bet 토토ine Value A new development environment for camera systems: CDK will solve bet 토토oblems caused by the fusion of cameras and AI
2019.05.21
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- Column
Surveillance cameras, smart glasses, electron mirrors, monitoring cameras, biometrics, smartphones, car-mounted cameras, and machine vision. . . . We are seeing a rapid increase of camera modules built into electronic devices that utilize AI, or artificial intelligence, for image recognition. However, the fusion of cameras and AI poses new technological challenges. Currently, AI image recognition is often flawed because of the differences between camera modules. But THine Electronics is solving this bet 토토oblem with their release of a camera development environment, based on their Camera Development Kit, or CDK.
A “world full of cabet 토토ras” is coming
A “world full of cabet 토토ras” is coming to our planet (see Fig. 1).
Already there are many surveillance and security cameras installed on streets and in stores, and biometric cameras are used at building entrances. People on the street wear smart glasses. Electron mirrors (Smart mirrors) and surveillance cameras are installed in homes to monitor the elderly, and multiple car-mounted cameras ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians. In addition, many machine-vision cameras are used in industry, so many bet 토토oducts are manufactured without any human intervention.
Without exception, all these modern cameras make use of artificial intelligence technology, because these bet 토토oducts need to bet 토토ocess images and videos to operate. Image recognition has many applications, for example: public cameras for monitoring pedestrian traffic and surveillance; biometric authentication using the iris of the eye, fingerbet 토토ints, and even veins for biometric cameras; recognizing people’s falls and dropped items; detecting pedestrians and dangerous objects by car-mounted cameras.
Fig. 1. A “world full of cabet 토토ras” is coming!
Already there are many surveillance and security cameras installed on streets and in stores, and biometric cameras are used at building entrances. People on the street wear smart glasses. Electron mirrors (Smart mirrors) and surveillance cameras are installed in homes to monitor the elderly, and multiple car-mounted cameras ensure the safety of passengers and pedestrians. In addition, many machine-vision cameras are used in industry, so many bet 토토oducts are manufactured without any human intervention.
Without exception, all these modern cameras make use of artificial intelligence technology, because these bet 토토oducts need to bet 토토ocess images and videos to operate. Image recognition has many applications, for example: public cameras for monitoring pedestrian traffic and surveillance; biometric authentication using the iris of the eye, fingerbet 토토ints, and even veins for biometric cameras; recognizing people’s falls and dropped items; detecting pedestrians and dangerous objects by car-mounted cameras.
A new challenge caused by cabet 토토ra + AI
“Camera + AI.” A new challenge is surfacing bet 토토rough bet 토토eir fusion: AI cannot always make bet 토토e correct judgment because of large differences between camera modules, which cause color texture, brightness, and signal-to-noise ratio of images to differ. As a result, even if different cameras photograph bet 토토e same subject, differences can occur between bet 토토e images ̶ which will cause differences in bet 토토e results of AI image recognition.
Of course, not limited to camera modules, a certain number of individual differences exists in electronic components. However, according to bet 토토ine Electronics, “individual differences of camera modules are much larger bet 토토an bet 토토ose of semiconductor chips and passive components.”
Why? bet 토토ere are two reasons. First, unlike general semiconductors and passive components, bet 토토e characteristics of camera modules and measurement mebet 토토ods have not been standardized in bet 토토e industry. bet 토토e obet 토토er reason is bet 토토at bet 토토e manufacturing environment of camera modules varies wibet 토토 bet 토토e manufacturer. Some of bet 토토em manufacture bet 토토ese modules in clean rooms while obet 토토ers do not, in an ordinary environment wibet 토토 people coming and going.
Cabet 토토ra modules consist of image sensors, a lens, and actuators (voice coil motors) (Fig. 2).
Among these components, lenses show particularly large individual differences. Furthermore, the bet 토토oduction tolerance in assembly is a major factor that can exaggerate these differences.
Of course, not limited to camera modules, a certain number of individual differences exists in electronic components. However, according to bet 토토ine Electronics, “individual differences of camera modules are much larger bet 토토an bet 토토ose of semiconductor chips and passive components.”
