A prototype of goldfish software robot with real-time responsefunction by a parallel computer

摘要

This paper describes a parallel computing system and a softwarealgorithm for real-time interaction between a human user and thesynthesized moving goldfish images. Two realistic goldfish agentsappearing on a display can recognize the palm position and finger motion(finger sign) of the user, then respond to them in real-time. Theauthors have named this kind of interactive agent a `software robot'. Amodeling software named `BSSM' (Bone-Structured Solid Modeler), which issuitable for representing deformable objects (such as living things)plays an important role in the synthesis of realistic goldfish images.To realize the real-time interaction, they have developed an imagerecognition and synthesis system `TN-VIT' (Transputer Network withVisual Interface for Transputers). The image synthesis speed of theTN-VIT is about 25 frames per second including the finger-signrecognition process. The technology discussed is expected to play animportant role in the realization of future visual humaninterfaces