Continuation of previous blog.
– Makoto Ikeda (University of Tokyo) : “3D range image capture technologies”. A detailed overview of 3D capturing techniques was given :
o triangulation (stereo matching, light section method),
o time-of-flight (time measurements and correlation techniques) and,
o interference method.
All methods discussed were illustrated with its theory, devices, circuits, and measurements. Of course there does exist a single best solution for all situations. All methods have their own benefits and limitations. According to Ikeda-san, the stereo matching is limited by its computational speed, the light section is limited by the integration time, the mechanical speed and its robustness, the direct TOF is limited by the readout speed, dark current rate, and robustness, while the correlation method is limited by its integration time.
– Levy Gerzberg (Zoran) : “High Speed Digital Image Processing”. Levy showed in his talk a few interesting example of digital image processing, such as blur correction (due to camera shake), lens distortion correction, dynamic range correction, colour management. Unfortunately he did not explain the technical algorithm used to take all these measures.
He also made clear that in the future the processing will become much more complex than ever before. For instance, the algorithms applied in cameras will rely on the content of the images and can change from picture to picture. He just mentioned one example : red eye correction will be different for children and adults. So the processing needs to find out whether a child is present on a picture or whether it is an adult before the correction of the red eye can be done.
– Masatoshi Ishikawa (University of Tokyo) : “Vision Chips and Its Applications to Human Interface, Inspection, Bio/Medical Industry and Robotics”. Ishikawa-san explained the need for “medium” speed imaging and explained a super vision chip containing in-pixel processing, and then the real show started ! Ishikawa showed fabulous demos, such as gesture recognition (with one of his head-banging students), multi-target tracking, 3D shape recognition (illustrated with a book flipping scanner), bio/medical demonstration with the inspection of moving sperm, robotics (illustration of a raw-egg catcher, a robot catching a mobile phone in free space, two robots playing base-ball, dynamic dribbling.
Together with the great examples of high-speed vision Ishikawa gave very funny details about the preparation of the demos. He really “entertained” the audience.
– Ronald Kapusta and Katsu Nakamura (Analog Devices) : “High-Speed Analog Interfaces for Image Sensors”. Nakamura explained how Analog Devices tries to fit their analog interface circuits to a wide variety of input signals coming from different sensors of different vendors, all with their own specification. He explained the needs for input reconfigurability for inter-operability and the design challenges of the analog interfaces to achieve low crosstalk and matching at or below 14-bit level. When he came to the explanation of a kTC-noise reduction circuit, an interesting discussion started about the presence and reduction of kTC noise in the analog circuitry Nakamura showed.
– Jean-Manuel Dassonville (Agilent) : “Test Challenges of High Speed Imaging Serial Busses in Mobile Devices”. The agenda of this lecture was based on :
o requirements and technology trends on imaging interconnects, such as higher throughput, less PCB space, less skew issues, less clock issues, provide mechanisms for reliable data transfer, reduce power consumption,
o main attributes of high speed serial interconnects,
o overview of some imaging interconnects (MIPI, HDMI, MDDI, DisplayPort),
o typical test requirements and challenges.
The forum ended with a short panel discussion. A strong program, excellent speakers, good documentation (with a lot of references included in the printed material) made this of exhausting day a great forum !
Albert 2010-02-17