Architecture
One of the main objectives of MRGIS is to be operational in both indoor and outdoor environments. In indoor environments, the main mode of operation is to perform pre-navigational operations such as planing, geo-visualisation and educational games. On the other hand, in outdoor environments the main mode of operation to provide navigational information into urban environments. In terms of the high-level architectural structure MRGIS consists of the following conceptual components:
- Processing sub-system
- Video sub-system
- Graphics sub-system
- Tracking sub-system
- Interface sub-system
To keep the cost of the system as low as possible the architecture of MRGIS is based on a combination of of-the-self software and hardware technologies. The geographical data can be either cached or pre-stored on the filing system (FS) of the computing unit used. To allow for flexibility and extensibility, presentation scenarios and mode of operation can be customised.
Technical Characteristics
In MRGIS, the processing sub-system is refered to as the computer used. Currently it is operational on desktops and laptops or tabloids but in the future it will be ported in personal digital assistants (PDAs) as well as third-generation (3G) phones. The video sub-system relates to the device used such as video- or web-camera and their method of operation. Also this sub-system is responsible for performing the merging between the live feed and the graphics. The graphics sub-system provides all the computer-generated images that will be used by the real-time augmentation. The tracking sub-system is responsible for the detection of the user's location in real-time performance and in both indoor and outdoor environments. Finally, the interface sub-system relates to the software technology used to integrate everything together and link them with the end-user in a friendly and appealing manner.
