Computer graphics is intimately linked to the fact that we can see, and that we can interpret images in terms of objects moving through 3D space. This evening's speakers will explore this theme from two very different, but complementary, perspectives. Dr. Mohamad Sawan presents how 2D digital images can be sent directly into the visual cortex, bypassing the eyeball and its retina altogether. Dr. Sébastien Roy, in turn, shows how we can emulate some of the brain's visual processing apparatus, enabling computers to interpret 3D objects and scenes from images in the same way humans do.

The present and future of the artificial eye
Dr. Sawan has been developing an electronic visual cortex stimulator at the École Polytechnique de Montréal. The resolution is expected to be high enough to provide blind patients with the equivalent of 20/30 vision, and the ability to read. An additional innovation of the proposed system consists in the physical decoupling of the implant from the external image processor and its miniaturized camera: The external processor sends energy to power up the implant, and exchanges data with the implant via a bidirectional radio-frequency link. Dr. Sawan will present his current work, and consider some of the future applications of this amazing technology.

3D Computer Vision: towards automatic scene reconstruction
Dr. Sébastien Roy, from the Université de Montréal, will summarize recent developments and trends in 3D computer vision, and its impact on the future of 3D graphics technology. He will focus on the reconstruction of accurate 3D models from multiple views, and discuss some of the challenges and opportunities associated with the development of a fully automatic reconstruction process.