Charles Woodward

Implementation of an augmented reality system on a PDA

We present a client/server implementation for running demanding mobile AR application on a PDA device. The system incorporates various data compression methods to make it run as fast as possible on a wide range of communication networks, from GSM to WLAN.

Augmented assembly using a mobile phone

We present a mobile phone based augmented reality (AR) assembly system that enable users to view complex models on their mobile phones. It is based on a client-server architecture, where complex model information is located on a PC, and a mobile phone with the camera is used as a thin client access device to this information. With this system users are able to see an AR view that provides step by step guidance for a real world assembly task. We also present results from a pilot user study evaluating the system, showing that people felt the interface was intuitive and very helpful in supporting the assembly task.

Integration of Design and Assembly Using Augmented Reality

This paper presents a methodology and a system for augmented reality aided assembly work. We concentrate in particular on the requirements on information processing and data flow for implementing augmented assembly systems in real life production environments. A pilot case with an augmented assembly task at the Finnish tractor company Valtra is described.

Mixed reality in virtual world teleconferencing

In this paper we present a Mixed Reality (MR) teleconferencing application based on Second Life (SL) and the OpenSim virtual world. Augmented Reality (AR) techniques are used for displaying virtual avatars of remote meeting participants in real physical spaces, while Augmented Virtuality (AV), in form of video based gesture detection, enables capturing of human expressions to control avatars and to manipulate virtual objects in virtual worlds. The use of Second Life for creating a shared augmented space to represent different physical locations allows us to incorporate the application into existing infrastructure. The application is implemented using open source Second Life viewer, ARToolKit and OpenCV libraries.

SymBall: camera driven table tennis for mobile phones

We present a table tennis game implemented for Symbian OS Series 60 mobile phones, using the phones integrated camera as the main game controller. The game demonstrates how the integrated cameras are already usable for interaction on mobile phones, with real time performance. Data communication between the phones is handled using Bluetooth, but the implementation would allow for using slower radio links too.

Demonstration of assembly work using augmented reality

In this paper, we describe the demonstration system in which a wooden 3D puzzle is assembled using an augmented reality system. The 3D puzzle emulated a simplified assembly task in a factory. We use the 3D puzzle as a means to study how to implement an augmented assembly system to a real setting in a factory and explore the advantages and disadvantages of augmented reality techniques. With this demonstration system we also test, demonstrate and evaluate different input modalities for augmented assembly setup. Furthermore, the demonstration system helps us better interact with industry and get invaluable feedback.

Augmented reality with large 3D models on a PDA: implementation, performance and use experiences

We have implemented a client/server system for running augmented reality applications on a PDA device. The system incorporates various data compression methods to make it run as fast as possible on a wide range of communication networks, from mobile phone links to WLAN, We provide a detailed description of various implementation issues, data compression optimisations, and performance analysis of the system, Usability of the system is evaluated in a demanding architectural application, with a large virtual building rendered in an outdoors location.

Camera-based interactions for augmented reality

We investigate camera-based interaction techniques suitable for generating simple, easy-to-use augmented reality applications. All the interaction techniques described are based on using only the camera as input device, so that users can interact with 3D content of the application by gesturing with camera movements. With two test applications, we have identified several camera-based interaction techniques that work well with interactive augmented reality 3D content and are intuitive to use and reliable to detect. The test applications are interesting also in their own right, demonstrating technical features such as markerless tracking as well as mobile phone implementation.

Multimodal User Interface for Augmented Assembly

In this paper, a multimodal system for augmented reality aided assembly work is designed and implemented. The multimodal interface allows for speech and gestural input. The system emulates a simplified assembly task in a factory. A 3D puzzle is used to study how to implement the augmented assembly system to a real setting in a factory. The system is used as a demonstrator and as a test-bed to evaluate different input modalities for augmented assembly setups. Preliminary system evaluation results are presented, the user experience is discussed, and some directions for future work are given.

A lightweight approach for augmented reality on camera phones using 2D images to simulate 3D

We describe a lightweight augmented reality approach enabling arbitrarily complex virtual models to be operated even on low end camera phones. For optimal performance we apply simple motion tracking with manual initialization, and sequences of 2D images to give illusion of three dimensions. Our approach enables also augmenting of real objects, not just virtual ones. A prototype implementation of the solution exists for Series 60/Symbian OS mobile phones. Augmented interior design is presented as the main application example.