Non-Contact Thermo-Visual Augmentation by IR-RGB Projection

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Augmented Reality
• Haptics

Background:

• Spatial Augmented Reality (SAR) systems typically lack non-contact haptic feedback.
• Rendering realistic thermal sensations in virtual environments remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a thermo-visual projection system for non-contact haptic augmentation.
• To establish design guidelines for spatiotemporal projection patterns to render warm objects with high presence.
• To investigate the effectiveness of combining RGB and infrared (IR) projection for thermal rendering.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a thermo-visual projection system integrating standard RGB and fabricated IR projectors.
• Conducting psychophysical experiments to determine optimal spatiotemporal projection parameters for RGB and IR.
• Developing and evaluating application systems to demonstrate the proposed approach.

Main Results:

• The proposed thermo-visual system successfully renders warm objects with significantly higher perceived presence compared to standard SAR.
• Identified specific design guidelines for spatiotemporal projection patterns that enhance thermal perception.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of non-contact haptic augmentation through combined visual and thermal cues.

Conclusions:

• The developed thermo-visual projection system offers a viable method for non-contact haptic augmentation in SAR.
• The established design guidelines are crucial for effectively rendering thermal sensations and increasing object presence.
• This research advances the field of immersive augmented reality experiences by integrating thermal feedback.