From: [email-masked] (George Bragg)
Date: Tue, 21 Jan 92 17:03:02 EST

*****  Computer Select (LAN), Jan 1992 : Doc #25736  *****

Journal:   AI Expert  August 1991 v6 n8 p40(2)
           * Full Text COPYRIGHT Miller Freeman Publications 1991.
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Title:     Virtual reality resource guide. (directory)
Author:    Enrado, Patty.
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Descriptors..
Topic:     Directories
           Software Publishers
           Virtual Reality
           Turnkey Systems
           Research and Development
           I/O Devices
           Hardware Vendors
           Modeling
           Simulation.

Record#:   11 056 781.
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Full Text:

Virtual reality is slowly making the move from the research lab to the
showroom.  A few companies are beginning to offer a wide range of commercial
VR hardware, software, and services.  We have listed those companies that
responded to our survey; for more information about their products, please
contact them directly.

ASCENSION TECHNOLOGY CORP.

The Bird is a single transmitter/single receiver 6-D tracking device with a
range of 24 inches.  Flock of Birds is a multiple transmitter/multiple
receiver tracking device offering 100 measurements per second for each Flock
receiver at a range of 36 inches.  Big Bird is a long-range transmitter
option for the Flock of Birds.

Ascension Technology Corp., P.O. Box 527, Burlington, Vt.  05402, (802)
655-7879, fax (802) 655-5904.

AUTODESK INC.

Autodesk is developing a line of cyberspace products, including Autodesk's
cyberspace developers' program.

Autodesk Inc., 2320 Marinship Way, Sausalito, Calif.  94965, (415) 332-2344.

CRYSTAL RIVER ENGINEERING INC.

Convolvotron, which is part of Crystal River Engineering's 3-D Virtual Audio
Sound System, is a high-speed digital signal processing system capable of
presenting real-time externalized 3-D sound cues over headphones.

Crystal River Engineering Inc., 12350 Wards Ferry Rd., Groveland, Calif.
95321, (209) 962-6382.

FAKE SPACE LABS

Bionocular Omni-Orientation Monitor (BOOM) is a counterbalanced CRT-based
stereoscopic viewing device that enables interactive and real-time viewpoint
control of 3-D environments generated by computer or camera.  The BOOM lets
users enter and leave virtual environments without having to "suit up."

Molly is a teleoperated motion platform that transmits sounds and images from
remote locations.  Operated with a head-coupled stereo viewer, the Molly
pans, tilts, and rolls in real-time to track the user's head motion.

Fake Space Labs, 935 Hamilton Ave., Menlo Park, Calif.  94025, (415)
688-1940, fax (415) 688-1949.

LEEP SYSTEMS INC.

Cyperface 2 Model 1 is a standard headmounted display that uses two diagonal
high-resolution (479 x 234 pixel) color LCD video panels for wide-angle
stereoscopic VR.  LEEP also provides wide-angle optics (lenses and housing)
to virtual-reality companies.  Its virtual-reality systems include monochrome
and color headsets.

LEEP Systems Inc., 241 Crescent St., Waltham, Mass.  02154, (617) 647-1395,
fax (617) 899-9602.

POLHEMUS INC.

3Space Tracker computes the position and orientation of a small sensor as it
moves through space in real time.  3Space Digitizer is a device for measuring
3-D space that computes the X, Y, and Z coordinates of any nonmetallic object
and enters them in a file for future processing.  3Space Isotrak is a 3-D
digitizer and a single-sensor motion tracker.

Polhemus Inc., P.O. Box 560, Colchester, Vt.  05446, (802) 655-3159, fax
(802) 655-1439.

SENSE8 CORP.

WorldToolKit is a C library to import to AutoCAD models, animate and
illuminate the models, and add surface textures.  WorldTool Development
System includes an 80486 personal computer, WorldToolKit software, MetaWare
High C compiler, two Intel ActionMedia i750 graphics board, two VGA-to-NTSC
converters, and a six degree-of-freedom input device.

