International Imaging Industry Association

STMicroelectronics Demonstrates Unique Metal Alloys Improving Cameraphone Pictures

Editor I3A — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:13:58 +0000

Over the years, STMicroelectronics has applied its wide portfolio of technologies to the mobile communications market and, this year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ST is presenting further advances and ground-breaking solutions in key new applications.

Having triggered and mastered the revolution that put motion-sensing at the heart of many new mobile applications now on show, ST’s motion sensors are moving to become the enabling technology for the next wave of enhanced mobile functionality: Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Location-Based Services (LBS).

During MWC, ST will reveal a new approach to deliver OIS to mobile phones. OIS uses feedback from motion sensors embedded in the mobile device to control the mechanical actuator that compensates for slight movements of the user’s hand, resulting in sharper images even in low-light conditions. The new technology uses actuators made of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) that offer the unique ability to contract upon heating. Small size and low power requirements allow SMA “smart materials” to be used in actuators that are dramatically more compact, lighter, more powerful and quiet that will replace alternative technologies based on Voice-Coil Motors and piezoelectric elements that cannot meet the size constraints of mobile phones.

Location-Based Services are expected to be the next “killer” application but a major challenge in developing these services has been accurately locating the mobile device in urban canyons and indoor environments, where the signals from the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) satellites are blocked. ST will demonstrate a solution that fuses data from motion sensors with other data from map databases and Wi-Fi access points to dramatically improve the accuracy of the position calculation by an order of magnitude, a key enabler for future location-based-service applications. The solution includes an iNEMO Inertial Measurement Unit that offers 10 degrees of freedom, combining 3-axis sensing of linear, angular and magnetic motion with temperature and barometer/altitude readings.

Other demonstrations based on motion sensing include an inertial pointer for innovative man-machine interfaces and the recently announced iNEMO Body Motion Reconstruction technology that promises to improve outcomes in clinical and sports medicine applications, as well as enhancing augmented-reality and gaming applications.

In addition, the latest smart-phone ready version of the Pico Projector that ST and bTendo Ltd. are jointly developing will be demonstrated. The Pico Projector can be integrated into a smartphone or other portable device to allow users to easily share their images and videos with others at any time by simply projecting them onto any surface. Smartphones containing this technology could start appearing in the marketplace in 2013.

Source: STMicroelectronics.

3D Printing Gets Prehistoric

Editor I3A — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:24:13 +0000

Researchers at Drexel University in Philadelphia are using 3D printing technology to create scaled down models of fossils.

Kenneth Lacovara, an associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, is teaming up with the university’s mechanical engineering department to bring this new technology to palentology.

In just a few hours, a six-inch model of a bone can be printed and assembled into a 3-D replica that will help researchers answer a number of previously unanswerable question such as“How did they stand? and How did they move?

Source: Mashable

Augmented Reality Glasses — Fact or Fiction?

Editor I3A — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:53:28 +0000

According to news reports by the NY Times, it is anticipated that Google eyeglasses that stream information directly to the wearer (via the lenses) in real-time will be available for purchase by the end of the year. According to unnamed sources, the glasses have been designed to be used like smartphones and will use the same Android software that powers Android smartphones and tablets. The reports state that, similar to smartphones and tablets, the glasses will be equipped with GPS, motion sensors, a low-resolution camera and audio inputs and outputs. The built-in camera will capture the images seen by the viewer and stream them to Google's computers where they will be processed by Google software (such as Google Maps) and returned to the wearer as augmented reality.

Source: NYTimes.com.

Finnish Research Organization Combines Mobile Phone Technology and Microscopy

Editor I3A — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:33:30 +0000

A pocket-size microscope accessory developed by Finnish scientists turns an ordinary camera phone into a high-resolution microscope by attaching a thin, magnetic microscope module in front of the camera’s normal lens. The operation of the device is based on images produced by the combined effect of an LED light and an optical lens. Various surfaces and structures can be examined in microscopic detail and the phone’s camera can be used to take sharp, high-resolution images that can be forwarded as MMS messages.

The camera’s field of view is 2 x 3 millimeters and has a resolution of one-hundredth of a millimeter. A number of LEDs have been sunk into the outer edge of the lens, allowing objects to be illuminated from different angles. The researchers add that these images could be used to produce 3D topographic maps.

Release of the first industrial applications and consumer models is anticipated later this year.

Source: Cision Wire.

Mirrorless Cameras Gaining Ground

Editor I3A — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:28:56 +0000

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) recently released its report on 2011 camera sales, as well as a forecast of 2012 sales, broken down by both product type and market region. To enhance the statistics of interchangeable lens cameras, which are becoming more diverse, they have also introduced a new classification into their monthly digital camera statistics: Interchangeable lens cameras (broken down into Single Lens Reflex and “Non-reflex”).

CIPA reports that they “began compiling records in 1999, when digital cameras were still in their infancy. Since then, digital camera shipments recorded steady growth, reaching 100 million units for the first time in 2007, but in 2009 sales slackened year on year for the first time due to the impact of the global recession. In 2010, total shipments started growing again and reached an historic-high of more than 120 million units. However, total shipments in 2011 fell for various reasons, including the Great East Japan Earthquake and floods in Thailand. Total shipments of digital cameras in 2011 reached 115.50 million units.

