TV ON a mobile phone, software that generates a 3D avatar from a photo for use in virtual worlds, virtual reality technology that allow users to physically interact with an on-screen character.

These were among the 94 interactive and digital media (IDM) projects funded by the Interactive and Digital Media Programme Office (IDMPO) that were showcased for the first time on Wednesday at Temasek Polytechnic's Interactive Digital Centre.

Together, they are expected to create 100 new patents and nurture about 900 researchers and engineers in order to boost Singapore's capabilities in digital media R&D.

The grants for the projects ranged from $50,000 to 'a few million', according to IDMPO Executive Director Michael Yap. The money comes from the National Research Foundation, which has allocated $500 million to R&D initiatives in IDM over the next five years.

Some of the first projects funded by the office have already borne fruit.

First Meta, a financial services provider for virtual worlds like Second Life, launched a virtual credit card last July that can be used for both virtual and real-life transactions.

The Metacard offers credit from 5,000 to 25,000 Linden dollars, the currency used in Second Life. The currency, which can be converted back to real money, trades for 265 Linden dollars to US$1 (S$1.44).

About one to two million Linden dollars are charged to the card per month by 700 users, and First Meta CEO Douglas Abrams estimates real-world revenue of between $2 to 3 million this year.

GG Games, a games software company, has created an online platform for users to play games like WarCraft 3 and Defence of the Ancients with minimal lag. To date, it has over 1.6 million gamers from 253 countries using their software.

Other projects in the works include AudiOdyssey, a music game that can be played by the blind.

Using the Nintendo Wii controller, they can swing it and press buttons in time to a song. The better the timing of their actions, the higher their score.

Another, Project Coremo, aims to turn photos of real-world locations into realistic 3D representations on a virtual map users can interact with.

Said Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Co-Chairman of the IDMPO: 'We are pleased with the progress made. Although the research projects will take a few years to complete, we are already beginning to see some promising results.'