A Prototype of an Augmented Reality Browser for Natural Environment Studies

Abstract

Because an augmented reality (AR) user interface (UI) can intuitively display information content to a user, this type of interface has been applied to many systems in various fields. In our previous work, we proposed a mobile learning system with a recommender function for natural environment studies. The construction of a user profile is a major approach for personalizing learning content. However, no method for collecting a user's implicit preferences from his/her browsing behavior on the augmented reality UI has been established. In this study, we present a prototype of an AR browser that allows a user to observe, search, and record in the context of natural environment studies. Through the user's natural environment fieldwork, his/her implicit preferences can be extracted from his/her browsing behavior on the AR browser and leveraged to provide appropriate learning content recommendations. In our demonstration of this concept, we present a prototype of an AR browser for natural environment study that uses smartphone and tablet devices and validates the feasibility of our system.