Thesis (Ph.D.)--Drexel University, 2009. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-84).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Drexel University, 2009. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-60).

This thesis introduces the use of catadioptrics for multidimensional interaction in the approach called Reflections. In computer graphics there is a need for multidimensional interaction that is not restricted by cabling connected to the input device. The use of a camera and computer vision presents a solution to the cabling problem. Unfortunately this solution presents an equally challenging problem: a single camera alone can not accurately calculate depth and is therefore not suitable for multidimensional interaction. This thesis presents a solution, called reflections to this problem. Reflections makes use of only a single camera and one or more mirrors to accurately calculate 3D, 5D, and 6D information in real time. Two applications in which this approach is used for natural, non-intrusive and multidimensional interaction are the Virtual Drums Project and Ndebele painting in virtual reality. The interaction in these applications and in particular the Virtual Drums is appropriate and intuitive, e.g. the user plays the drums with a real drumstick. Several computer vision algorithms are described in this thesis, which are used in the implementation of the Virtual Drums Project. / Dissertation (MSc ( Computer Science))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Computer Science / unrestricted

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis documents the research, design, implementation and successful testing of a prototype camera probe to survey the inside of hard rock boreholes. Rock core images are intended to aid mine geologists in recording the borehole rock layers. The system consists of a wide-angle fisheye lens mounted onto a CMOS digital image sensor. The image data is read in and processed by an FPGA, then stored on a removable sn flash memory card. All of the aforementioned components are mounted inside a watertight Perspex tube. Application specific PC software is used to process the data to form strip images of the borehole wall. Using mathematical correlation, these images are stitched together into a virtual core that is a flattened representation of the rock inside the borehole. The probe contains its own power and light source which enables it to be deployed easily with no external wires needed for operation. The storage capacity, image quality, and lighting design can be improved in future design revisions. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die inhoud van hierdie tesis behels die navorsmg, ontwerp, implementering, en suksesvolle toetsing van 'n prototipe kameraprobe wat dit moontlik maak om die binnewand van boorgate in harde rots te besigtig. Beelde van die rotskern vergemaklik die taak van myngeoloë wat die rotslae, waardeur die boorgat strek, moet opteken. Die stelsel behels 'n wyehoek bollens wat op 'n CMOS digitale sensor gemonteer is. Die data gewerf vir die vorming van die beeld word deur 'n FPGA ingelees en verwerk, waarna dit op 'n verwyderbare SD flits geheuekaart gestoor word. Die bogenoemde komponente word alles binne 'n waterdigte Perspexbuis monteer. Gebruikerspesifieke sagteware vir persoonlik rekenaars word gebruik om die data te verwerk en sodoende strookbeelde van die binnewand van die boorgat te vorm. Met gebruik van wiskundige korrelasie word hierdie beelde aan mekaar gelas om 'n virtuele kern te vorm, wat 'n voorstelling is van die rots binne die boorgat. Die probe bevat self krag en ligbronne, wat toelaat dat dit maklik bruikbaar is sonder enige eksterne bedrading. Toekomstige hersienings van die ontwerp sal verbeterde data geheue, beeldgehalte en beligting kan bewerkstellig.