup or if the cup stands on the desk behaves according to knowledge about its state, e.g. powers down; communicates state to backbone network used in the TecO lab as everyday cups, no special knowledge or behaviour needed unobtrusive wireless recharing communication through infrared (IrDA encoding) either with backbone infrared network or with Laptop or PC with IrDA interface unpersonalized because cup electronics change at every cup "washing interval" but: every cup contains a unique IPv4 adress Microprocessor: Arizona Microchip PIC16F84 at 4 MHz (V1.2) or 1 MHz (V1.3) Communication: IR-LED: Siemens SFH409-s (V1.2), H-P HSDL 4420 (V1.3) Temperature Chip: Dallas Semiconductor DS1621 Acceleration: ADXL202AQC (V1.2), 1 button & 3 ball switches (V1.3) Power: Lithium (V1.2) lifetime: 2-3 weeks; 2F Panasonic GoldCap 5.5V (V1.3) lifetime: min. 6 hours, average 10 hours Recharging: Wireless (V1.3) via induction; recharging time max. 15 min Power consumption: normal:<2mA, sleep: 1µA  Infrared Network and CAN node (IrC R(2)) builds the wireless communication backbone for MediaCups receives IrDA encoded IR signals and transmits them allows IrDA capable devices (PDAs, Laptops, etc.) to communicate e.g. to surf the Web network nodes are interconnected through a CAN bus very low cost, easy to set up, self healing backbone communication wired through twisted pair cable (TP4) containing data & power lines CAN network is connected to the backbone network (e.g. ethernet/Internet) through a PC (either through a CAN card or via serial communication) every CAN node knows about his location allows a 1.5x1.5m^2 IR footprint and a max. range of 2 m IR operates at 19200 bit/s CAN throughput depend on network size Wireless Recharger allows to wireless recharge MediaCups uses induction (ultrasonic frequency) operates at 18 V almost as small as a saucer replaces "normal" cup saucers, providing an unobrusive way to reload cups