The Computational Video Group at Canada's National Research Council pursues research in image and video processing.

Two areas in this research are research with panoramic cameras and augmented reality. Omnidirectional (panoramic) cameras are devices that can sample light from 360 degrees and can be used both for imaging, teleconferencing, 'tele-presence' applications, and robot control. Another research area is 'augmented reality' using computer vision to provide convenient low cost position measurement. When the position of the real camera is found, a virtual camera can be set to the same position and the content can be merged to create the illusion of virtual objects existing in our world. Fiducial markers are one reliable way to achieve this, for this the 'ARTag' system was developed. The recent advances and ubiquity of camera cell phones (estimated to number 1 billion in the next two years) and portable gaming devices are expected, by many including the MIT Technology Review, to bring AR into mainstream use by the public in the near future. Computer gaming is one area that will be transformed by gaming, with game play happening amidst items on our table such as characters running across our newspaper, around our coffee cups, wallet, keys, etc or giant robots to battle outdoors as they invade the Laval campus. Examples and videos from these different work areas are shown.

Please note that this seminar will begin at 11:00 a.m.

The CVSL seminars are held on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. in room PLT-2700.