@article{ZimmererFischbachLatoschik2018,
  author    = {Zimmerer, Chris and Fischbach, Martin and Latoschik, Marc Erich},
  title     = {Semantic Fusion for Natural Multimodal Interfaces using Concurrent Augmented Transition Networks},
  series = {Multimodal Technologies and Interaction},
  volume    = {2},
  journal   = {Multimodal Technologies and Interaction},
  number    = {4},
  issn      = {2414-4088},
  doi       = {10.3390/mti2040081},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-197573},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Semantic fusion is a central requirement of many multimodal interfaces. Procedural methods like finite-state transducers and augmented transition networks have proven to be beneficial to implement semantic fusion. They are compliant with rapid development cycles that are common for the development of user interfaces, in contrast to machine-learning approaches that require time-costly training and optimization. We identify seven fundamental requirements for the implementation of semantic fusion: Action derivation, continuous feedback, context-sensitivity, temporal relation support, access to the interaction context, as well as the support of chronologically unsorted and probabilistic input. A subsequent analysis reveals, however, that there is currently no solution for fulfilling the latter two requirements. As the main contribution of this article, we thus present the Concurrent Cursor concept to compensate these shortcomings. In addition, we showcase a reference implementation, the Concurrent Augmented Transition Network (cATN), that validates the concept's feasibility in a series of proof of concept demonstrations as well as through a comparative benchmark. The cATN fulfills all identified requirements and fills the lack amongst previous solutions. It supports the rapid prototyping of multimodal interfaces by means of five concrete traits: Its declarative nature, the recursiveness of the underlying transition network, the network abstraction constructs of its description language, the utilized semantic queries, and an abstraction layer for lexical information. Our reference implementation was and is used in various student projects, theses, as well as master-level courses. It is openly available and showcases that non-experts can effectively implement multimodal interfaces, even for non-trivial applications in mixed and virtual reality.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GallRothStauffertetal.2021,
  author    = {Gall, Dominik and Roth, Daniel and Stauffert, Jan-Philipp and Zarges, Julian and Latoschik, Marc Erich},
  title     = {Embodiment in Virtual Reality Intensifies Emotional Responses to Virtual Stimuli},
  series = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Psychology},
  issn      = {1664-1078},
  doi       = {10.3389/fpsyg.2021.674179},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245624},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Modulating emotional responses to virtual stimuli is a fundamental goal of many immersive interactive applications. In this study, we leverage the illusion of illusory embodiment and show that owning a virtual body provides means to modulate emotional responses. In a single-factor repeated-measures experiment, we manipulated the degree of illusory embodiment and assessed the emotional responses to virtual stimuli. We presented emotional stimuli in the same environment as the virtual body. Participants experienced higher arousal, dominance, and more intense valence in the high embodiment condition compared to the low embodiment condition. The illusion of embodiment thus intensifies the emotional processing of the virtual environment. This result suggests that artificial bodies can increase the effectiveness of immersive applications psychotherapy, entertainment, computer-mediated social interactions, or health applications.},
  language  = {en}
}