http://www.forum8.com
Vol.50 2011/9/30
1. Multi-Cluster digital signage system with infrared depth sensor
2. UC-win/Road CG movie service
3. Interview with Prof. Galea, a developer of evacuation software EXODUS
4. 18th World Congress on ITS ORLANDO 2011
5. Overseas Training and Seminars

1. Multi-Cluster digital signage system with infrared depth sensor
What is the digital signage?
The digital signage is the electronic advertisement medium which uses the computer for display and communication. With its communication function, it can obtain and display the new information all the time as well as control from the distance. The advertisement movie can be freely changed and you do not need to go to the place where the poster is posted and change it any more.

Moreover, as this system is controlled by computer, the information such as the contents and layout can be automatically changed based on the situation.
Available for various mediums
The digital signage system is available for various mediums such as the information terminal and wall display including normal display, multi-display system, multi-media station. The multi-display system provides the special effect by displaying a movie on multiple screens and displaying different movies on each screen.

The digital signage systems in different places can be controlled and managed together, and it is easy to display the same advertisement in many different places and integrate the contents of each display. It enables the advertisement medium to move autonomously by the combination with the robot such as ALSOK An9-PR.

It is expected the effective display of advertisement due to the free control function which allows the switching of advertisement contents based on the place and time, and the special news flash services in an emergency situation. Currently, this system has been used for not only for advertising but other purposes such as the navigation board and news flash.
Intuitive operation and multi-screen synchronism display using infrared depth sensor
FORUM8 has developed the Multi-Cluster digital signage system using the infrared depth sensor.
Currently, the 6 screens of cluster signage is settled in the showroom in the Tokyo head office (Figure3-7).

Figure3 Sensor vision in front of feet Figure4 Air driving simulation with 6 cluster signages

Figure6 Overview of Multi-Cluster digital signage system with infrared depth sensor
Figure5 6 screens of cluster signage Figure7 Display image


The infrared depth sensor allows the intuitive operation. In addition, the Multi-Cluster system enables the synchronism display on 6 screens.

The infrared depth sensor is setup at the bottom of display. The intuitive operation is available by using it, without touching the display and computer.

This infrared depth sensor is scheduled to use Kinect(TM) sensor or XtionPRO (Figure8). The effective range of both sensors is about 3.5m, and the digital signage system can be freely controlled within that range (Figure9).

Kinect(TM) sensor XtionPRO
Figure8 Infrared depth sensor (Kinect(TM), XtionPRO)
 Figure9 Kinect(TM) infrared depth sensor


Only the infrared depth sensor is mounted on XtionPRO, and the system can be downsized. Kinect(TM) sensor has the camera and microphone additionally so that you can operate with the voice.
Multi-Cluster system similar to 8DOF DS
The Multi-Cluster system uses the system similar to the very large type of DS system, 8 DOF (8 Cluster Driving Simulator) (Figure8). The Multi-Cluster system uses multiple machines to generate the movie, therefore, it can keep the high frame rate while the highly-loaded image process. In addition, the display property can be set by the machine on control side, and you don't need to touch individual machine separately.

 
Figure8 8DOF Multi-Display system


In 6 screens of cluster signage system, RGN camera will be settled at the upper side of display to register the operational movement. The acquired information from RGB camera is transferred to the development team as feedback so that it is expected to be used for the improvement of the operability (*1).

*1)Acquisition and use of data is performed only after getting the permission.

For more details, please see Up&Coming Vol.93.

2.UC-win/Road CG movie service
  • This service provides the high-accurate movie file created by POV-Ray. The high-performance computing allows the high-accurate movie which is not available in real. In addition, with POV-Ray, the script file can be edited with editor after outputting with UC-win/Road.

    Service flow
    1. Create the scenes in UC-win/Road.
    2. Adjust the movie contents.
    3. Create the POV-Ray script.
    4. Render per frame(with high-performance computing)
    5. Create the movie file from rendered result.
    6. Deliver the movie file.