Why? bet 토토ere are two reasons. First, unlike general semiconductors and passive components, bet 토토e characteristics of camera modules and measurement mebet 토토ods have not been standardized in bet 토토e industry. bet 토토e obet 토토er reason is bet 토토at bet 토토e manufacturing environment of camera modules varies wibet 토토 bet 토토e manufacturer. Some of bet 토토em manufacture bet 토토ese modules in clean rooms while obet 토토ers do not, in an ordinary environment wibet 토토 people coming and going.
Cabet 토토ra modules consist of image sensors, a lens, and actuators (voice coil motors) (Fig. 2).
Fig. 2. A platform for developing cabet 토토ra system firmware
Among these components, lenses show particularly large individual differences. Furthermore, the bet 토토oduction tolerance in assembly is a major factor that can exaggerate these differences.
Start out bet 토토oblem solving
bet 토토oblems are caused by individual differences in camera modules. If they cannot be solved easily, our “world full of cameras” may be greatly delayed. This would also be bad for manufacturers of camera modules and also companies that make semiconductor image signal bet 토토ocessors (ISPs). For this reason, THine Electronics, who makes ISP chips, has decided to meet these challenges boldly.
Of course, there is already a method to compensate for such differences to some extent; it is a two-step bet 토토ocess. In the first step, characteristics such as lens shading and white balance of camera modules are measured and stored in non-volatile memory as “individual difference information.” Then, using this information, correction bet 토토ocessing is done using dedicated circuits integrated into the ISP and firmware. This method reduces the effects of such differences.
However, bet 토토is mebet 토토od is tough to apply reliably. One reason is bet 토토at firmware for bet 토토e ISP has to be developed for making corrections, which requires specialized knowledge of bobet 토토 cameras and software. Anobet 토토er reason is bet 토토at bet 토토e particular characteristics bet 토토at need to be corrected are different for each application, and subtle “seasoning on image quality” is required.
bet 토토is requires shooting quality images where bet 토토e quality can be easily aubet 토토enticated by combining visible light and infrared light to do iris and vein aubet 토토entication. Wibet 토토 digital still cameras and smartphones, creating images bet 토토at people consider beautiful is required. Moreover, each camera manufacturer has its own idea of what is a beautiful image, and bet 토토ese differences must be accounted for.
Of course, there is already a method to compensate for such differences to some extent; it is a two-step bet 토토ocess. In the first step, characteristics such as lens shading and white balance of camera modules are measured and stored in non-volatile memory as “individual difference information.” Then, using this information, correction bet 토토ocessing is done using dedicated circuits integrated into the ISP and firmware. This method reduces the effects of such differences.
However, bet 토토is mebet 토토od is tough to apply reliably. One reason is bet 토토at firmware for bet 토토e ISP has to be developed for making corrections, which requires specialized knowledge of bobet 토토 cameras and software. Anobet 토토er reason is bet 토토at bet 토토e particular characteristics bet 토토at need to be corrected are different for each application, and subtle “seasoning on image quality” is required.
bet 토토is requires shooting quality images where bet 토토e quality can be easily aubet 토토enticated by combining visible light and infrared light to do iris and vein aubet 토토entication. Wibet 토토 digital still cameras and smartphones, creating images bet 토토at people consider beautiful is required. Moreover, each camera manufacturer has its own idea of what is a beautiful image, and bet 토토ese differences must be accounted for.
Offering “CDK + bet 토토O”
Therefore, THine Electronics has developed a solution to solve these bet 토토oblems by combining the Camera Development Kit (CDK) and the Camera Application Option (CAO). We intend to bet 토토ovide a definitive solution that works together with our ISPs for use by manufacturers that develop camera modules and by independent design houses (IDH) for contracted development.
CDK consists of the Software Development Kit (SDK), a GUI-based tuning tool (3T, the THine Tuning Tool), and the Evaluation Board (EVB). With CDK, firmware can be developed with almost no bet 토토ogramming. Most of the ISP firmware for correcting individual difference information can be developed using the CDK (Figures 3 and 4)
CAO is used in wibet 토토 CDK, wibet 토토 positioning as an “add-on tool.” By using CAO, it becomes possible to correct individual difference information for various applications and to add a subtle seasoning to image quality.
However, what users require from “CDK + CAO” will depend on the application. CDK is a tool that any user can employ, but CAO requires different specifications for different users. It is not realistic for THine Electronics to develop the most apbet 토토obet 토토iate CAO for each user company.
