Secret technology for the home theater

More and more people now wear small cameras with him - whether in mobile phones or other mobile digital devices. The quality of the pictures that these cameras provide, however, is still relatively poor, how on platforms such as YouTube can see every day: football jerky, poorly lighted steps, or a baby verpixelte party cutouts are the rule rather than the exception. MotionDSP , a company from the San Mateo, California, wants this spring is a PC software available for download by some of the worst problems of digital moving pictures to be solved - from camera shake up to the bad lighting. The product named "vReveal" will cost $ 40 and is aimed at the average amateur filmmakers, which is a bit better holiday pictures want to make as little as possible but wants to spend money.

According MotionDSP CEO Sean Varah, the image enhancement algorithms originally developed for the U.S. secret service CIA developed abroad. The now standing before the publication of retail version includes an easy to use editing tool with which to cut and clip together can. It runs under Windows XP and Vista.

The idea of movies with the help of video optimization techniques to improve is by no means new. For years, software vendors, inter alia, on so-called "super-resolution algorithms, the scenes appear to be less blurry. It will provide information about the color and position of the pixels initially for a handful of frames collected and then to extrapolate additional image information. This will sharpen edges and jerky movements, supported by a trembling camera work is partially resolved. Salient Stills, an MIT spinoff, which was founded in 2000, used such super-resolution algorithms and other techniques to videos for law enforcement agencies to improve . More recently, Intel has also the potential of the image optimization in the context of new applications for multi-core processors are examined.

Apple's iMovie software to the most popular amateur programs include cut, announced at the Macworld trade show in January a new version, an automatic image stabilization is included. Also, Sony and Adobe video editors also to the corresponding optimization features for under $ 100 offer.

Varah still sees advantages in his home-made technology. vReveal was specifically designed for home users have been developed. "Sony and Adobe have, however, with high-end programs started. Denen were gradually deprived of functions to make them cheap enough to make it to ordinary consumers to be able to sell." Varah also stresses the MotionDSP algorithms due to their use in the CIA would have higher requirements must meet. Moreover, on several special patents, which researchers at the University of Santa Cruz have developed as technology MotionDSP chief Nikola Bozinovic says.

The algorithms of the company investigate movements across multiple frames to determine which parts of it due to abrupt camera emerged. These movements will then be deducted and the final result is calculated accordingly.

In order to increase the brightness without compromising the image quality can suffer too, continues to vReveal another trick: "Any software can do, this is simply the pixel intensity by a factor of two hochskaliert." The problem with this, so Bozinovic: This would include the noise in the signal increases, leading to a granular representation leads. MotionDSP Eliminate the noise, therefore, by a number of frames having an average will be taken.

Another function of vReal increases the effective number of individual images in a video. Many phones are only 15 frames per second, which means that movements of the human eye choppy effect. Around a video effect only from 30 individual frames per second. By analyzing the movements of individual objects within multiple frames vReveal therefore synthesized Between shots.

Laura Teodosio, co-founder of Salient Stills, says that the set of MotionDSP super-resolution technology is not exactly groundbreaking, was: "In these algorithms and techniques has improved in recent years only little changed."

Interestingly, however, attempt this approach is specific in the retail market to fetch. "The challenges in this sector are always two things: First, a product simple enough so that it remains operable, and secondly, the image enhancement clearly enough so that the user is applied again and again."

Should vReveal successful, could MotionDSP algorithms make their way into other software products. Middle of next year, the company wants a part of their source code to other developers is available. Companies such as Internet telephony provider Skype, they could be, for example, for its online services in order to improve the image quality without having to use more bandwidth. Moreover, Internet video providers like YouTube from technology to benefit the Samaritans to improve image quality.

The Volt is an electric vehicle that runs with batteries which are on an ordinary wall socket load. Thus it has a range of 65 kilometers. For longer distances, a gasoline or ethanol-powered generator charging. Two battery company, LG Chem and the MIT spinoff system of Watertown, were seen as major competitors in the race for the supply for the central component of the necessary battery packs, the individual battery cell. Hundreds of them have each other with wire and a control electronics are combined, a 16-kilowatt-hour battery pack arises.

Initially to be alone, cells from LG Chem to new battery packs are assembled. The job over the LG Chem subsidiary Compact Power from Michigan. Once a factory is finished, but now also wants GM to even cells battery packs, as it was in an announcement. Bob Kruse, GM executive director for the North American Engineering Operations Department, commented that the decision resembles the strategy in the engine. Again, we have core competence at GM. "It is of fundamental importance for our future business success."

The decision is also another sign of a strategic change within the company, its fleet, offering more and more to electrify. This begins with vehicles, the electric motors and batteries for additional power use relapses and ends with those who are completely electrically moved. "Design, development and production of advanced batteries have to be united at GM. We are expanding our capabilities and resources rapidly, so that we can pursue this direction," says GM CEO Rick Wagoner. We see this as a further demonstration that it is with his electric car manufacturing serious.

The group also wants to strengthen internal battery development by providing a nearly 3000-square-meter laboratory battery is created. It should be hundreds of engineers work. GM is also planning a collaboration with the University of Michigan, which has long been in the sector and young tummelt formed. The lack of qualified and experienced battery engineers in the United States already plaguing the start-ups like A123 Systems. The main development work is currently in Asia, therefore, what the electrification of the automobile industry in North America slow.

Although GM's own battery pack build, the company applies the necessary cells, initially by external suppliers. The reason: The development of a new electrode chemistry and the production of the cells themselves require expensive specialized equipment, such as Kruse admits. Experts have long predicted that the company LG Chem, instead of the start-up A123 Systems would turn - eventually LG Chem has a lot of experience. And yet: Although LG Chem, the battery packs of the first generation is, GM is already working on the second and third generation. There could be other manufacturers such as A123 to use, it says - the corresponding development contracts exist.

One of the main priorities in the new battery laboratory of the group lies in the life of the battery to test and, where appropriate, be extended. Lithium-ion batteries, as found in laptops and cell phones knows, lose their energy storage capacity within a few years. The volt battery should be designed so that they at least ten years durchhält and not during the average lifetime of the vehicle must be replaced. To achieve this goal, GM installed a large battery, which should offset any losses. To store the battery pack while potentially 16 kilowatt hours, but only 8 of which are really for the 65-kilometer radius is required. In the future the company hopes, yet with significantly less cells ends meet without having to reduce the range.