Augmented Reality

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Augmented Reality on a Desktop Environment
Augmented reality is a way of blending the real and virtual world. By using your computer monitor and a webcam objects can be recognized and given context through augmented reality. The basic idea of augmented reality is to superimpose graphics, audio and other sensory enhancements over a real-world environment in real time (1). Through augmented reality algorithms applications can recognize objects in the real world.

Augmented Reality on a Mobile Device
Mobile devices leverage augmented reality technology by using the camera as a window to the world with enhanced functionality. The built in GPS and magnetometer (compass) allow for location awarness in the application and allow for superimposing images and data on the camera view for augmented reality effect.

Microsoft XNA
Ohan Oda and Steve Feiner have created several applications using a framework they developed called Goblin XNA. It is built on top of Microsoft's XNA Game Studio and Framework. The applications use different objects adorned with datagrams that are then recognized by a webcam as a controller. The controller in turn controls an object such as a car on a board with datagrams acting as fiduciary markers or references points upon which a virtual landscape is built. This landscape can be controlled from an auxiliary application and change the games landscape dynamically.


Augmented Reality Videos
MIT Sixth Sense: http://www.ted.com/talks/pattie_maes_demos_the_sixth_sense.html
Ohan Oda and Steve Feiner Augmented Reality App http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AKgH4On65A

Mobile Apps
Layar
Yelp Monocle
Le Bar Guide
Pocket Universe
Dish Pointer
Thedolite
Car Finder


Interesting AR Articles
augmented reality on the iPhone - http://www.morethantechnical.com/2009/07/01/augmented-reality-on-the-iphone-using-nyartoolkit-w-code/

Ideas
Ability to rotate a spherical device and discover info about planets
Ability to fly a rocket through the universe and discover info about different planets


Terms
Goblin XNA
Microsoft XNA Game Studio 3.0
Location based services
Fiduciary Marker
Fiducial Tracking

(1) http://computer.howstuffworks.com/augmented-reality1.htm

Box.net Test

Wednesday, November 11, 2009