Imaging Solution suits digital cameras and camera phones.

Press Release Summary:



Integrating location and exposure information of human faces within camera's exposure feedback system, FastTrack IPC hardware acceleration technology helps augment face-tracking quality. Technology can be implemented in FPGA, VHDL, or Net List, and is offered with gate count of 120K system gates. Incorporated in camera chipset, image processing IC hardware core optimizes focus, exposure, and color balance with self-calibrating system for difficult lighting conditions.



Original Press Release:



Fotonation Announces "FastTrack(TM) IPC" Hardware Acceleration for Facetracking in Digital Cameras & Camera Phones



Improves Face-Tracking Performance up to 400%

October 16, 2007, Burlingame, CA -- FotoNation (www.fotonation.com), a leading provider of embedded imaging solutions for the imaging industry, announced today "FastTrack IPC" (IP-Core) hardware acceleration technology that improves Face-Tracking quality and performance up to 400% in digital cameras and camera phones. Especially important for camera phones, FastTrack IPC provides significant performance improvements directly in the camera's chipset, optimizing focus, exposure, and color balance with FotoNation's self-calibrating system for difficult lighting conditions. The technology delivers faster and better image quality by integrating location and exposure information of human faces within the camera's exposure feedback system.

Developed by FotoNation's Image-HW Division located in Brasov, Romania and FotoNation's Embedded Imaging Firmware Group in Galway, Ireland, FastTrack IPC's image processing IC hardware core was designed for easy integration into existing camera chipset solutions. "By implementing the core functions of FotoNation's algorithms into hardware, we are able to boost performance while reducing the computational and power demands on the baseband processors of camera phones and digital still cameras. With FastTrack IPC, we are providing better image quality and a prolonged battery life, which are always important in the design of handheld electronic products, such as cameras and camera phones," said Eran Steinberg, CEO of FotoNation Inc.

"FotoNation's strength is in providing a continuum of solutions from pure firmware to total hardware and everything in between. Our hardware assisted face-tracking technology is the best of both worlds: the flexibility of a firmware solution with the performance of hardware components," Steinberg continued.

FastTrack IPC is targeted to imaging chipset manufacturers, mobile phone OEMs and ODMs, and digital camera manufacturers. Implementation of the technology is offered in FPGA, VHDL or Net List, depending on customer needs. Through the addition of FastTrack IPC hardware acceleration, FotoNation's already speedy FaceTracker technology is boosted an additional 3-4 times the speed of the company's software-only solution. FastTrack IPC is offered with a low gate count (as low as 120K system gates).

A demonstration is available immediately upon request. For more information, see www.fotonation.com.

About FotoNation

FotoNation is a world-leading independent provider of embedded imaging solutions for the digital image capture industry. The company's extensive portfolio of patented innovations includes in-camera red-eye removal technology, dust detection and removal, face tracking, and face identification. FotoNation develops innovative solutions, patents, and products to enhance, extend, and simplify the picture taking and sharing experience. Clients include AOL, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak, Microsoft, Minton, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Samsung, Sanyo, Sony, Texas Instruments and Zoran among others. FotoNation has won numerous awards, including the DIMA 2006 Innovative Product Award and the prestigious 2006 European IST award for its Red-Eye Detection and Correction Technology. Over half of digital cameras sold today, contain FotoNation Technology.

For more information, see www.fotonation.com.

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