Far-Field Occlusion and Distance Perception in Augmented Reality

Naval Research Laboratory, Code 5580, 4555 Overlook Ave SW, Washington, DC 20375. Email: [email protected] Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology, which allows computer-generated graphical information to be correlated with a person’s view of the real world (see Figure 1). These graphics can be placed in three positions relative to the real world: (1) in front of the view of the real world, (2) on the view of the real world, and (3) beyond the view of the real world. For decades researchers have studied perception using artificial stimuli (both computer-generated and non-computer-generated), as well as natural scenery. While many of the results will doubtless be found to apply to AR, AR itself provides a display capability which is qualitatively different from those which have been previously studied. This is particularly true for graphics drawn on the view of the real world (which look like computer-drawn signs or labels), and drawn beyond the view of the real world (which provide an “x-ray vision” capability).