Scalado and OmniVision collaborate to make camera phones more user-friendly

OmniVision's incorporation of Scalado's SpeedView® technology will enable faster image-capture on camera phones

Scalado, a leader in mobile imaging software solutions for fast and memory efficient image processing, and OmniVision Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: OVTI), a leading independent supplier of CMOS image sensors for high-volume application, today announced a technology collaboration that will significantly improve the camera phone experience for end-users.

As part of the collaboration, OmniVision added a unique hardware feature into its new 3-megapixel OV3640 CameraChip™, allowing cameras to take optimal advantage of Scalado's SpeedView® technology™, a key ingredient for delivering faster picture-taking and photo viewing on the camera phone.

The OV3640 is the world's first sensor that is completely compatible with Scalado's SpeedView® technology, and will thus provide a much-improved imaging experience by delivering a unique what-you-see-is-what-you-get experience. The new “WYSIWYG Capturing"™ technology in the sensor allows users to capture what they actually see on the viewfinder, and then to replay the captured image instantly, instead of capturing a photo several frames too late.

This enhanced functionality is critical for capturing spontaneous moments or a quick series of events.  In addition, SpeedView enables real-time viewing, zooming, and panning of the captured images at a rate of 10-20 images per second in the phone's image gallery, without the need for any additional hardware.

"Long capture and shot-to-shot times have been a complaint ever since the megapixel race began," said Sami Niemi, CTO for Scalado. "WYSIWYG capturing makes it possible to really capture the moment, which is the true essence of any camera phone. Plus, by adding instant photo file maneuvering that allows users to find and share pictures quickly and easily, we have addressed another major complaint cited by a majority of camera phone users."

"This collaboration with Scalado is a critical element in our ongoing commitment to bringing a better overall experience to the camera phone user," said James He, Chief Operating Officer at OmniVision.  "OmniVision's focus has long been to improve camera performance and user friendliness, both through sensor-level improvements and the addition of new features. The OV3640's dynamic range and image stablisation function allows camera phone users to take better pictures, and adding a faster (MIPI) interface makes sharing images much easier.  Now, with the addition of the Scalado technology, we can expand our improvements beyond the sensor alone."

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About OmniVision®
OmniVision Technologies designs and markets high-performance semiconductor image sensors. Its OmniPixel®, OmniPixel2™ and CameraChip™ products are highly integrated single-chip CMOS image sensors for mass-market consumer and commercial applications such as mobile phones, digital still cameras, security and surveillance systems, interactive video games, lap-tops and PCs and automotive and medical imaging systems. Additional information is available at www.ovt.com

OmniVision Press Contact
Martijn Pierik
Impress Public relations
Tel: +1 602 366 5599
E-mail: martijn@impress-pr.com

 
OMNIVISION Technologies INC.
Robbert Emery
Business Development manager
Tel: +1(408)542-3119 
E-mail: remery@ovt.com

www.ovt.com