System and Interface Framework for SCAPE as a Collaborative Infrastructure

We have developed a multi-user collaborative infrastructure, SCAPE (an acronym for Stereoscopic Collaboration in Augmented and Projective Environments), which is based on recent advancement in head-mounted projective display (HMPD) technology. SCAPE combines the functionalities of an interactive workbench and a room-sized immersive display to concurrently create both exocentric and egocentric perspectives. SCAPE intuitively provides a shared space in which multiple users can simultaneously interact with a 3D synthetic environment from their individual viewpoints, and each user has concurrent access to the environment from multiple perspectives at multiple scales. SCAPE also creates a platform to merge the traditionally separate paradigms of virtual and augmented realities. In this paper, we discuss the design principles we have followed to conceptualize the SCAPE system and briefly summarize SCAPE's hardware implementation. Furthermore, we discuss in detail the high-level design and implementation of the SCAPE architecture, and present a set of unique widget interfaces currently available in our implementation that enable and facilitate interaction and cooperation. Finally, we demonstrate SCAPE's unique visualization and interface capabilities via a testbed application Aztec Explorer.

[1]  Narendra Ahuja,et al.  Calibration of a head-mounted projective display for augmented reality systems , 2002, Proceedings. International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality.

[2]  Jonathan Grudin,et al.  Integration of interpersonal space and shared workspace: ClearBoard design and experiments , 1993, TOIS.

[3]  Carolina Cruz-Neira,et al.  Surround-Screen Projection-Based Virtual Reality: The Design and Implementation of the CAVE , 2023 .

[4]  Narendra Ahuja,et al.  A new collaborative infrastructure: SCAPE , 2003, IEEE Virtual Reality, 2003. Proceedings..

[5]  Dieter Schmalstieg,et al.  “Studierstube”: An environment for collaboration in augmented reality , 1998, Virtual Reality.

[6]  James D. Hollan,et al.  Beyond being there , 1992, CHI.

[7]  Jonathan Grudin,et al.  Integration of Inter-Personal Space and Shared Workspace: ClearBoard Design and Experiments , 1992, CSCW.

[8]  José Manuel Rebordão,et al.  mWorld: A Multiuser 3D Virtual Environment , 1997, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[9]  Thomas A. DeFanti,et al.  Distributed Virtual Reality: Supporting Remote Collaboration in Vehicle Design , 1997, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[10]  Maxine D. Brown,et al.  The ImmersaDesk and Infinity Wall projection-based virtual reality displays , 1997, COMG.

[11]  Yutaka Matsushita,et al.  MAJIC Videoconferencing System: Experiments, Evaluation and Improvement , 1995, ECSCW.

[12]  Thomas A. DeFanti,et al.  Ultrasonic calibration of a magnetic tracker in a virtual reality space , 1995, Proceedings Virtual Reality Annual International Symposium '95.

[13]  J. Rekimoto,et al.  Transvision: a hand-held augmented reality system for collaborative design , 1996 .

[14]  Ivan Poupyrev,et al.  The MagicBook - Moving Seamlessly between Reality and Virtuality , 2001, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[15]  Bernd Fröhlich,et al.  The Responsive Workbench [virtual work environment] , 1994, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[16]  Hiroshi Ishii,et al.  Iterative design of seamless collaboration media , 1994, CACM.

[17]  Masahiko Inami,et al.  Object-oriented displays: a new type of display systems-from immersive display to object-oriented displays , 1999, IEEE SMC'99 Conference Proceedings. 1999 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (Cat. No.99CH37028).

[18]  Hong Hua,et al.  A widget framework for augmented interaction in SCAPE , 2003, UIST '03.

[19]  Abigail Sellen,et al.  Video-Mediated Communication , 1997 .

[20]  J P Rolland,et al.  Engineering of head-mounted projective displays. , 2000, Applied optics.

[21]  Michael R. Macedonia,et al.  A Transatlantic Research and Development Environment , 1997, IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications.

[22]  Hong Hua,et al.  Design of an ultralight and compact projection lens. , 2003, Applied optics.

[23]  Naokazu Yokoya,et al.  SeamlessDesign: a face-to-face collaborative virtual/augmented environment for rapid prototyping of geometrically constrained 3-D objects , 1999, Proceedings IEEE International Conference on Multimedia Computing and Systems.

[24]  Hirokazu Kato,et al.  Collaborative Mixed Reality , 1999 .

[25]  J. Rolland,et al.  A non-intrusive display technique for providing real-time data within a surgeons critical area of interest. , 1998, Studies in health technology and informatics.

[26]  Narendra Ahuja,et al.  Easy calibration of a head-mounted projective display for augmented reality systems , 2003, IEEE Virtual Reality, 2003. Proceedings..

[27]  Randy Pausch,et al.  Virtual reality on a WIM: interactive worlds in miniature , 1995, CHI '95.

[28]  GrudinJonathan,et al.  Integration of interpersonal space and shared workspace , 1993 .

[29]  Frank Biocca,et al.  An ultra-light and compact design and implementation of head-mounted projective displays , 2001, Proceedings IEEE Virtual Reality 2001.

[30]  Yoshifumi Kitamura,et al.  Interactive stereoscopic display for three or more users , 2001, SIGGRAPH.

[31]  Bernd Fröhlich,et al.  The two-user Responsive Workbench: support for collaboration through individual views of a shared space , 1997, SIGGRAPH.

[32]  Narendra Ahuja,et al.  A testbed for precise registration, natural occlusion and interaction in an augmented environment using a head-mounted projective display (HMPD) , 2002, Proceedings IEEE Virtual Reality 2002.

[33]  Masahiko Inami,et al.  Visuo-haptic display using head-mounted projector , 2000, Proceedings IEEE Virtual Reality 2000 (Cat. No.00CB37048).

[34]  Frank Biocca,et al.  Development of Head-Mounted Projection Displays for Distributed, Collaborative, Augmented Reality Applications , 2005, Presence: Teleoperators & Virtual Environments.

[35]  Ryugo Kijima,et al.  Transition between virtual environment and workstation environment with projective head mounted display , 1997, Proceedings of IEEE 1997 Annual International Symposium on Virtual Reality.

[36]  Oliver Bimber,et al.  The virtual showcase , 2006, SIGGRAPH Courses.