Context awareness is an important functionality for wearable computers. In particular, the computer should know where the person is in the environment. This paper proposes an image sequence matching technique for the recognition of locations and previously visited places. As in single word recognition in speech recognition, a dynamic programming algorithm is proposed for the calculation of the similarity of different locations. The system runs on a stand alone wearable computer such as a Libretto PC. Using a training sequence a dictionary of locations is created automatically. These locations are then be recognized by the system in realtime using a hatmounted camera.

DyPERS, 'Dynamic Personal Enhanced Reality System', is a wearable system which uses augmented reality and computer vision to autonomously retrieve 'media memories' based on associations with real objects the user encounters. These are evoked as audio and video clips taken by the user and overlayed on top of real objects the user looks at. The user's visual and auditory scene is stored in real-time by the system (upon request) and is then associated (by user input) with a snap shot of a visual object. The object acts as a key which is detected by a real-time vision system when it is in view, triggering DyPERS to playback the appropriate audio-visual sequence. The vision system is a probabilistic algorithm which is capable of discriminating between hundreds of everyday objects under varying viewing conditions (lighting, pose, etc.). The record-and-associate paradigm of the system has many potential applications. Results on the use of the system in a museum tour scenario are described.

Due to the lack of a generic platform for location- and spatial-aware systems, many basic services have to be reimplemented in each application that uses spatial-awareness. A cooperation among different applications is also difficult to achieve without a common platform. In this paper we present a platform that solves these problems. It provides an infrastructure that is based on computer models of regions of the physical world, which are augmented by virtual objects. We show how virtual objects make the integration of existing information systems and services in spatial-aware systems easier. Furthermore, our platform supports interactions between the computer models and the real world and integrates single models in a global "Augmented World". Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 General Idea 4 2.1 Augmented Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2.2 Augmented World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3 Example Scenario 6 4 Require...

Abstract. In this paper we propose a novel wearable interface called “ActiveBelt ” that enables users to obtain multiple directional information with the tactile sense. Since the information provided by the tactile sense is relatively unobtrusive, it is suited for daily use in mobile environments. However, many existing systems don’t transmit complex information via the tactile sense. Most of them send only simple signals, such as vibration in cellular phones. ActiveBelt is a novel belt-type wearable tactile display that can transmit directional information. We have developed prototype systems and applications, evaluated system performance and usability, and demonstrated the possibility of practical use. 1

Todays, we assist to the explosive development of mobile computing devices li PDAs and cell-phones, thei)"fl grati n of embedded intellience (liN Webserver)i more and more common deviH:: and the proliU"H ti n of wireless communication technologies (IRdA, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11, GPRS). All these trends contribute to move us closer to the ubiquitous computing world described by Mark Weiser. But while

DyPERS, 'Dynamic Personal Enhanced Reality System', uses augmented reality and computer vision to autonomously retrieve 'media memories' based on associations with real objects the user encounters. These are evoked as audio and video clips relevant for the user and overlayed on top of real objects the user encounters. The system utilizes an adaptive, audio-visual learning system on a tetherless wearable computer. The user's visual and auditory scene is stored in real-time by the system (upon request) and is then associated (by user input) with a snap shot of a visual object. The object acts as a key such that when the real-time vision system detects its presence in the scene again, DyPERS plays back the appropriate audio-visual sequence. The vision system is a probabilistic algorithm which is capable of discriminating between hundreds of everyday objects under varying viewing conditions (lighting, view changes, etc.). Once an audio-visual clip is stored, the vision system automatically...

. An agent augmented community is a new framework that uses agent technologies for the augmentation of our community activities by integrating cyberspace, the real world, and personal contexts. We have been developing a mobile agent system that can recognize real world situations, move to remote computers, and process information through communication among agents. The detection of real world situations is performed through the integration of various methods, including location awareness using a global positioning system (GPS) and object recognition through machine-recognizable IDs (barcodes, infrared, etc.). One of our testbeds is a campus navigation system that provides information about the facilities and activities of a university campus environment according to the user's physical location and individual needs. It can be personalized for the user by using user-specific information about her interests and preferences. The other testbed is a new tool for the augmentatio...

An important function for wearable computers is the recognition of places and locations. This paper proposes an image sequence matching technique for the recognition of previously visited places. Similar in spirit to single word recognition in speech recognition, a dynamic programming algorithm is proposed for the calculation of dissimilarities of video sequences. Such video sequences represent not only the place itself but also the approaching trajectory. The algorithm uses a simple and robust representation of a single frame without compromising the discrimination between different places. Preliminary experimental results demonstrate the discrimination and the robustness of the approach with respect to the angle of the approaching trajectory. 1. Introduction Computers and cameras are becoming small enough to wear. Computers are being equipped with cameras, microphones and other sensors, which can be used to interpret what people are doing, where they are and with whom they are inte...

As mobile devices become more frequently used by an ever-increasing user base, more efficient methods of use are desired. We are designing a system to use information about the user's context, including physical, social, and temporal facts, to achieve this, possibly through better user interfaces, application selection, or communication network selection. This paper discusses the structure of the system, including the hierarchy and classification of information. We then describe the working prototype we have built to acquire physical context cues through low-level sensors. Using data collected with this prototype, we show that differentiating between a number of modes is possible using either a standard back-propagating or a modular neural network. 1. INTRODUCTION Over the last few years more and more small and mobile devices with extended computing power, such as PDAs, Handheld computers, and mobile phones, are emerging. These devices are used in the work environment as well as in ...

Much attention has been given to the creation of adaptive user interfaces by the intelligence user interface design community. Such efforts have been driven by the recognition that different users are motivated by different needs and goals. Of late, driven by the same need for user customization, attention has focused on the research and development of adaptive agent technologies. However, in both of these areas--intelligent user interfaces and agents--little attention has been given to the cultural influences at play in the shaping of user needs and user modes of interaction and communication. This paper argues that culture underlies every aspect of social behavior and influences individual communication style, personality, character, motivation, knowledge, and cognitive mechanisms. The role of the individual within the group; modalities of communication, that is, the degree and mix of verbal and non-verbal communication; and group dynamics are all culturally dependent. Since this is ...