Sense8 Corp., 1001 Bridgeway, P.O. Box 477, Sausality, Cali.  94965, (415)
331-6318, fax (415) 331-9148.

SIMGRAPHICS ENGINEERING CORP.

Flying Mouse is an input device that combines existing 2-D and 3-D
input-device characteristics.  The Flying Mouse allows for manipulation of
objects or views in 3-D.  Ideal applications include CAD/CAM, animation,
molecular modeling, and ABC analysis visualization.  VR Workbench consists of
libraries for building user interfaces, controlling 3-D devices, and managing
information display.  BodyBuilders is an application that allows
specification and construction of anthropometrically correct adult human body
geometry.

SimGraphics Engineering Corp., 1137 Huntington Dr., South Pasadena, Calif.
91030, (213) 255-0900, fax (213) 255-0987.

STEREOGRAPHICS CORP.

CrystalEyes are a stereo-vewing glasses.  StereoGraphics also has add-on
packages for workstations, PCs, and Macintoshes, and stereo camera systems.

StereoGraphics Corp. 2171-H East Francisco Blvd., San Rafael, Calif.  94901,
(415) 459-4500

TELEPRESENCE RESEARCH

Telepresence Research offers consulting and prototype services, technology
development, integrated installations, and portable and networked systems.
Development is focused on entertainment, learning and exploration, training
and simulation, scientific visualization, and remote-presence application
areas.

Telepresence Research, 635 High St., Palo Alto, Calif.  94301, (415)
325-8951, fax (415) 325-8952.

3-D IMAGETEK CORP.

3-D Image Tek has a video helmet and optic lense system designed for a broad
range of helmets for field of view and resolution.  The 3-D monitor system
comes either with LCD glasses or audio-stereoscopic technology.

3-D Image Tek Corp., 4525-B San Fernando Rd., Glendale, Calif.  91204, (818)
507-1269, fax (818) 507-8537.

TINI ALLOY CORP.

Provides its "memory metals" product and technology services to developers
and researchers for developer systems and computer-interface companies.

TiNi Alloy Corp., 1144 65th St., Emeryville, Calif.  94608, (415) 658-3172,
fax (415) 658-3764.

VIRTUAL TECHNOLOGIES

CyberGlove instrumented glove features up to 22 sensors, Virtual Hand
software, gesture recognition, and force feedback.  CyberWear instrumented
clothing includes the full-body CyberSuit.  Virtual Hand software displays a
graphic representation of hand and finger motions on a computer screen.

Virtual Technologies, P.O. Box 5984, Stanford, Calif.  94309, (415) 599-2331.

VPL RESEARCH

DataGlove is a glove input device that converts hand motion into
computer-readable form.  EyePhone is a head-mounted stereo color display.
AudioSphere is a 3-D real-time sound rendering system.  Isaac is a real-time
visual rendering system.  Body Electric is a real-time simulation operating
system for VR.  RB2 Swivel is a tool for designing 3-D objections in a
virtual world.  RB2 (Reality Built for 2) is a complete off-the-shelf VR
system, including a DataGlove, EyePhone, AudioSphere, and two Silicon
Graphics workstation, with software.

VPL Research, 656 Bair Island Rd., 3rd Fl., Redwood City, Calif.  94063,
(415) 306-1150, fax (415) 361-1845.

 *****  Computer Select (LAN), Jan 1992 : Doc #66342  *****

Journal:   Newsbytes  Jan 31 1991
           * Full Text COPYRIGHT Newsbytes Inc. 1991.
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Title:     New publication devoted to virtual reality - CyberEdge.
Author:    Stokell, Ian.
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Descriptors..
Topic:     CyberEdge Journal (Periodical)
           Newsletters
           Virtual Reality.