In a breakdown by product type, shipments of digital cameras with built-in lens totaled 99.80 million units, a year-on-year decrease of 8.1%, shipments of interchangeable lens cameras reached 15.70 million units, a 21.8% increase, and shipments of lenses for interchangeable lens cameras amounted to 26.00 million, a 19.9% increase, exhibiting solid growth overall.

Looking ahead, the forecast for total shipment of digital cameras in 2012 is 117.30 million units, a year-on-year increase of 1.6%. In a breakdown of digital cameras by product type, shipments of cameras with built-in lens and those with interchangeable lens are forecasted to reach approximately 99.00 million (a year-on-year decrease of 0.8%) and 18.30 million units (a year-on-year increase of 16.6%), respectively. Of particular note is the expectation that the rapid growth trend will continue in the category of digital cameras with interchangeable lens for markets outside Japan, with shipments of 16.70 million, a year-on-year increase of 17.6%, anticipated. The total shipments of lenses for interchangeable lens cameras are expected to continue their marked growth, with a forecast for 2012 of shipments of 30.90 million units, a year-on-year increase of 18.8%”.

HD Video Without the Compromises

Editor I3A — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:19:28 +0000

Smartphone imaging has certainly come a long way in the last few years — most phones can now capture high-definition video unfortunately, it's likely that the video quality is degraded. A new image sensor from Aptina Imaging claims to change this trend, promising artifact-free video using the entire width of the image sensor.

The new 1/3.2” optical format 1.4-micron pixel sensor has the speed to capture the full 8 MP sensor resolution at a rapid 30 frames per second. According to Aptina, the sensor combines high sensitivity second generation backside illumination (BSI) technology and innovative, high-speed sensor technology which enable image capture with zero shutter lag and suppressed rolling shutter artifacts.

The AR0833 is currently sampling and will be available in mass production CY Q2 2012.

Source: Imaging Resource.

Number of Consumers Using Smartphones Cameras Triples

Editor I3A — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:48:06 +0000

The Consumer Electronic Association (CEA), Arlington, Va., says consumers are supplementing their digital photography with devices like smartphones and tablets. “The Changing Landscape of Digital Photography” found, while more than half (55 percent) of consumers still consider a point-and-shoot camera as their primary photography device, the number who consider their smartphone to be their primary device for their photography needs has tripled in two years to 18 percent.

The image quality of digital SLRs and point-and-shoot cameras is still very important to consumers. In fact, 93 percent of consumers ranked digital point-and-shoots highest in image quality. Three out of four consumers, however, favor smartphones when it comes to portability.

“Consumers don’t want to miss out on that great moment. Although they value the quality of digital SLRs and point-and-shoots, smartphones and tablets are great for that quick, can’t-miss shot,” says Chris Ely, manager, industry relations, CEA, who oversaw this study. “Since consumers always have their smartphones at the tip of their fingers these devices are ideal to capture and share the spontaneity of their lives.”

The study found consumers with smartphones and tablets were more likely to use sharing-related applications, such as sending images from one phone to another (38 percent), emailing photos (58 percent), posting photos to a social networking site (48 percent), and texting photos (45 percent).

“Smartphones and tablets will expand the scope of the digital-imaging industry,” adds Ely. “The rise of new digital imaging applications and features for these devices allows consumers to interact and use images in new ways, creating new opportunities for the industry.”

Via PMA Newsline.

Fujifilm Holdings Successfully Completes Tender Offer for SonoSite

Editor I3A — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:30:39 +0000

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation recently announced the successful completion of a tender offer through its indirect wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary Salmon Acquisition Corporation for all outstanding shares of common stock of SonoSite, Inc.

Computershare Inc., the depositary for the tender offer, has advised that, as of the expiration time 13,748,129 shares were validly tendered and not withdrawn, representing approximately 97.39% of all outstanding shares of common stock of SonoSite.

Fujifilm intends to acquire the remaining outstanding shares of SonoSite common stock through a second-step merger, pursuant to which SonoSite will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujifilm. The second-step merger is expected to be completed in late March 2012 or thereafter.

Shigetaka Komori, President and CEO of Fujifilm, said: “We are very pleased with the support we have received from shareholders. Together with SonoSite we will be able to capture the significant growth opportunities arising from new application areas in point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis and treatment. We will further enhance our technological expertise to develop medical imaging devices that contribute to the improvement of medical diagnostics and quality of care for patients worldwide.”

Source: FUJIFILM Holdings.

The February Issue of I3A’s Eye on Imaging Newsletter is Now Available

Editor I3A — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:23:46 +0000

In this month’s issue of I3A’s Eye on Imaging:

President’s Focus: The Tides of Change
Spotlight on IS2012
European Perspectives: Image Sensors
Member News
And more…

MRI Reveals Mysteries Inside Batteries

Editor I3A — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:04:33 +0000

A team of researchers from Cambridge University, New York University (NYU) and Stony Brook University say they have developed a way to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to inspect batteries without having to open them up. The idea behind the methodology is to develop a better understanding of how and why lithium deposits build up on electrodes and elsewhere after charging.

The researchers report that, an MRI’s radio waves may not penetrate the metals in a battery, but they can scan and measure features on the battery’s surface. These measurements can be used to recreate two- or three-dimensional digital images of the battery, including any lithium deposits that may have gathered on the battery’s electrodes.

Source: Observations, Scientific American Blog Network.