TERMINOLOGY

Augmented Reality (AR)

is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are augmented by virtual computer-generated imagery. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality.

Immersive Environment

Immersive Environment is an artificial, interactive, computer-created scene or “world” within which users can immerse themselves. Technology utilized in Immersive Environments includes: 3D computer graphics, surround sound, interactive user-input and emerging effects such as wind, seat vibration and ambient lighting.

Intelligent Environments (IE)

Intelligent Environments (IE) are spaces with embedded systems and information and communication technologies creating interactive spaces that bring computation into the physical world. "Intelligent environments are spaces in which computation is seamlessly used to enhance ordinary activity. IEs describe physical environments in which information and communication technologies and sensor systems disappear as they become embedded into physical objects, infrastructures, and the surroundings in which we live, travel, and work. The goal is to allow computers to take part in activities never previously involved and allow people to interact with computers via gesture, voice, movement, and context.

Mixed Reality (MR)

Mixed Reality (MR) (encompassing both augmented reality and augmented virtuality) refers to the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. A mix of reality, augmented reality, augmented virtuality and virtual reality.

Multi-touch

On touch-screen displays, multi-touch refers to the ability to simultaneously register three or more distinct positions of input touches. Multi-touch has been implemented in several different ways, depending on the size and type of interface. Both touch tables and touch walls project an image through acrylic or glass, and then backlight the image with LEDs. When a finger or an object touches the surface, causing the light to scatter, the reflection is caught with sensors or cameras that send the data to software that dictates response to the touch, depending on the type of reflection measured. Touch surfaces can also be made pressure-sensitive by the addition of a pressure-sensitive coating that flexes differently depending on how firmly it is pressed, altering the reflection.[2] Handheld technologies use a panel that carries an electrical charge. When a finger touches the screen, the touch disrupts the panel's electrical field. The disruption is registered and sent to the software, which then initiates a response to the gesture.

Data Visualization

The main goal of data visualization is to communicate information clearly and effectively through graphical means. To convey ideas effectively, both aesthetic form and functionality need to go hand in hand, providing insights into a rather sparse and complex data set by communicating its key-aspects in a more intuitive way.

Gesture Recognition Interface

Gesture recognition enables humans to interface with a machine (usually a computer) and interact naturally without any mechanical devices such as a keyboard or mouse. Using the concept of gesture recognition, it is possible to point a finger at a computer screen or other display device so that the curser, windows or other objects will move and function accordingly.