Heads up display (HUD)

A head-up display or heads-up display, also known as a HUD, is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints. Originally a military technology, a Heads-Up Display is a device which projects supplemental information onto the surface reflection of a transparent panel. This allows the user to view the projection, or view objects beyond the panel without moving his head. A HUD also has the advantage that the user's eyes do not need to refocus to view the outside after looking at the optically nearer instruments.
== Usage ==
HUD’s are a user interface where supplemental data is overlaid directly onto the main window rather than being separated into a different display panel. This allows the main window to occupy the user’s entire viewport. 
The Heads Up Display is an ubiquitous technology among the Dalmer and serves a wide array of functions. Since Dalmer vision works by loading in chunks of what is in front of them, the HUD only serves to partially alleviate this. The system is a compromise between limiting the user's field of view and forcing him to look away from his primary display to view additional information. Typically, these systems show targeting information. Systems using this technology are considered augmented reality.
The HUD is possibly one of the most complex Dalmer inventions, and has many features and functions designed to help the user in various situations. The HUD is typically linked to a Prox Drone to increase the HUDs functionality.
== Prox Drone ==
Main Article: Prox Drone
The Prox drone is a portable drone the Dalmer use for a variety of reasons. they are linked to the HUD and give feedback to the user, allowing it to be feed data in first or third person view.
== Functions ==
Functions are how the HUD works. They are the base mechanics of a HUD.
=== First/Third Person Mode ===
If linked to a Prox drone, the user can view itself in a third person view.
=== Prompts ===
A prompt is a visual information given by the HUD that an action is possible, designed to attract the users attention without polluting the users main screen. 
Prompts are usually in the form of tutorials, blurbs and automated actions.
==== Tutorials ====
Tutorials are a function of the HUD where the user can receive instructions on how to accomplish a certain task. These can either be real time details appearing on the HUD, or a dedicated readme or video manual that appears over the screen detailing how to proceed.
==== Blurb ====
A blurb is a short text description of an item detected by the HUD, these are destined to give the most useful information on an item or entity to the user. The function has dedicated modes that can be toggled by the user, such as combat information, cultural-historical cues and situational awareness blurbs. 
==== Automated Actions ====
An automated action is a type of prompt that gives the HUD permission to activate the user's Outfit and undertake the prompted action if activated. These can range from dodging a blow to putting the user into the nearest cover. 
== Features ==
A feature is a tool that the HUD allows the user to use, these, unlike functions are interchangeable and can be removed to better suit the users needs.The HUD has many features designed for a wide range of situations, ranging from an auto cartographer, to the ability to request reinforcements.
=== General ===
Concerns features that are multi-situational, but mostly concern the users and its allies health.
==== Life Meter ====
Oxygen is measured with the HUDs life meter. When the user is exposed for too long underwater, or enters a very hot environment, a timer appears counting down the time before the oxygen runs out. Before it runs out, the user must either rise to the surface or exit from the hot area, depending on the area; otherwise, it will pass out and eventually perish. How long the time will be depends on the current life meter. 
==== Drone control ====
The HUD can display and give prompts necessary to controlling a drone while in flight. usually the prox drone links itself to the controlled drone in order to better navigate it. Drone control is extremely dangerous as the user is completely blind and deaf to its surroundings while controlling the drone. 
==== HP detector ====
Main Article: HP detector
Detects the users remaining HP until it undergoes HP depletion or death. 
====Thaum meter====
Used to detect the expenditure of yeasts for the purposes of magic or telekinetics. The meter also detects usage of telekinetics as well as displays the users reservoir of salts usable to power elemental weapons. 
==== Status updater (sickness, wounds, crippling wounds) ====
The status updater is a separate screen where a users overall health is displayed. the updater warns the user of contracted sicknesses, wounds received and if a limb is crippled or not. 
Power/Energy gage
The status of an items energy level is displayed on the users HUD, generally as a percentage or time left.
=== Combat ===
==== Troop markers (reinforcements) ====
Main Article: Troop Marker
If the user has troop markers in its inventory, the HUD can prompt the user of the possibility of deploying reinforcements to its position.
==== Marking ====
Main Article: Marking
Marking is a method of detection of a target that uses coating technology. Once visual contact has been made with a target, the target will be marked. The marked target will appear on the users HUD even if hidden from view. 
Marking is situational, the user can input what target it is looking for in order for the HUD and any linked Prox Drone to seek and identify the target, which will appear in a visible color to the user (usually red, blue, green or yellow). 
A passive method of marking can be done in order to assess the dangerosity of a hostile, it does not make the target appear when out of sight. The ranking makes the hostiles appear in a color reflective of its difficulty level. this can either translate as a level or a color (generally, red, blue, black, silver and gold). 
