A video chat system with depth information to express 3-D movement between remote spaces

Abstract

In recent years, the spread of tools with free video chat, such as Skype, has facilitated the use of video chat. We think that video chat can be used in informal communication. However, a problem with conventional video chat is that you feel a sense of distance to a dialogue partner compared to the face-to-face environment. In order to improve the problem, we have developed a partial overlay-type video chat system “DOACOM-Z.” DOACOM-Z can connect between remote places virtually through the frame that exists in an actual space. The system can express three-dimensional movement in the remote space using a depth sensor in both places. The system can give both expression’s “hiding in the remote space” and “pointing in the remote space.” In order examine the usefulness of the expression of three-dimensional movement in the remote space, we carried out a verification experiment of a feeling of intrusion and a verification experiment of a feeling of being intruded. From the results of the verification experiments, we found that the expression of three-dimensional movement can improve the feeling of intrusion compared to the expression of two-dimensional movement. In addition, a feeling of intrusion was obtained with both methods. We found that there are no significant differences between expressions. Regardless of the method, the image pointing object in its own space can provide a feeling of being intruded.