An event-based data distribution mechanism for collaborative mobile augmented reality and virtual environments

The full power of mobile augmented and virtual reality systems is realized when these systems are connected to one another to immersive virtual environments, and to remote information servers. Connections are usually made through wireless networks. However, wireless networks cannot guarantee connectivity and their bandwidth can be highly constrained. The authors present a robust event-based data distribution mechanism for mobile augmented reality and virtual environments. It is based on replicated databases, pluggable networking protocols, and communication channels. We demonstrate the mechanism in the Battlefield Augmented Reality System (BARS) situation awareness system, which is composed of several mobile augmented reality systems, immersive and desktop-based virtual reality systems, a 2D map-based multi-modal system, handheld PCs, and other sources of information.