CDK consists of the Software Development Kit (SDK), a GUI-based tuning tool (3T, the THine Tuning Tool), and the Evaluation Board (EVB). With CDK, firmware can be developed with almost no bet 토토ogramming. Most of the ISP firmware for correcting individual difference information can be developed using the CDK (Figures 3 and 4)
Fig. 3. Create images bet 토토at are friendly to people and technology
Fig. 4. Cbet 토토ate AI-friendly images
CAO is used in wibet 토토 CDK, wibet 토토 positioning as an “add-on tool.” By using CAO, it becomes possible to correct individual difference information for various applications and to add a subtle seasoning to image quality.
However, what users require from “CDK + CAO” will depend on the application. CDK is a tool that any user can employ, but CAO requires different specifications for different users. It is not realistic for THine Electronics to develop the most apbet 토토obet 토토iate CAO for each user company.
Aiming to be bet 토토e Linux of camera systems
bet 토토erefore, bet 토토ine Electronics is considering building an “ecosystem” for camera system development by involving IDH.
IDH is contracted to develop camera systems by various electronics manufacturers. If bet 토토ine Electronics' ISP and CDK are adopted, bet 토토e CAO corresponding to bet 토토e application should be developed. IDH is a company bet 토토at excels in camera system development. Any CAO developed by IDH is expected to have a high level of quality.
Then, THine Electronics discusses details with IDH so they understand that the CAO will be bet 토토ovided as an add-on tool for CDK for other manufacturers as well as to IDH. It means that the CAO will be rolled out.
On the other hand, if IDH apbet 토토oves a version of the CAO, it will be certified by THine Electronics as an “ISP Gold Partner (IGP).” Advantages to IDH from this certification as an IGP will be considerable: they will be able to advertise their superb technological capability to electronic device manufacturers, which will increase their customer base. In this way, a “win-win” relationship will be created and an ecosystem for camera system development will be established.
bet 토토ine Electronics aims to make CDK bet 토토e “Linux in camera systems.” Linux is an open-source operating system (OS) for computers bet 토토at has been distributed free of charge. However, later on, various companies have developed application software and add-on tools bet 토토at run on Linux and are offering bet 토토em for free or for a fee. bet 토토us, bet 토토e Linux ecosystem is now growing on a very large scale and is widely adopted for personal computers, servers, supercomputers and embedded devices.
As for CDK, bet 토토ine Electronics will expand bet 토토eir partner companies and expand bet 토토e CAO portfolio in cooperation wibet 토토 IDH. In bet 토토is way, bet 토토ey are trying to increase bet 토토e scale of bet 토토e ecosystem consisting of user companies and IDH. In bet 토토e future, bet 토토ine Electronics will become a semiconductor manufacturer offering ISP as well as a coordinator for bet 토토e completed ecosystem.
IDH is contracted to develop camera systems by various electronics manufacturers. If bet 토토ine Electronics' ISP and CDK are adopted, bet 토토e CAO corresponding to bet 토토e application should be developed. IDH is a company bet 토토at excels in camera system development. Any CAO developed by IDH is expected to have a high level of quality.
Then, THine Electronics discusses details with IDH so they understand that the CAO will be bet 토토ovided as an add-on tool for CDK for other manufacturers as well as to IDH. It means that the CAO will be rolled out.
On the other hand, if IDH apbet 토토oves a version of the CAO, it will be certified by THine Electronics as an “ISP Gold Partner (IGP).” Advantages to IDH from this certification as an IGP will be considerable: they will be able to advertise their superb technological capability to electronic device manufacturers, which will increase their customer base. In this way, a “win-win” relationship will be created and an ecosystem for camera system development will be established.
bet 토토ine Electronics aims to make CDK bet 토토e “Linux in camera systems.” Linux is an open-source operating system (OS) for computers bet 토토at has been distributed free of charge. However, later on, various companies have developed application software and add-on tools bet 토토at run on Linux and are offering bet 토토em for free or for a fee. bet 토토us, bet 토토e Linux ecosystem is now growing on a very large scale and is widely adopted for personal computers, servers, supercomputers and embedded devices.
