Augmented Reality Concepts

Augmented Reality Concepts

• Augmented Reality (AR): Technology that overlays digital content onto the real world, effectively bringing items to life.
• Aura: Interactive AR actions that reveal images, videos, or 3D animations when a mobile device is pointed at a real object.
• Trigger Image: An image that activates an overlay when recognized by the AR app's camera.
• Overlay: Digital elements like images or animations that appear alongside recognized trigger images.

User Interaction & Experience

• Channels: Subscriptions to specific content streams, such as magazines or museum exhibits, providing tailored AR experiences.
• Interactive Video: Videos enhanced with interactive features, prompting user engagement.
• Hotspots: Glowing animated elements in AR that signal points of interaction within an experience.

Technical Aspects of Augmented Reality

• Video Playback: A method where videos are shown anchored in a 3D space, allowing for a blend with the physical environment.
• Extended Tracking: Allows AR experiences to persist even when the trigger image is not in view, useful for larger objects.
• Markerless AR: Real-time mapping of physical spaces using smartphone sensors, eliminating the need for specific trigger images.
• Chroma Key Video: Video technique that uses a brightly colored background for easy removal and replacement with digital content.

Tools and Technologies

• Unity 3D: A game engine used for developing AR applications and 3D models, providing cross-platform capabilities.
• Qualcomm Vuforia: A robust platform for image recognition, providing various features for AR development.
• Visual Commerce: AR applications focused on enhancing sales experiences and virtual product trials.

VR and Related Technologies

• Virtual Reality (VR): Immersive environments created through computer simulations that users can interact with using special equipment.
• Motion Capture (Mocap): Technology that records real movements for use in 3D environments, enhancing realism in animations.
• Telepresence: Technology that simulates a person's presence at a different location, enhancing remote communication.

User Experience Elements

• Haptic Technology: Utilizes touch feedback, creating realistic interactions with virtual objects through vibrations and motions.
• Interactivity: The degree to which users can engage with applications, enhancing user experience.
• Six Degrees of Freedom: Refers to movement capabilities in 3D space, enabling actions such as pitch, roll, and yaw.

Additional Relevant Concepts

• Data Mining: Analyzing large datasets to identify patterns and extract valuable information.
• QR Code: A two-dimensional barcode encoding information like URLs or emails for quick scanning.
• Visually Impaired: Refers to individuals whose eyesight cannot be corrected to normal levels, defining a category of visual impairment.

Miscellaneous Terms

• Simulation: Creating virtual representations of real environments for various applications.
• Graphic: Pertains to visual art, especially in drawing or engraving.
• Digital Middle Class: Demographic group extensively using digital technologies in everyday life.

These notes encapsulate key concepts of augmented reality and related technologies, providing a comprehensive overview for study.