Three-dimensional image capturing and representation for multimedia ambiance communication

Multimedia Ambiance Communication is as a means of achieving shared-space communication in an immersive environment consisting of an arch-type stereoscopic projection display. Our goal is to enable shared-space communication by creating a photo-realistic three-dimensional (3D) image space that users can feel a part of. The concept of a layered structure defined for painting, such as long-range, mid-range, and short-range views, can be applied to a 3D image space. New techniques, such as two-plane expression, high quality panorama image generation and setting representation for image processing, 3D image representation and generation for photo-realistic 3D image space have been developed. Also, we propose a life-like avatar within the 3D image space. To obtain the characteristics of user's body, a human subject is scanned using a Cyberware™ whole body scanner. The output from the scanner, a range image, is a good start for modeling the avatar's geometric shape. A generic human surface model is fitted to the range image. The obtained model is topologically equivalent even if our method is applied to another subject. If a generic model with motion definitions is employed, and common motion rules can be applied to all models made from the generic model.