Augmented reality system including corporal tactile devices

An augmented reality, AR, apparatus comprising:

• a) a video see-through AR, VST-AR, device configured to capture images of a real-world environment and display augmented versions of those images on a display screen;
• b) a corporal entity comprising a physical analog of an otherwise empty laboratory vessel;
• c) an identification marker affixed to the vessel, the marker uniquely associated with at least the type of vessel, the VST-AR device configured to capture and decode the marker;
• d) at least one processor communicatively coupled to the VST-AR device and further communicatively coupled to a data store, the data store using the decoded marker as a key to retrieve operational parameters from the data store that define how an augmentation of the vessel by the VST-AR is rendered to the display screen, wherein virtual matter is rendered as a liquid and an operational parameter is viscosity whereby the augmentation of the virtual matter as the liquid further conveys the liquid's viscosity based on simulated fluid dynamics;
• and
• e) a spatial registration module accessible by the at least one processor wherein a registration indicium captured by the VST-AR device conveys distance and orientation of the vessel in real-time to the processor wherein the at least one processor generates visual augmentations to the display, the augmentations representing the virtual matter present within the vessel.

An augmented reality, AR, apparatus comprising:

• a) a video see-through AR, VST-AR, device configured to capture images of a real-world environment and display augmented versions of those images on a display screen;
• b) a laboratory instrument comprising a physical object with integrated sensors and markers for AR enhancement, wherein the laboratory instrument is a micro-pipette and further comprises capacitive tactile sensors affixed to the laboratory instrument to detect user touch and grip, piezoelectric pressure sensors to measure the force applied during liquid transfer, and a mechanical pressure sensor to provide precise feedback on the amount of pressure exerted on the pipette tip;
• c) an identification marker affixed to the laboratory instrument, the marker uniquely associated with the laboratory instrument, the VST-AR device configured to capture and decode the marker;
• d) at least one processor communicatively coupled to the VST-AR device and further communicatively coupled to a data store, the data store using the decoded marker as a key to retrieve operational parameters from the data store that define how an augmentation of the laboratory instrument by the VST-AR is rendered to the display screen;
• and
• e) a spatial registration module accessible by the at least one processor wherein the unique identification marker optically captured by the VST-AR device conveys distance and orientation of the laboratory instrument in real-time to the processor wherein the at least one processor generates visual augmentations to the display, the augmentations corresponding to the laboratory tasks performed with the instrument.