MIT News reviewed MIT Graphics Group's article presented last week at IEEE Conference on Computer Vision in Kyoto, Japan. The idea is that given enough time, a digital camera could take a dozen photos with different focus distance and software could stitch them into a perfectly focused composite.
For the time being, however, the technique is limited by the speed of camera sensors. So, the group described alternative approach based on "lattice-focal lens," an ordinary lens filter with what look like 12 tiny boxes of different heights clustered at its center. Each box is in fact a lens with a different focal length, which projects an image onto a different part of the camera's sensor. The raw image would look like gobbledygook, but the same type of algorithm that can combine multiple exposures into a coherent composite can also recover a regular photo from the raw image.
More details and articles can be found on Sam Hasinoff page.
Micron Loss on Aptina Spin-Off Corrected to $41M
Micron has just announced its quarterly report with Aptina deal details. It appears that Micron's previously recorded $53M loss on Aptina sale is corrected to $41M now:
"On July 10, 2009, the company sold a 65% interest in Aptina Imaging Corporation (“Aptina”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company and a significant component of its Imaging segment, to Riverwood Capital (“Riverwood”) and TPG Capital (“TPG”). Under the agreement, the company received approximately $35 million in cash and retained a 35% minority stake in Aptina and Riverwood and TPG contributed significant debt-free capital to the independent, privately-held, company. In connection therewith, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the company recorded a charge of $53 million, the estimated loss on the transaction, to write down certain Aptina intangible assets and property, plant and equipment to their estimated fair values. The company’s results of operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 include a credit of $12 million to adjust the estimated loss to the final loss of $41 million. The company will account for its interest in Aptina under the equity method and will continue to manufacture products for Aptina under a wafer supply agreement."
"On July 10, 2009, the company sold a 65% interest in Aptina Imaging Corporation (“Aptina”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company and a significant component of its Imaging segment, to Riverwood Capital (“Riverwood”) and TPG Capital (“TPG”). Under the agreement, the company received approximately $35 million in cash and retained a 35% minority stake in Aptina and Riverwood and TPG contributed significant debt-free capital to the independent, privately-held, company. In connection therewith, in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the company recorded a charge of $53 million, the estimated loss on the transaction, to write down certain Aptina intangible assets and property, plant and equipment to their estimated fair values. The company’s results of operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 include a credit of $12 million to adjust the estimated loss to the final loss of $41 million. The company will account for its interest in Aptina under the equity method and will continue to manufacture products for Aptina under a wafer supply agreement."
Visera and Xintec Chairman Gets Back to TSMC
Digitimes: Xintec and Visera chairman, Shang-Yi Chiang is getting back to TSMC as senior VP R&D. In the past Shang-Yi Chiang used to be TSMC's VP R&D, overseeing image sensor development, among many other things.
Update: EETimes adds few more details on Shang-Yi decisions to go from VP R&D to chairman and then back.
Update: EETimes adds few more details on Shang-Yi decisions to go from VP R&D to chairman and then back.
Omnivision Announces Design Win for its Small Footprint Sensor
Yahoo: OmniVision announced that its ultra small OV6920 medical image sensor has been selected for ETView's new TVT Tracheoscopic Ventilation Tube. The OV6920 is among the world's smallest available NTSC CMOS image sensors based on 2.5um pixels, enabling TVT camera outer diameter of just 4mm.
Jova Low Cost Image Sensor Tester
EETimes: Jova presents its new image sensor and module tester. The new ISL-3200 tester sells for as $9,995 in volume and supports up to 64MP resolution at 100MHz pixel rate. MIPI/SMIA interfaces are supported through an adapter board.
The new system represents the next generation of Jova's benchtop testers. The company customers include Aurora Optical, Boston Scientific, ExBiblio, HP, Imaging Works, MFlex, NASA, NoblePeak, OmniVision, Palm, Siimpel, TSMC, Tessera and Vista Point Technologies (Flextronics).
The new system represents the next generation of Jova's benchtop testers. The company customers include Aurora Optical, Boston Scientific, ExBiblio, HP, Imaging Works, MFlex, NASA, NoblePeak, OmniVision, Palm, Siimpel, TSMC, Tessera and Vista Point Technologies (Flextronics).
Taiwanese Camera Module Production to Grow
Yahoo: New Research and Markets report finds that the Taiwanese camera module industry's shipment continued to be affected by the global mobile phone market decline in the first half of 2009, with shipment falling year-on-year. In 2009, CCM shipments are expected to see year-on-year growth, as the global economy is starting to show signs of recovery and the emerging market demand is increasing.
JVC Demos 4K 60p Video Camera
At IBC2009, JVC provides a live demonstration of its KY-F4000 real-time 4K camera. Live 60p images from the KY-F4000 will be displayed on JVC’s new 56-inch LCD panel with 4K resolution in the Production Village area of IBC. This compact camera features a single 1.25-inch CMOS image sensor of 3840 x 2160 pixels, capable of producing live images with 4 times the resolution of full HD.
JVC is currently shipping a 4K D-ILA projector, the DLA-SH4K. The addition of a 4K camera and 4K LCD monitor brings full capture capability and further display options to its product line.
JVC is currently shipping a 4K D-ILA projector, the DLA-SH4K. The addition of a 4K camera and 4K LCD monitor brings full capture capability and further display options to its product line.
