Enhanced Natural Visual Perception for Augmented Reality-Workstations by Simulation of Perspective

A novel method is presented for enhancing the natural visual perception afforded by augmented reality (AR) workstations. The approach incorporates a method for simulating perspective viewing using a monitor-based AR workstation that acts as a window to the physical workspace in front of it. Although similar AR workstations are often used in industry, they do not provide natural visual perception. By incorporating user head tracking and a spherical mirror, the method proposed enhances visual perception by simulating the depth cue of perspective viewing. The method interactively adjusts the viewing parameters to provide accurate perspective viewing of both the video stream (representing the physical environment) as well as the virtual objects superimposed within it. Hence, the user gains the impression of 3D viewing of the entire AR scene when moving ones head in front of the monitor. This paper describes the hardware setup and the method for perspective simulation within an AR software application. Finally, an experimental evaluation of the accuracy of the system is described to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.