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| 2007.06.20 |
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NTT Comware develops Tangible-3D Technology with a real-time motion capture of 3D images
-- A real-time motion capture of live-action 3D images to provide the sense of touch --
NTT Comware Corporation(Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Yuhji Imai; hereinafter, NTT Comware)has developed Tangible-3D Technology, the next generation communication interface for a real-time motion capture that reproduces the physical feel of three-dimensional video.
This technology is an improved version of the NTT Comwares tangible 3D system without requiring special glasses which was originally developed in 2005.
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[Overview]
NTT Comware has developed a real-time 3D display system which relies on a pair of cameras that capture and process data about an object. which is the basis of Tangible-3D Technology. This is the most-advanced technology in the world that allows tactile impressions to be transmitted back and forth between multiple users on a real-time basis by the software to process the captured images. It displays 3D images without requiring special glasses on the 3D display and translates the images into a tactile impression that the user can feel with the dedicated tangible interaction device at the same time.
This technology creates a whole new experience to reproduces the physical feel of three-dimensional video on a remote location as well as to allow the viewers to literally reach out and touch the person or object on the screen by means of a special device.
For instance, a real-time motion capture of 3-D images and a tactile impression provides a virtual handshaking experience.
To enable this experience, there should be a pair of cameras capture the image of a hand of user at one side. The image is processed to a 3D image as well as extract the data of the tactile impression. The data is then transmitted to the receiving end on a real-time basis. The image of the hand captured is displayed on the 3D display without requiring special glasses. At the same time, the data of the tactile information for touching a hand is transmitted to the recipient's hand through the tactile device to actually feel the on-screen image as it moves such as "shaking" or "placing" hands.
[Future Scenario]
While the Tangible-3D system only works in one direction on a one-on-one basis in the demonstration for now, NTT Comware is developing a two-way system that allows tactile impressions to be transmitted back and forth between multiple users. The company is also working to improve the 3D screen for multiple angle viewing, which only appears three-dimensional from a particular viewing angle.
[Future Development]
(1) Tangible-3D Museum
This technology allows visitors of the museum to handle items of exhibits with 3D images such as fossils. Multiple users can see and touch one exhibit at the same time by increasing the number of client at the recipient end.
(2) Tangible-3D Classroom
If this technology is applied for a remote classroom to make ceramics for example, the students can obtain a perceptible information of a work such as the real shape while the teacher shows the 3D image on the screen while explaining how to make it. This technology is effective to create a classroom to access from a location far away for areas that was impractical with the traditional system.
(3) Tangible 3D Video Conferencing
This technology enables an interactive communication on video conferences. The participants of a conference can shake hands or allow the other to touch an object located far away while meeting on the three-dimensional video conferencing. This is to achieve an advanced perceptible communication.
[Terminology]
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3D Display
This invention is for three-dimensionally perceptible, not like two-dimensional representation of images of an object of conventional displays.
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| *2 |
Tangible interaction device
This is a device for a superficial representation of the sense of human feelings such as touch or force on an object. Types or level of the sense of touch to be reproduced will vary depending on the type of tangible interaction devices. In this technology, the device is comprised of the wire and the metal arm on one's arm, which is available to reproduce the size, shape and stiffness of objects. This is mainly used for medical or amusement related fields. |
[Notice]
This system will be displayed at the Asahi Electronics booth at 15th Industrial Virtual Reality Expo & Conference 2007 held in Tokyo Big Site from June 27 through 29, 2007. The 3D system without special glasses, which was originally developed in 2005, will also be displayed at the RealViz booth.
* Asahi Electronics is a sales company of tentacle devices.
* RealViz Inc. is a sales company of 3D monitors.
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