TELDAP Newsletter (T below): First of all we like to ask Professor Hong Yi-ping to explain why the “Magic Crystal Ball” was chosen for this kind of man-machine interactive archive display.
Prof. Hong: National Taiwan University (NTU) began archive display platform research and development during the time of the National Digital Archives Program. We originally envisaged replacing archives with 3D grids, then introducing them onto various display platforms (for example large display machines or digital museums). However, during the R&D process we discovered that the manpower and resource required to establish an artifact module were substantial and there was also room for further improvement in display space, therefore we changed to 3D object photography as the archive image display method. Later on in research we found that using a crystal ball as the interaction platform was an extremely natural interaction method; when you want to look at the left side you rotate it and when you want to look at the right you look at it. It could be said that we have made the crystal balls in science fiction books we all read when we were kids into reality!   

                         
                            (Youtube) NTU Magic Crystal Ball introductory Film (1)

                            (Youtube) NTU Magic Crystal Ball introductory Film(2)

T: What information technology was integrated during the “Magic Crystal Ball” development process?
Prof. Hong: The development of the magic crystal ball actually took a long time and, as technology has developed, various new technologies have been added, for example, 3D object photography, Pressure sensor and Infrared projection. We also had numerous display machine obstacles to be overcome. In the early days of R&D we wanted to project the image on to a rotatable ball roller type real ball, however, we encountered a new problem: Safety. If the ball isn’t fixed it can easily rotate and the viewer could easily detach the ball which could damage the machine and even cause injury to members of the public. We decided that safety was the top priority for display platform so we fixed the bottom of the ball to the display machine. How does the computer know the strength and direction when we put our hands on the ball and rotate it? This depends on sensors. Sensor system sensitivity was a problem because the sensors we used had an ageing problem that left the image stuck in one place no matter how the user rotated the ball. Now we use the latest “Strain Gauge Sensors”, sensor life has been extended and the ball is more sensitive.

T: What other application results has the “Magic Crystal Ball” achieved?
Prof Hong: The magic crystal ball participated in an early National Digital Archives Program results exhibition, NTU results exhibition and IT month. Through cooperation with Axis 3d Technology, National Palace Museum and Institute of History & Philology, Academia Sinica, we have introduced fine works from the collections of these two museums onto the Magic Crystal Ball. We helped National Palace Museum introduce five famous artifacts: Ivory sphere, Revolving vase, Mao Kung-ting(bronze vessel), Little walnut boat (boat carved from an olive pit) and Jadeite cabbage. When National Geographic Channel made a special program about National Palace Museum we also showed the production team our digitization results. Our cooperation with the Institute of History & Philology of Academia Sinica led to the interactive digital display of the “Riding the Currents of History - Four Millenniums of Civilization and Technology” special exhibition. It was displayed in museums in Taipei, Xinzhu, Taichung, Nantou, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Taidong. Over 100,000 people have played with or saw the “Magic Crystal Ball” interactive display.

The “Magic Crystal Ball” menu screen for the IHP’s Four Millenniums of Civilization and Technology special exhibition. Six archeological artifacts from China and Taiwan could be viewed

T: Will this technology be developed in new directions in the future?
Prof. Hong: In my view there’s still a lot of room for further development. For example the Magic Crystal Ball can be used in international airports or overseas representative offices of the ROC to display Taiwan’s cultural archive and digitization results. While giving people the fun of easily interacting with a computer and allowing them to enjoy the beauty of cultural artifacts, the real artifacts can be stored in a suitable environment and protected from damage that would be a risk if they were transported. The National Palace Museum can consider using the virtual display method for its south Taiwan branch, allowing people in the south and center of Taiwan to enjoy the highlights of Taipei National Palace Museum without moving them from Taipei. After all the Jadeite cabbage and other fine works can’t be moved back and forth. Apart from being used for museum display, I think in the future this kind of display system can become part of people’s lives by being used in exhibition venues and shopping malls as information systems.

T：Apart from the Magic Crystal Ball does the NTU Gradate Institute of Networking and Multimedia(GINM) have any R&D results that can be shared with readers?
Prof. Hong: NTU students entered their “Bamianlinglong round pillar” interactive round pillar projection system in the “3rd Acer Longterm Smile Competition” organized by Stan Shih, chairman of the Acer Foundation, and achieved outstanding results in the face of competition from over 100 team from all over Taiwan. We are also developing a display application for touch table technology. The advantages are that you can “see the trees and the wood”. After introducing a picture onto the touch the whole picture can be viewed and, when you touch the screen with two fingers and move them in opposite direction, the computer will sense it and show this part of the picture in detail. In the future, if computers are able to sense movements in the air and are combined with image projection technology, we will be able to develop a virtual control board, meaning that a person can control a PC or a TV without touching a keyboard or a remote control. This can also to make a contribution to disease control.

The team led by Prof. Hong introduced a painting onto the touch table platform
 

              (Youtube) NTU’s Interactive Multi-resolution Tabletop introductory film (1)

                          
(Youtube) Interactive Multi-resolution Tabletop Introductory film (2), clearly showing its functions

 
T: Professor Hong has many years of experience in the digital display of archives. What kind of experience has this meeting between culture, archives, technology and digital content been for you?
Prof Hong: We have used our creativity and done our best to create a user friendly platform on which information can be easily obtained, allowing this cultural heritage and knowledge to be known and enjoyed by more people. Technology progresses all the time and new things constantly appear. We will continue to move forward in the future because interactive archive display development has no end and no borders!