Intuitive Interaction for Immersive Visualization Systems

Intuitive Interaction for Immersive Visualization Systems
Torsten Bierz
PhD Thesis

Abstract:: Interaction in virtual environments is one of the most challenging research topics in many different areas. Within this dissertation two approaches for intuitive and immersive interaction are developed and implemented. The first approach uses haptic hardware, which provides force feedback, for enhancing the immersive effect of interacting with virtual environments. Therefore, different interaction metaphors for intuitive traveling and interacting with virtual objects have been integrated. These objects can be grabbed, moved, shifted or even thrown in the virtual environment. The second interaction method tracks gestures of the user by using low-cost consumer cameras, and interprets the gestures for interaction purpose. In this context the aspect of real-time interaction plays a major role, where the interaction based on gestures should be performed as soon as possible in order to provide an intuitive and usable interaction possibility.