The IFF system works in a similar method, determining based on data if the target is Friendly, Hostile, Neutral, or has another purpose of note to the user.
===== Ammo counter =====
The ammo counter displays various information pertaining to a users ammunition stores. Generally it shows the HUD the contents of the current feeding device, the number of feeding devices available for the current weapon, the total ammunition count for the current weapon and the count of other ammunitions that can be used by the weapon.
==== Projectile course plotter ====
The course plotter allows the user to accurately define the arc of a projectile (usually thrown weapons or other ranged weaponry. The arc will go from white to red when the arc lands upon a target, it will display a warning if the user or its allies are within the range of the radius. 
===== Multi Projectile Targeting System =====
Hud improvement that allows the user to throw multiple objects, all of which will hit their target.
==== HP Detector ====
Detects a targets HP, can estimate how many hits the target can take before depletion or death. The detector can also indicate weak spots (usually highlighted spots). Blurbs on how to eliminate the targets remaining HP can be toggled on. 
=== Defense ===
==== Crosshair Awareness Warning System ====
The CAW system is a dalmer technology that forewarns the user that it is being targeted by a ranged weapon via a target icon on the heads up display.
The system works by detecting ranged weapons in firing positions that are pointed towards the user.
An option allows the user to fire at whoever is aiming at them, before the enemy has fired a shot.
==== MIZEWS ====
Mortar impact zone early warning system.
==== NIZEWS ====
Nuclear impact zone early warning system
==== Mimicry detection scope ====
The MDS system is a technology that allows psychoscopic and camera dependent systems (such as turrets) to detect organic material pretending to be everyday items.
It works by superposing the scanned item to a database of everyday items, and if it determines the organic contents to be too high compared to regular items, it will mark the item as a mimic. If turrets are present, insect presence must be eradicated beforehand, small pets must never be present, and hiding in closets might result in injury and/or death.
=== Stealth and Infiltration ===
==== Stealth status indicator ====
Stealth indicator works based on enemy eye movements. If they’re quick and nervous the indicator notifies the user. However the indicator cannot determine what the enemy is searching for, meaning if hostiles are looking for something else, the indicator will be set off.
==== Lock evaluator ====
The lock evaluator determines the difficulty level of a lock via a blurb on the HUD. If the user decides to unlock the lock. the evaluator can either give an action prompt, or give the user a visual representation of the lock's inner mechanisms in order to aid the user to unlock it.
=== Social ===
Disposition estimator
The disposition estimator is a HUD feature where the user can determine the interlocutors feelings towards the user based on algorithmic data analysis. 
==== Speech prompts ====
Speech prompts are blurbs and automated actions that help guide a user through a conversation. Originally created for the dating scene, the prompts are often accompanied with tips such as how to deliver the line for maximum effect or actions to help emphasize the action (for example, a line delivered intimidatingly works better if the user lifts the interlocutor of the ground). 
=== Commerce ===
Value quantifier
The value quantifier gives the user an estimation of an items value based on its materials, similar items, current craftsmanship rates, and other aggregated algorithmic and trade data collected on the Aether Web. 
Inventory manager
The HUD can display the users inventory. features a search bar, categories and other useful functions.
=== Navigation ===
==== Satellite Map/ Satmap ====
The global mapping feature of a HUD is the satmap, which links the HUD to the nearest mapping satellite in order for the user to have a birds eye view of its location.
==== Local map/ Locmap ====
The local map uses either a Prox Drone link or Satellite to give the user a birds eye view of the local area. 
==== Map Markers ====
A local map can have specific areas marked such as towns, businesses, streets and other points of interest. The user can also place customized markers on hte map.
==== Location marking software (waypoint) ====
The user can place custom waypoints on the locmap. The itinerary to the waypoint will then be displayed on the users HUD, Locmap or Minimap. 
==== HUD Markers ====
THe user can define which map markers should appear on its HUD, by default they will appear on the HUDS compass. 
==== Mini Map ====
The Minimap is a feature of Locmap where a small screen indicating the local area appears on the users HUD rather than on a separate screen. 
==== Radar ====
If linked to a proxdrone, the minimap can show points of interest, people and other features of an area on a users minimap.
==== Compass ====
A compass is a hud feature where at the top of a users HUD a compass appears as well as HUD markers. 
= Boosters =
HUD Boosters are in reality single use computer programs that allow changes in the Dalmers perception of the hidden world. For example, a persuasion booster modifies the users tone of voice and gives suggestions of generated sentences on the HUD that have a greater chance of persuading the target. Also, boosters affect the users articles of clothing or armor in their function. For example, muscle boosters augment the power diverted to joints and structural stability etc.
= Limits =
HUD’s aren’t foolproof, however. Hallucinogenic computer viruses can hack into the HUD, causing the target to experience terrifying hallucinations.