Research on Curved Screen Projection for VR from Canada

[cadcoke5]

I came across this article on Engadget which says, "The Communications Research Centre of Canada was on hand at NAB to demonstrate a small variety of lab projects, ... This particular project employs an off-the-shelf Optoma 3D projector, active glasses and a white screen positioned with a dramatic curve, that essentially works to provide a platform for 3D subjects to stand on."

A search of the organization's web site didn't show up any more information. http://www.crc.gc.ca. We have discussed curved screens before on this forum. But, that has mostly been with screens curved vertically, or on spherical screens. They discuss the benefit of "grounding" the viewer, so that the observer feels more a part of the virtual world. It is worth noting that they did not map the projection screen (i.e. adjust for distortion), but felt it we quite immersive without it.

Here is the brief Engadget article and video;
http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/17/curv ... -hands-on/

Joe Dunfee

[PalmerTech]

Grounding the viewer is definitely important. If you are going to build a CAVE, the two most important screens to cover are the wall in front of you, and the floor.

I don't get why they did not correct for warping though, that is going to ruin the 3D effect, and it would have been easy to fix. I don't trust Engadget as far as 3D goes.

[cadcoke5]

In case my meaning didn't get across, I should have said, "they did not map the projection screen, but felt it WAS quite immersive without it."

The interviewer was, at least, able to understand what mapping was. They said, "The demonstration projector wasn't configured to compensate for the curve, which theoretically makes it subject to warping, though we didn't notice any issues at the show".

They knew what to look for and were expecting the lack of mapping to be a problem. But they felt it was important to mention that it wasn't a problem for the image they were experiencing. That may be an important lesson for the anyone tinkering with VR. Sometimes you can get away with shortcuts.

Joe Dunfee

[motorman45]

there are interface boxes that will distort the image to fit a curved screen as well as demultiplex 3d at the same time.

[cadcoke5]

A bit more on curved screen projection for telepresence conferencing. Microsoft is in the act, and this time using a stereo projector.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18005498

Original Microsoft site
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/ ... HI2012.pdf

Microsoft's video demo of the system
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaCjTog0u40

They use a Kinect to obtain a 3D model of the work objects. Then, the other person sees the virtual object. They also allow interaction with the virtual object, by sensing the user's hands with a Kinect. The Microsoft technical site gives a lot of technical details.

Joe Dunfee

[motorman45]

This is really cool. ive seen someone else doing 3D on a curved surface like this but not with the kinect as a tracking and image capture device. you know my company makes NIR filters used for modding the kinect. its cool to see microsoft getting in on these ideas.

[cybereality]

Interesting. Thanks for the links.