From: ejp@world.std.com (Eric J Pierce) Subject: ANNOUNCE: BCS/VR-Group Jan. Meeting: Steve Mann on Mediated Reality Date: Thu, 4 Jan 1996 13:33:42 GMT Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA From: ejp@world.std.com (Eric J Pierce) ------------ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY------------ THE BOSTON COMPUTER SOCIETY VIRTUAL REALITY GROUP PRESENTS Mediated Reality and the Personal Visual Assistant by Steve Mann of the MIT Media Lab WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 7:00 PM EST ROOM 054 (BASEMENT) MEDIA LABORATORY (BLDG E-15) MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS ______________________________________________________________________ Join the Boston Computer Society Virtual Reality Group and Steve Mann of the MIT Media Lab for a discussion of Mediated Reality. -------------- The intent of Augmented Reality (AR) is to add virtual objects to the real world. A typical AR apparatus consists of a video display with partially transparent visor, upon which computer-generated information is overlayed. The general spirit of what is proposed, like typical AR, includes adding virtual objects, but also includes the desire to take away, alter, or more generally to visually `mediate' real objects, using a body-worn apparatus where both the real and virtual objects are placed on an equal footing, in the sense that both are presented together via a synthetic medium. Successful implementations have been realized by viewing the real world using a head-mounted display (HMD) fitted with video camera(s), body-worn processing, and/or bidirectional wireless communications. This portability enabled various forms of the apparatus to be tested extensively in everyday circumstances, such as while riding the bus, or shopping. The proposed approach shows promise in applications where it is desired to have the ability to reconfigure reality. For example, color may be deliberately diminished or completely removed from the real world at certain times when it is desired to highlight parts of a virtual world with graphic objects having unique colors. The fact that vision may be completely reconfigured also suggests utility to the visually handicapped. -------------- You may be familiar with Steve's widely publicized participation in First Night Boston '96 as Mann on the Street -- a one man mobile uplink to the web. Using the Wearable Wireless Webcam, Steve Mann saw and recorded Boston's 'First Night' new year's festivities for us all to experience in real-time, and review and relive now that it's over. If you haven't checked out Steve's First Night activites point your web browser to http://www.firstnight.org, click right in the middle of the first night graphic and then 'Mann on the Street.' MEETING DETAILS: --------------- When: Wednesday, January 10, 7:00 PM EST Location: MIT Media Lab (Building E-15) Room 054 (in basement) 20 Ames Street Cambridge, Massachusetts By T: Get off at the Kendall Square Station on the Red Line. When you come to the surface you will be at the end of Main Street where it is more like a wide bricked pedestrian area in front of the Marriot Hotel. Walking to the end of the block toward Central square, will put the Marriot on the right. The corner of the Marriot complex where Legal Seafoods is will be the corner of Main and Ames. Take a left onto Ames Street. The Media Lab is the only silver tiled building on the street and will be on your left. By Car: Ames Street runs between Main street and Memorial Drive, near Kendall Square in Cambridge. It is one-way going from Main to Memorial. Your best bet is to either look for parking near Kendall Sq. and follow walking instructions (By T) above. *OR* you could look for parking along Memorial Drive and walk up Ames Street the other way. If you're interested in coming and don't know how to get to MIT or even Cambridge, MA, instructions from all highways are available upon request via e-mail to ejp@world.std.com. ======================================================================== BCS VR Group - A Gathering of Minds for Cyberspace Development: The Group meetings are a great way to meet others who are "actually" developing Virtual Environments. Whether you have an intrest in the dicussions, would like to write code or somewhere in the middle there lots to do and talk about!!! BCS VR Group Philosophy: The purpose of the Boston Computer Society Virtual Reality Group is to provide an ongoing venue for developing virtual environments as well as a forum for bringing scientists and developers together with VR enthusiasts/potential users. Through actively exploring both the technology and its cultural implications, exposing each to the other's thoughts and ideas, and "learning from" and "sharing with" industry leaders, we can help shape the future of this medium. ====================================================================== Attention Researchers, Vendors & Others: ---------------------------------------- We have a growing membership of VR enthusiasts who would like to hear from you. Things you can do: - Put us on your mailing list, - Make a presentation at one of our meetings, - Send a video. Information received is put into our BCS monthly newsletter. Presentations need a two-month lead time for publicity. Meeting events are described in the newsletter, which goes out to several thousand BCS members. Videos are shown at each meeting. If you would like the opportunity to make contact with VR enthusiasts, contact Brenden C. Maher. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: ------------------------------ Program Director: Brenden C.Maher Speaker Requests: bmaher@world.std.com voice: (617) 621.3309 Join the Boston Computer Society - the oldest and largest computer user group! For info: The Boston Computer Society 101 First Avenue, Suite 2 Waltham, MA 02154 Voice: (617) 290-5700 Fax: 290-7544 Be Sure To Sign Up as a- "Virtual Reallity Group Member"