Free software for cameras
The ability to treat computers like cameras greatly enhance their potential
Digital photography has favored the cameras have become minicomputers practice with a purpose: to take pictures. This is accomplished perfection in the compact segment, acting by the user, or automatic modes of digital SLRs, which select the focus or white balance, among other factors.
To this end, analyze the information that reaches them from the sensor and store raw or perform RAW format on the fly compression of data to more usable light and JPG. They also charge the flash if they consider it necessary based on the parameters of brightness.
Each camera manufacturer brand designs its own operating system, which remains closed and does not share with rivals
At the same time, it has opened a new range of possibilities that digital photography distance to the analog. These devices can also capture video, geotag images (if they have a GPS navigator) or send snapshots via wifi to places like Flick.
Each manufacturer designs its own operating system, which remains closed and does not share with rivals. Develops automated programs to obtain good snapshot photography in specific conditions, such as landscapes, portraits and photographs with movement. They are default settings that help novice photographers to achieve good results, but that does not allow customization own more professional cameras.
Frankencamera
In this context, researchers at Stanford University, along with a research center funded by Nokia and Adobe, Kodak, HP, and Walt Disney, seeking to advance within the so-called "computational photography", the name designating to new effects in the images produced by the use of software and that are not possible with traditional cameras.
Good examples of this type of photographic techniques are the high dynamic range images, which combine snapshots with different degrees of exposure for a more spectacular shots that mix photographs taken with flash and without flash for more realistic, or that perform various games with light.
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To experiment, researchers have created a prototype, called Frankencamera. It is a machine that mixes components: the image sensor of the Nokia N95, Canon optics and an LCD screen, among other pieces. The work has focused on the operating system based on Linux, while the aesthetic aspect is neglected. The apparatus is large and impractical, hence its name, which alludes to the Frankenstein film. It works on different algorithms to capture images and videos and to develop computational techniques.
Platform for third party applications
Aspiration of this work is that other developers to experiment with the prototype and design applications for specific functions, like computer operating systems and mobile phones, whose creators are only concerned with the device in question works best.
Meanwhile, researchers are working on a second prototype that achieves better picture quality under a SLR camera sensor. These prototypes are not intended for consumers, but, for now, experts in computational photography. In parallel, plans to launch in 2010 a version of software compatible with Frankencamera Nokia N900 tablet, to seize the 5 megapixel sensor and Carl Zeiss optics.
Door open to cameras clonic
This initiative opens the door to a company producing clonic cameras, as happens in the world of computers
This initiative opens the door to the photographic market entry of other companies that produce clonic cameras, as happens in the world of computers. Each consumer could select each of the pieces and build a camera to your liking. It would select the body of the machine, the objective and the lenses, the most important pieces, or even the hard disk. Furthermore, this option would be cheaper cameras, since companies could be devoted exclusively to the hardware.