UW's latest photo technology could supercharge Photosynth |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Today On Techflash
- Zillow, tech groups join companies heading to the White House
- One reporter joins TechFlash, and another takes vacation
- Fannie Mae expands online sales
- More turmoil for Yahoo: Chairman steps down
- TechNet study: Washington third in 'app economy' jobs
- Check out this app: Executives list the ones they use most
- Check out this app: Executives list the ones they use most
- Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen 2011's most generous living donor
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- Top Congressional stock picks: Microsoft beats Apple
- What women really want (online): MoonTango aims to deliver
- Renters, buyers (and lookers) continue to flock to Zillow
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- 'Fast Pitch Forum' to debut May 27 with some familiar names
- TechNet study: Washington third in 'app economy' jobs
- First a deal with Verizon; now Coinstar buys a competitor
- Coinstar, Redbox and Verizon: Here's what they aren't saying
- Buuteeq rounds up $3.5M to help hotels 'put heads in beds'
Mass High Tech
- Microsoft Build: Windows 8 preview a hit, but are investors unhappy?
- Build an app in a day at Mobile App Hackathon
- Beefed-up Skype for Windows; Indie author joins Amazon's 'Kindle Million Club'
- Only solution to Xbox 360 update error is new console
- Ballmer: Windows Phone update 'Mango' has over 500 new features
UW's latest photo technology could supercharge Photosynth
The University of Washington, which licensed to Microsoft the photo-stitching technology used in the Photosynth 3D photo-browsing program, has come up with a revamped algorithm that can be used to model not just individual landmarks but now entire cities using tens or even hundreds of thousands of photos.
For example, it has been used to create a digital version of Rome using 150,000 photos posted by tourists on Flickr. The model was assembled in 21 hours -- compared with the months it would have taken using the previously photo-stitching technology. The new algorithm uses a more efficient approach to match the photos, and takes advantage of parallel processing to execute the program across many computers at once.
The model of the Colosseum, in the video above, was constructed from 2,106 images. This particular video shows the overall view, but users would be able to zoom into individual images, as well.
The basic idea is to position two-dimensional pictures on screen in the places and angles that they would appear in the real world, letting people zoom around the virtual 3D scene. According to the UW, the new algorithm could see a variety of applications in the short term -- in video games, mapping programs or a new Photosynth version, for example.
Other cities that have been similarly reconstructed are Dubrovnik, Croatia (60,000 images in less than 23 hours, using a 350-computer cluster) and Venice, Italy (250,000 images in 65 hours, 500 computers).
A paper on the new technology is scheduled to be presented in October at the International Conference on Computer Vision in Kyoto, Japan. The lead author is Sameer Agarwal, a UW acting assistant professor of computer science and engineering. Co-authors are Cornell University Noah Snavely, who developed the original "Photo Tourism" project as a doctoral student at the UW; Rick Szeliski of Microsoft Research; UW computer science professor Steve Seitz; and UW graduate student Ian Simon.
For more technical detail, this piece by UW engineering writer Hannah Hickey is a great read. This page provides more information on the overall project.
Microsoft Research, Google, the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research supported the research.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
Who's creating today's energy efficient buildings? Find out at the BetterBricks Awards, Feb. 16
BetterBricks Awards salute the individuals leading the way for high performance commercial buildings with an emphasis on energy efficiency. Join us as we recognize these standout green building professionals.
Award categories include: Advocate; Architect/Designer; Facility Manager/Operator; and Owner/Developer.
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Kampschroer, Director of U.S. GSA's Office of Federal High Performance Buildings. Kevin leads the U.S. General Services Administration's efforts in building sustainability and accelerating industry adoption of sustainable principles across all aspects of a building's life.
Register here by February 10!
If you are interested in buying a table, email Monica Alquist or call her at 206-876-5404.
The Triple Door Presents: The Atomic Bombshells "J'ADORE!: A Burlesque Valentine"
Seattle's reigning Burlesque super-troupe delivers a gorgeous and glittering VALENTINE featuring some of the Bombshells' most exhilarating acts to date. J'Adore! promises to celebrate l'amour with good humor, style, and a healthy dose of dazzle! Bring a friend, a lover, a family member, or a secret crush, and celebrate with the Valentine's Burlesque spectacular that will leave you shouting: "J'ADORE......The Atomic Bombshells!" The incomparable Jasper McCann emcees with high style and charm.
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
The Triple Door Presents: Bob Mould – See A Little Light: An Evening of Reading and Music
"Bob Mould. Those two words are synonymous with integrity. From Husker Du in the last century to right at this moment, Bob is the real deal, writing and playing music for music's sake. He's a great songwriter and performer. I have been a fan of Bob's for thirty years now with no end in sight." -Henry Rollins
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
Why Choose BDO for your SOC (previously SAS 70) Reports?
BDO’s experience in providing attestation services (SAS 70/SSAE 16, AT 101, AT 201, AT 601, etc.) to a broad range of industries, and our team of skilled professionals distinctly qualifies us to serve as your company’s Service Auditor. By leveraging the BDO global network of control specialists, we are poised to provide global services in more than 1,000 offices and across 119 countries. Many organizations find that investing in reports on controls may result in benefits, including:
• Increased client confidence
• Improved competitive advantage
• Minimization of frequent audits
• Streamlined business processes and controls
• Enhanced risk management
For detailed information contact Paul Martini at pmartini@bdo.com.