Project Natal Broadly Supported by Game Developers
Xbit Labs: At Tokyo Games Show Microsoft said that its forthcoming 3D image-sensing Natal device is supported by 14 major developers of video games. Among them are Activision Blizzard, Bethesda Softworks, Capcom, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Konami, MTV Games, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, THQ, Ubisoft and, of course, Microsoft Game Studios.
Developers who received development kits from Microsoft in early June, used the opening of the Tokyo Game Show to voice their excitement about the device. Microsoft Project Natal device combines an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor. The depth sensor, which is an infrared projector combined with a monochrome CMOS sensor, allows Natal to see the room in 3D under any lighting conditions.
Update: Project Natal FAQ gives a lot more details, both technical and business.
Developers who received development kits from Microsoft in early June, used the opening of the Tokyo Game Show to voice their excitement about the device. Microsoft Project Natal device combines an RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone and custom processor. The depth sensor, which is an infrared projector combined with a monochrome CMOS sensor, allows Natal to see the room in 3D under any lighting conditions.
Update: Project Natal FAQ gives a lot more details, both technical and business.
HH NEC Reveals 0.162um CIS Process
Tech-On: Shanghai-based Hua Hong NEC announced production of CMOS image sensor in its 0.162µm process (CIS162). The 4T pixel process is derived from HH NEC standard 0.162µm logic process. The foundry is said to cooperate with its key customer to develop the CIS162 process with a 1.8V core device and 3.3V I/O circuits.
Galaxycore is rumored to be HH NEC's key customer [ISW].
Galaxycore is rumored to be HH NEC's key customer [ISW].
Samsung is Sampling HD Sensors
Digitimes: Samsung is sampling HD image sensors. The company expects HD and full HD sensors to enjoy significant growth in 2010. The penetration rate of 1.3MP sensors (both HD and non-HD) used in notebooks will increase to 43% in 2010 from 30% in 2009, and 2MP or above full-HD sensors will increase to 21% from 13%, according to Samsung.
Omnivision Outlook Improving
The Business Insider: Morgan Keegan upgraded OmniVision Technologies Inc. on Monday to its highest rating, saying the chip maker is taking market share from Aptina and is on track to increase profitability. Upgrades to image sensors in smartphones and laptops will improve profit margins, and the company has opportunities in the auto sector as well.
Barron's adds that according to the same analyst, Omnivision has weathered the downturn better than some of its rivals, and says it is “well-positioned in each of its end markets.”
Yahoo: In the meantime, Omnivision announced that its AutoVision image sensors have been selected by Altek, a Taiwanese imaging systems provider. Altek chose OmniVision's sensors for its Eagle View 360 degree surround viewer and lane departure warning system (LDWS), two of the automotive industry's most sought after driver assistance applications. Altek's Eagle View system is already being implemented by a large Asian automotive OEM.
Barron's adds that according to the same analyst, Omnivision has weathered the downturn better than some of its rivals, and says it is “well-positioned in each of its end markets.”
Yahoo: In the meantime, Omnivision announced that its AutoVision image sensors have been selected by Altek, a Taiwanese imaging systems provider. Altek chose OmniVision's sensors for its Eagle View 360 degree surround viewer and lane departure warning system (LDWS), two of the automotive industry's most sought after driver assistance applications. Altek's Eagle View system is already being implemented by a large Asian automotive OEM.
CAP-XX Studies Camera Phone Illuminator Options
While not directly coupled to image sensors, Australian capacitor vendor CAP-XX published a study of LED and Xenon flashes commonly found in mobile phones. As one can expect, LED power is lower than Xenon, but LED pulse lasts much longer:
Samsung Launches 1.4um Pixel Product
Market Watch: Samsung announced its newest quarter-inch optical format, 5MP SoC image sensor, the S5K4EA at the sixth annual Samsung Mobile Solutions Forum held in Taipei, Taiwan. Samsung’s proprietary pixel technology, the Samsung Enhanced Energy Steering (SEES) is said to bring more light into its 1.4um pixel. No word on BSI is said, so it's probably FSI sensor.
The S5K4EA imager has regionally adaptive DR expansion to brighten shadowed areas of a picture and is said to "intensify the clarity of brighter regions". Its fast frame capture with anti-shaking control feature enables sharp pictures by reducing blur caused by jitter from unsteady hands. The sensor is capable of processing 1080p resolution images at 30fps.
Samsung’s S5K4EA also offers auto focus, Xenon flash, mechanical or electronic rolling shutter. The new imager has a YUV output interface over MIPI2 or parallel. It also has JPEG with thumbnail output to speed up picture browsing on the phone.
The S5K4EA imager is available in an auto focus 8.5x8.5x6mm or smaller module. Ramples are currently available with mass production slated for the first quarter of 2010.
The S5K4EA imager has regionally adaptive DR expansion to brighten shadowed areas of a picture and is said to "intensify the clarity of brighter regions". Its fast frame capture with anti-shaking control feature enables sharp pictures by reducing blur caused by jitter from unsteady hands. The sensor is capable of processing 1080p resolution images at 30fps.
Samsung’s S5K4EA also offers auto focus, Xenon flash, mechanical or electronic rolling shutter. The new imager has a YUV output interface over MIPI2 or parallel. It also has JPEG with thumbnail output to speed up picture browsing on the phone.
The S5K4EA imager is available in an auto focus 8.5x8.5x6mm or smaller module. Ramples are currently available with mass production slated for the first quarter of 2010.
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