From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re: INDUSTRY: RPI
Date: 5 Jan 93 05:50:48 GMT
Organization: University of Washington
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu
Originator: hlab@stein.u.washington.edu



In <9212290939.AA11355@ghost.dsi.unimi.it>, on Dec 29, I wrote:

> From: diego@minerva.st.dsi.unimi.it (Diego Montefusco)
> Subject: INDUSTRY: RPI
> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 12:38:04 CET
> 
> Reading a review of the Meckler San Jose Conference, I saw a photo of
> an HMD with the address of the manufacturer. The article claimed the
> HMD was part of a HMSI (Head Mounted Sensory Interface). The company
> is:
> 
> RPI Advanced Technology Group
> P.O. Box 14607
> San Francisco, CA 94114
> (415) 777-3226

The number is wrong: (415) 495-4460

> Has anybody further details about their produt?
> 
> [MODERATOR'S NOTE:  I believe you can email David Reed and others working
> at RPI at the address,     rpi@well.sf.ca.us   .   Give it a try.  If it
> doesn't work, try   reed@well.sf.ca.us -- Bob Jacobson]

reed@well.sf.ca.us is not good. The other YES, and here's what David sent me:

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Contact: Anthony Ryder                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

         RPI Advanced Technology Group

         (415) 495-4460


RPI DELIVERS FIRST HEAD MOUNT SENSORY INTERFACE DEVICE FOR 
CAD/VISUALIZATION APPLICATIONS AND ANNOUNCES SLAMBOX(TM) VIDEO GAME 
INTERFACE.

       SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- RPI Advanced Technology Group has delivered
its first Head Mount Sensory Interface(HMSI)(TM) visualization device to
contracted Beta Sites and has initiated  ramp-up for volume production in
1993. Additionally, RPI announced that the Slambox(TM) HMSI interface now
ports Nintendo, Atari, Sega, NEC, and all PC computer games to the HMSI
system.

       RPI will begin accepting volume distribution proposals for the
Slambox Jan. 1.

       RPI is a supplier of some of the most advanced computer assisted
interactive visualization systems. The Visualization Industry incorporates
elements of multi-media, simulation, virtual reality, 3D computing and
telecommunications. The intuitive nature of RPI's products allow the
integration of the computer application and the user, with the goal of
responding to the sociological need to become emotionally involved with the
working environment.

       Briefly, the HMSI consists of a set of goggles (much like ski
goggles), coupled with a sophisticated spatial sound system.  The total
weight of the HMSI is less than .8 lbs, which allows for essential comfort
levels. Power is generated by a battery pack with the installed option to
link directly to normal AC power.  The HMSI allows a user to see any
combination of computer generated graphics and live video images, all in
true stereoscopic, three-dimensional (3D) form.  The display utilizes high
resolution LCD plates mounted inside the goggles. The user is allowed
complete interaction with the computer system via interfaces to "pointer
systems" (e.g., mouse, gesture sensor, head-tracker, etc.) as well as voice
commands relayed by an installed voice command unit.  The HMSI can be run
wireless, as an option. The HMSI has many additional capabilities.  The
proprietary technology, for which RPI has been granted an office action
letter from the US Patent and Trademark Office, allows the HMSI to be
utilized on most existing computer platforms and to upgrade to laser retina
eye scanning.

       RPI is, initially, focusing its marketing efforts on the
computer-aided design (CAD) market, and specifically on the pre-existing
user base of Autodesk, Inc, the leader in CAD software, with subsequent
marketing efforts aimed at four additional markets: video game/education;
scientific visualization; medicine; and aerospace. 

       The HMSI will allow CAD users to visualize their designs and simulate
design function, all in true stereoscopic 3D. In the CAD/CAM market, it is
anticipated that the HMSI will increase design productivity and quality,
reduce the time required to bring a new design to market, enhance the
ability to respond to changes in market demand, and cut overall costs.

       Video game/entertainment applications are an exciting potential
market for the HMSI.  "The world-wide installed base of all video game
systems now exceeds 100 million and vendors have expressed a strong desire
to make our technology available to their customers," said Scott Redmond,
president. 

       RPI has a number of unique selling positions that provide the Company
with one-of-a-kind potential:

*    The HMSI fills a critical need of the computer simulation
     industry.  Market trends indicate a growing demand for 3D
     graphics-based computing.  While semiconductor and computer
     system vendors are developing chips and systems, respectively,
     with greater processing power, and software vendors are
     developing more powerful applications, the market still lacks
     a reasonably priced product which can display high resolution,
     true stereoscopic 3D graphics and video images.  The HMSI has
     been designed to meet that market need.

*    Technological, engineering, and design breakthroughs have
     enabled RPI to create a product which offers superior
     performance and more features at a price far lower than any
     existing competitor in the market.  Given RPI's proprietary
     technology, it will be difficult for competitors to match
     RPI's progress.

*    The HMSI surpasses all head-mounted displays (HMDs) currently
     on the market.  RPI offers higher resolution and superior  
     design at a far lower price-point. Users of the HMSI are able to
     interact with, as opposed to simply perceiving, what they see and
     hear. Unlike RPI's competitors' products, the HMSI is 
     packaged in a stream-lined set of "goggles" and not a      
     cumbersome "helmet". Custom manufacturing of the display
     assures RPI of market dominance.

*    Over the past twenty years, RPI has developed an extensive
     array of proprietary technology for creating computer
     simulations of objects and phenomena, for which RPI has    
     patent protection filed.  RPI's approach is to provide
     revolutionary engineering; RPI is not entering the market with
     simply a modification of traditional solutions.

*    RPI has established relationships with key strategic partners
     in order to maximize our exposure and to build initial
     marketing links.  Among the strategic partners are Autodesk,
     Inc., IBM, SGI, Sun Microsystems, DEC, Schott, Truevision and
     Spaceball.  The HMSI has been specifically designed to be
     software neutral and will operate with all major software
     applications.  Additionally, the modular design of the HMSI
     allows users to upgrade the basic unit rather than replace it
     entirely.

       The current HMSI unit is available under $6000.00 and is expected to
be released in volume at a price point at or under $1500 in 1993. The
Slambox is designed to be released in volume at a price point under $75.00,
also in 1993.

###

12/92

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Sounds good, isn't it?

HAPPY NEW YEAR 'VERYONE!

Diego

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