MRI: Development of Viz Tangibles and VizNet: Instrumentation for Interactive Visualization, Simulation, and Collaboration

该项目开发了一种新的研究仪器和工具，用于交互式、协作性、网络化的3D可视化，创造了一种新的物理交互设备类型，称为“VIZ有形设备”。这些设备允许用户加载和保存数据、操纵参数、及时导航、控制电话会议链路以及执行其他关键操作。该系统可以很容易地在会议室或办公室之间移动，并可以与单声道或立体声投影仪连接。这一努力使科学家能够显著提高科学可视化在研究、教育、协作和与公众互动中的实用性、可用性和协作潜力。由此产生的工具将被部署、利用并整合到路易斯安那州五个校区的研究和教育中，这五个校区已经通过许多学术合作联系在一起。这些平台的核心元素是“有形的VIZ”，是小型的模块化交互设备，通常嵌入不同的交互装置、指示器和联网的微控制器。到目前为止，已经实现了三个基本的和三个专门的有形实体，它们遵循一个简单的语法，在物理和功能上相互关联。一台设备加载并保存在线信息、应用程序和参数，这些信息、应用程序和参数由带有RFID标签的卡引用。另一种设备包括一个可回缩的“参数轮”，它支持连续离散参数的操作。第三种设备提供类似VCR的按钮控件，可以驱动各种交互。这些设备共同为各种可视化和模拟应用程序提供核心操作，具有类似于图形用户界面“文件”和“编辑”菜单的功能，但针对简单、协作、半沉浸式、分散注意力的使用进行了优化。开发人员包括在可视化、人机交互、网格计算、软件工程以及电子、机械和产品设计方面具有专业知识的研究人员。合作者包括来自洛杉矶理工大学路易斯安那州立大学医学院的生物力学、化学、计算流体力学、海岸和飓风模型以及数值相对论的教员。更广泛的影响：这些有形物质的应用范围从实验室到科学教育中心。该网络连接了研究机构、医学中心、历史上的黑人大学和超级计算机中心。

This project, developing a new kind of research instrument and tools for interactive, collaborative, networked 3D visualization, creates a new genre of physical interaction devices, called "viz tangibles." These devices allow users to load and save data, steer parameters, navigate in time, control teleconference links, and perform other key operations. The system can be easily moved between conference rooms or offices, and can be connected with mono or stereo projectors. The effort enables scientists to significantly enhance the utility, usability, and collaborative potential for scientific visualization in research, education, collaboration, and interaction with the general public. The resulting tools will be deployed, utilized, and integrated into research and education at five Louisiana campuses which are already linked together by numerous academic collaborations. The central elements of these platforms, the "viz tangibles," are small, modular interaction devices, typically embedded with different interactors, indicators, and networked microcontrollers. So far, three basic and three specialized viz tangibles, interconnected physically and functionally following a simple grammar, have been implemented. One device loads and saves online information, applications, and parameters, which are referenced with RFID-tagged cards. Another device includes a rebindable "parameter wheel," that supports the manipulation of continuous discrete parameters. A third device provides VCR-like button controls that may drive a variety of interactions. Together, these devices provide core operations for a wide variety of visualization and simulation applications, with functionality resembling the GUI "file" and "edit" menus, but optimized for simple, collaborative, semi-immersive, divided-attention use. The development includes researchers with expertise in visualization, human-computer-interaction, grid computing, software engineering, and electronic, mechanical, and product design. Collaborators include faculty in biomechanics from LSU Medical, Southern U., LaTech; chemistry; computational fluid dynamics; coastal and hurricane modeling; and numerical relativity. Broader Impact: Application of these viz tangibles range from the laboratory to the science education center. The network links research institutions, a medical center, a historically black university, and a supercomputer center.