Peripheral Vision’s ISOLIGHT Provides Accurate Measurement of Digital Imaging Systems

Peripheral Vision, Inc., experts in digital camera design and development, today introduced its ISOLIGHT™ light metering system. Designed to bring standardization to lighting conditions for test images, ISOLIGHT improves the quality and constancy of camera test images. ISOLIGHT targets digital imaging system designers and testers who require uniform lighting and accurate measurement recordings for product development, or to verify compliance with image quality specifications.

"Anyone who designs, evaluates or tests digital cameras has struggled with the current methods available to setup and capture test images," said Michael Okincha, president of Peripheral Vision. "ISOLIGHT eliminates the physical constraints of holding test charts and light meters to record the test conditions, measuring everything you need to know about an image. It can be used to test any type of digital imaging system, from digital still cameras to mobile phone cameras, to HD video and videoconferencing systems. ISOLIGHT greatly simplifies the testing process, accelerating time to market for a device."

It is important that test charts be evenly illuminated when capturing images; uneven illumination introduces error in measurements. Today's standard approach of using a hand-held light meter presents several problems, including shadows, distortion and difficulty in adjusting lights or positioning the meter. ISOLIGHT eliminates these issues by allowing a single person to continuously measure and monitor the absolute illumination level and uniformity without an assistant, ensuring that testing is accurate and well documented. The system can also be connected to a PC over USB or a wireless network for remote data acquisition and control, facilitating integration into automated testing and production environments.

Peripheral Vision will be demonstrating the new ISOLIGHT light metering system at IS&T | SPIE Electronic Imaging, from February 5-7, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport in Burlingame, Calif. ISOLIGHT will be available during the first quarter of 2013.

ISOLIGHT Light Metering System
The ISOLIGHT light metering system consists of a holder for a test chart, four light sensors positioned at the chart corners and two different displays indicating the light level at each sensor. An LCD displays the light level as measurements or as bar graphs. Multi-color LED rings around each sensor simultaneously indicate whether the illumination at each sensor is too high, too low or within acceptable tolerances. A key feature is that the chart's readout displays are visible in the test images, making it easy to verify that illumination was both at the correct level and acceptably uniform. Finally, an LED chaser bar lets the user measure the image exposure time, frame rate, dropped frames and frame-rate jitter. Synchronized audio output enables testing of audio/video capture synchronization.

ISOLIGHT is colored an industry-standard 18 percent gray to prevent distorting test scene color and camera performance. It safely holds standard-sized color test charts, as well as larger and smaller charts. The device offers multiple mounting options including tripod, wall hanging, table-top use and integral magnets for mounting to light booth walls. An optional hard-shell cover protects the device and charts during transport.