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DARPA Innovation House project wants teams to take imaging data, see the big picture
Where are the bad guys? The military has eyes and ears everywhere these days, including drones large and tiny, satellites, radar imaging, LIDAR, infrared, thermal and even the enemy's own cellphones. The problem is how to take all that imaging and create a single picture of the environment. To that end, DARPA and George Mason University in Arlington have created the first Innovation House Project, which will put eight teams together for eight weeks in a "crucible-style" living environment to try to invent new ways of crunching the diverse sensor info. The military's research arm wants those units to think way off-piste "without fear of failure" to dream up solutions, and will have access to specialists and mentors from the military and academia. Unlike DARPA's usual challenges which have a grand prize, all teams accepted to the project will receive $30,000 in funding, but groups who go on to survive a four week cut will get an additional $20K. Proposals will be accepted up to July 31 (with no academic credentials needed), and the competition will begin in earnest on September 17. DARPA will get a license of any software created, allowing teams to hold the rights -- and hopes to continue the concept down the road, with new themes for team-based research on a tight deadline. So, if you're a data, imaging or "geospatial" whiz -- and don't mind being locked in a house and put under the brainstorming gun by DARPA -- check the PR for all the details.
Samsung's latest 8MP cameraphone sensor has backside illumination, zero shutter lag (Update: specs)
Samsung hasn't shown off all of its new tech at MWC 2012 yet, but one more early announcement is a new "premium" cameraphone sensor, the 8MP S5K3H7. Its new 1.4um CMOS shown above features backside illumination (BSI) technology for better quality in low light -- just like the iPhone 4/4S camera and HTC's just-announced ImageChip -- as well as the promise of zero shutter lag and 30fps 1080p video all while using less power than previous generations. There's no word yet on which phones will include the new imaging chip, but it should go into mass production in the next couple of months.Update: Looking for more numbers? The English PR is out now and confirms a slim form factor 8.5mm x 8.5mm camera module with 5.5mm height dimension capable of 120fps 720p or 240fps slow motion video recording. Check the data yourself in the press release after the break.
New LED flash controller promises to give floodlight brightness at cell phone size
Still looking forward to a world where cell phone cameras don't suck? So is STMicroelectronics, and it hopes to hurry along a photogenic future with the help of a new supercapacitor-powered integrated camera flash. STCF04, the outfit's new integrated camera flash and torch controller, gives its LED flash module over 40 Watts of power, reportedly allowing it to give off the same level of brightness as an outdoor security floodlight -- handily blinding your friends and family with each merry burst of the bulb. STMicroelectronics says this luminescent overkill helps high-megapixel camera sensors absorb more light, cutting down on the need for longer exposure time and hopefully resulting in less image blur when shooting indoors. The sensor packs in eight user-selectable flash levels, and features up to 12 levels of brightness for torch (you know, flashlight) use. Phone or camera manufactures who want in on the action will be able to order the chip for $2 a pop later this year -- if they're willing to risk giving Mr. Blurrycam a break, that is. Hit the break for a flash of the chip's official press release.
Microsoft application creates 3D model using a cellphone, blows our minds
Using your smartphone to take regular, or heck, even 3D images, is so last-gen -- thanks to Microsoft's Interactive Visual Media Group, we shall soon be able to use its new app to generate virtual 3D models. For example, if you want to capture that Ferrari on your neighbor's driveway, you'll need to circumambulate it while shooting around 40 photos. The final product, which is compiled using some beefed up PhotoSynth magic as each shot is uploaded to the cloud, is a beautifully crafted 3D model that can be panned around surprisingly smoothly. Hit play on the video below to feast your eyes on Redmond's new trick. [Thanks, @scienceben]
Tessera's OptiML Zoom gets cameraphones 3x closer without moving parts
Oh sure, those with no shame whatsoever can snag a totally sketchy LV 2008 with an attachable zoom lens, but those of us with a shred of dignity are waiting on something better. Enter Tessera Technologies, which is today announcing that its OptiML Zoom solution is available for licensing. Said innovation brings a unique lens design and specialized algorithms to replace "traditional mechanical zoom capabilities," giving equipped cameraphones 3x optical zoom capabilities in a "compact camera module without moving parts." Hailed as the industry's first non-mechanical optical zoom solution, it promises to not degrade images the way digital zoom does, and while it's eager to see handset OEMs pick up the tech and integrate it into forthcoming mobiles, we've yet to hear of any big players jumping on board.[Via PhoneScoop]
Concept handset features see-through camera viewfinder
Once in a while an image of a concept wireless handset gets us drooling -- and a see-through screen qualifies. Pei-Hua Huang, a recent grad of North Carolina State University, is touting the possibly future of cellphones in his wondrous "What You See Is What You Get" (aka, WYSIWYG) concept that houses a 50mm-equivalent camera along with a transparent frame as the cam's viewfinder. We're not sure what this concept would mean beyond that ultra-cool, see-through screen area used for a viewfinder, but we're onboard with ya, Pei. If the camera body slides outta the way of that super-big viewfinder, we'd love to see this concept in action. Let's get a production contract started with an ODM, mkay?
Samsung Techwin's incredible shrinking cellphone camera
Cellphone cameras are already pretty darn small but, not one to be easily satisfied, Samsung Techwin has gone and shunk that module even smaller, cramming a complete camera with autofocus and 3x optical zoom into a 9mm thick package. Samsung Techwin also says the module will consume less power and provide more durability than other camera modules while still offering "digital camera-like quality" -- which digital camera, exactly, it didn't say. In any event, it looks like these are going to be just about everywhere in the not-too-distant future, with Samsung set to build a new plant to produce 'em at a rate of 10 million units per month by 2007. [Reg required for link]
