User interface technologies for a virtual communication space

In the applied fields of Virtual Reality and 3D graphics, communications is very important. Among that line, we are doing research in virtual reality to create suitable environments for better communications. This paper is concerned with user interface technologies for a virtual communication space. First, we introduce the concept of a VR system, the "Tel-E-Merge" system, in which users can enter the real space of the party they are communicating with via a virtual space. We coined the term "Tel-E-Merge", which has the double meaning of "Tele-Emerge" and "Tele-Merge", to refer to a virtual environment communications system that makes it possible to invite a person who is at a distant location into one's home and also to be guided around the other person's home. Second, we address user interface issues concerning the system and introduce an effective user interface. In this paper, we focus on user interface technologies related to manipulation by hand.