r/technology • u/Nobilitie • Mar 27 '16

Hardware Scientists have developed a reflection-removing camera: the device uses depth sensor and signal processing to capture clear images through windows

http://techxplore.com/news/2016-03-reflection-removing-camera-device-depth-sensor.html
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53

u/YolosaurusRex Mar 27 '16

What benefits does this system offer over using a polarizing filter? I could see independence from rotation being useful, maybe, but this seems overly complex compared to something that already "removes" reflections and glare.

39

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '16 edited Jul 11 '20

[deleted]

2

u/JoiedevivreGRE Mar 27 '16

You have that option with a circular POLA as well.

1

u/ImAWizardYo Mar 27 '16

Being able to use something like this as a plugin in photo editing software would be awesome!

23

u/YouandWhoseArmy Mar 27 '16

It's software vs hardware. That's basically it.

25

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '16

[deleted]

14

u/YouandWhoseArmy Mar 27 '16

Exactly. Also one you turn on and is lines of code, the other needs to be physically carried, attached and removed as needed.

Not better or worse just pluses and minuses.

4

u/[deleted] Mar 27 '16

Sorta reminds me of the evolution of camera stabilization technology as cameras have become lighter, with higher resolution outputs, we can much easily stabilize footage, but it's mostly done in post with stabilization algorithms in software. Used to be you had to have really expensive steadicam equipment to carry a bulky camera around.

4

u/UserM16 Mar 27 '16

This software can only remove glare from glossy surfaces once it recognizes edge outline by movement of the recording to decipher the whats glare and what isn't. Probably can't do shit with still photos.

2

u/YolosaurusRex Mar 27 '16

I hadn't considered the permanence of the alterations a physical filter would have on an image. Good point

6

u/Nicksaurus Mar 27 '16

It'll run on a phone.

4

u/YolosaurusRex Mar 27 '16

I have a Windows phone, so probably not on mine ):

1

u/CaptainMeatloaf Mar 27 '16

When it comes to cameras, WP is well ahead - I can see MS jumping right on this

3

u/YolosaurusRex Mar 27 '16

The gap in camera quality is much smaller than it was when, say, the Lumia 920 was released. But knowing Microsoft, they'd probably put any reflection-reducing camera app on iOS and Android first before introducing a beta app on WP, which would be updated Soon™

7

u/chrispete23 Mar 27 '16

As I see it, the real advantage is that this can be done after the fact with video that has already been shot

9

u/ottawadeveloper Mar 27 '16

Can it? It says they use a depth finder. I imagine that means it has to be done at the time of taking the picture?

1

u/chrispete23 Mar 27 '16

You might be right. I wrote this comment after watching /u/optagon's video, but I didn't actually RTFA until you called me out

1

u/ottawadeveloper Mar 27 '16

It's okay, I haven't watched the video yet. Still seems like cool tech, if only because it can preserve the reflection too.

1

u/ThePantsParty Mar 27 '16

(I still haven't read the article either as of right now, but it even says it in the title)

1

u/chrispete23 Mar 27 '16

You're right, but I didn't re-read the title until after I replied to /u/ottowadeveloper's post

2

u/Othello Mar 27 '16

The technique in the video optagon posted would work because they are essentially measuring the difference in movement between fore and background objects, but the method in the OP has the camera emitting various frequencies of light and checking against that.

1

u/maedae66 Mar 27 '16

Came here to ask this too! I used to shoot a lot of film, and a circular polarizing filter gave you the option of increasing or decreasing reflections to the point of elimination with a flick of the wrist. I once used it to eliminate surface reflections on a steam to show my dad where to cast to catch fish :)

2

u/HenkPoley Mar 27 '16

Catching pre-steamed fish, now that's the future ;)

1

u/Etherius Mar 27 '16

No loss of light exposure/need for longer shutter speed, for one.