Trying to snap a shot of your cherry red Mazda, but can’t keep your hands still? You’ll find all the tech you need to smooth things out in an iPhone 4 or (MotionPlus-equipped) Nintendo Wiimote. Experimenting with 6DOF inertial measurement sensor packages, scientists at Microsoft Research have developed a software algorithm that literally records your exposure-destroying shake via accelerometer and gyroscope, then magically removes the blur by canceling it out. While the technique still isn’t perfect — spot ghostly line above some of those background cars — the Microsoft researchers compared their results to other in-progress algorithms, and we think you’ll agree this new solution presents the best results by far. It’s a shame Microsoft doesn’t say when we’ll see the tech in a spiffy DSLR attachment, or better yet a cameraphone. See before and after animated GIFs after the break, and find high-res comparison images and much more at our source link.

Continue reading Microsoft algorithm uses six-axis motion sensors to fix blurry snapshots, inadvertently pimping your ride

Microsoft algorithm uses six-axis motion sensors to fix blurry snapshots, inadvertently pimping your ride originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sci-fi movies often present us with omniscient villains who are able to track the most minute actions of their underlings and foes. Rarely do we get a glimpse into their surveillance systems, but you have to imagine that some of the more rudimentary “employee evaluation” hardware will not be too far off from KDDI‘s latest. The Japanese cellphone giant has unveiled a new system, built around accelerometers, that can detect the difference between a cleaner scrubbing or sweeping a floor and merely walking along it. Based on new analytical software, stored remotely, this should provide not only accurate positional information about workers, but also a detailed breakdown of their activities. The benefits touted include “central monitoring, “salesforce optimisation,” and improvements in employee efficiency. We’re guessing privacy concerns were filed away in a collateral damage folder somewhere.

KDDI concocts snooping mobile phones, line managers rub hands with glee originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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