Wolfgang Strauss

The Responsive Workbench: a virtual work environment

In this virtual environment, customized scientific visualization tools offer specialists new ways to work cooperatively, which opens the door to more comprehensive analysis and, perhaps, reduced costs. Implementing the Responsive Workbench required close attention to several important elements: its components, a typical setup, the user interface, feedback speed and real-time rendering. >

Information Jukebox – A semi-public device for presenting multimedia information content

AbstractThe Information Jukebox is a digital enquiry kiosk aimed at browsing media files. It combines a novel gesture-based and hands-free interface with an expressive graphical user interface and an attractive physical design. The system was developed within the context of a media arts exhibition and thus had to meet both functional and semiotic requirements. Unlike comparable systems it offers a complete and playful solution for browsing media.

Discovering, Visualizing and Sharing Knowledge through Personalized Learning Knowledge Maps

This paper presents an agent-based approach to semantic exploration and knowledge discovery in large information spaces by means of capturing, visualizing and making usable implicit knowledge structures of a group of users. The focus is on the developed conceptual model and system for creation and collaborative use of personalized learning knowledge maps. We use the paradigm of agents on the one hand as model for our approach, on the other hand it serves as a basis for an efficient implementation of the system. We present an unobtrusive model for profiling personalised user agents based on two dimensional semantic maps that provide 1) a medium of implicit communication between human users and the agents, 2) form of visual representation of resulting knowledge structures. Concerning the issues of implementation we present an agent architecture, consisting of two sets of asynchronously operating agents, which enables both sophisticated processing, as well as short respond times necessary for enabling interactive use in real-time.

Staging the space of mixed reality—reconsidering the concept of a multi user environment

This paper presents our work and research findings on developing the concept of a multi-user shared environment for culture, performance, art and entertainment. It introduces artistic concepts of multi-user spaces focusing on the notion of virtual space as a stage setting and on the behaviours and interactions of people within it. The VRML based demonstrator “Murmuring Fields” presents a mixed reality shared environment installation for several users based on a decentralised network architecture and supporting external participation across internet and in shared physical space. The notion of user representation is replaced by the notion of user enactment, treating the concept of avatar as an extended body of communication. “Murmuring Fields” presents a prototype of an information space where real space becomes the interface to the virtual enabled by an invisible and intuitive fullbody interface environment. Following our goals for user embodiment and group interaction, connecting real and virtual environments as a mixed reality, we have developed the e-MUSE system (electronic multi user stage environment). Derived from an artistic point of departure, the installation “Murmuring Fields”, e-MUSE is the underlying platform for networked communication, interface, rendering and display organisation. It uses VRML to implement mixedreality environments in which visitors’ exploration and experience of virtual space are connected to real space as well as other participants’ experiences. CR

Augmenting the knowledge bandwidth and connecting heterogeneous expert communities through uncovering tacit knowledge

This paper presents an approach to exploring how implicit knowledge structures in different communities of experts can be discovered, visualised and employed for semantic navigation of information spaces and construction of new knowledge. The focus is on the developed conceptual model and system for creation and collaborative use of personalised learning knowledge maps. The developed prototype combines semantic text analysis with machine learning and interfaces for visualising relationships and creating new knowledge structures. Application scenarios include automatic generation of personalised knowledge portals, collaborative semantic exploration of complex information spaces and construction of shared ontology networks. The real-world testbed and context of development is the Internet platform netzspannung.org that aims at establishing a knowledge portal connecting digital art, culture and information technology.

Murmuring Fields rehearsals: building up the mixed reality stage

The paper is concerned with the concept of a mixed reality (MR) stage environment as networked layering of physical space and virtual environments. The MR stage enables up to 5 performers to interact through intuitive free body interfaces. The goal is the creation of interface environments which allow participants to communicate in shared and remote physical spaces through their natural senses: hearing, seeing, speaking, gesturing, touching and moving around. Connecting the concept of the stage with the idea of digital information space comprises investigation in digital storytelling and the design of nonlinear structures. What we get is an instrument for the human body. What we see is actual movement of performers integrating virtual sound and images in real time onto the MR stage.

Knowledge discovery and memory space as asymmetric information-the architecture of the Internet media lab netzspannung.org

In this paper we describe the elements of netzspannung.org, an on-line media laboratory as a Competence Centre for digital art, culture and technology. To this end netzspannung.org is being developed as an open distributed toolbox for knowledge discovery and experimentation with networked media resources accompanied by community, information channels and media strategies connecting processes in virtual space with real places. The first online demonstrator of netzspannung.org explores the creation of an architecture for visualising and exploring the interrelations between media art, culture, science aid technology. URL http://netzspannung.org.

Linking between real and virtual spaces: building the mixed reality stage environment

The paper is concerned with the concept of a mixed reality (MR) stage environment as networked layering of physical space and virtual environments. The MR stage enables multiple performers to interact through intuitive free body interfaces. The goal is the creation of interface environments which allow participants to communicate in shared and remote physical spaces through their natural senses: hearing, seeing, speaking, gesturing, touching and moving around. Connecting the concept of the stage with the idea of digital information space comprises investigation in digital storytelling and the design of nonlinear structures. What we get is an instrument for the human body. What we see is actual movement of performers integrating virtual sound and images in real time onto the MR stage.

Gesture Frame – A Screen Navigation System for Interactive Multimedia Kiosks

In this article we present the gesture frame, a system based on quasi-electrostatic field sensing. The system captures the arm gestures of the user and translates pointing gestures into screen coordinates and selection command, which become a gesture-based, hands-free interface for browsing and searching multimedia archives of an information kiosk in public spaces. The interface is intuitive and body-centered, and the playful interaction allows visitors to experience a new and magical means to communicate with computers. The system can be placed on or behind any surface and can be used as a user interface in conjunction with any display device.

Interactivity as Media Reflection between Art and Science

This article describes the evolution of interactivity in the media arts ranging from immersive virtual reality to intuitive interfaces for real-time installations, to online archives and tools for knowledge discovery finally unfolding in networked environments for public space. This development is exemplified by the authors’ own works and compared with selected media art works in the field.