Full Motion Video Preview Function Improves User Experience
SUNNYVALE, CA — December 16, 2002 — OMNIVISION Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: OVTI), a leading independent supplier of CMOS CameraChip™ solutions for high-volume imaging applications, today announced it is supplying its OV7635FB VGA CameraChip™ modules in high volumes to privately held Pantech & Curitel to be embedded in their PD-K600 and PD-6000 mobile phone handsets. By integrating the camera directly into the phone, Curitel handsets are able to take advantage of 330,000 pixels at 33 fps preview capabilities to improve the user experience. 30 fps is generally considered the necessary speed for the human eye to interpret the changing frames as continuous motion. Embedding the camera in the phone provides the added value of eliminating the need for an attachment.
“This is a significant achievement in two respects” stated John Lynch, Worldwide Vice President of Sales and Marketing for OMNIVISION. “This is the first embedded use of OMNIVISION’s CameraChip™ modules, and to our knowledge this is the first time mobile handsets will enjoy full motion video preview to enhance the user experience.”
“Curitel is a growing force for mobile handsets in Asia,” added Charley Hirata, VP APAC Marketing and Sales at OMNIVISION. “We are pleased that a well respected company such as Curitel selected OMNIVISION’s technology, and that our advanced frame rate capabilities are being so well utilized.”
The PD-K600 and PD-6000 mobile phone handsets with embedded cameras have a 65,000 color 2 watt TFT LCD display and 40 poly sound by Yamaha. They include a USB interface directly on the phone and have a closed circuit television (CCTV) capability with full motion video recording.
“We selected OMNIVISION’s VGA modules specifically because of the ability to give a fluid motion video preview experience at an affordable cost point” stated Mr. Ming Dong-Uk, R&D team leader at Curitel. “OMNIVISION’s modules had the combination we needed of small size, high image quality, fast frame rate for preview, and low cost. We look forward to continuing to innovate with OMNIVISION’s CMOS CameraChip™ solutions”.
Launched in November of 2001, OMNIVISION’s OV7635FB is a 640 x 480 VGA resolution color CameraChip™ Module for digital still CameraPhones and accessories. The OV7635FB CameraChip™ module utilizes a 1/4‑inch lens format and operates on 3.3 volts. The combination of small size, high quality and low power consumption enables cell phone manufacturers to provide customers excellent quality and greater battery life than competing CCD or other CMOS based solutions.
Pricing and Availability
OMNIVISION’s OV7635FB CameraChip™ module is available in production volumes for below $10.00. Please contact OMNIVISION via e-mail at sales@ovt.com or by visiting our website at www.ovt.com.