    Future development
    • Supports for the creation of movie file.
    • Supports for the objects(Rain, snow, fire (smoke)) which were not available for POV-Ray in Ver.5.2.
Setting of atmosphere with POV-Ray (Effect of fog)
Example of the rendered model with POV-Ray. VR model for modification of the surrounding environment in the river, northern china.
Model output from UC-win/Road (Left) and the rendered CG with "POV-Ray", high-performance computer (Right)

3.Interview with Prof. Galea, a developer of the evacuation analysis software "EXODUS"
Special Interview "Ask Prof. Galea, the world authority of evacuation analysis !"
Prof. Edwin R Galea, The University of Greenwich Fire Safety Engineering Group
Prof. Galea is a developer of the evacuation simulation software "EXODUS" and the fire simulation software "SMARTFIRE" as well as a director of the university of Greenwich fire safety engineering group. While he is having the development meeting with FORUM8 engineers, he was interviewed by the construction IT journalist, Mr. Ryuta Ieiri. Prof. Galea has developed and improved these software based on the survey results from 9/11 and the evacuation examination from all over the world, and he mentioned the vision of Tsunami evacuation analysis and the use of SNS and GIS when the disaster occurs. See more details.
Prof. Galea explaining how to use EXODUS (at FORUM8 Tokyo head office)

The movement of the crowd of people in the open space (Above) and the analysis result of EXODUS (Below)

4.18th World Congress on ITS ORLANDO 2011
18th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems ORLANDO 2011
18th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems ORLANDO 2011
This exhibition is the conference where the world's leading transportation policy makers, technology, IT engineers, and business professionals gather from across the world to exchange the results of development research on the latest ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) and the related information, and discuss business.
<Date / Location>
Location Date Venue Note
USA October 16(Sunday)-20(Thursday), 2011 Orlando Orange County Convention Center
<Exhibition title / products>
3DVR on cloud!
VR-Cloud(TM)		 VR-Cloud(TM) Collaboration/Standard/Flash Version
Virtual Design World Cup
Virtual Design World Cup workshop Shibuya model is posted on VR-Cloud(TM).		 VR-Cloud(TM) Collaboration forum function
UC-win/Road for RoboCar(R) Auto parking

Ver.5.2 June 9, 2011 release
Point cloud data modeling FBX 3D model
VISSIM supported A setup of a cockpit
Replay option Composition of a vehicles movement model
Road surface attribute Tunnel lighting function
An improvement of a scenario function An improvement of a walk simulation
Noise simulation
Point cloud data modeling Noise simulation
Replay option
VR-Studio Large scaled multi VR
  • The advanced VR system structured with the new architecture. It is available for the large scaled project such as a wide range of terrain range, and supports the new CAD style of user interface, multi-user editing, multithread, and the section change to perform more effectively and rapidly.
VR-Studio(R) Construction of large space space
< Overview of event >
Organization Intelligent Transportation Society of America
URL http://www.itsworldcongress.org/

5.Overseas Training and Seminars
Seminars in Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul will be held according to the following schedule.

Venue:
Shanghai - Shanghai Seminar room (FORUM8 Technology Development(Shanghai) Co., Ltd)
Beijing - TBA (FORUM8 Technology Development(Beijing) Co., Ltd)
Seoul-FORUM 8 Korean Office

Seminar Date City
UC-win/Road VR   November 10, 2011 Shanghai, Beijing 
November 11, 2011 Seoul 
UC-win/Road DS October 6, 2011 Seoul
UC-win/Road -SDK October 18, 2011 Shanghai, Beijing
October 19, 2011 Seoul 
Engineer's Studio(R),
Engineer's Studio(R)(2D))		 December 1, 2011 Shanghai, Beijing 
December 2, 2011 Seoul 
VR-Cloud(TM)
 November 24, 2011 Shanghai, Beijing
November 25, 2011 Seoul 
Allplan October 13, 2011 Shanghai, Beijing 
October 14, 2011 Seoul 
UC-1 Series October 26, 2011 Shanghai, Beijing 
October 27, 2011 Seoul 
Design Builder December 15, 2011 Shanghai, Beijing 
December 16, 2011 Seoul 
Designing Retaining wall Ver.2/Temporary Sheathing Work Design Ver.2 December 9, 2011 Seoul 
High-performance computing on cloud services(TM) October 12, 2011 Seoul 
Participation Fee
Participation Fee Free

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