Augmented reality glasses

ARE YOU one of those persons who frequently finds it difficult to put a name to a familiar face? Well, researchers at IBM's Almaden Labs in San Jose, California have offered a solution in the form of an ordinary pair of sun goggles. But that was as far as resemblances went.

The device is a pair of ``augmented reality'' glasses. A tiny digital camera mounted on the frame records the scene in front of the wearer which is transferred in real time through a transceiver on the frame to a database server. Using a special software developed by IBM called query by image content (QBIC), a personal database of the wearer of the glasses is scanned to match the face of the person in front of the wearer with a name. The profile of this person is then downloaded to the transceiver on the glasses and projected in space in front of the wearer, just like a head-up display. Reading this profile, the wearer can identify the person he is seeing and even get background information about him. Another alternative is to have the data read out to the wearer through a tiny ear piece microphone.

The concept known as WorldBoard which allows anyone to link virtual information, tools and services to any location, object or person on the planet.

An exciting potential use of WorldBoard is in travel and tourism. Imagine you are in Mahabalipuram but cannot identify which temple is which. Well, all you have to do is put on your augmented- reality glasses and the name and description of each of the temples will be projected before your eyes as you gaze at the temple.

How is this done? A global positioning system linked to the glasses accurately identifies your location to the nearest centimeter. Technology has been developed to make out the orientation of the glasses, so the system knows where you are looking. The database to which this information goes can then identify the object and send information about it to the projection system of the special glasses. Another important step toward WorldBoard is NASA's recent 3-D mapping of the earth's surface, which will allow information to be associated precisely with a spot in three-dimensional space.

The WorldBoard could also serve as a navigational aid. It can be of help to sea captains to maneuver their vessels through heavy fog by watching the world go by - virtual ships, landmarks and hazards - through their WorldBoard glasses.

N. N. Sachitanand

in Bangalore

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