Glossary of Terms
Term
Affective Computing
AI - Artificial Intelligence
AR - Augmented Reality
Biofeedback
Biomarkers
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Client (Context: Networked applications)
Compute Shader
Construct Validity
CPU - Central Processing Unit
Client (Context: Networked applications)
Eye Tracking
Fidelity
Fixation
GPU - Graphics Processing Unit
Head-Mounted Display (HMD)
Host (Context: Networked applications)
Immersive
MR - Mixed Reality
Script
Server (Context: Networked applications)
Saccade
XR - eXtended Reality
Meaning
The field of study concerned with the intersection between human emotion and computer systems or devices. For example, software that can recognize and intelligently respond to human emotions.
A branch of computer science focused on creating systems or machines that can perform tasks requiring human intelligence. These systems are designed to simulate human intelligence processes like learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and perception.
Technology that overlays digital information, such as images, videos, or 3D models, onto the real-world environment. It enhances the user's perception of reality by blending digital content with the physical world.
The process of monitoring and providing real-time information about physiological functions, such as heart rate, eye movements, skin galvanic response, and muscle activity.
Measurable indicators of biological states or conditions within the body.
This is the brain of a computer/device.
A client can refer to a device, the application it’s running, or both. The client is the application that a user will be using to connect to a server for information transfer.
‘Shaders’ are pieces of code that are run on a GPU to produce the images that are seen on a display. A ‘Compute Shader’ is a special type of shader that can be used to process arbitrary data. Such types of information include physics and AI training.
In research or testing, it refers to the degree to which a measure or test truly assesses the theoretical construct or concept it claims to measure. It evaluates how well an instrument or procedure represents a theoretical construct.
This is the brain of a computer/device.
A client can refer to a device, the application it’s running, or both. The client is the application that a user will be using to connect to a server for information transfer.
The ability of a device or technology to monitor and track the movement of a person's eyes, usually captured via Infra-Red sensors in XR headsets.
In the context of technology, fidelity refers to the accuracy or closeness of representation between a simulated or virtual environment and the real world. Higher fidelity indicates a more realistic representation.
When our eyes are relatively still and focused on one point.
This component is responsible for generating the images that are displayed on the monitor/HMD/display. In more recent years, ways of leveraging the specific type of processing available in GPUs have been introduced for the sake of AI, as well as other fields.
Whereas most displays are desktop-based (PC) or handheld-based (Smartphone), HMDs are placed on or around the head. Examples include fully enclosed VR headsets (Oculus Quest, etc.) and visors (Microsoft Hololens).
Returning to the Unity application context (see Server and Client above), a host is a Client that is running as a server as well. As such, a host is not ‘headless’, and will be producing all the usual visuals and functionality that a client provides as well as providing the server functionality for all connected clients.
Describes an experience that completely engrosses a person, often through XR technology, to the extent that the individual feels a sense of involvement or presence in the simulated environment.
A merging of the physical and digital worlds where physical and digital objects coexist and interact in real-time. MR combines elements of both AR and VR, allowing users to interact with virtual objects while still being aware of the physical environment.
A script is a file (usually plain text, but with a non-”.txt” file extension) that contains lists of instructions to be followed when run or compiled (code). In the context of Unity, a script will usually contain a single class, struct, or similar type. Unity scripts will end with the “.cs” file extension.
A server can refer to a device, the application it’s running, or both. The server is the endpoint to which a client's application will connect to run the application in question.
The rapid ‘ballistic’ eye movements between fixations.
An umbrella term that encompasses all immersive technologies, including VR, AR, and MR. XR refers to the spectrum of environments generated by computer technology and wearables that merge the physical and virtual worlds.