NXP Software has announced that it will demonstrate its groundbreaking swGPS Snapspot technology at PMA’07. This technology enables a digital camera to capture the coordinates of an outdoor location in the time required to take a picture.
Snapspot delivers a painless method for geo-tagging images, giving users new and exciting ways to search, share, and view their ever-growing photo collections. Moreover, it can be achieved with a minimal addition to the camera’s hardware BoM cost.
By taking a new approach to GPS geo-tagging, Snapspot solves the problems of traditional GPS approaches, which are often obtrusive, slow and power hungry. SnapSpot technology overcomes these difficulties by separating the capture and processing of the GPS signals. The capture process is fast and consumes very little power, making it ideal for a digital camera. The captured data can then be transferred to a PC where the SnapSpot client, working with the SnapSpot server, computes each outdoor position fix in a few seconds. The computed location can then be used to tag the associated image, allowing it to be searched and viewed using a myriad of photo applications, digital maps and aerial views.
“SnapSpot is the first technology that can deliver geo-tagging into the mass consumer market. Capturing a location while maintaining the click and go freedom of current photography is a compelling combination”, says Hans Streng NXP Vice President and General Manager, Emerging Business.
To show the functionality and versatility of the SnapSpot technology a complete reference design is available in an ultra-thin credit card form factor. This design enables a rapid time to market, in the form of an easy to carry accessory for capturing a location. Alternatively, the reference design can be used as the basis for an integrated solution for a digital camera.
The user benefit of geo-tagged images is considerable; finding that important image amongst your thousands of photos is now as simple as asking, “give me the photo taken by Tower Bridge in London”.
The SnapSpot technology will be showcased at PMA’07 being held in Las Vegas 8th-11th March 2007.
Website: www.swgps.com
