Canesta
Encyclopedia
Canesta is a fabless semiconductor company
founded in April 1999 by Cyrus Bamji, Abbas Rafii, and Nazim Kareemi. The company manufactures CMOS
-based single chip 3D sensors
, which can be used as part of input systems for electronic devices. On October 29, 2010, Canesta announced that it would be acquired by Microsoft
for an undisclosed amount. Canasco was formed as an asset holding company of Canesta to transition and wind down Canesta.
-based single chip 3D image sensing
technology. Described as “electronic perception technology”, the company promotes its technology as enabling everyday machines and digital devices with the ability to “see.”
In 2002, at Demo Mobile the company announced its first application, a projection keyboard
for mobile devices. In this application, a keyboard made of light is projected onto a flat surface, the user types on the flat surface, and Canesta’s electronic perception technology translates finger movements into keystrokes in the device. The company subsequently licensed the technology to Celluon of Korea.
The company later focused on the automotive applications of its technology, securing investment from Honda
, and promoting its technology at public automotive industry forums such as Convergence 2006. Interior occupant sensing for advanced airbag
deployment and rear obstacle detection are two example applications.
The company recently turned its attention to the video game space where its technology forms the basis of a unique input mechanism that enables new immersive game experiences.
On October 29, 2010, it was announced that Microsoft
would acquire Canesta for an undisclosed amount, stating that their partnership would assist in the development of natural user interface
s and spread the adoption of their technology into a wider array of products. Microsoft had developed a similar motion controller for its Xbox 360
game console.
The company’s investors include The Carlyle Group
, Venrock Associates, KGIF, Hotung Capital, Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
,, Optex, Ltd., Quanta Computer Inc. (2382.TW), and SMSC (NASDAQ: SMSC).
3D
image sensor
s to multiple OEM
(Original Equipment Manufacturer
) markets, including consumer electronics
, video gaming, automotive, security, and industrial.
As of Q3 2010, the latest generation of Canesta sensor was the 'Cobra' 3D ToF CMOS sensor. This sensor uses a standard CMOS image sensor process and has a ToF pixel array with XY resolution of 320x200. The range accuracy is characterized by the noise around the correct range data, and in this 'Cobra' device, this noise is around the single digit millimeter.
The company also provides reference designs, functioning sensor modules, and developer’s toolkits.
technology consists of an array of pixel
s where every pixel can independently determine the distance to the object it sees. This array is in effect a massively parallel LIDAR
on a single CMOS
chip. At the heart of the technology is a proprietary silicon
photo collection structure in each pixel that allows accurate measurement of the arrival time of the collected photons. This photo collection structure is substantially immune to CMOS surface defects that ordinarily adversely affect time of flight operation. This enables time of flight ranging using a low cost CMOS process.
Using Canesta technology a 3D time-of-flight camera
can be constructed from a Canesta CMOS time of flight sensor, an imaging lens
to focus the light from the scene onto the sensor and an LED
or laser diode based light source controlled by the sensor to illuminate the scene with near infrared
light.
Fabless semiconductor company
A fabless semiconductor company specializes in the design and sale of hardware devices and semiconductor chips while outsourcing the fabrication or "fab" of the devices to a specialized manufacturer called a semiconductor foundry...
founded in April 1999 by Cyrus Bamji, Abbas Rafii, and Nazim Kareemi. The company manufactures CMOS
CMOS
Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits...
-based single chip 3D sensors
Image sensor
An image sensor is a device that converts an optical image into an electronic signal. It is used mostly in digital cameras and other imaging devices...
, which can be used as part of input systems for electronic devices. On October 29, 2010, Canesta announced that it would be acquired by Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
for an undisclosed amount. Canasco was formed as an asset holding company of Canesta to transition and wind down Canesta.
History
The company launched publicly at PC Forum in 2002, announcing its CMOSCMOS
Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits...
-based single chip 3D image sensing
Image sensor
An image sensor is a device that converts an optical image into an electronic signal. It is used mostly in digital cameras and other imaging devices...
technology. Described as “electronic perception technology”, the company promotes its technology as enabling everyday machines and digital devices with the ability to “see.”
In 2002, at Demo Mobile the company announced its first application, a projection keyboard
Projection keyboard
A projection keyboard is a form of computer input device whereby the image of a virtual keyboard is projected onto surface: when a user's fingers are placed on the projected "keys", the device translates them into keystrokes.- History :...
for mobile devices. In this application, a keyboard made of light is projected onto a flat surface, the user types on the flat surface, and Canesta’s electronic perception technology translates finger movements into keystrokes in the device. The company subsequently licensed the technology to Celluon of Korea.
The company later focused on the automotive applications of its technology, securing investment from Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, and promoting its technology at public automotive industry forums such as Convergence 2006. Interior occupant sensing for advanced airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
deployment and rear obstacle detection are two example applications.
The company recently turned its attention to the video game space where its technology forms the basis of a unique input mechanism that enables new immersive game experiences.
