From: mksd423f@shine20.uwaterloo.ca (SD423F Course - Sys Design)
Subject: Video input for (hand) motion sensing.
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 1991 20:23:24 GMT
Message-ID: <1991Oct12.202324.15863@watserv1.waterloo.edu>
Organization: University of Waterloo, Systems Design Engineering



There seems to be much talk about making virtual worlds feel more natural to 
the user.  With most of the current devices, though, there is an intrusive 
nature which inhibits this natural feeling. As comfortable as a power glove 
or helmet-mounted eyephones might be, there is still that element of being 
connected to the "outside".  

What about some sort of video interface as an INPUT to a VR system?  By 
pointing a video camera at a given area, there could be ways of interpreting
the image to infer what the user is doing.  It may involve multiple cameras,
distance sensors, or chromakey techniques, but the main idea would be to 
avoid using anything which would actually be in contact with the person.

Sound feasible?  Is there any research going on along this topic now?  Has 
this horse been flogged before my entry into VR?  I'm very interested in 
hearing your responses.

Daniel Pifko
virtual@zeus.uwaterloo.ca
virtual@zeus.waterloo.edu


[MODERATOR'S NOTE:  The use of video cameras in various ensembles is employed
by the UNC Computer Science VR researchers; it is also popular in Japan.  If
anyone can post cites to published accounts of these and other video input
experiments, it would be very much appreciated by the many participants
seeking alternatives to current positioning techniques. -- Bob Jacobson]