Image Sensors Bring Computer Vision to Google's Project Tango

OmniVision, a leading developer of advanced digital imaging solutions, is working with Google's Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) team to develop groundbreaking vision-based mobile devices capable of tracking and mapping environments and motion in 3D. As part of the collaboration, OmniVision's new OV4682 and OV7251 image sensors provide high-performance imaging functionality to the project's Android-based smartphone and development kit.

Project Tango aims to fundamentally change the way our mobile devices interact with the physical world by tracking and mapping the full 3D motion of this device in relation to its environment. As such, high-performance computer vision is the crux of this device, said Johnny Lee, technical programme lead, ATAP at Google. OmniVision's core competency is its ability to deliver innovative and effective digital imaging solutions for a wide range of application areas, making the company a natural fit and valued partner for Project Tango.

Working alongside some of the world's most innovative companies and forward-thinking teams to develop Project Tango has been a tremendous honour for OmniVision. Google continues to revolutionise the way our mobile devices interact with the world, and OmniVision is thrilled to join them at the leading edge with Project Tango, said Michelle Milunovic, vice president of North America sales at OmniVision. At OmniVision, the focus is on using advanced pixel and imaging technologies to enhance user experience in new and innovative applications like Project Tango. The company is eager to see the ways in which this exciting new technology may be used and looks forward to seeing the creative ways the development community leverages this new mobile device.

Eye

As the main camera, the OV4682 is the eye of Project Tango's mobile device. The OV4682 is a 4-megapixel RGB IR image sensor that captures high-resolution images and video as well as IR information, enabling depth analysis. The sensor features a 2-micron OmniBSI-2 pixel and records 4-megapixel images and video in a 16:9 format at 90 frames per second (FPS), with a quarter of the pixels dedicated to capturing IR.

The OV7251 CameraChip sensor is capable of capturing VGA resolution video at 100 FPS using a global shutter to reduce or eliminate unwanted image artifacts, which occur with traditional CMOS image sensors as a result of motion during image capture. The low-power sensor plays a critical role in Project Tango's mobile device, providing excellent low-light sensitivity and motion tracking information to enable utilisation of accurate and detailed device orientation data.

For more information on OmniVision's OV4682 and OV7251 CameraChip sensors see here.

Click here for more information on Project Tango.

Image courtesy: OmniVision.