Completed Projects


BerrySync

BerrySync allows access to relevant Firefox browser information from a user's internet connected computer within their blackberry portable device (examples being bookmarks, history, active tabs, etc). This is based on the concepts established in the Firefox Sync plugin that is bundled with Firefox 4 and it's companion iPhone application named Firefox Home. Initial completion of BerrySync v1.0 was completed at the start of Sept 2011.



Canvas3D JS Library

The Canvas 3D JS Libary (C3DL) is a Javascript library that will make it easier to write 3D applications using WebGL. It provides a set of math, scene, and 3d object classes to make the canvas more accessible for developers that want to develop 3D content in browser.



CATGames

CATGames (Creativity Assistive Tools for Games) was a research network led by Seneca College. CDOT's activities focused on the web browser as a 3D gaming platform and developed tools and technologies to integrate interactive 3D content within the established 2D framework of the Web without having to download any plug-ins.



Clara.io (3D Digital Editor)

Seneca CDOT has been working closely with Exocortex to produce an open source option for high quality 3D content creation called Clara.io. The development builds on CDOT’s extensive work with WebGL, a javascript API used to render 3D graphics in web browsers without the need for plugins. The tool is a fantastic alternative to the often very expensive proprietary software required to create 3D content. It requires no installation and is entirely cloud based meaning users will be able to access their work anywhere.

Furthermore, the processing power requirements are much lower than traditional 3D content creation software because the actual rendering of the content is done in the cloud. There are also plans to develop a marketplace for Clara.io so that users can buy and sell their own plugins and software additions which can be added to the already impressive tool suite available with the software. The project is another great example of open-source software being taken in a new and innovative direction.




Medical Device - Smartphone Data Integration

Modern medical devices have data communications capability using technologies such as Bluetooth. The problem with leveraging this connectivity is that in most cases the device is designed to work only with specific software designed by the manufacturer. As a partner in the Connected Health and Wellness Project (CHWP), CDOT is developing tools to systematize the collection of medical device data by smartphone software. This will enhance the healthcare industry immensely as much of the testing that has traditionally been done in medical offices and institutions will now be able to be done in the comfort of the patient’s home.

One of our partners, NexJ Systems, initially developed a model to monitor health and transmit data directly to healthcare providers using Blackberry devices. Recent work at CDOT has focused on expanding the number of supported medical devices as well as the variety of target smart phones, which now include iOS and Android devices. The ultimate goal is to develop a software layer that compensates for device variances and provides a standard interface to health-focused software applications.




Processing.js

Processing.js is a proposed Mozilla-sponsored project, its main purpose is to wrap Java-based language functions into Javascript. The purpose of this is to use visuals on the open web, using standard technologies such as JavaScript and Canvas.



Turtlesback

Turtlesback.ca is a digital exploration of the histories, languages and cultures of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples. CDOT used leading-edge interactive technologies to create games, interactive videos and a GPS app to share stories and knowledge as well as raise awareness and appreciation of the Aboriginal experience in Canada.



XB PointStream

The typical method used to represent 3D graphics for applications such as video games is that of a textured meshed. Essentially the object is made up of a mesh of flat triangles and a 2D texture graphic that is applied over the mesh to give it its colour and depth. However, this is not the only way to represent 3D graphics. Another method for representing 3D graphics is that of a point cloud which is a set of coloured points in 3D space. While a point cloud is usually larger than a textured mesh in terms of amount of data, it provides a level of realism not found in a mesh. Furthermore, some 3D scanning equipment such as 3D scanners, LiDAR equipment, medical scanners, and MicroSoft's Kinect all deliver their data as point clouds.

XB PointStream provides a framework to simplify the streaming and rendering of point clouds allowing them to be rendered in a web page without any plug-ins. WebGL, a JavaScript API based on Open GL ES 2.0 enables the creation of 3D content in the web browser without any plugins. It is currently implemented in release version of Firefox and Chrome and development versions of Safari and Opera. To support the creation of 3D content many web libraries have been written. However, most of these libraries are based on textured meshes. XB PointStream is different from these other libraries in that it focuses on point clouds. It is highly customizable to adapt to different file formats and provides support for addition of customizable shaders.