PMA - Tool adds GPS tagging to digital cameras

07.03.2007
NXP Software Wednesday brought out new technology that it says can enable a digital camera to capture the geographic coordinates of an outdoor location as a photo is taken.

The company plans to demonstrate the swGPS SnapSpot technology at the PMA 2007 imaging conference which begins Thursday in Las Vegas. PMA is a photo imaging trade association.

SnapSpot is designed to give digital camera users an easy way to geo-tag images so they can search, share and view photo collections more efficiently, according to NXP.

SnapSpot captures GPS signals when a photo is taken; and then transfers the captured data to a PC. The PC runs SnapSpot's client software, which links to the server piece of the product compute locations. The locations are used to tag the associated image, allowing it to be searched and viewed using photo applications, digital maps and aerial views, according to NXP.

As a result, users can more easily find geo-tagged images by searching for photos based on a location, according to the company.

"SnapSpot is the first technology that can deliver geo-tagging into the mass consumer market," said Hans Streng, NXP vice president and general manager of emerging business.