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Professor Stephen Brewster

Glasgow Multimodal Interaction Group

University of Glasgow

School of Computing Science

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Clever cameras

Snap happy
Frustrated by some of the ways cameras work, Professor Stephen Brewster, an expert in digital interface design at the University of Glasgow, believes cameras can be better at helping us take pictures. His research group has already improved interfaces on mobile phones, so the group understand the potential of the technology in smartphones to provide useful feedback about the quality of the image. We have developed technological habits, the way we interact with the camera app on the phone is similar to that of the digital camera and similar again to the old film camera. Brewster, himself a keen photographer, wanted to discover how to use the new technology to overcome common picture-taking problems.

Taking the best picture
Their research showed that few people edit their photos after they take them, so the goal was to ensure that the best picture could be taken straightaway. One way to do this is to give information about exposure before the photo is taken. The team converted information about the luminance range of the image into a sound alert. Now, by half pressing the shutter button, a sound signals if the image is too dark or too bright. The higher the pitch, the less likely the image will be properly exposed. The beauty of this is, as Brewster says, ‘that we don’t have to add anything new to the camera. You are just replacing the focus lock sound with a new sound.’

Camera Phone Fun © ranplett - iStockphoto

Tapping into smartphone tech
They have developed a range of other features, including using the mobile phone’s accelerometer to detect if there is camera shake. Taking group shots, using face detection software, the camera can vibrate to signal the number of heads fully in the frame.

Brewster points out that these are features, ‘we test in the lab and then send out into the world for usability tests. For example, when taking group shots, we originally had an audio version. But when we gave it to people they mainly used that feature in clubs and bars, where it is so noisy they can’t hear the audio signals, they much preferred the tactile feedback.’

The group is working on adapting these features for video and have camera manufacturers interested in their work. With Brewster’s interface the camera gives instant feedback and better pictures at no extra cost.

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