What is Diminished Virtuality? A Directional and Layer-Based Taxonomy for the Reality-Virtuality Continuum

JMIR XR and spatial computing., vol. 1, pp. e52904

Abstract

The concept of reality-virtuality (RV) continuum was introduced by Paul Milgram and Fumio Kishino in 1994. It describes a spectrum that ranges from a purely physical reality (the real world) to a purely virtual reality (a completely computer-generated environment), with various degrees of mixed reality in between. This continuum is "realized" by different types of displays to encompass different levels of immersion and interaction, allowing for the classification of different types of environments and experiences. What is often overlooked in this concept is the act of diminishing real objects (or persons, animals, etc) from the reality, that is, a diminution, rather than augmenting it, that is, an augmentation. Hence, we want to propose in this contribution an update or modification of the RV continuum where the diminished reality aspect is more prominent. We hope this will help users, especially those who are new to the field, to get a better understanding of the entire extended reality (XR) topic, as well as assist in the decision-making for hardware (devices) and software or algorithms that are needed for new diminished reality applications. However, we also propose another, more sophisticated directional and layer-based taxonomy for the RV continuum that we believe goes beyond the mediated and multimediated realities. Furthermore, we initiate the question of whether the RV continuum truly ends on one side with physical reality.

Authors 4

1. Jan Egger corresponding

   Graz University of Technology · Essen University Hospital · Stiftung Universitätsmedizin Essen

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Virtual and Extended Reality in Medicine Essen University Hospital Essen Germany

   Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Essen University Hospital Essen Germany

   Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision Graz University of Technology Graz Austria

   Center for Virtual and Extended Reality in Medicine, Essen University Hospital, Essen, Germany

   Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria

2. Christina Gsaxner Aachen Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Institute of Medical Informatics

   Graz University of Technology · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany

   Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision Graz University of Technology Graz Austria

   Institute of Medical Informatics University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany

   Institute of Computer Graphics and Vision, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria

   Institute of Medical Informatics, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany

3. Jens Kleesiek

   TU Dortmund University · Essen University Hospital · Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Physics TU Dortmund University Dortmund Germany

   Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine Essen University Hospital Essen Germany

   Partner Site Essen German Cancer Consortium Essen Germany

   Department of Physics, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany

   Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Essen University Hospital, Essen, Germany

   Partner Site Essen, German Cancer Consortium, Essen, Germany

4. Behrus Puladi Aachen Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Institute of Medical Informatics

   Universitätsklinikum Aachen · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany

   Institute of Medical Informatics University Hospital RWTH Aachen Aachen Germany

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany