Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 5.9
Example of augmented reality interaction. The user is wearing a VR helmet and is inter-
acting with VR content with a reference image of reality
As humans tend to solve two dimensional problems more quickly than three
dimensional ones [
86
], it is worth simplifying the model of navigation by limiting the
number of dimensions where it is applicable. Agood example of dimension reduction
is a geographic coordinate system. Every position on a three dimensional planet is
limited to a point on a surface, described by two angles [
87
]. While considering this,
it should be kept in mind that temporal data introduce time as another dimension.
Augmented Reality
Generating a convincing reconstruction of the world is difficult to achieve. Another
approach tries to enhance live video images with abstract data visualization, the so
called augmented reality [
88
].
In the multiscale context, the augmented reality approach could improve under-
standing of visualization and solve 3Dnavigation issues. Humans have natural aware-
ness of their position and are able to navigate in space. The user can freely approach
objects and examine them from different angles. Therefore, viewing multiscale con-
tent overlaid on real objects could be most natural in terms of navigation and interac-
tion. Of course, the realization of such interaction is non-trivial. Benefits, however,
outweigh potential problems, e.g. transformation of pre-registered datasets to fit the
current pose of the subject.
Augmented reality can be realized with different tools like:
using a tablet device to compute a virtual “image frame”, showing the live recorded
background combined with visualization,
using a wearable head mounted translucent display, e.g. Google Glass [
89
]or
