Aero - Marker : Blimp - based Augmented Reality Marker

We describe an augmented reality (AR) marker that has both a virtual appearance and physical features. We integrate a blimp with an AR marker to overcome two problems found in conventional AR applications. One problem is mobility. While a conventional AR marker is generally paper-based and static, “Aero-Marker” floats in the air and moves toward the user. Thus, the relationship between the user and marker changes. The other problem is physicality. Unlike a paper-based marker, Aero-Marker has physical volume because it uses a physical blimp. Virtual information is overlaid on the entire surface of the blimp, like texture mapping in 3D computer graphics, making the virtual information tangible. Thus, the interaction between the user and marker changes.