International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=66&year=2010&vol=1&issue=2 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia 1741-1874 1741-1882 © 2010 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijvtm_scoverijvtm.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=66&year=2010&vol=1&issue=2 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=32055 A virtual design studio is distributed across space and time and information is represented electronically. The technology available for the studios includes Computer Aided Design (CAD), image processing, World Wide Web, video conferencing, e-mail, shared files and files transfer. The potential for this technology in a design necessary. However, environment is to reduce the need to physically meet when collaboration is sophisticated technological tools do not warrant a successful collaborative design work. The importance of humans in the process is fundamental. That is why we introduce the concept of leader agent or coordinator. The objective of this paper is to propose a collaborative platform for virtual design studios. Proposition of a collaborative platform for virtual design studios
Hafida Bouarfa, Nesrine Toubaline
International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 95 - 103
A virtual design studio is distributed across space and time and information is represented electronically. The technology available for the studios includes Computer Aided Design (CAD), image processing, World Wide Web, video conferencing, e-mail, shared files and files transfer. The potential for this technology in a design necessary. However, environment is to reduce the need to physically meet when collaboration is sophisticated technological tools do not warrant a successful collaborative design work. The importance of humans in the process is fundamental. That is why we introduce the concept of leader agent or coordinator. The objective of this paper is to propose a collaborative platform for virtual design studios.

]]> 10.1504/IJVTM.2010.032055 International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 95 - 103 Hafida Bouarfa Nesrine Toubaline Data Processing Department, University of Blida, BP 270 Route de Soumaa 9000, Blida, Algeria. ' Data Processing Department, University of Blida, BP 270 Route de Soumaa 9000, Blida, Algeria virtual design studios collaborative design collaboration virtual teams coordinators. 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 1 2 95 103 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=32056 Natural interaction approaches, such as the Sketch-based interaction, frequently imply ambiguities in the interpretation by the computer side. This paper focuses only on micro-level ambiguity analysing the interpretation of the abstract geometrical elements point, polyline and polygon. Considering a dynamic perspective, ambiguities can be caused by: inaccuracy in the user's drawing, approximation of the represented reality and user's deletion or retracing of fragments of the sketch. Moreover, this paper discusses methods to solve ambiguities taking into account the spatial and temporal information that characterise the user's drawing, deleting and over-tracing process according to some experimental observations of users' behaviour. Classifying and resolving ambiguities in sketch-based interaction
Danilo Avola, Maria Chiara Caschera, Fernando Ferri, Patrizia Grifoni
International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 104 - 139
Natural interaction approaches, such as the Sketch-based interaction, frequently imply ambiguities in the interpretation by the computer side. This paper focuses only on micro-level ambiguity analysing the interpretation of the abstract geometrical elements point, polyline and polygon. Considering a dynamic perspective, ambiguities can be caused by: inaccuracy in the user's drawing, approximation of the represented reality and user's deletion or retracing of fragments of the sketch. Moreover, this paper discusses methods to solve ambiguities taking into account the spatial and temporal information that characterise the user's drawing, deleting and over-tracing process according to some experimental observations of users' behaviour.

]]> 10.1504/IJVTM.2010.032056 International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 104 - 139 Danilo Avola Maria Chiara Caschera Fernando Ferri Patrizia Grifoni Department of Computer Science, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Via Salaria 113, 00189, Rome, Italy. ' Institute of Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Via Palestro 32, 00185, Rome, Italy. ' Institute of Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Via Palestro 32, 00185, Rome, Italy. ' Institute of Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Via Palestro 32, 00185, Rome, Italy human computer interaction HIC sketch-based interaction ambiguity classification ambiguity resolution ambiguities sketching. 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 1 2 104 139 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=32057 In engineering education, concepts taught through lectures are often complemented by practical laboratory experimentation. Students can observe dynamic phenomena that are often difficult to explain by written material in laboratory environment. To offer the hands-on laboratory experience for distant users, virtual environment is necessary. In this paper, we reported and demonstrated an innovative remotely accessible virtual laboratory. Our approach is based on the newly developed software packages. Remote control, network reliability, and safety features are integrated into the experimental hardware and software design. Distance users are able to develop and run controllers on the experiments in the virtual laboratory, and can effectively use the laboratory from anywhere over internet. A mechatronic approach to a virtual laboratory service on internet
Marvin H-M. Cheng, George T-C. Chiu
International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 140 - 154
In engineering education, concepts taught through lectures are often complemented by practical laboratory experimentation. Students can observe dynamic phenomena that are often difficult to explain by written material in laboratory environment. To offer the hands-on laboratory experience for distant users, virtual environment is necessary. In this paper, we reported and demonstrated an innovative remotely accessible virtual laboratory. Our approach is based on the newly developed software packages. Remote control, network reliability, and safety features are integrated into the experimental hardware and software design. Distance users are able to develop and run controllers on the experiments in the virtual laboratory, and can effectively use the laboratory from anywhere over internet.

