Architectures for Untethered Augmented Reality Using Wearable Computers

One of the most interesting fields of computer technology is that of Virtual Reality. People are fascinated by being immersed in three-dimensional, computer-synthesised virtual worlds. There are many example applications such as interactive visualisation and representation for enter-tainment and education, modelling of construction, manufacturing and maintenance processes, architecture, medicine, annotation and simulations for training. One step further is the notion of augmented reality (AR) where, unlike virtual reality where the user sees only virtual worlds, he or she can see both the real and the virtual at the same time. One of the potential applications of augmented reality is the 3D reconstruction of archæo-logical sites in situ, where the user can be immersed while maintaining a composite view of the real and the virtual surroundings. By using an untethered, mobile, body-worn computer with a see-through head-mounted display and equipped with a location and orientation sensors the user can roam in the composite world as if the scene was entirely real. The research effort described here concerns the construction of such an AR application, cen-tred around the Roman remains in the Gosbecks Archæological Park on the outskirts of Colch