AR (Augmented Reality) & Video Streaming Services Emerging Technologies

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/ar-technologies-video-streaming

Introduction

### Course Review: AR (Augmented Reality) & Video Streaming Services Emerging Technologies In the rapidly evolving landscape of technology, augmented reality (AR) and advanced video streaming services are at the forefront, revolutionizing everything from entertainment to education. Coursera's course, **"Augmented Reality & Video Service Emerging Technologies,"** stands out as a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in delving into these cutting-edge technologies. #### Course Overview The course offers a thorough exploration of AR and multimedia technologies that augment our interaction with digital content. Spanning various topics ranging from the fundamentals of AR to the intricacies of video streaming services like Skype and YouTube, this course aims to equip learners with vital knowledge in emerging tech used across diverse industries. #### Syllabus Breakdown **1. AR Applications, Products & Business** The introductory module sets the stage by defining AR, distinguishing it from virtual reality (VR), and highlighting its various applications and business models. This section is crucial for understanding the commercial landscape of AR technology and insights into market trends. **2. AR Technology** Next, the course delves into the technical aspects of AR, elucidating how AR operates, the significance of feature detection, and the advantages of cloud computing in enhancing AR experiences. For those interested in the back-end workings of AR, this module is particularly enlightening. **3. SIFT SURF FAST BRIEF ORB BRISK** Focusing on core feature extraction technologies, this module covers the intricate processes that enable AR functionalities. Students will gain a solid grounding in critical algorithms, which are essential for anyone aiming to create or improve AR applications. **4. Skype, YouTube & H.264/MPEG-4 AVC** This section discusses the history and evolution of some of the most widely used video services in the world. Learners will not only understand the significance of platforms like Skype and YouTube but will also gain insights into the technical specifications that power them, particularly the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codecs. **5. Video Streaming & MPEG-DASH** Here, advanced video streaming techniques and the MPEG-DASH standard are explored. This module is particularly valuable for those interested in video delivery strategies, as it elucidates the mechanics of adaptive streaming technologies for a seamless user experience. **6. CDN Video Streaming Technology** Focusing on Content Delivery Network (CDN) technologies, this segment explains their role in optimizing video service delivery. The insights on CDN structure and content routing strategies are useful for understanding how major platforms manage vast amounts of video data efficiently. **7. AR Smartphone Project** Lastly, learners will engage in practical projects using well-known applications such as the IKEA Catalog and Google Translate. This hands-on experience is crucial, allowing students to analyze real-world scenarios, app functionalities, and the factors influencing AR accuracy. #### Recommendation I highly recommend this course to individuals eager to immerse themselves in the evolving fields of AR and video streaming. Whether you are a budding developer, a business professional, or an enthusiast keen on understanding current trends, this course covers essential theoretical and practical aspects that will enhance your knowledge and skillset. With an impressive curriculum that combines robust theoretical frameworks and real-world applications, participants can expect to finish this course with a comprehensive understanding of how AR and video streaming technologies function and their potential future developments. Join this course on Coursera to stay ahead in the digital transformation journey—augmented reality and advanced video services are no longer just a promise of tomorrow; they're transforming our world today!

Syllabus

AR Applications, Products & Business

The first module “AR Applications, Products & Business” focuses on the variety of AR (Augmented Reality) applications, technologies, products, and businesses. The lecture starts with the definitions and characteristics of AR and explains the differences of AR and VR (Virtual Reality). Then the advantages of various AR UI (User Interface) types, which include handheld AR displays (e.g., smartphones), AR eyeglasses, and HMDs (Head-Mounted Displays) are covered. In addition, AR business models and an analysis of the AR market, which includes the AR/VR headset market share, Worldwide AR/VR headset forecast, AR/VR market size by segment, and AR/VR market size forecasts are described.

The second module “AR Technology” focuses on AR (Augmented Reality) technologies, operation workflow, and Cloud support technologies. First, the features of AR technological components, and the role of AR feature detection/description technology and the IPD (Interest Point Detection) process is introduced. Second the advantages of AR cloud cooperative computation and AR cloud offloading is covered. In addition, the types of AR feature extraction descriptor types, feature detector requirements, and influencing factors are covered.

The third module “SIFT SURF FAST BRIEF ORB BRISK” focuses on all of the core feature extraction technologies used in AR (Augmented Reality), which include SIFT, SURF, FAST, BRIEF, ORB, and BRISK. As feature extraction is the most important (and computation burdening and time consuming) procedure of the AR process, the variety of technologies applied in state-of-the-art AR devices are studied in detail in this module. The lectures cover the characteristics of the AR IPD (Interest Point Detection), feature detection, and description schemes, which include SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform), SURF (Speed-Up Robust Feature), FAST (Features from Accelerated Segment Test), BRIEF (Binary Robust Independent Elementary Features), ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF), and BRISK (Binary Robust Invariant Scalable Keypoints).

The fourth module “Skype, YouTube & H.264/MPEG-4 AVC” focuses on the two most famous video service types that exist in the World. Skype is the most widely used video conferencing and VoIP (Voice over IP) application service in the World, which is now included in various Microsoft products, making video and voice communications possible from practically anywhere an Internet connection is available. YouTube is the World’s most widely used video service application service. The lectures cover the history of Skype and YouTube and also the evolution of their video and audio codec technologies. In addition, the lecture covers the details of the state-of-the-art H.264/MPEG-4 AVC video media technology that is currently used by Skype and YouTube.

The fifth module “Video Streaming & MPEG-DASH” focuses on advanced video streaming techniques and details on MPEG-DASH (Moving Picture Experts Group - Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) technology. First, the differences in Push vs. Pull based media streaming is covered along with the operation process of Pull based adaptive media streaming. Second, the types of video frames along with the structure of the fragmented MP4 file and GOP (Group of Pictures) are studied. Third, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) versions 1.0~2 and the DASH scheme is explained followed by examples of the YouTube MPEG-DASH progressive downloading process. Fourth, the standardization of ISO/IEC 23009-1 based MPEG-DASH specifications and the operation process of MPEG-DASH MDP (Multimedia Presentation Description) hierarchical data and MPD decoding & playing methods are covered.

The sixth module “CDN Video Streaming Technology” focuses on the necessity and operations of advanced video service CDN (Content Delivery Network) technologies. First, the CDN structure and the operation process of CDN hierarchical content delivery is covered. Second, the CDN market value, market size, service providers, and the role of the Telcos, CDN providers, operators, and market regions are studied. Third, details on CDN cooperative caching and content routing, Query based scheme, Digest based scheme, Directory based scheme, Hashing based scheme, and the Semi-hashing based scheme are covered. Fourth, content aging and updating operations along with CDN popularity prediction and contents update techniques (with operational examples of the LRU (Least Recently Used) and LFU (Least Frequently Used) strategies) are covered in the lectures. In addition, the differences in CDN vs. Mobile CDN technology are discussed.

The seventh module “AR Smartphone Project” focuses on two AR smartphone projects using the IKEA Catalog and Google Translate applications. First the operation features of the IKEA Catalog and Google Translate AR applications are studies in the project. Second the limitations of the operation process of these AR applications are tested to recognize how the brightness levels, shined light angles, shape and size of the area and object, distance, font and texture types, and language translations types can influence the accuracy of the AR operations.