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Fundamental operating principle of Eye Tap : Rays of light which would have otherwise entered the eye are instead reflected by the diverter . The diverter is typically a double-sided mirror or a beam splitter . These rays of light are collected by a sensor , typically a CCD camera . This camera data is processed , and the aremac redisplays the image as rays of light . These rays reflect again off the diverter , and are then collinear with the rays of light from the scene . The user perceives the virtual light . This virtual light can be either the same image , or a computer mediated version of the real world scene , since the virtual light is altered under computer control .
An Eye Tap is somewhat like a head-up display ( HUD ). A HUD is any transparent
display that presents data without requiring the user to look away from their viewpoint . The important difference is that the scene available to the eye is also available to the computer that projects the head-up display . This enables the Eye Tap to modify the computer generated scene in response to the natural scene . Based on this fact Eye Tap finds use in various fields . · One use , for instance , for the Eye Tap would be in the construction area as it would allow the user to reference the blueprints , especially in a 3D manner . · Even in the business world , the Eye Tap has great potential , being capable of delivering to the user constant up to date information on the stock market , the user ' s corporation , and meeting statuses . · On a more day-to-day basis some of Steve Mann ' s first uses for the technology was using it to keep track of names of people and places , his to-do lists , and keeping track of his other daily activities . Where the user would benefit from real-time interactive information that is largely visual in nature , is sometimes referred to as computer-mediated reality , commonly known as augmented reality . · Eye tap has been explored as a potential tool for visually impaired due to its abilities to direct visual information to parts of the retina that function well .
However There are a few side effects of using Eye Tap . Users may find that they experience side effects such as headaches and difficulty sleeping if usage occurs shortly before sleep . Mann finds that due to his extensive use of the device that going without it can cause him to feel nauseous and unsteady when he removes it .
Since 1970s Steve Mann has been inventing , designing and building wearable computer systems . And now the work in progress on the eye tap technology has set up a new paradigm for a seamless connect between real and digital world , blurring the boundaries between the two and offering unprecedented ways of interacting with both .