The visual acts theory aims to provide intelligent assistance for camera viewpoint selection during teleoperation. It combines a top-down model to partition a task into a sequence of operations and a bottom up component that monitors the operator in order to select task-relevant camera viewpoints in a timely manner for the operator. In a previous paper the authors (2001) presented results showing that visual acts does indeed provide a camera view of sufficient quality to allow an operator to complete a task. In this paper we present further results that bear on the performance of visual acts. The results provide further insights into the provision of operator controls for teleoperation and the role of additional cues, such as shadows, in task completion.

This paper describes the Visual Acts theory and architecture for automated camera placement during teleoperation. The theory is motivated by the goal to provide operators with task relevant information in a timely manner. The Visual Acts architecture combines top-down deliberative task modelling with bottom-up reactive observation of an operator to select camera views which provide the operator with task-relevant information. The paper describes the reactive component of the architecture, its implementation in an agent-based architecture and experimental results that confirm the validity of the approach.

This paper reports on research currently underway at the University of Reading aimed at developing a resource management model for providing laboratory resources as shared facilities on the Internet. The model is based on the concept of a resource allocator which maintains details of local, "registered" resources. This allocator, in turn, provides the mechanism for client applications to request and gain access to these resources: the resource allocator is publicly accessible via the Internet. We describe the model and its implementation. The model we propose can form the basis for resource sharing, providing a model for many laboratories to place laboratory facilities on the Internet. The work has implications for modular and cooperative robotics systems, where robots are configured into cooperative groups, and for human-robot systems in educations, research and industry.