Virtual Reality Systems

Front Cover

Virtual Reality Systems

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Foreword

About the Editors

Michael Gigante, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia

Huw Jones, Middlesex University, UK

Addresses of Editors

Contributors

Acknowledgements

Disclaimer

Copyright Material

Cover Illustrations

Preface

Introduction

References

Part 1: Introduction

Chapter 1. Virtual Reality: Definitions, History and Applications

1 Introduction

2 VR Applications

3 Social Impact

4 Conclusion

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 2. Virtual Reality: Enabling Technologies

1 Introduction

2 Real-Time 3D Computer Graphics

3 Wide-Angle Stereoscopic Displays

4 Head and Eye Tracking

5 Hand and Gesture Tracking

6 Binaural Sound

7 Haptic Feedback

8 Voice Input/Output

9 Future Trends

Acknowledgements

References

Part 2: SYSTEMS

Chapter 3. SuperVision – A Parallel Architecture for Virtual Reality

Chapter 5. A Computational Model for the Stereoscopic Optics of aHead-Mounted Display

Abstract

1 A Parallel Approach

2 dVS Overview

3 The Vision Range of Parallel Accelerators

4 The PAZ Renderer

5 Conclusions

References

Chapter 4. Virtual Reality Products

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Virtual Reality

3 VR Hardware Requirements

4 Example VR System

5 Software Structure

6 Software Tools

7 Modelling Virtual Worlds

8 Applications of VR

9 Future Developments

Chapter 5. A Computational Model forthe Stereoscopic Optics of aHead-Mounted Display

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Sources of Error

3 Optics Model for a Head-Mounted Display

4 Calculating the Model Parameters for the VPL EyePhone

5 Summary and Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

Biography

Chapter 6. A Comprehensive Virtual Environment Laboratory Facility

Abstract

1 What is a Virtual Environment System?

2 Justifications for a Virtual Environment Laboratory Facility

3 Requirements of a Virtual Environment Laboratory

4 Systems Integration Issues

5 Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

Biography

Part 3:

114

Chapter 7. Gesture Driven Interaction as a Human Factor in Virtual Environments – An Approach with Neural Networks

Abstract

1 Gesture Interaction in Virtual Environments

2 A Testbed for Gesture Driven Interactions in Virtual Environment:GIVEN

3 Gestures and Gesture Architecture

4 Neural Networks in Gesture Recognition

5 Discussion and Future Work

Acknowledgements

References

Biographies

Chapter 8. Using Physical Constraints in a Virtual Environment

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Overview of the System and the Problem

3 Constraints

4 Description of our System

5 Observations of Constraint Use during Manipulation

6 Discussion of Experimental Results

7 Implementation and Speed of Constraint Satisfaction

8 Futures

References

Biography

Chapter 9. Device Synchronization Using an Optimal Linear Filter

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Optimal Estimation of Position and Velocity

3 Rotations

4 Unpredictable Events

5 MusicWorld

6 Summary

Acknowledgements

References

Biographies

Part 4:

172

Chapter 10. Virtual Reality Techniques in Flight Simulation

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Flight Simulation

2 Immersion

3 Real-Time Computer Generated Images

4 Real-Time Interaction

5 Force Feedback

6 Motion Sickness

7 Modelling Virtual Worlds

8 The Future

Biography

Chapter 11. Using Virtual Reality Techniques in the Animation Process

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Survey of VR Devices

3 The Animation Process

4 Classification of VR-based Methods for Animation

5 3D Shape Creation

6 3D Paths for Camera Motion

7 Skeleton Animation

8 Hand Motion

9 Facial Animation

10 Physics-Based Animation and Force-Feedback Devices

11 A VR-Based Animation System

12 Conclusion

Acknowledgements

References

Biography

Chapter 12. Dynamic Fish Eye Information Visualizations

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Requirements

3 Specifications

4 Combining the Theoretical Solutions

5 VizNet Implementation

6 Summary

References

Biographies

Part 5: Human–Computer Interface

Chapter

220

Abstract

1 Introduction: Human Factors and Telerobotics

2 The UK VERDEX Project

3 Multi-Person Interaction

4 Computing Developments: From Vision to Supervision and Desktop Systems

5 Standards for VR?

6 The Future: Nanopresence?

7 Conclusions

References

Biography

Chapter 14. Critical Aspects of Visually Coupled Systems

Abstract

1 Visually Coupled Systems

2 Head Tracker Issues

3 Helmet-Mounted Display Issues

4 Image/Graphic Generator Issues

5 Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 15. AVIARY – A Generic Virtual Reality Interface for Real Applications

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Work on VR at Manchester

3 The Generic World Model

4 Software Implementation

5 A Hardware Platform for the AVIARY Model

6 Summary

Acknowledgements

References

Biographies

Chapter 16. Using Gestures to Control a Virtual Arm

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Overview of the System

3 Controlling the Simulated Arm

4 Gestures

5 Limiters

6 Arm Editor

7 The System in Use

8 Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

Part 6:

286

Chapter 17. Toward Three-Dimensiona lModels of Reality

Abstract

1 Motivation

2 Current Solutions

3 Objectives

4 Proposed Model

5 Display

6 Building Models

7 Results

8 Conclusions

References

Biography

Part 7:

302

Chapter 18. Back to the Cave – Cultura lPerspectives on Virtua lReality

Abstract

1 Image and Reality

2 Two Paradigms for Knowing

3 Two Kinds of Computer Graphics

4 An Hypothesis

5 Conclusions

References

Suggested Reading

Biography

Chapter 19. Ethical Issues in the Application of Virtual Reality to the Treatment of Mental Disorders

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 The Ethical Problem of Electrical Treatments in Psychiatry

3 Medical Ethics

4 Fears, Phobias and Stress

5 Innovative Psychotherapies

6 Rehabilitation after Brain Injury

7 Conclusions

References

Further Reading

Biography

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

Appendix: Overview of Virtual Reality Software Suppliers

Abstract

1 Introduction

2 Reviews

3 Software Suppliers

Index