Integrating virtual reality, tele-conferencing, and entertainment into multimedia home computers

It is pointed out that the integration of virtual reality techniques with multimedia teleconferencing leads to the development of tele-virtual conferencing systems, which synthesize panoramic, life-like three-dimensional video images and stereophonic audio. The authors investigate the architectural requirements of such systems and propose a high-level design of an intelligent multimedia interface unit (IMIU) capable of supporting tele-virtual conferencing in multimedia home computers. The IMIU is capable of supporting panoramic, life-like three-dimensional video images and stereophonic audio, so as to synthesize tele-virtual conferencing environments