Ikebana competition in networked virtual environment with haptic and olfactory senses

In this paper, we present an ikebana (i.e., Japanese traditional art of flower arrangement) competition system in a networked virtual environment with haptic and olfactory senses. In the system, each user can hold a flower, adjust the length of the held flower's stem with a pair of scissors, and impale the flower on a flower pin-holder in a 3D virtual space over a network. After the server of the system has received arrangements from users, the best arrangements are selected by votes of users and/or ikebana experts at remote locations.

I. Introduction

By handling multiple sensations together, we can improve realistic sensations and immerse ourselves in a variety of applications [1], [2] such as cooking [3], harvesting fruit [4], [5], musical performance [6], and ikebana [7]–[9]. In [9], Huang et al. deal with a remote ikebana (i.e., Japanese traditional art of flower arrangement) system using haptic and olfactory senses. They investigate the influence of the output timing of olfactory media on QoE (Quality of Experience) [10]. In the remote ikebana system, ikebana experts can teach flower arrangement methods of ikebana to students at remote different places. The system can be used for not only entertainment but also physical rehabilitation and preventing dementia. By carrying out ikebana competition in a virtual environment, people can enjoy ikebana easily. Also, competitions in virtual environments can save more money than real world competitions. However, there is no proposed system for the ikebana competition with haptic and olfactory senses in a networked virtual environment. Therefore, in this paper, we propose ikebana competition by enhancing the remote ikebana system [9].