[spectre] OpenCV Workshop at BALTAN Laboratories

Fri Aug 28 00:50:40 CEST 2009

OpenCV Workshop at BALTAN Laboratories

September 21-27, 2009

Workshop leaders:

Lluis Gómez I Bigórda, Hangar.org, Barcelona
Yves Degoyon, GISS.tv, Barcelona

In collaboration with Piksel (Norway)

Participants: 16 (maximum)
Fee: 75 Euro

Location: BALTAN Laboratories
Glaslaan 2, SWA 8
Eindhoven
The Netherlands

Computer Vision is currently acquiring a growing relevance in the  
field of interactive arts. From Myron Krueger’s pioneering artwork in  
the 1970s to the present day, many artists have used Computer Vision  
techniques in their works, extending its field of traditional  
applications (medical, military, industrial, etc.) to interactive  
artistic practices. It might be visible in an interactive installation  
or hidden/embedded when used, for example, in gesture-driven musical  
instruments.

The purpose of this workshop is to introduce some computer vision  
techniques that form the basis of the actual OpenCV library for Pure  
Data; a set of objects, utilities and examples to use those techniques  
in an Open Source / FLOSS environment. At the same time we will  
introduce some practical examples of possible use cases of this  
technology, working on thematic research in the different domains of  
application: Interactive Installation, Augmented Reality, Learning  
Interfaces, Interactive Instruments, etc. This list will be extended  
depending on the interest and focus of the participants.

This workshop forms part of a collaboration between BALTAN  
Laboratories and Piksel. The workshop is both open to the public as  
well as part of a collaborative research residency (for which we now  
have an open call: http://www.baltanlaboratories.org/?p=1006).

Participation in the workshop is flexible. Days 1-4 involve acquiring  
basic knowledge and set the groundwork for working further with the  
technology. Days 5-7 will be dedicated to group work on specific  
projects. All participants are required to join the workshop on days 1  
and 2 for the basic theory and practice. Attendance for the remaining  
days of the workshop is flexible but participants are asked to  
indicate when registering what days they will definitely be present.

**To register: please send an email with your bio, technical  
experience and a short motivation indicating why you would like to  
join the workshop to angela[AT]baltanlaboratories.org. Please also be  
sure to indicate the days you intend to be present during the workshop  
week.**

Note: Participants are asked to bring their own machine and video  
devices. All machines will be configured so that participants will be  
able to keep working on their project after the end of the workshop.

We will configure the machines as needed by OpenCV :
ppc mac-intoshes : apple’s osx with gem
intel mac-intoshes : apple’s osx with gem
or ubuntu with pdp/pidip and gem
pc’s : ubuntu with pdp/pidip and gem

WORKSHOP AGENDA
September 21 : Introduction to Computer Vision
10:00 - 17:00

Theory :
- Image and Video Format Concepts ( RGB, YUV, … )
- Static and Dynamic processing of images and video frames
- Movement Detection example
- Simple Tracking example
- Tracking using Pattern recognition
- Pattern recognition using a Statistical approach

Practice :
- Conversion of videos to a format suitable for analysis
- Simple Movement detection example
- Simple Tracking example

(Objective: Showing a panorama of existing computer vision techniques )

September 22 : Processing Live Video
10:00 - 17:00

Theory :
- Which camera to use? What to expect ?
- The importance of lighting and contrast
- Noise removal and filtering
- Advanced filtering and pre-processing of video

Practice :
- Using simple examples using different kind of inputs
- Measure the importance of filtering
- Use of video pre-processing techniques

(Objective : Stabilize the first examples with a more precise  
detection and tracking setup)

September 23 : Processing of data
10:00 - 17:00

Theory :
- Connecting analysis data to media processing
- Smoothing data ( mapping ) to get more stable results

Practice :
- Process incoming data to produce interaction
- Connect first examples to a media production unit ( sound and/or  
video )
- Calibrating inputs to get the expected result

(Objective : Using incoming data and process it to produce interaction )

September 24 : Choose the right technique in the right context
10:00-17:00

Theory :
- Outdoor/Indoor context
- Camera/Lighting setup for a ‘Darkroom’
- Importance of background and contrast

Practice :
- Using basic examples in different context ( outdoor, dark room )
- Playing with contrast and background

(Objective : Determine the best technique and setup for different  
contexts )

September 25-27 : Thematic Working Groups (Practice)
10:00 - 17:00

Groups :
- Motion Detection in a public space
- Tracking in the context of dance and theater
- Augmented reality
- Interactive sound instruments

(Objective : Realize a few prototypes using computer vision techniques  
for different kind of applications, towards a real application )

BIOGRAPHIES OF THE WORKSHOP LEADERS
Lluis Gomez i Bigorda

Lluis Gomez i Bigorda is in charge of the Free and Open Source  
department of the HANGAR medialab in Barcelona, association of visual  
artists of Catalunya dedicated to the production of multi-media art  
pieces, involving free hardware and free software development. He is  
active in the FLOSS community since more than 7 years and participated  
in the development of Pure Data, Freej and GISS free media platform (http://giss.tv 
). Lately, he worked on interactive setups with choregraphers and  
performers (Shu-lea Chang), using Computer Vision techniques and WII  
devices as the basis for interaction. He was participating in the  
visual collective R3 and now formed a new collective T4 : Terminal 4.

urls :
Pure Data : http://www.artefacte.org/pd
Hangar medialab : http://www.hangar.org
GISS free media platform : http://giss.tv

Yves Degoyon

Yves Degoyon (es/fr) is a musician/performer and a free software  
developer/dealer. He developped since 2001 some tools for audio and  
video processing within the frame of Pure Data and some tools for  
escaping from the software mainstream, promoting self-mediation and  
inventive ways of communicating and organizing.

Some bits of code ::
OpenCV for PD (with Lluis Gomez i Bigorda): http://www.hangar.org/wikis/lab/doku.php?id=start:puredata_opencv
G.I.S.S. (with others) : http://www.giss.tv
/etc/groups : http://etc-groups.sf.net
MapOMatix : http://mapomatix.sf.net
P.i.D.i.P : http://ydegoyon.free.fr/pidip.html
Unauthorized PD : http://ydegoyon.free.fr/software.html

As a musician, he’s practising copyleft philosophy under the name of  
d.R.e.G.S: http://ydegoyon.free.fr

--
BALTAN Laboratories
Glaslaan 2, SWA-8
Postbus 4042
5604 EA Eindhoven
T: +31 40 256 9661
F:  +31 40 256 9661
E: info at baltanlaboratories.org
http://www.baltanlaboratories.org