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e-con Systems Inc. last week launched its latest camera, the See3CAM_CU83, a 4K superspeed USB Camera featuring onsemi’s AR0830 sensor. The latest See3CAM, an RGB-IR camera, promises performance for a wide range of applications, including biometric access control, in-cabin monitoring, crop health monitoring, image-guided surgeries, and smart patient monitoring, said the company.

“See3CAM_CU83 represents a significant milestone in our product lineup,” stated said Prabu Kumar, head of the Camera Solutions Unit at e-con Systems. “With over 20 years of experience in embedded vision, e-con Systems has generated multiple patents.”

“This camera uses e-con’s own proprietary algorithm that processes RGB-IR frames from the single sensor into separate RGB and IR frames,” he added. “The camera’s ability to capture both visible and infrared light at the same time with a dual band-pass optical system also allows it to operate seamlessly in both day and night modes across a wide range of vision applications.”

e-con’s product portfolio includes ToF (time-of-flight) cameras, MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) camera modules, GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link) cameras, USB 3.1 Gen 1 cameras, stereo cameras, GigE cameras, and low-light cameras. The Riverside, Calif.-based company last month also demonstrated its 3MP and 5MP global shutter cameras for basketball posture analysis and precision agriculture, respectively.

See3CAM_CU83 eliminates sensors, filters

“See3CAM_CU83 sets a new standard in the industry with its ability to simultaneously stream RGB-IR frames, capturing high-quality 4K images in both visible and IR lighting conditions,” said e-con Systems.

By separating visual light and infrared frames, the new camera eliminates the need for separate RGB and IR sensors, the embedded vision provider claimed. It can deliver clear, precise images with low latency and is a cost-effective system, e-con asserted.

The camera’s reliability is further enhanced by the absence of mechanical switch filters, it added. e-con said its expertise in image signal processing (ISP) fine-tuning enables See3CAM to deliver high-resolution images.

“By integrating our AR0830 sensor into their 4K RGB-IR superspeed USB camera, See3CAM_CU83, and combining it with their RGB-IR separation algorithm, e-con Systems delivers a composite camera system that now can be extensively deployed in both visible and NIR spectrums,” said Steve Harris, senior director of marketing in onsemi‘s Industrial and Commercial Sensing Division. “This combination enables superior performance and color accuracy across a wide range of embedded vision applications.”

e-con Systems addresses vision pain points across industries

e-con Systems said the See3CAM_CU83 addresses pain points of embedded vision applications across multiple industries:

• Biometric access control: RGB-IR can enhance biometric accuracy, distinguishing between live persons and spoofing attempts, said the company. This promises to improve security for facility entry, attendance systems, and high-security environments.
• In-cabin monitoring: RGB-IR functionality maintains clear video in varying light conditions for driver or passenger monitoring, explained e-con. 4K resolution enhances detail for advanced computer vision techniques, enabling drowsiness detection and cabin occupancy tracking. In addition, the wake-on-motion feature of the camera ensures rapid response of the camera along with power efficiency, it said.
• Crop health monitoring: Dual RGB and IR imagery can capture near-infrared spectral data, revealing crop health indicators like chlorophyll content and water status. This can help detect crop distress, diseases, or pest infestations for targeted interventions.
• Image-guided surgeries: IR imaging functionality can provide surgeons with additional visual cues and information beyond what is available in the visible spectrum alone. For example, IR imaging can help differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue, enhance visualization of blood vessels, or aid in tumor identification during precision surgeries.
• Smart patient monitoring: The latest See3CAM captures both visible and infrared light, ensuring clear images even in low-light conditions and enhancing the accuracy of patient monitoring applications. This helps with early detection of critical changes in health status, according to e-con.

See3CAM is now availabile

e-con Systems said that its expertise in OEM innovation and the new camera’s advanced features stand out in a competitive landscape. “See3CAM_CU83 is also the only RGB-IR camera with 4K resolution available in the market,” the company claimed.

e-con also offers customization services and integration support for the See3CAM meet the requirements of unique applications. For customization or integration support, contact the company at camerasolutions@e-consystems.com.