On October 29, 2010, it was announced that Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
would acquire Canesta for an undisclosed amount, stating that their partnership would assist in the development of natural user interface
Natural user interface
In computing, a natural user interface, or NUI, is the common parlance used by designers and developers of computer interfaces to refer to a user interface that is effectively invisible, or becomes invisible with successive learned interactions, to its users. The word natural is used because most...
s and spread the adoption of their technology into a wider array of products. Microsoft had developed a similar motion controller for its Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
game console.
Finances
The company has raised $70 Million to date in subsequent rounds of investment.The company’s investors include The Carlyle Group
Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group is an American-based global asset management firm, specializing in private equity, based in Washington, D.C. The Carlyle Group operates in four business areas: corporate private equity, real assets, market strategies and fund-of-funds, through its AlpInvest subsidiary...
, Venrock Associates, KGIF, Hotung Capital, Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
,, Optex, Ltd., Quanta Computer Inc. (2382.TW), and SMSC (NASDAQ: SMSC).
Products
Canesta provides its electronic perception technology in the form of CMOSCMOS
Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits...
3D
Three-dimensional space
Three-dimensional space is a geometric 3-parameters model of the physical universe in which we live. These three dimensions are commonly called length, width, and depth , although any three directions can be chosen, provided that they do not lie in the same plane.In physics and mathematics, a...
image sensor
Image sensor
An image sensor is a device that converts an optical image into an electronic signal. It is used mostly in digital cameras and other imaging devices...
s to multiple OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
(Original Equipment Manufacturer
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
) markets, including consumer electronics
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are electronic equipment intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver...
, video gaming, automotive, security, and industrial.
As of Q3 2010, the latest generation of Canesta sensor was the 'Cobra' 3D ToF CMOS sensor. This sensor uses a standard CMOS image sensor process and has a ToF pixel array with XY resolution of 320x200. The range accuracy is characterized by the noise around the correct range data, and in this 'Cobra' device, this noise is around the single digit millimeter.
The company also provides reference designs, functioning sensor modules, and developer’s toolkits.
Technology
Canesta’s time-of-flightTime-of-flight
Time of flight describes a variety of methods that measure the time that it takes for an object, particle or acoustic, electromagnetic or other wave to travel a distance through a medium...
technology consists of an array of pixel
Pixel
In digital imaging, a pixel, or pel, is a single point in a raster image, or the smallest addressable screen element in a display device; it is the smallest unit of picture that can be represented or controlled....
s where every pixel can independently determine the distance to the object it sees. This array is in effect a massively parallel LIDAR
LIDAR
LIDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance to, or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with light, often using pulses from a laser...
on a single CMOS
CMOS
Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor is a technology for constructing integrated circuits. CMOS technology is used in microprocessors, microcontrollers, static RAM, and other digital logic circuits...
chip. At the heart of the technology is a proprietary silicon
Silicon
Silicon is a chemical element with the symbol Si and atomic number 14. A tetravalent metalloid, it is less reactive than its chemical analog carbon, the nonmetal directly above it in the periodic table, but more reactive than germanium, the metalloid directly below it in the table...
photo collection structure in each pixel that allows accurate measurement of the arrival time of the collected photons. This photo collection structure is substantially immune to CMOS surface defects that ordinarily adversely affect time of flight operation. This enables time of flight ranging using a low cost CMOS process.
Using Canesta technology a 3D time-of-flight camera
Time-of-flight camera
A time-of-flight camera is a range imaging camera system that resolves distance based on the known speed of light, measuring the time-of-flight of a light signal between the camera and the subject...
can be constructed from a Canesta CMOS time of flight sensor, an imaging lens
Lens (optics)
A lens is an optical device with perfect or approximate axial symmetry which transmits and refracts light, converging or diverging the beam. A simple lens consists of a single optical element...
to focus the light from the scene onto the sensor and an LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
or laser diode based light source controlled by the sensor to illuminate the scene with near infrared
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
light.
Further reading
- May, Mike (December, 2002). “Type It Anywhere”. Scientific American. Subscription only.
- Vance, Ashlee (March 28, 2002). “The digital illusion: PCs that can see?”. CNN.com.
- “World Economic Forum Names 40 Technology Pioneers from 10 Countries for 2003”. World Economic Forum.
- Merritt, Rick (March 25, 2002). “CMOS sensor detects 3-D images for mobile apps”. EE Times.
- "When work is fun and games". IEEE Spectrum.
- "Start-Up Canesta to Display Virtual Projector Keyboard". (September 18, 2002). Wall Street Journal. Subscription only.
- "Technologic Names Top Ten Startups at Wireless Ventures". (May 1, 2002). VentureWire. Subscription only.
External links
- Canasco (fka Canesta) (official website)
- 【CEATEC JAPAN 2008】 HITACHI Gesture operation TV at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
(Adobe FlashAdobe FlashAdobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
video) - Gesture control using a Canesta time-of-flight camera