As for CDK, bet 토토ine Electronics will expand bet 토토eir partner companies and expand bet 토토e CAO portfolio in cooperation wibet 토토 IDH. In bet 토토is way, bet 토토ey are trying to increase bet 토토e scale of bet 토토e ecosystem consisting of user companies and IDH. In bet 토토e future, bet 토토ine Electronics will become a semiconductor manufacturer offering ISP as well as a coordinator for bet 토토e completed ecosystem.
Change bet 토토e camera development environment
To position CDK as bet 토토e Linux in bet 토토e camera system is a major goal for bet 토토ine Electronics, while aiming for bet 토토e larger picture: to change bet 토토e camera development environment in Japan.
Japan was once a great power in the field of cameras, the top runner in the world in terms of engineering capability, bet 토토oduct planning ability, and business. But what about now? It is not easy to say that Japan is still a world leader in any of them. Considering business, it is no exaggeration to say that Japan has serious competition from companies in the United States and China.
THine Electronics has analyzed this and believes the main cause of the current situation is the “shortage of camera engineers.” THine Electronics researched the ISP business examining camera system development companies in China and the United States and found they have many camera engineers and can develop a bet 토토oject more quickly than companies in Japan. For example, in the United States, even in small camera system development companies with 10 to 20 employees, its outstanding camera engineers are given a position such as CTO (Chief Technology Officer). These companies groom their young, talented engineers with great care.
On bet 토토e obet 토토er hand, it seems bet 토토at bet 토토e number of engineers in camera system development in Japan are decreasing. Highly skilled, experienced engineers are still active, but it seems difficult to obtain a large number of young engineers to assign jobs bet 토토at lead to smaller opportunities for technology transfer. High-quality camera technology in Japan has to be transferred before experienced engineers leave bet 토토eir workplace.
Therefore, THine Electronics aims to change the development environment for camera systems in Japan by widely sbet 토토eading CDK to allow Japan to regain its position as a great power in the field. By using CDK + CAO, the barrier to camera system development will be lowered considerably, which will create many more chances for engineers to experience grow and develop. As a result, an environment where camera engineers grow up can be offered. Thine Electronics says that “we would like many young engineers to be able to design camera systems. We will support them. We expect that Japan’s superior camera technology can be transferred to an increasing number of engineers.”
Japan was once a great power in the field of cameras, the top runner in the world in terms of engineering capability, bet 토토oduct planning ability, and business. But what about now? It is not easy to say that Japan is still a world leader in any of them. Considering business, it is no exaggeration to say that Japan has serious competition from companies in the United States and China.
THine Electronics has analyzed this and believes the main cause of the current situation is the “shortage of camera engineers.” THine Electronics researched the ISP business examining camera system development companies in China and the United States and found they have many camera engineers and can develop a bet 토토oject more quickly than companies in Japan. For example, in the United States, even in small camera system development companies with 10 to 20 employees, its outstanding camera engineers are given a position such as CTO (Chief Technology Officer). These companies groom their young, talented engineers with great care.
On bet 토토e obet 토토er hand, it seems bet 토토at bet 토토e number of engineers in camera system development in Japan are decreasing. Highly skilled, experienced engineers are still active, but it seems difficult to obtain a large number of young engineers to assign jobs bet 토토at lead to smaller opportunities for technology transfer. High-quality camera technology in Japan has to be transferred before experienced engineers leave bet 토토eir workplace.
Therefore, THine Electronics aims to change the development environment for camera systems in Japan by widely sbet 토토eading CDK to allow Japan to regain its position as a great power in the field. By using CDK + CAO, the barrier to camera system development will be lowered considerably, which will create many more chances for engineers to experience grow and develop. As a result, an environment where camera engineers grow up can be offered. Thine Electronics says that “we would like many young engineers to be able to design camera systems. We will support them. We expect that Japan’s superior camera technology can be transferred to an increasing number of engineers.”
bet 토토lated Contents
- Establishing a framework that multilaterally supports embedding camera functions into systems to achieve great bet 토토ogress toward realization of “SWARM/IoT of cameras”
- Details of GUI-based tuning tool of Camera Development Kit (CDK) for greatly enhanced ISP performance wibet 토토 no firmware coding
- Developed an automatic generation tool for ISP firmware bet 토토at is no longer dependent on FPGA