A few months ago, I was meeting with Mark Solon at Highway 12 Ventures here in Boise(@hwy12) about a new concept I was exploring in the Mobile AR space, but I wasn't sure that we could accomplish one of the key requirements using the camera on the iPhone.

Mark asked if I knew Terry Gilton at pSiFlow Technology . I responded that I didn't, and Mark told me the same thing I am now telling you. If you are working with the iPhone camera, you probably should. So, Mark made the introduction.

Terry's company does something absolutely amazing with the iPhone camera, they use image processing to determine the exact color of patches on a chemical test strip. At first you might be thinking, that's all? But consider that they do this in many possible lighting conditions, for any iPhone camera user, and you see why that is one of those WOW moments. The knowledge of intrinsic camera function, operation, and design to pull this off is staggering.

Terry worked with Micron for many years and helped spin off the imaging division from Micron as Aptina Imaging. Though Apple is pretty confidential, it is widely known that Aptina made the imager for the iPhone (and many other smart phones). Terry was the VP of Technology for Aptina, and has deep expertise in interfacing to the iPhone camera.

This gives Terry unmatched expertise with respect to the use of the camera. Consider that, unlike most, Terry knows the camera from the level of the IC design (and corresponding skewing based on layout and doping), through lens challenges, firmware design, and finally has an incredible knowledge of image processing. Also, having managed the imaging division, he has a very good idea of the other imaging sources out there.

As we transition into the next phase of mobile AR apps that will likely incorporate more image recognition and image processing functions, Terry is THE expert in determining if the camera sees what you think it sees. The best thing of all, is he is right here in Boise, a 10 minute bike ride away.

When asked about Boise, we agreed, as most people do, that Boise is a great place for technology. If everyone knew about the capabilities of the Boise's tech community, it would be hard to keep it secret for very long. To be able to ride my bike across town and talk with someone with such a deep knowledge of the camera in order explore my assumptions about image recognition on the iPhone, was really great. It is one of the many things that makes the Boise Tech community a great place be.

Hope all is well,
Jason