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As a low-cost, multipurpose simulation
device, this variable interface configuration allows an
operator to virtually explore a 360-degree synthesized
or remotely sensed environment and viscerally interact
with its components. The Virtual Interface Environment
Workstation system consists of: a wide-angle stereoscopic
display unit, glove-like devices for multiple degree-of-freedom
tactile input, connected speech recognition technology,
gesture tracking devices, 3D auditory display and speech-synthesis
technology, and computer graphic and video image generation
equipment.
When combined with magnetic head and limb
position tracking technology, the head-coupled display
presents visual and auditory imagery that appears to completely
surround the user in 3-dimensional space. The gloves provide
interactive manipulation of virtual objects in virtual
environments that are either synthesized with 3D computer-generated
imagery, or that are remotely sensed by user-controlled,
stereoscopic video camera configurations. The computer
image system enables high performance realtime 3D graphics
presentation that is generated at rates up to 30 frames
per second as required updating image viewpoints in coordination
with head and limb motion. Dual independent synchronized
display channels are implemented to present disparate
imagery to each eye of the viewer for true stereoscopic
depth cues. For realtime video input of remote environments,
two miniature CCD video cameras are used to provide stereoscopic
imagery. Development and evaluation of several head-coupled,
remote camera platform and gimbal prototypes was also
carried out to determine optimal hardware and control
configurations for remotely controlled camera systems
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