Exploring the Use of 360 Degree Curvilinear Displays for the Presentation of 3D Information

Abstract

In this thesis we examine 360 degree curvilinear displays and their potential for the display of 3D information. We present two systems: a spherical display prototype and a cylindrical display. Our spherical display prototype used the lack of set user position and natural visibility constraints of a spherical display to create a 3D display system that treated the sphere as a volumetric display through the use of 360 degree motion parallax and stereoscopy. We evaluated these properties by examining how our use of stereoscopy and 360 degree motion parallax, might aid in the preservation of basic body orientation cues and in pose estimation tasks in a telepresence application with our final cylindrical display. Results suggest the combined presence of 360 degree motion parallax and stereoscopic cues within our cylindrical display significantly improved the accuracy with which participants were able to assess gaze and hand pointing cues, and to instruct others on 3D body poses. The inclusion of 360 degree motion parallax and stereoscopic cues also led to significant increases in the sense of social presence and telepresence reported by participants.