Camera module finds many applications

Sony Europe's Image Sensing Solutions Division has shipped its 1.5-millionth FCB camera module.

Sony Europe's Image Sensing Solutions Division has shipped its 1.5-millionth FCB camera module.

Building on technologies and economies of scale derived from Sony's successful consumer products, blended with additional features developed specifically for OEM applications, the FCB series has become the solution of choice for applications such as security domes, police vehicles, photo booths, document stands, and videoconferencing systems.

Since its launch in 1998, the FCB range has consistently led the field in the deployment of advanced camera technology in OEM applications.

These complete camera subsystems incorporate a high-quality CCD image sensor, lens assembly, and the electronics required to control the capture of an image or video.

Features targeted specifically at OEMs such as integrated privacy masking, and focus- or exposure-based electronic alarms for security applications are incorporated in a wide range of products that offer options such as colour or monochrome sensing, progressive scan output, and high optical zoom capabilities of up to 26x.

"Sony's continuing leadership is driven by our ability to make practical use of a rich seam of core camera technology within the company, representing many man-years of research and development", said Julien Dalle, European Product Manager for Sony ISS.

"Much of this technology like advanced algorithms for automatic focus, exposure and white-balance have been production-honed and field-proven within consumer products".

"Of course, professional products need to meet professional requirements, so we integrate additional features and the advanced reliability and long lifetime required by industrial users".

By incorporating such core technologies into products that are designed to provide the robustness and service life required in industrial applications, Sony ISS not only eases the task of systems integration, but also enables applications that cannot be served by competing sensors.

For instance, it is vital that a camera intended for security scanning of passengers in mass-transit terminals should focus and adjust exposure settings accurately and quickly.

If the algorithms are too slow, the image simply will not be captured.

A common technology group within Sony develops, designs and manufactures all the company's camera products: from consumer camcorders through professional TV cameras to rugged products for industrial use.

This means that Sony's industrial products benefit from ease-of-use and automation features developed for consumer markets: they are often based on technology that is already production-proven and incorporate the latest state of the art technologies.

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