Benjamin Close

ARQuake: an outdoor/indoor augmented reality first person application

This paper presents an outdoor/indoor augmented reality first person application ARQuake we have developed. ARQuake is an extension of the desktop game Quake, and as such we are investigating how to convert a desktop first person application into an outdoor/indoor mobile augmented reality application. We present an architecture for a low cost, moderately accurate six degrees of freedom tracking system based on GPS, digital compass, and fiducial vision-based tracking. Usability issues such as monster selection, colour, and input devices are discussed. A second application for AR architectural design visualisation is presented.

First Person Indoor/Outdoor Augmented Reality Application: ARQuake

Abstract: This paper presents a first person outdoor/indoor augmented reality application ARQuake that we have developed. ARQuake is an extension of the desktop game Quake, and as such we are investigating how to convert a desktop first person application into an outdoor/indoor mobile augmented reality application. We present an architecture for a low cost, moderately accurate six degrees of freedom tracking system based on GPS, digital compass, and fiducial vision-based tracking. Usability issues such as monster selection, colour, input devices, and multi-person collaboration are discussed.

USABILITY AND PLAYABILITY ISSUES FOR ARQUAKE

This paper presents a set of informal studies into the usability and playability of our ARQuake game. ARQuake is an outdoor Augmented Reality version of a first person perspective desktop application. One area of investigation was comparing playing the game along different points of Milgram’s Reality-Virtuality Continuum: Virtual Reality, Augmented Virtuality, and Augmented Reality. The paper reports on the feedback from a set of users operating ARQuake in an outdoor setting.

ViCAT: visualisation and interaction on a collaborative access table

Despite many years of research in the area of human computer interaction, there are still remarkably few computing platforms in existence that permit remote collaboration over various software applications in an intense manner. Visualisation and interaction on a collaborative access table (ViCAT) is a new project whose aim is to allow intense collaboration between multiple users at multiple remotely located sites, as if the users were gathered around a physical table. This paper introduces the ViCAT design philosophy and how it addresses the mixed presence groupware concept, and then describes the relationship between the ViCAT project and current horizontal interactive human computer systems research.

Supporting mixed presence groupware in tabletop applications

In this paper, we present the transparent input device layer framework to extend Java applications with support for multiple distributed input devices, a major requirement for tabletop applications. This overcomes a key restriction of current graphical environments to support only a single system cursor and one keyboard, and allows the cursor and keyboard control of applications to be performed by input devices that are connected to other hosts on the network. Applications can be developed with this framework and therefore allow operations such as simultaneous drag and drop by multiple users. Additionally, we have created a wrapper application to inject support for multiple input devices into legacy applications at runtime - without the need for code alteration or recompilation. We present two tabletop applications that make use of our framework: one is a graphical front end to a military course of action scheduling application and was developed with the framework. The second application, a component based data visualisation application, employs the injection wrapper application to gain support for distributed multiple input devices at runtime.

Spatial augmented reality support for design of complex physical environments

Effective designs rarely emerge from good structural design or aesthetics alone. It is more often the result of the end products overall design integrity. Added to this, design is inherently an interdisciplinary collaborative activity. With this in mind, todays tools are not powerful enough to design complex physical environments, such as command control centers or hospital operating theaters. This paper presents the concept of employing projector-based augmented reality techniques to enhance interdisciplinary design processes.

Web 2.0 Meets Wearable Augmented Reality

This paper explores how a wearable computer with an augmented reality interface can provide real time contextual interactions, based on location aware Web 2.0 social network information.

TableMouse: a novel multiuser tabletop pointing device

This paper introduces the TableMouse, a new cursor manipulation interaction technology for tabletop computing, specifically designed to support multiple users operating on large horizontal displays. The TableMouse is a low-cost absolute positioning device utilising visually-tracked infrared light emitting diodes for button state, 3D position, 1D orientation, and unique identification information. The supporting software infrastructure is designed to support up to 16 TableMouse devices simultaneously, each with an individual system cursor. This paper introduces the device and software infrastructure and presents two applications exposing its functionality. A formal benchmarking was performed against the traditional mouse for its performance and accuracy.

Large Scale Spatial Augmented Reality for Design and Prototyping

Spatial Augmented Reality allows the appearance of physical objects to be transformed using projected light. Computer controlled light projection systems have become readily available and cost effective for both commercial and personal use. This chapter explores how large Spatial Augmented Reality systems can be applied to enhanced design mock-ups. Unlike traditional appearance altering techniques such as paints and inks, computer controlled projected light can change the color of a prototype at the touch of a button allowing many different appearances to be evaluated. We present the customized physical-virtual tools we have developed such as our hand held virtual spray painting tool that allows designers to create many customized appearances using only projected light. Finally, we also discuss design parameters of building dedicated projection environments including room layout, hardware selection and interaction considerations.