The design of a new interactive multimedia system based on computer vision and multi-sensing techniques for the traditional ritual process

With the rapid advancements in technology, digital media have become widely integrated into people's lives. In oriental countries, individuals frequently visit temples for fortune-telling and blessing-praying during the ritual process. A new interactive multimedia system based on computer vision and multi-sensing techniques for carrying out the traditional ritual process in the temple is proposed, which contributes to cultural preservation. The three major ritual steps, namely, 'incense waving,' 'moon-block casting,' and 'fortune-telling poem drawing,' were implemented by multimedia-related hardware and algorithms, and the system was exhibited for field testing by 405 participants. Interviews with experts and a questionnaire survey of the participants' opinions were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the system using statistical software packages, yielding the following findings: (1) the proposed system can bring the participants to experience the ritual process effectively; (2) the proposed three major ritual steps not only attracts more participations but also promotes people's learning of the ritual process; (3) the system attracts participants by integrating multimedia effects with good usability; and (4) the uses of computer vision and multi-sensing techniques bring the users new experiences of the fortune-telling application.