This device can, dependent on the frame speed, supply single images or moving-image video to the computer. Because the amount of data coming from such a device is large, currently only live display on a screen window, or data compression and storage for later playback are currently possible on the computer in practical settings. For more advanced features much more processing power is necessary than is generally available today. Within the context of , the camera will be used for lip reading and videophone experiments.
Current camera technology makes use of optically sensitive charge-coupled devices (CCD). A density of 400k pixels is standard (e.g., 752x582). Optical signal-to-noise ratios may be 50 dB, and a minimum lighting condition of 0.9 lux. More and more, camera parameters like tilt, pan, zoom, focus, and diaphragm may be remotely controlled from the computer.
Esprit Project 8579/MIAMI (Schomaker et al., '95)