Tuesday, January 03, 2017

French Startup Presents Lightbulb with Camera

BBC reports that French startup Bell & Wyson presents a security camera integrated into a light bulb. Assuming the lightbulbs are single-use items having a limited life span, this can become a significant market for image sensors:


Posted by Vladimir Koifman at 12:58

11 comments:

  1. Ed FisherJanuary 3, 2017 at 2:39 PM

    As with all single-use or short lifetime electronics, I wonder if the recycling chain is suitable. We cannot afford, long term, to have our rare earth elements locked up in landfill while economically viable deposits start to become more scarce.

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  2. Palle DinesenJanuary 3, 2017 at 4:21 PM

    Well, doesn't modern LED bulbs offer 25000 hrs = 2.8 years of lifetime. Then the camera including sensor will last longer than a lot of mobile phone cameras!

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    1. Vladimir KoifmanJanuary 3, 2017 at 9:09 PM

      On the other hand, an average home can have 10 such bulbs. In 3-5 years, they all would be replaced. This is quite a significant volume.

      Other than homes, these bulbs would be installed in offices, shopping centers, etc.

      Delete
  3. Eric R FossumJanuary 3, 2017 at 5:10 PM

    I guess this light must be on all the time.

    Meanwhile, I personally think hidden cameras ("spy cameras") are unethical for use by the general public and should be banned. There is a huge potential for abuse, especially when they are part of the IoT. Engineers that create these products are doing a disservice to society. We must resist the temptation to create these things even when the product seems "cool" or an easy way to make money.

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    1. Vladimir KoifmanJanuary 3, 2017 at 9:13 PM

      @I guess this light must be on all the time.

      Since it is a smart bulb, there is a number of smart options. It can turn itself off, if there is enough ambient light detected. Or, it can be remotely controlled through WiFi. With a vision processor on board, they could offer other smart options.

      Delete
    2. Eric R FossumJanuary 3, 2017 at 10:32 PM

      I think this is your invention. The video talks about the camera taking a last gasp photo as it is being switched off by the light switch (which cuts power to everything). But, as long as we are inventing, you could put in gesture control so that if you clap the light goes on, and clap again and the light goes off....

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2017 at 6:15 PM

    The designer should drink a lot of Bordeaux before drawing the design... :)-

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  5. magskyicJanuary 3, 2017 at 6:47 PM

    how about the flare? if solved, might be an application.

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  6. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2017 at 7:52 AM

    There already have been quite a few out there already;

    https://www.amazon.com/Cellphone-Recorder-Detection-Controlled-Notification/dp/B00YBFNN9U

    https://www.amazon.com/Sengled-Security-Floodlight-Two-Way-Microphone/dp/B0188WOIHW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483509038&sr=8-1&keywords=Sengled+Snap+LED+Bulb+with+1080p+Camera+and+Motion+Sensor

    https://www.amazon.com/FREDI-360-Wide-Fisheye-Security-Android/dp/B01LXNLHBF/ref=pd_lpo_421_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KRZMP9DKANBT83EJXFS7


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  7. Palle DinesenJanuary 4, 2017 at 9:53 AM

    Another problem: how often do you have line of sight to the actual bulb? I mean most often, you will have a lamp shade with either a diffuse reflector or a diffuse transparent material to avoid being blinded by the bulb. In that case, the camera is useless.

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 4, 2017 at 2:22 PM

    I have had similar bulbs with cameras including pano ones from Shenzhen for over 3 yes this is not even nearly new.

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