Integrating hardware and software: augmented reality based prototyping method for digital products

ABSTRACT

For digital products, the relationship between the hardware and the software is important but their integration is largely achieved in the later phase of the design process. This paper presents new prototyping methods that allow digital product designers to effectively integrate the hardware and the software of the products from the early phase of the design process. The integration is accomplished by accurately overlaying a virtual display onto a quickly made functional hardware prototype using two augmented reality techniques; 1) using a video see through HMD and 2) using video projection. The results of the preliminary evaluation suggest that the early integrated prototypes are effective for design development and user studies.

REFERENCES

• 1: Nam, T-J, "Designing Information Appliances: the evaluation of a design process framework based on a designer-friendly prototyping environment", Durling, D. and Shakelton, J. (eds.) Proc. of Design Research Socety International conference, 2002 UK, p. 123
• 2: Hirokazu Kato , Mark Billinghurst, Marker Tracking and HMD Calibration for a Video-Based Augmented Reality Conferencing System, Proceedings of the 2nd IEEE and ACM International Workshop on Augmented Reality, p.85, October 20-21, 1999

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: User interfaces

  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Input devices and strategies (e.g., mouse, touchscreen); Prototyping; User-centered design

  I. Computing Methodologies
  I.3 COMPUTER GRAPHICS
      I.3.6 Methodology and Techniques
          Subjects: Interaction techniques
      I.3.7 Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism
          Subjects: Virtual reality

  J. Computer Applications
  J.6 COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING
      Subjects: Computer-aided design (CAD)

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
augmented reality, hardware software integration, information appliances, prototyping