Reality and perception: Utilization of many facets of augmented reality

What we perceive with our senses becomes the basic real time information that directs and helps with the tasks we do. Our perception may represent the real world environment or what is perceived is a view of the real world modified with simulated elements of the environment. Augmented reality (AR) represents a system where a view of a live real physical environment is supplemented by computer-generated elements such as sound, video, graphic or location data. Development of AR systems has been facilitated by the advancement in both hardware and software technologies, making it easier to implement all functionalities in real time. Such real time enhancements have been helped by new techniques in such areas as computer vision, object recognition, and registration methodologies which enable user to interact with and manipulate the real world environment effectively. AR advanced computer graphics is integrated to real world data and viewed by the user using see-through head mounted display (HMD). This immersion of the integrated real and simulated world provides a unique perception to users. What he sees, feels, hears, and smells is indistinguishable between what is real and what is computer-generated. Technology has propelled AR systems from experimental laboratories to the marketplace demonstrating great promise in the fields of arts, architecture, archaeology, commerce, construction, education, entertainment, gaming, system maintenance, medical and military applications.