HCC: Collaborative Research: PHYSNET: Physical Interaction Using the Internet

远程沉浸式环境允许相隔一定距离的人们在共享的3D虚拟环境中通过使用大型摄像机网络进行真实的实时物理交互和通信，该大型摄像机网络能够捕获和重建3D图像和声音，并随后集成来自地理上分布的站点的多媒体数据。该项目开发和部署了下一代远程沉浸式环境，为没有昂贵的超级计算设施和专用网络的普通用户构建。更具体地说，该项目的愿景是创造一个地理分布和成本效益的远程沉浸式环境，方便普通人在他们的家中或学校或医生办公室或工作培训设施的监督下进行体育活动，教练，治疗师，或者说，教师是不可能做到的。该项目的更广泛的影响是促进老年人和残疾人在他们的生活中的身体互动和沟通。在家庭和工作场所与亲属、保健提供者和其他服务提供者接触，特别是在康复、恢复或培训期间需要互动时。该项目还将研究使用普通互联网连接的多媒体分布式通信，这种通信不需要高带宽或极其昂贵的设备，因此可能会促进更广泛地使用远程沉浸式环境。

Tele-immersive environments allow people separated by distance to physically interact and communicate in real time inside a shared 3D virtual environment through the use of large camera networks that enable the capture and reconstruction of 3D images and sound and the subsequent integration of this multimedia data from geographically distributed sites. This project develops and deploys a next generation tele-immersive environment built for the common user who does not have the luxury of expensive supercomputing facilities and dedicated networks. More particularly, the vision of this project is to create a geographically distributed and cost effective tele-immersive environment that facilitates ordinary people performing physical activities in their homes or schools or doctor''s offices or job training facilities under the supervision of a trainer, therapist, or teacher who is not co-located.The broader impact of this project is in facilitating physical interaction and communication of the elderly and persons with disabilities in their homes and work places with relatives, health care providers, and other service providers, in particular whenever they need some interaction during a period of rehabilitation, recovery or training. This project will also examine multimedia distributed communication using common Internet connectivity, which does not require high bandwidth or extremely expensive equipment, and thus may promote wider use of tele-immersive environments.