In a move to optimize its future microprocessors for next-generation applications, Intel today plans to released a new line of free software tools and code to spur development of "computer-vision" equipment. These computers could be used in advanced inspection systems and sophisticated airport security gear that could easily spot and identify terrorists via software running on standard PC, according to the Santa Clara-based chip company.

And way out in the future, Intel's software could even possibly enable the development of something like "HAL," the AI-based singing and sometimes caring computer system featured in the movie "2001," suggested some observers.

Intel's new software--dubbed OpenSource Computer Vision Library 2.1 (OpenCV 2.1)--is said to enable the development of next-generation computers that can view the world the way people do--that is, in "stereo" and in three dimensions. The software is capable of viewing stereoscopic "depth" and "flat" images, thereby enabling a new class of "computer-vision" equipment that can support face recognition, object tracking, and other advanced features in a system, according to Intel.

The new software release also includes an optional interface to Matlab, a software development tool for computer vision research. Matlab comes from MathWorks Inc. in Natick, Mass.

OpenCV 2.1 is an updated version of Intel's previously announced "computer-vision" software line--dubbed OpenCV 1.0. Introduced last year, OpenCV 1.0 consists of 500 image-based tools and software code for developers. The code includes camera calibration tools, and gesture and facial recognition software, according to Intel.

Both 1.0 and 2.1 versions are free and can be downloaded via Intel's Web sites, said Wilfred Pinfold, director of microprocessor research technology at Intel Laboratories. Intel does not intend to realize sales on the software, Pinfold said. "It's really for developers," he told SBN.

The new software expands Intel's presence in the "computer vision" market, a fledging business that involves real-time vision, graphics and processing of complex images in a computer system, according to Intel. This market appears to be an offshoot from the so-called "AI" business. In the 1980s, AI was a hot topic for potential products and software, but the segment lost much of its luster in the 1990s, due to the lack of commercial applications and the need for more powerful hardware, according to analysts.

Now, however, computer vision is one of several technologies vying for dominance in the new and emerging biometrics market. Biometrics makes use of several technologies--such as face location, fingerprint identification, retina scans, voice recognition, and others--to identify a person in a particular application.

Analysts believe that a range of security applications will drive the booming biometrics market. Biometric technologies promise to deliver secure PC and computer networks, as well as ATM, telephone and Internet-based transactions. But perhaps the biggest--and most controversial market--for biometrics is security at airports, especially after the terrorist attacks in the United States on Sept. 11.

Several companies have launched and deployed airport security products, including those based on face recognition technologies. But this embryonic technology is somewhat limited--at least according to a Web site called "Avanti"--a biometric reference site (http://homepage.ntlworld.com/avanti/), it was noted.

"Extravagant claims have sometimes been made for facial recognition devices which have been difficult if not impossible to substantiate in practice," according to the Avanti Web site."To date, facial recognition systems have had limited success in practical applications. However, progress continues to be made in this area and it will be interesting to see how future implementations perform. If technical obstacles can be overcome, we may eventually see facial recognition become a primary biometric methodology," the site added.

Officials from Intel dropped hints that facial-recognition technologies have a long ways to go before they prove viable in airport security systems and other settings. But the advent of new microprocessors, falling camera prices and other technologies will enable better and faster real-time computer-vision algorithms on standard PCs, said Intel's Pinfold.

"There is a lot of work being done on computer vision right now," Pinfold said. "But as far as the general market is concerned, there has not been a lot of acceptance of the technology," he said.

Intel hopes to change those trends, with new advances within its vast R&D operations. Intel Labs--the company's powerful R&D organization--is developing its future computer-vision software and other advanced technologies. The bulk of the software work is taking place at Intel's Software Development Center in Nihzniy Novgorod, Russia. Established in 1999, the center currently employees over 100 computer research scientists and engineers working in areas such as computer graphics, vision, and other technologies.

The company is also propelling computer-vision technology on another front. By the end of this decade, Intel has made it no secret that it hopes to develop 10-to-20-GHz microprocessors--which will drive a new range of new and future computer applications.

For example, Intel's subsidiary in China is developing an advanced voice-recognition software platform, which supports both English and Chinese languages--particularly the Mandarin dialect. Eventually, Intel hopes to develop more advanced speech-recognition technologies, like universal translation machines. These applications will require processors that run at speeds of 10-GHz or faster (see April 13 story ).

It appears that computer-vision will also require faster chips as well. "Today, we have the ability to recognize certain objects," Pinfold said, adding that there are some limitations in the arena.

But in fact, the computer must be "trained" to achieve these applications, he said. For example, an airport security system, which is driven by today's processors, can only store and process a limited number of individuals in a database, according to Pinfold. Future systems, based on faster processors, could store and process a plethora of individuals in a database, he said.

The technology is not limited to airport security. "Today, computer vision is used for quality control and industrial inspection--- such as spotting bad potato chips before they go into the bag," according to Intel "But what if an intelligent camera, mounted high over a public recreational pool could recognize potentially fatal behaviors such as a sinking inert body in the swimming pool?" quizzed the company.

Over time, the technology could even help in other respects. For example, future computers would be able to read sign language, which, in turn, could be automatically inputted in a system. Current technologies are unable to handle these tasks. "Maybe in 10 years, I believe that computer-vision technology could read sign language," Pinfold said.

It's unclear how long before companies develop full-fledged, AI-based computers, such as those from the hit movie "2001: A Space Odyssey." But in any case, companies hope for better results in AI-based computing. In the movie, it must be remembered, the HAL computer went awry after it felt threatened by ship's surviving crew member.