Lightweight Agent Framework for Camera Array Applications

This paper describes a lightweight middleware agent framework (LAF) for coordinating a large array of computers with attached cameras to construct high resolution video-rate image sequences. Compared to existing camera middleware, LAF provides more than a remote sensor access API. The use of an agent framework allows reconfigurable and transparent access to cameras, as well as software agents capable of intelligent processing. It also eases maintenance by encouraging code reuse. Other features include an automatic discovery mechanism at startup, and multiple language bindings. Performance tests showed the lightweight nature of the framework while validating its correctness and scalability. Two different camera agents were implemented to provide access to a large array of distributed cameras. Correct operation of these camera agents was confirmed via several image processing agents.

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