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Exploration of points of interest (POI) in urban environments is challenging for the large amount of items near or reachable by the user and for the modality hindrances due to reduced manual flexibility and competing visual attention. We propose to combine different modalities, VR, AR, haptics-audio interfaces, with intelligent recommendation based on a computational method combining different data graph overlays: social, personal and search-time user input. We integrate such features in flexible itineraries that aid different phases and aspects of exploration.

Modern GPUs are powerful enough to enable interactive display of high-quality volume data even despite the fact that many volume rendering methods do not present a natural fit for current GPU hardware. However, there still is a vast amount of computational power that remains unused due to the inefficient use of the available hardware. In this work, we demonstrate how advanced scheduling methods can be employed to implement volume rendering algorithms in a way that better utilizes the GPU by example of three different state-of-the-art volume rendering techniques.

The two-component model is a human movement model in which an aimed movement is broken into a voluntary ballistic movement followed by a corrective movement. Recently, experimental evidence has shown that 3D aimed movements in virtual environments can be modeled using the two-component model. In this paper, we use the two-component model for designing 3D interaction techniques which aim at facilitating pointing tasks in virtual reality. This is achieved by parsing the 3D aimed movement in real time into the ballistic and corrective phases, and reducing the index of difficulty of the task during the corrective phase. We implemented two pointing techniques. The 'AutoWidth' technique increases the target width during the corrective phase and the 'AutoDistance' technique decreases the distance to the target at the end of ballistic phase. We experimentally demonstrated the benefit of these techniques by comparing them with freehand aimed movements. It was shown that both 'AutoWidth' and 'AutoDistance' techniques exhibit significant improvement on target acquisition time.

We present a lab assignment that accompanies a complete module called Real-time Graphics . The students task is to get familiar with content creation and programming a (previously) commercial 3D engine. In a first task, students have to create 3D content, which is integrated into the Quake3 engine. In a second task, the students have to implement a simple animation and finally add an impressive 3D graphics effect to the Quake3 engine. The lecture has been taught four times from 2004 to 2007. We present the assignment and report on experiences that we have gained.

Augmented Reality (AR) provides a natural interface to the ``calm'' pervasive technology anticipated in large-scale Ubiquitous Computing environments. However, the range of classic AR applications has been limited by the scope, range and cost of sensors used for tracking. Hybrid tracking approaches can go some way to extending this range. We propose an approach, called Ubiquitous Tracking, in which data from widespread and diverse heterogeneous tracking sensors is automatically and dynamically fused, and then transparently provided to applications. A formal model represents spatial relationships between objects as a graph attributed with quality-of-service parameters. This paper presents a software implementation, in which a dynamic data flow network of distributed software components is thereby constructed in response to queries and optimisation criteria specified by applications. This implementation is demonstrated using a small laboratory example, and larger setups modelled in a simulation environment.

Ubiquitous Computing (Ubicomp) environments require detailed, coherent and up-to-date spatial models of the world. However, current tracking technologies are limited in their range and operating environments. To extend the scope of Ubicomp applications, it will be necessary to combine heterogeneous tracking and sensor technologies dynamically, aggregating their data and balancing their trade-offs. In this paper, we propose a formal framework, called Ubiquitous Tracking, which uses a graph-based model of spatial relationships to build dynamically extendible networks of trackers with high-precision, low-latency requirements. The framework is powerful, allowing us to model existing complex tracking setups; extensible, accommodating new trackers, filtering schemes and optimisation criteria; and efficient, allowing an effective implementation within existing systems.

Our starting point for developing the Studierstube system was the belief that augmented reality, the less obtrusive cousin of virtual reality, has a better chance of becoming a viable user interface for applications requiring manipulation of complex three-dimensional information as a daily routine. In essence, we are searching for a 3-D user interface metaphor as powerful as the desktop metaphor for 2-D. At the heart of the Studierstube system, collaborative augmented reality is used to embed computer-generated images into the real work environment. In the first part of this paper, we review the user interface of the initial Studierstube system, in particular the implementation of collaborative augmented reality, and the Personal Interaction Panel, a two-handed interface for interaction with the system. In the second part, an extended Studierstube system based on a heterogeneous distributed architecture is presented. This system allows the user to combine multiple approaches - augmented reality, projection displays, and ubiquitous computing - to the interface as needed. The environment is controlled by the Personal Interacti Panel, a twohanded, pen-and-pad interface that has versatile uses for interacting with the virtual environment. Studierstube also borrows elements from the desktop, such as multitasking and multi-windowing. The resulting software architecture is a user interface management system for complex augmented reality applications. The presentation is complemented by selected application examples.

The advent of virtual reality (VR) technologies promised a revolution of processes in the workplace and of the workplace itself. Despite the envisioned opportunities, only research labs and major manufacturers in the automotive and aerospace industry frequently employ VR technologies today, and then only in highly specialized applications or phases of the working process.

The Virtual Table presents stereoscopic graphics to a user in a workbench-like setting. For this device, a user interface and new interaction techniques have been developed based on transparent props -a tracked hand-held pen and a pad. These props, particularly the pad, are augmented with 3D graphics from the Virtual Table's display that can serve as a palette for tools and controls as well as a window-like see-through interface, a plane-shaped and through-the-plane tool, supporting a variety of new interaction techniques. This paper reports on an extension of this user-interface design space which uses gestural input to create and control solid geometries for CAD and conceptual design. The application of gestural interfaces is a common method for interacting with virtual environments on a habitual and natural basis. The motion-based gesture recognition presented here uses Fuzzy Logic to support a predictable, flexible, and efficient learning process. This new interaction paradigm gr e atly increases the Virtual Table's suitability for design tasks. Traditional CAD dialogue can be combined with intuitive rapid sketching of geometry on the pad. Additionally, the resulting events and objects can be associated with scene details below the translucent tablet.