International Imaging Industry Association Releases Phase 2 of its Ground-Breaking Camera Phone Image Quality Initiative
I3A Releases Deliverables from Phase 2 of Its Camera Phone Image Quality Initiative
CPIQ Phase 3 Open to New Participants
The International Imaging Industry Association (I3A; http://www.i3a.org) has released the results from Phase 2 of its ground-breaking Camera Phone Image Quality (CPIQ) Initiative (http://www.i3a.org/technologies/mobile-imaging/cpiq/), at a Technical Forum held Friday in conjunction with the CTIA Wireless 2009 event in Las Vegas. The deliverables are an initial set of definitions and test methods for image quality metrics, and they represent a first step toward an overall image quality rating system for camera phones.
The goal of I3A’s CPIQ Initiative is to improve overall image quality in order to enhance the use and enjoyment of camera phones by consumers. The Initiative also seeks to promote growth of the camera phone imaging eco-system and to encourage consumers to take, share, print and enjoy images captured by their camera phones. The group’s ultimate objective is to produce a complete set of standardized image quality testing metrics and methodologies, enabling a consumer-oriented image quality rating system.
“Our CPIQ group has been working hard on providing the first systematic approach to camera phone image quality testing and comparison methods, so that carriers, manufacturers and consumers can evaluate and choose the right camera phones for their imaging needs,” said Lisa Walker, I3A President. “This group has tackled a very complex and daunting project and made great strides towards our ultimate goal. I encourage everyone in the imaging eco-system to make use of their work, and join us in completing the next phase of the project.”
CPIQ Phase 2 deliverables include an initial set of specific objective methods for measuring camera phone image quality attributes, with specific tools and validated test methods to facilitate standards-based communication and comparison among carriers, handset manufacturers and component vendors regarding imaging performance. Subjective test methods were then developed and applied to correlate and validate the impact for each of these metrics on actual perceived image quality. These materials will be available for download for a fee, from I3A. I3A members receive a discount on these and other work products of I3A groups, and attendees at the CTIA Technical Forum will also receive a discount of 25%.
The objectives of Phase 2 were to:
- Identify and define image quality metrics that affect overall image quality
- Separate the objective and subjective components of these image quality metrics
- Focus on the metrics that have direct impact on image quality performance
- Develop and validate test methods for image quality metrics
- Develop a framework for a consumer oriented rating system to enable the clear communication of image quality to consumers by vendors
- Promote adoption of standard measurement techniques and specifications.
The particular Image Quality attributes covered by CPIQ deliverables include:
- Acutance — Spatial Frequency Response (SFR)
- Color Uniformity
- Geometric Accuracy: Lens Distortion
- Lateral Chromatic Aberration
With CPIQ Phase 2 coming to a successful conclusion, additional interested companies are now invited to come on board during the Open Enrollment period, to influence the critical final phase of the project. Full details on CPIQ are available at http://www.i3a.org/technologies/mobile-imaging/cpiq/. Companies interested in joining CPIQ Phase 3 should write to Noel Mareno at noelm@i3a.org or call him at +1 214-244-1927; note that membership in I3A is a prerequisite for participation.
About the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)
I3A’s vision is to enable the use of imaging to simplify and enrich people’s lives through visual experiences that connect generations, communities, information and services. I3A drives the global imaging industry toward this future by bringing members together to create standards and collaborate on initiatives that advance the industry and remove barriers to growth.
I3A is an accredited Standards Developing Organization, serving as Secretariat for the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 42 (ISO/TC42) on Photography, and as administrator for the USA Technical Advisory Group for this committee. Information about I3A can be found at http://www.i3a.org or by phone at +1 914-285-4933. For information on joining I3A, please write or call Noel Mareno, noelm@i3a.org, +1 214-244-1927.
