Augmented tools with transparent displays

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) is a live view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated information such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. Research in AR has been going on for the last several decades. However, the most widely used medium for showing AR feedback so far has been a digital screen or head mounted display (HMD). Present day augmented reality actually is an augmentation of camera feed which down-samples the real environment limiting a number of things that can be done with it. In industry transparent displays have been manufactured for the past five years. Researchers have been awed by their novelty and magical capability. However, not much has been done with them. In this research, we propose using transparent displays for augmenting several day-to-day tools. Multiple scenarios are explored such as augmentation of 2D information (Glassified), fusion of transparent displays with various optical lenses to overlay information onto 3D objects (Augmented Magnifier), and using transparent displays for augmented fabrication (Clearcut).