]]> 10.1504/IJVTM.2010.032057 International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 140 - 154 Marvin H-M. Cheng George T-C. Chiu School of Science and Technology, Georgia Southern University, 201 COBA Drive, Statesboro, Georgia 30458, USA. ' School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 585 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA virtual technology mechatronic systems virtual laboratory distance learning mechatronics internet online experiments remote control network reliability safety. 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 1 2 140 154 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=32058 We developed a lightweight, wireless and most affordable three-dimensional tracking system, called 3D site surveyor, which allows versatile, hands-free and easy-to-use human computer interaction, combining off-the-shelf hardware with custom-made software. We based this system on the Nintendo Wii remote controller hardware. 3D site surveyor is able to detect movement of a user in three dimensions (x, y and z-axis), including rotation in the xy-plane (yaw). We will argue that, within the limits of the system, it is theoretically possible to also measure pitch and roll, making the system capable of detecting 6DoF. The system can be applied to, for example, gaming, virtual reality, ambient-assisted living and academic research (e.g., human motion, perception and attention). 3D site surveyor for 360° wireless motion tracking
Johan F. Hoorn, Marco Otte
International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 155 - 171
We developed a lightweight, wireless and most affordable three-dimensional tracking system, called 3D site surveyor, which allows versatile, hands-free and easy-to-use human computer interaction, combining off-the-shelf hardware with custom-made software. We based this system on the Nintendo Wii remote controller hardware. 3D site surveyor is able to detect movement of a user in three dimensions (x, y and z-axis), including rotation in the xy-plane (yaw). We will argue that, within the limits of the system, it is theoretically possible to also measure pitch and roll, making the system capable of detecting 6DoF. The system can be applied to, for example, gaming, virtual reality, ambient-assisted living and academic research (e.g., human motion, perception and attention).

]]> 10.1504/IJVTM.2010.032058 International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 155 - 171 Johan F. Hoorn Marco Otte Center for Advanced Media Research Amsterdam (CAMeRA), VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands. ' Center for Advanced Media Research Amsterdam (CAMeRA), VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands remote sensing wireless navigation user localisation Wii technology motion tracking three-dimensional tracking 3D tracking Wii remote control Wiimote human computer interaction HCI. 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 1 2 155 171 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=32059 In this paper, we use an enhanced surface mass-spring model to simulate virtual dissection by progressive subdivision and re-meshing for cutting and cross-cutting. We introduce novel algorithms to generate interior structures that show the result of cutting generated by the interaction between instrument and model. Our simulator supports two types of cutting: 'cut-into', in which the instrument only penetrates the simulated tissue, and 'cut-through' in which the instrument cuts completely through. Haptic force feedback models for interaction between virtual instruments and object are also implemented, which allows the user to feel the contact forces through a haptic device. Towards interactive haptic simulation of cutting
Shahram Payandeh, Hilary Zhang, Jekeon Cha
International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 172 - 186
In this paper, we use an enhanced surface mass-spring model to simulate virtual dissection by progressive subdivision and re-meshing for cutting and cross-cutting. We introduce novel algorithms to generate interior structures that show the result of cutting generated by the interaction between instrument and model. Our simulator supports two types of cutting: 'cut-into', in which the instrument only penetrates the simulated tissue, and 'cut-through' in which the instrument cuts completely through. Haptic force feedback models for interaction between virtual instruments and object are also implemented, which allows the user to feel the contact forces through a haptic device.

]]> 10.1504/IJVTM.2010.032059 International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 172 - 186 Shahram Payandeh Hilary Zhang Jekeon Cha Experimental Robotics and Graphics Laboratory, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada. ' Experimental Robotics and Graphics Laboratory, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada. ' Experimental Robotics and Graphics Laboratory, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada surface mass-spring modelling cutting simulation progressive re-meshing haptic feedback virtual dissection force feedback virtual instruments tissue dissection. 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 1 2 172 186 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=32060 The future of tourism organisations and enterprises will be information-oriented, knowledge-driven and much of their daily processes will be automated around the internet. The internet, including multimedia, has provided tremendous potential for remote integration and collaboration in business applications. This paper attempts to provide a review of the application of multimedia technology in tourism environments. It justifies the application of multimedia in various tourism sub-domains such as tourism marketing, tourism education, mobile learning for travellers, mobile tourism guides, multimedia kiosks, virtual museums, virtual tours, multimedia travel plans, cooking studios based on web recipes, video conferencing and modelling demand for space tourism services. A conceptual framework for the design of multimedia systems for tourism is presented and discussed. Future research directions are also proposed. Current and future directions of multimedia technology in tourism
Dimitris N. Kanellopoulos
International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 187 - 206
The future of tourism organisations and enterprises will be information-oriented, knowledge-driven and much of their daily processes will be automated around the internet. The internet, including multimedia, has provided tremendous potential for remote integration and collaboration in business applications. This paper attempts to provide a review of the application of multimedia technology in tourism environments. It justifies the application of multimedia in various tourism sub-domains such as tourism marketing, tourism education, mobile learning for travellers, mobile tourism guides, multimedia kiosks, virtual museums, virtual tours, multimedia travel plans, cooking studios based on web recipes, video conferencing and modelling demand for space tourism services. A conceptual framework for the design of multimedia systems for tourism is presented and discussed. Future research directions are also proposed.

]]> 10.1504/IJVTM.2010.032060 International Journal of Virtual Technology and Multimedia, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2010) pp. 187 - 206 Dimitris N. Kanellopoulos Department of Tourism Management, Technological Educational Institute of Patras, Meg. Alexandrou 1, Patras GR 263 34, Greece tourism multimedia kiosks multimedia travel plans mobile tourism guides location-aware computing context-aware computing ontologies tourism marketing tourism education mobile learning m-learning travellers tourists virtual museums virtual tours cooking studios web recipes video conferencing space tourism modelling. 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00 1 2 187 206 2010-03-06T23:20:50-05:00