Q. What is Vicon Revue?
A. Revue is a wearable camera which takes photos passively and unobtrusively when triggered by internal sensors. The photos it captures can be uploaded at the end of the user’s day or after a specific event such as a wedding, holiday, birthday or day trip. Photos can then be viewed one by one or as a time lapse video. Revue is based on Microsoft’s SenseCam technology.

Q. How do I use Vicon Revue as a memory aid?
A. Wear the camera for significant events you’d like to remember. Don’t necessarily record the mundane, because even people with ‘normal’ memories can forget very routine events. When you have finished recording, upload the photos to your computer and begin reviewing them the day after your event.

Take your time when reviewing your photos. You can look through the photos one at a time or as a time lapse video. However, it’s likely that the more you look through the photos, the better you will remember the event. As you do so, you can delete the photos that are blurred, dark or not clear or if they don’t seem to trigger any memories.

Review your photos regularly. Do this every few days for two weeks or more. The regular reviewing is known as ‘spaced rehearsal’ and is a good way to remember things successfully. After this initial period of regular review is over, you can view the photos as often, or as infrequently as you choose, although it’s probably best to look over important events every few weeks.

Q.I have a loved one with memory problems, can Revue help?
A. Preliminary, published evidence exists to show that SenseCam technology can help people with severe memory problems remember past events. Vicon Revue comes with a user guide which explains how best to use the camera to improve memory in this way. There’s a lot more research to be done before we can conclusively say that it will help all people with memory problems. However, the availability of SenseCam Technology through the manufacture of Vicon Revue will help researchers learn how it can help people with memory impairment recall events more effectively.

Q. What research has been carried out to date with this device?
A. A number of preliminary studies indicate that SenseCam technology is a powerful aid for autobiographical recall. For example, clinicians at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK carried out a study with a woman who experienced severe memory impairment following an infection that caused damage to parts of her brain (Berry et al., 2007).

When the women looked through her own photos, captured using SenseCam, her memory for the events was very much improved. When she saw the photos, she described events, happenings, thoughts and feelings that had not been captured in the photos themselves. She was also able to remember the events many months later, without the need to keep reviewing the photos.

The journal 'Memory' has an upcoming special issue on SenseCam: The Future of Everyday Memory Research?  For more details click here.

For further details of the research carried out please visit the following websites:

Microsoft Research and SenseCam.

Q. What features does Vicon Revue have?
A. The Vicon Revue is a wearable digital camera containing a colour VGA resolution sensor (640 x 480 pixels), temperature sensor, light colour and intensity sensor, passive infra-red motion detector, multi-axis accelerometer, 3-axis magnetometer (compass), battery and flash memory. It is fitted with a fish-eye lens to provide a full 130 degree field of view.

Q. How long does the battery last?
A. In normal use, the battery lasts for approximately 24 hours. The battery can be charged from a charger or directly from any PC with a USB port.

Q. How many images can be stored?
A. The flash memory fitted is 1GB which can typically fit around 30,000 images (approximately 6 days of capture).

Q. What operating system does Revue run on?
A. Microsoft Windows® (Windows XP® or later), Apple® Mac® OS (10.4 or later) and Linux® (Fedora Core 12, Ubuntu 9.10), OPENSUSE 11.2).

Q. How much is the Vicon Revue?
A. £500 excluding shipping and taxes.

Q. What are Vicon’s plans for Vicon Revue?
A. Vicon is currently researching market needs with the intention of making future versions suitable for wider consumer purchase.

Q. How is Vicon Revue connected to Microsoft Research?
A. Vicon Revue incorporates the Microsoft Research Cambridge (MSRC) SenseCam technology. Vicon has a license agreement from MSRC to manufacture and sell Revue incorporating the SenseCam technology.

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