Record#:   10 345 156.
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Full Text:

NEW PUBLICATION DEVOTED TO VIRTUAL REALITY - CYBEREDGE 01/31/91 MILL VALLEY,
CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 JAN 31 (NB) -- The emerging study of virtual
realities and related technology has spawned another publication.  CyberEdge
Journal is a new newsletter that will cover the field of interactive computer
interfaces and is aimed at those with a professional interest in the field.

The publisher, Ben Delaney, until recently direct marketing manager of PC
World, maintains that the publication will provide a chronicle and journal of
record for those in the industry.  He also explained that one of the reasons
for producing the newsletter was that rapid advancements in virtual reality
and related technologies has outpaced the ability of many professionals to
stay current.

At the time, he says, the market for virtual reality-related products is
worth about $20 million annually, but it is expected to grow dramatically in
the next decade.

Charter subscriptions are $59/year until February 28 when the price goes up
to $87/year.  CyberEdge Journal is published at 928 Greenhill Road, Mill
Valley, CA 94941, phone 415 383 2458 or fax 415 389 0251.

(Ian Stokell/19910131/Press contact: Ben Delaney, 415-383-2458; fax,
415-389-0251)

 *****  Computer Select (LAN), Jan 1992 : Doc #2734  *****

Journal:   Newsbytes  Nov 25 1991
           * Full Text COPYRIGHT Newsbytes Inc. 1991.
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Title:     Nintendo Power Glove in virtual reality patent controversy.
Author:    Rohrbough, Linda.
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Descriptors..
Company:   VPL Research Inc. (Patents)
           Nintendo Company Ltd. (Patents).
Topic:     Patent
           Virtual Reality
           Legal Issues
           Cursor Control Devices.

Record#:   11 552 152.
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Full Text:

Nintendo Power Glove In Virtual Reality Patent Controversy 11/25/91 PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1991 NOV 25 (NB) -- Controversy has sprung up in the
virtual reality (VR) world over the Nintendo Power Glove, a glove originally
designed by VPL and marketed by Nintendo for its video game system.  VR
software designers say that they would like to allow users to use their Power
Gloves with VR software applications, but VPL Research says no.

A glove as an input device is very attractive for virtual reality
applications because the user can make hand signals the computer can
interpret as commands, like pointing to go forward or a fist to pick up an
object in a virtual world.

Companies that also make VR software like Vream in Chicago or Age in New York
would like users to be able to purchase and use the Power Glove with their
applications, but are wary of VPL's backing and potential legal tangles.

Company sources told Newsbytes that VPL has told these software makers they
cannot use the Power Glove or even write software drivers for it.  It is a
matter of intellectual property in VPL's eyes.

One source told Newsbytes: "It's like buying a Jeep and being told you can
only drive it in the mountains, or like buying a car from Ford and then being
told you can only buy gas for it from Ford."

Newsbytes asked Jaron Lanier, chief executive officer of VPL about the issue
with the Power Glove and third parties writing software drivers for it at the
recent Cyberarts show in Pasadena, California.  He said: "I have to walk a
fine line between being cool

and committing commercial suicide -- so all I can say to ally your fears is,
'Don't worry about it'."

Besides its involvement with Nintendo on the Power Glove, VPL has announced
that it is adding four new gloves to its line of gloves for VR use.  The new
Dataglove Model 2+ is an enhanced version of the DG2, but is more durable.

Three new VPL tactile feedback gloves are being introduced this year - the
THX, TSR and, FBX.  Tactile feedback gloves allow the playback of the feel of
an object through force sensitive resistors

(FSR) that line their inner surface.  When an object is grasped, a
proportional pressure pattern of forces is generated over the FSR's.  That
pattern can be played back on the Dataglove, VPL claims.

(Linda Rohrbough/19911125/Press Contact: Jaron Lanier, VPL Research, Tel:
415-306-1150, Fax: 415-361-1845, Edward R. LaHood, Vream, Tel: 312-477-0425)