New MP-100H Software For Canon MREAL System For Mixed Reality Expands Its Support To A Variety Of Sensors For Enhanced Performance

MELVILLE, N.Y. – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the introduction of the MP-100H, a new version of software for the Company’s MREAL System for Mixed Reality (MR), that enhances the functionality by expanding its compatibility to a wider selection of position-detection sensors.

Canon’s MREAL System, is a next-generation design/production solution tool for the manufacturing industry that merges the real world with virtual, computer-generated (CG) images to create a “mixed” reality. The system, which can help to minimize the number of prototypes required in the manufacturing process is expected to help reduce the development times and costs in the production process.

Building on the success of MP-100, the new MP-100H delivers high-image quality and has increased the number of position-detection sensors it is compatible with, allowing the MREAL System to be used in a broader range of settings and applications, providing users with greater benefit.

While the previous software only enabled the use of four types*1 of position-detection sensors, Canon’s new MR software supports the Virtual-Reality Peripheral Network (VRPN)*2 standard, making it possible to use a variety of sensors, including ultrasonic sensors, which are less susceptible to the potential effect of installation environments, as well as multiple magnetic and optical sensors. Accordingly, the MREAL System can now accommodate a wider range of system structures in accordance with diverse user needs.

Improved color-masking precision ensures the proper display of the positional relationship among the user’s hands, CG objects and background images. The color-masking function achieves this by selectively preventing the display of CG images in response to select pre-registered color ranges. By pre-registering the color of the user’s hands, the system is able to calculate the distance and positional relationship between the head-mounted display worn by the user and the user’s hands, enabling more accurate gauging and display of the perceived distance between the hands and the CG images. This enhanced precision facilitates improved operability and verification precision during maintenance processes.

Additionally, the inclusion of a power-supply control function helps to preserve the monitors within the HMD by automatically switching off the system’s power after a certain period of disuse.

The new Canon MP-100H software is expected to be available in late April.

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. With approximately $40 billion in global revenue, its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), ranks third overall in U.S. patents registered in 2012† and is one of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2013. In 2012, Canon U.S.A. has received the PCMag.com Readers’ Choice Award for Service and Reliability in the digital camera and printer categories for the ninth consecutive year, and for camcorders for the past two years. Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.


† Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

*1 InterSense’s InertiaCube3, Polhemus’s FASTRAK, Vicon’s Vicon iQ Ver.2.5/Tracker Ver.1.1, and Natural Point’s OptiTrackARENA Ver.1.6.1/1.7

*2 Virtual Reality Peripheral Network: A software and protocol system enabling access via a network to location-detection sensors and other peripheral devices used in virtual reality applications