Takeshi Hoshino

Transpost: a novel approach to the display and transmission of 360 degrees-viewable 3D solid images

Three-dimensional displays are drawing attention as next-generation devices. Some techniques which can reproduce three-dimensional images prepared in advance have already been developed. However, technology for the transmission of 3D moving pictures in real-time is yet to be achieved. In this paper, we present a novel method for 360-degrees viewable 3D displays and the Transpost system in which we implement the method. The basic concept of our system is to project multiple images of the object, taken from different angles, onto a spinning screen. The key to the method is projection of the images onto a directionally reflective screen with a limited viewing angle. The images are reconstructed to give the viewer a three-dimensional image of the object displayed on the screen. The display system can present images of computer-graphics pictures, live pictures, and movies. Furthermore, the reverse optical process of that in the display system can be used to record images of the subject from multiple directions. The images can then be transmitted to the display in real-time. We have developed prototypes of a 3D display and a 3D human-image transmission system. Our preliminary working prototypes demonstrate new possibilities of expression and forms of communication.

A passive-style buttonless mobile terminal

As a simple and intuitive interface, a new-style mobile terminal without a single operation button has been developed. The terminal contains an accelerometer and is operated by gestures, such as changing its inclination or by shaking it, instead of conventional button operation. The list of contents is presented on the terminal display as bubbles flowing in water instead of the conventional hierarchical structure. Using such gesture commands allows the user to easily browse contents such as text, video, still pictures, and music.

Layered touch panel: the input device with two touch panel layers

We developed Layered Touch Panel that expands the interaction techniques of touch panel. Layer Touch Panel has two touch panel layers, so that it is able to distinguish two touch states such as finger on screen and finger above screen. With the structure, Rollover effect and Pick & Drop that are not available in normal touch panel are available in Layered Touch Panel.As the result of a usability test, 88% of test users answered that Layered Touch Panel is more usable than normal touch panel.Therefore, we consider that Layered Touch Panel is useful for the products that have touch panel.

Information-accessing furniture to make our everyday lives more comfortable

We present a concept for information equipment called information-accessing furniture. We have developed an embedded module to be assembled into tables, mirrors, and walls. It can be easily assembled into furniture or other interior components because it is a package of information processing units, input/output units, and other optional units. This concept enables building information equipment designed to match a surrounding environment, and offers an intuitive interface to users, thus helping them to obtain information easily while doing routine activities. We developed several different prototypes with embedded modules and studied their applications. Some comments we received during interviews with end-users and interior designers are also presented 1 .

Transpost: all-around three-dimensional display system

This paper presents a novel method for an all-around display system that shows three-dimensional stereo images without any special goggles. This system simply needs a directional-reflection screen, mirrors, and a standard projector. The basic concept behind this system is to make use of the phenomenon called afterimage that occurs when screen is spinning. The key to this approach is to make a directional reflection screen with a limited viewing angle and project images onto it. The projected image is made up of 24 images of an object, taken from 24 different angles. By reconstructing this image, a three-dimensional object can be displayed on the screen. The display system can present images of computer-graphics and photographs, full-length movies, and so on. This paper shows several display examples which demonstrate that the system will be useful in applications such as guide displays in public places and facilities.

Touchless input device and gesture commands

We introduce a touchless input device and gesture commands for operating a PC that negates the need to touch it or wear input devices to use it. We use a distance sensor to capture gestures, making the device very simple. This system is practical enough to use for viewer operation, so it is applicable for not only PCs, but also audiovisual devices like TVs and HDD recorders.

Transpost: all-around display system for 3D solid image

A novel method for an all-around display system that shows three-dimensional stereo images without the need for special goggles has been developed. This system simply needs a directional-reflection screen, mirrors, and a standard projector. The basic concept behind this system is to make use of the phenomenon called afterimage that occurs when screen is spinning. The key to this approach is to make a directional reflection screen with a limited viewing angle and project images onto it. The projected image is made up of 24 images of an object, taken from 24 different angles. By reconstructing this image, a three-dimensional object can be displayed on the screen. The display system can present images of computer-graphics and photographs, full-length movies, and so on.Our aim is to make a system for not only displaying images but also for interacting with them. Several display examples demonstrated that the system will be useful in applications such as guide displays in public places and facilities.

Transpost: 360 deg-Viewable Three-Dimensional Display System

Three-dimensional (3-D) displays are drawing attention as next-generation devices. Some techniques which can reproduce 3-D images prepared in advance have already been developed. However, technology for the transmission of 3-D moving pictures in real time is yet to be achieved. In this paper, we present a novel method for 360/spl deg/ viewable 3-D displays and the Transpost system in which we implement the method. The basic concept of our system is to project multiple images of the object, taken from different angles, onto a spinning screen. The key to the method is projection of the images onto a directionally reflective screen with a limited viewing angle. The images are reconstructed to give the viewer a 3-D image of the object displayed on the screen. The display system can present images of computer-graphics pictures, live pictures, and movies. Furthermore, the reverse optical process of that in the display system can be used to record images of the subject from multiple directions; the images can then be transmitted to the display in real-time. We have developed prototypes of a 3-D display and a 3-D human-image transmission system. Our preliminary working prototypes demonstrate new possibilities of expression and forms of communication.

Information-accessing furniture to our everyday lives more comfortable

A concept for information equipment called information-accessing furniture is presented. We developed an embedded module to be assembled into tables, mirrors, walls, etc. It can be easily assembled into furniture or interior material because it is a package of information processing units, input/output units, and other optional units. It enables building information equipment that is designed to match the surrounding environment, and it offers an intuitive interface to users, thus helping them to obtain information easily while doing routine activities. We developed several types of prototypes with embedded modules and studied their applications. Some comments we received during interviews with end-users and interior designers are also presented

Wrapping TV Interface for Watching Multiple Programs Efficiently

We developed a TV browser user-interface called wrapping interface with clip and paste manners for watching multiple programs efficiently. We studied operations based on the concept of the wrapping interface and developed several prototypes, and we discussed additional ideas for enhancing the wrapping interface.