 |
Look Into My Eyes - New Webcam Technology
If a new webcam technology from Microsoft get the go-ahead,
then instant messaging could get a whole lot more
interesting.
Currently under development at the Microsoft research labs in
Cambridge, England, the new webcam, i2i consists of two lenses,
which carefully follows an individual's movement. Using an
exclusively developed algorithm to cleverly blend what each lens
is seeing, resulting in the creation of an accurate stereo
"cylopean" image.
All very technical, but for the 18.5 million people (source
Microsoft) who regularly use webcams while they are using instant
messengers, i2i means that it will appear as if users are looking
into each others eyes.
Antonio Criminisi, lead researcher of Microsoft's Machine
Learning and Perception Group, said.
"We were able to come up with an algorithm that was able to
take two images and capture a corresponding map in 3D. Using this
powerful technology, we can now synthetically create an image as
if the person is looking straight into your eyes."
According to Dr Criminisi, the biggest challenge for the
backroom boys at Microsoft was in calculating how the visual
brain works. In particular, how it sees and sorts out colors,
shapes and distances.
"Essentially, what we have done is replace human eyes with
cameras and the human brain with a computer."
The real magic behind this technology is the newly developed
stereo algorithm, which makes it possible to accurately
reconstruct a 3D, geometric image in real time and on a standard
computer. Fundamentally, this is the same technology which was
used to recreate the stunning 3D images of the Martian surface,
which were beamed back by the NASA rover.
With the ability to generate realistic looking background
images in order that users can pretend they are somewhere other
than where they really are! Commenting, Dr Criminisi said.
"This is important for privacy, as I may not want you to see
how untidy my bedroom is."
A feature likely to capture the teens market is that of Smart
Icons. Instead of typing in the usual pictorial emotion e.g. :)
i2i can superimpose free floating, 3D ones which can then be
instructed to float freely around a person's head or anywhere
else for that matter.
While Dr Criminisi admits there are still issues to iron out
before the project is passed on to Microsoft Development, he is
pleased with what has been achieved in under two years. Dr
Criminisi's team is already experimenting with code which enables
users to create their own wrap-around avatar, 3D face and then
have it move as if it were their own.
About The Author
Robert Palmer is CEO of deskNET Communications
(www.desknet.co.uk) providers of the first, viable alternative to
opt-in email marketing and newsletter publishing. eMail:
info@desknet.co.uk
Copyright © 2004 deskNET Communications - UK
MORE RESOURCES:
Board approves video streaming in classroomWadena Pioneer Journal, MN - 22 hours agoDistrict 2155 Superintendent Virginia Dahlstrom recommended that the school board approve video streaming as a teaching tool for use in the secondary school ... |
Video-Streaming - Google News
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Streaming Video on Your
Website - Convert Visitors into Customers
Streaming video is a sequence of "moving images" that are
sent in compressed form over the Internet and displayed by
the viewer as they arrive. Streaming media is streaming
video with sound.
How to Star in Your Own
Promotional Video
Well, it's official. You are going to star in the company
marketing video (or commercial) and you will have a part
talking to camera.
What You Need To Know if
Your Company Wants To Produce A Video
Studies show that people remember merely 20% of what they
hear, and only 30% of what they see, and an incredible 70%
what they hear and see. * With this in mind, it's no wonder
why video is such a powerful communications tool.
E-Commerce &
Streaming Media: A Marriage that Works
In the heavily populated world of E-Commerce, what
determines whose site will be successful and whose won't?Is
it the layout and design of the basic site? No. We all know
of sites where no expense was spared on design and the
company still failed to produce a commercial success.
Network Marketing and
Video Email
I received another e-mail today from someone telling me
that Video e-Mail is the wave of the future. According to
the e-mail, (which contained no video!), the world will
soon be embracing and more importantly paying for this
service.
Creating Value With
Streaming Video Content
Having a corporate or promotional video for your company is
often viewed as something of an expensive luxury - useful,
but rarely considered to be an essential marketing tool.
Whilst many businesses can understand the benefits of
having a corporate video, all too often they are put off by
the perceived cost and subsequently find it hard to justify
commercially.
When Does a Corporate
Video Add Value?
A professionally made corporate video production can
greatly enhance your company profile and can be used in a
variety of applications. Listed below are a number of the
most common uses for corporate video.
Google Video Viewer
tweaked for Non-Google content
'DVD Jon', a Norwegian programmer, has tweaked Google video
to make it play clips that are not on Google's
servers.Google Video ( http://video.
How to Interview on
Video
When doing an interview there need to be at least three
people involved. The person being interviewed, you, the
interviewer and someone to work the camcorder.
Beginning in
Videography
If you're looking to get into videography and video editing
as a hobby, the options can be daunting. Here is a small
question and response that may help you get started in this
fun and rewarding hobby.
Video Biographies; Why
Hire a Professional?
There are lots of reasons to create a video biography. Some
people have a desire to share and pass down stories from
one generation to another while others would like to leave
behind a family or personal legacy.
How Video can be used
Effectively Online
A powerful way to convey your communication messages to
your audience is to be able to have your promotional video
available on your website.Yet, we have probably all
experienced visiting a website and clicking on a video only
to have to been irritated that the content is not viewable
or that the sound is inaudible.
Is Video Streaming the
Future for Corporate Video?
Things have changed quite a bit from when I started in the
film & video business in 1988. Back then, many
corporate programmes were still shot and edited on film.
Peer to Peer Internet
Video Broadcasting
Unlike standard television broadcasting, there are a
limited number of viewers that an Internet television
station can accommodate. These limitations are determined
by the amount of bandwidth the network media server has
available.
DVD Authoring: An
Introduction
DVD Authoring is the process of collecting various content
assets such as video, audio, photographs, subtitles, and
menus, connecting them together and burning them to a
master dvd disc.The assets themselves are generated in a
variety of applications such as video editing,
post-production, image editing and subtitling.
Five Ways to Profit from
Using Video Online
The newest media wave to hit the online shore is video.
Individual emails abound with links to "the funniest video
ever," or blurry clips of new babies or birthday parties.
Boost Your Online Sales
with Audio and Video Support
Have you ever noticed when you are shopping at most any
retail store there is background music being played and if
you need help understanding how a product works or need aid
in purchasing the correct equipment there is always a
person near by to help you?This is what your ecommerce or
online sales website needs to achieve that comfortable
atmosphere where visitors to your online store will enjoy
shopping. When you make your store online comfortable with
audio or video your customers are apt to stay longer on
your website and that means a better chance of a sale.
Interview with a Video
Virgin
Shani Alexander is the founder of Relocations Made Easy
(www.relocations-made-easy.
Video Email - The New
Way to Communicate
The Internet is now a thriving means of communication and
for everyone around the globe to receive the most up to
date information at the click of a mouse button. Sending an
email is now accepted as the quickest and easiest way to
converse with your friends and family or business
acquaintances and everyday millions of emails are sent
worldwide.
Working with Royalty
Free Music
When creating Multi-Media Content, Flash or Video Clips for
a client's web site or CD Rom Project, the last thing you
want is to get him in trouble with the law. If there's a
need for music in a project, using royalty free music is
essential.
|
|
