Hardware glossary

A conventional screen presenting the same view to both eyes, without stereoscopic depth.

Can show interactive 3D content. Excludes worn displays and projection.

Example: A tablet showing an AR model.

A display worn over the eyes to present visual content.

Does not imply VR, stereo, passthrough or optical see-through.

Example: A headset or display-equipped smart glasses.

A display presenting information in the user’s forward view without requiring them to look down.

Use for non-head-mounted installations; worn displays use Head-Mounted Display.

Example: A vehicle windscreen display.

Visuals cast onto a surface by a projector.

Can be mono or stereo; record stereo viewing separately when confirmed.

Example: A projected immersive room.

An external screen that gives each eye a different view to create perceived depth.

Includes glasses-based and glasses-free screens. Excludes headsets and stereo projection.

Example: zSpace learning systems.

A display that creates imagery at positions within a physical volume.

Do not use for stereo panels or LED stages.

Example: A swept-volume display.

Equipment that puts information into a person’s forward view.

For example, a vehicle windscreen display; classify worn displays separately.

Equipment worn over the eyes to present visual content.

Does not by itself establish VR, stereo, or how the device is powered.

A fixed station where people interact with a screen or controls.

Classify its actual display separately.

An arrangement of large LED screens forming a backdrop or surrounding environment.

Volume describes the stage arrangement, not volumetric imagery.

A smartphone used as part of the experience.

Set Flat Display only when its screen is actually used for viewing.

A desktop or laptop computer.

Describes the computer, not its screen or how another device uses its processing.

A physical mock-up used to practise or simulate an activity.

Examples include a cockpit or driving rig; its visual output varies.

Equipment that casts images onto a surface.

Can support ordinary or stereoscopic projection.

Glasses with computing features such as a camera, audio or a display.

Some smart glasses have no visual display; do not assume Head-Mounted Display.

A handheld computer with a larger touchscreen.

A tablet can display AR on an ordinary flat screen.

Equipment that creates imagery at positions within a physical volume.

Not a synonym for a stereo screen, LED volume or simulated hologram.

Processing happens in the device itself.

Processing is supplied by a separate device; the exact kind is unspecified.

A separate desktop or laptop supplies processing for this device.

A separate phone supplies processing for this device.

A separate console supplies processing for this device.

A separate tablet supplies processing for this device.

Separate stereo glasses deliver a different view to each eye from a screen or projection.

The display delivers different views to each eye without worn glasses.

A worn display delivers separate views to the two eyes.

A camera or multi-lens rig that records 180° or 360° video or photos.

Mono or stereoscopic immersive capture equipment; it records content rather than presenting it.

Add a row only when the source names the capture equipment. Record the result as 360 Video, 180 Video or 360 Photo content; do not infer visual output or compute from the camera.

A device that captures the shape of physical spaces or objects as 3D data.

Laser (LiDAR/terrestrial), structured-light or depth-camera capture equipment; it records content rather than presenting it.

Add a row only when the scanner itself is part of the deployment evidence. Record the resulting content as Laser Scan or Photogrammetry; do not infer visual output or compute from the scanner.

A peripheral that measures hand or finger position and motion.

An input sensor, not a display. Integrated headset hand tracking is an input capability, not a separate device.

Add a hardware row only when a separate sensor is deployed; do not infer visual output or compute from tracking.

A glove that provides touch feedback to the hands or fingers.

Does not imply an integrated visual display.

Wearable equipment that provides touch feedback across the body.

Does not imply an integrated visual display.

A peripheral that measures the pose of a physical object.

Tracks props, tools or equipment in space; does not itself present visual content.

Use for separately deployed instrument or prop trackers. Tracking dimensionality is a capability, not proof of displayed content or headset freedom of movement.

A walking platform supporting movement in different directions while staying in place.

A movement peripheral, not a visual output.