Webcam

The video streams provided by webcams can be used for a number of purposes, each using appropriate software: (1) Health care. Most of the modern webcams allow to capture arterial pulse rate by means of simple algorithmic trick. Researchers claim that accuracy of such measurements about plus minus 5 bpm. (2) Video monitoring. Webcams may be installed at places such as childcare centres, offices, shops and private areas to monitor security and general activity. (3) Commerce. Webcams have been used for Augmented Reality experiences online. One such function has the webcam act as a 'magic mirror' to allow an online shopper to view a virtual item on themselves. (4) Videocalling and videoconferencing. Webcam can be added to instant messaging, text chat services such as AOL Instant Messenger, and VoIP services such as Skype, one-to-one live video communication over the Internet has now reached millions of mainstream PC users worldwide. ... (5) Video security. Webcams can be used as security cameras. Software is available to allow PC-connected cameras to watch for movement and sound, recording both when they are detected. These recordings can then be saved to the computer, e-mailed, or uploaded to the Internet. In one well-publicised case, a computer e-mailed images of the burglar during the theft of the computer, enabling the owner to give police a clear picture of the burglar's face even after the computer had been stolen. (6) Video clips and stills. Webcams can be used to take video clips and still pictures. Various software tools in wide use can be employed for this, such as PicMaster (for use with Windows operating systems), Photo Booth (Mac), or Cheese (with Unix systems). (7) Input control devices. Special software can use the video stream from a webcam to assist or enhance a user's control of applications and games. Video features, including faces, shapes, models and colors can be observed and tracked to produce a corresponding form of control. (8) Astro photography. With the very-low-light capability, a few specific models of webcams are very popular to photograph the night sky by astronomers and astro photographers. Mostly, these are manual focus cameras and contain an old CCD panel instead of comparatively newer CMOS panels. The lens of the cameras are removed and then these are attached to telescopes to record images, video or still both. In newer techniques, videos of very faint objects are taken for a couple of seconds and then all the frames of the video are 'stacked' together to obtain a still image of respectable contrast. [Webcam. Wikipedia]