Overview Of Embedded Imaging And Video Technologies

By Author: Matt Williams
Total Articles: 4762
Comment this article

Some (young) people have never known a world without cell phones, WiFi and digital cameras. Regarding cameras, whose technology progresses at least as fast as that of any other consumer device, it was only 10 years ago that a state-of-the-art 3MP (three megapixel) model from a leading maker like Canon or Nikon was a $500 investment. Today there are cell phone cameras better than that.

Digital video has progressed to the point where a true HD video camera like the Flip sells for about $150. Again, the early days of video recording were populated by oversized button-festooned clunkers the size of a football, recording to VHS and VHS-C tapes in all their analog splendor. It was a revolutionary advance when digital cameras were introduced, recording digitized images - still to tape, but Mini-DV digital videotape. It was also an historic day when cameras that recorded to DVDs were introduced. That seems like quite a long time ago.

A new digital world
Today, of course, most digital cameras store images on removable flash memory, which has evidenced a dramatic price downturn in the last decade, too. In 2000, a 16MB ...
... MultiMedia Card - MMC, a format now known as SD, or SecureDigital - sold for about $40. That will get you a 16GB card today, or 1000 times the storage volume. It is not only in price that tremendous changes have taken place. Capabilities have increased, as well.

In both still and video digital cameras, lenses are better, cases are stronger and lighter, features have been added up and down the price list, images are sharper, color is better and, still, the price keeps dropping. One of the most impressive parts of this "value added" explosion is the image processing that is now built-in, or embedded, in these devices. There are surveillance cameras, spy gear, industrial installations and other equipment with embedded imaging capabilities, but in this article we will stick with consumer devices. Herewith, then, an overview of embedded imaging and video technologies.

Cosmetic concerns
Want to give a non-tech-type friend an easy way to understand embedded image technology? Mention "red-eye reduction." This was typically the first "cosmetic setting" that digital still cameras included. Slowly, other capabilities were added, beginning with a choice of resolutions and followed by a raft of simple "post-processing" effects - sepia tones or neon outlines that could be added after taking a shot. Today, just the simple, ego-driven cosmetic capabilities of the average digital camera include blink detection, smile detection, and facial "beautification" (removing moles, wrinkles, etc.).

Human faces have a prominent place in embedded systems, since they are the primary or secondary subjects in some 80% of all amateur photos. Most digital cameras now establish a "face database" over the course of their use and can identify them when viewed. In addition, face tracking technology helps imaging devices locate and center faces with tremendous accuracy.

Other tools
Sports photographers and nature lovers both can make good use of the scene detection and object tracking features of some still and video cameras. Based on live-view data, camera measurement information and special settings, cameras can now assess and classify scenes by type automatically. Further, tracking technology can help cameras track a variety of object types, taking photos at set intervals or "on the fly." These two capabilities are extremely useful to photographers working sports assignments or taking nature photos, both flora and fauna.

Many cameras help the nervous shutterbug by incorporating jitter control, anti-shaking algorithms and blur removal routines. Much of this work is done in real-time, with the camera's brains compensating immediately for inadvertent movement on the part of the photographer. Blur and sharpen tools can also be used after the image is captured to deal with any remaining issues caused by movement.

Editing with ease
Images can also be enhanced after they're taken. De-noise routines can minimize the graininess and spatter (the "noise") in photos while maintaining important detail, and other tools help you compensate for bad lighting conditions by brightening dark, less exposed areas and balancing overexposed ones. Although the subjects of some of the experiments might not like the results or consider them enhancements, there are also embedded tools that allow images to be squeezed, stretched, colorized and run through a software version of a funhouse mirror. The amount of creative control available, even when working on a 3" screen, is amazing.

Many of the same effects used on still images are available for videos, too. On the "combo" cameras that take both video and still images, most of the tools can be used on both types of images. De-noise filters, lighting adjustments, colorizing and other enhancements and edits are easily done through a range of menu options, special controls and even "one-click fixes" (which is how easy red-eye reduction has become).

The more capabilities embedded in cameras, the better. Although some people don't use the tools they have now, it's better to have a camera that can help you in a tough situation than have one that creates problems. As time goes on, more and more capabilities will be added, and photographers both amateur and professional can continue capturing and editing images on a single, powerful device.
About Author:
ArcSoft, Inc. is an industry-leading software developer of multimedia technologies and applications for both desktop and embedded platforms. ArcSoft's technologies can be found inside many of the world's most popular mobile phones, digital cameras, printers, optical drives, personal computers, and consumer electronic devices. Visit online for your Blu Ray software and HD HVD software needs.