Capturing the First Image is Always the
Hardest Part
S
mart fridges, agricultural
drones, or industrial robots - the
working prototype and the first
image present special challenges for
developers embedding bare sensors
into their devices. In this case, small
sensor modules can both simplify and
accelerate the process to a working
prototype, providing the first image to
smart devices in only 30 minutes.
The manufacturer of a fridge must have
experience in refrigeration. For smart
home appliances, it is no longer that
simple. A modern fridge with integrated
cameras can analyze the food; update
the online shopping list; or, display
suitable recipes. Developers of these
smart devices need basic knowledge
about imaging, sensor technology and
the integration of camera technology
into the refrigerator.
Initial integration of vision technology
into smart devices often poses new
challenges to development teams. They
must realize a prototype; the basic
functionality and the interaction of all
16
components must work flawlessly. In
the vision subsystem, a wide variety of
components must be connected and
verified. Electronic design, layout, and
PCB production take time and resources.
In particular, high-speed signaling and
sensor connection require in-depth
specialist experience. A lack of knowhow
can prolong the timeline extensively.
“We want to enable developers to
qualify image sensors directly in their
application, integrate them quickly and
not have to worry about the basic vision
technology,” says André Brela from
FRAMOS. The company’s product line
of interchangeable sensor modules and
adapters facilitates the development of
embedded vision products. According to
Brela, developers that work with vision
for the first time can implement initial
prototypes with standard components,
without a great deal of specialist
knowledge. The product manager says
that “it takes less than 30 minutes from
unpacking the pre-soldered sensor
modules to capturing the first image”.
Sensors and processors with a flexible
adapter concept can be exchanged
during testing to identify the best
combination without affecting the
interfaces. The software developers can
operate independently of the hardware
team. “With our sensor modules, OEMs
and device manufacturers do not
necessarily have to become sensor
experts themselves,” says Brela.
“We believe our customers are most
successful when they concentrate on
their core application, like producing
really good refrigerators.” For the smart
additional functions, the FRAMOS
Embedded Vision product line offers
immediately accessible hardware and
drivers that combine a wide variety of
image sensors with open processing
platforms. It presents image processing
to newcomers the chance to have the
first prototype of a smart refrigerator up
and running in a short time, and at low
cost.
www.framos.com +44 1276 4041 - 40
[email protected]