Theia Technologies' Ultra Wide, Undistorted Lenses Now Available on Axis Communications Accessories List

WILSONVILLE, Ore. – Jan. 5, 2010

Theia Technologies today announced that Axis Communications now offers Theia's SY110 Fixed Focal Megapixel Lens as an accessory lens for use with its megapixel network camera product line.  Theia's 1.7 mm lens provides up to 110 degrees horizontal field of view (HFOV) when used with the 1.3 megapixel AXIS 211M Network Camera, and up to 116 degrees HFOV when used with the 2.0 megapixel AXIS 223M Network Camera.  This provides the opportunity to cover more area with a single network camera – potentially reducing the overall cost of ownership as compared to an analog system. 

Theia’s patented Linear Optical Technology® enables an image with less than 1% barrel distortion.  By contrast, most wide angle lenses above 80 degrees horizontal field of view produce an image with noticeable levels of barrel distortion, also known as fisheye distortion.  Distortion in typical wide angle lenses compresses data at the edges of the image, causing a loss of information, which translates into degraded image resolution in those areas.  Theia's technology doesn't compress or lose information, but instead maps the subject over more pixels providing improved image resolution at the image edge and increasing the chance of recognition of individuals and objects.

Theia's lenses correct barrel distortion in the optics of the lens without the use of de-warping software for a faster, real time solution.  Image information lost due to the barrel distortion of typical wide angle lenses cannot be recovered even with the use of dewarping software.    

"We strive to offer only those accessories that help our partners and their end users get the most out of their network camera deployment and Axis investment," said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager, Axis Communications, Inc. "Theia's Fixedfocal Megapixel Lenses work in harmony with our megapixel network cameras to maximize the field of view without degrading the image resolution, so installers can best utilize their design plan."

The SY110 lens is also IR corrected so maintains its crisp megapixel resolution image in IR illumination making it a suitable accessory for the AXIS 223M Network Camera, which features automatic day and night capabilities with a removable infrared-cut filter. By utilizing Theia's ultra-wide angle lens, the high quality, clear images associated with advanced megapixel network cameras are further advanced for better surveillance and functionality.

To learn more about Theia's lenses and how to add this feature to your Axis network camera installation, please visit: http://www.axis.com/products/cam_acc/lenses/theia/index.htm.

About Theia

Theia Technologies, founded in 2006, provides ultra wide-angle megapixel lenses for security and machine vision applications. Their award winning Linear Optical Technology® provides up to 135 degree horizontal field of view with very low distortion. The patented technology corrects barrel distortion and improves image resolution over typical lenses. Theia has several issued and pending US and foreign patents for lens technologies.  For more information, contact Andrea Iñiguez, (503) 570-3296, or visit www.TheiaTech.com.

See the pdf version of this press release.