Method and apparatus for augmented reality hybrid tracking system with fiducial-based heading correction

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for enabling accurate registration of virtual information upon real objects in selected environments from the perspective of a moveable observation platform having a position and an orientation within an observation space positioned within the environment, the position and orientation defining the registration of the virtual information within the observation space within the environment, which may comprise: a plurality of at least three tracking fiducials selectively each respectively located in fixed predetermined locations in the observation space; the observation platform including a position sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated position of the observation platform in the observation space and a heading sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated heading of the observation platform within the observation space; the observation platform further including a wide view fiducial detection apparatus mounted on the observation platform and adapted to detect the relative direction from the observation platform to each of the plurality of tracking fiducials, a heading error detection apparatus adapted to detect the difference between the estimated heading and the present heading based upon the observed relative directions to the respective tracking fiducials, and forming a corrected heading from the estimated heading and the detected heading error.