An optical tracker for augmented reality and wearable computers

Abstract

Augmented reality provides factory workers and other touch laborers with visual information overlaid upon the workcell to aid in the performance of their tasks. This application of virtual reality technology requires high accuracy, wearable, tetherless, inexpensive, mechanically robust, and lightweight head tracking systems that operate in a highly noisy environment. The paper describes a prototype head tracking system, currently under development and testing, that is based on one small, lensless, quad-cell detector and a set of fixed location, active optical beacons, that can potentially meet these requirements.