Digital diorama: AR exhibition system to convey background information for museums

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a MR museum exhibition system, the "Digital Diorama" system, to convey background information intuitively. The The system aims to offer more features than the function of existing dioramas in museum exhibitions by using mixed reality technology. The system superimposes computer generated diorama scene reconstructed from related image/video materials onto real exhibits. First, we implement and evaluate location estimation methods of photos and movies are taken in past time. Then, we implement and install two types of prototype system at the estimated position to superimpose virtual scenes onto real exhibit in the Railway Museum. By looking into an eyehole type device of the proposed system, visitors can feel as if they time-trip around the exhibited steam locomotive and understand historical differences between current and previous appearance. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.