A framework for context immersion in mobile augmented reality

Research on augmented reality has mostly explored technical options; thus, currently, there is a limited understanding of human experiences with digitally augmented environments in mobile devices. Through the reviews of related works, this paper proposes a novel concept of context immersion, with the key features emphasizing the potential of augmented reality embodied in smart phones. The framework of the context immersion is structured around a combination of three dimensions, time and location-based context, object-based context and user-based context, where users can experience immersion in augmented environments, but still be connected to a real context in the physical world. A customized questionnaire was developed based on the factors of the context immersion, and the experience of creating a digital exhibition was presented as a case study to illustrate the utility of context immersion as an analytical tool for mobile augmented reality applications. Through understanding the user experience in mobile digital exhibitions, crucial components of context immersion were identified for the design and implementation of mobile augmented reality. Finally, implications of the results and the direction for the development of mobile augmented reality are presented. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.