Method — Phygital

Definition, scope boundary, and structural model.

Definition

Phygital describes an interaction structure in which physical and digital elements are functionally connected within a shared context, allowing an action, state change, signal, or access condition in one context to produce a relevant response in the connected context.

The model focuses on operative connection rather than parallel presence and examines how physical and digital contexts participate in a resulting integrated interaction state.

Model Classification

The phygital model is structured as a descriptive and analytical reference model.

It provides a framework for examining physical context, digital context, functional linkage, cross-environment interaction, and integrated interaction state without defining implementation-specific technologies, platforms, or operational procedures.

Scope Boundary

Included

Participation of physical and digital elements within a shared context

Functional linkage between physical and digital contexts

Actions, state changes, signals, or access conditions within a participating context

Relevant responses produced across connected contexts

Formation of an integrated interaction state

Excluded

Parallel presence of physical and digital elements without functional linkage

Digital representation of a physical subject without operative interaction

Channel-based association without cross-environment consequence

Use of phygital as a thematic or promotional label alone

Vendor-specific systems or platforms

Implementation-specific technologies or operational procedures

Structural Interaction Model

Participating Contexts

The model contains a physical context and a digital context. Both participate within a shared interaction context while retaining their distinct properties and conditions.

Functional Relation

An operative relation connects the participating contexts. The relation makes an action, state change, signal, or access condition in either context relevant to the other.

Cross-Environment Interaction

An event in either participating context may produce a relevant response in the connected context. The interaction may originate physically or digitally and may be unidirectional, bidirectional, recurring, or continuous.

Integrated Interaction State

The functional relation and cross-environment response produce an interaction state whose relevant conditions depend on the connected participation of both contexts. This state is structural rather than a mandatory final phase and may change as further interactions occur.

Structural Components

Physical Context

The participating physical environment, entity, action, condition, or state.

Digital Context

The participating digital environment, representation, function, condition, or state.

Functional Linkage

The operative relation through which a relevant effect may pass between physical and digital contexts.

Cross-Environment Interaction

The interaction in which an event in one context produces a relevant response in the connected context.

Integrated Interaction State

The resulting state formed by the functionally connected participation of physical and digital contexts.

Transferability

The phygital model is not limited to a specific domain or technology.

It can be applied across commerce, manufacturing, logistics, mobility, education, culture, finance, healthcare, and other environments in which physical and digital contexts are functionally connected.

The model remains consistent by focusing on functional linkage, cross-environment response, and integrated interaction state rather than specific devices, interfaces, channels, or implementation mechanisms.