Computer vision is the science and engineering of smart camera systems (or more broadly, smart image systems, since images can come from another source besides a camera). Examples of subtopics in computer vision include face recognition, license plate recognition, image classification (as used in Google's Search by image), motion capture (as used in Xbox Kinect games), and 3D scanning.

Computer vision, like game development, has become more accessible in recent years and is now almost a ubiquitous topic. "How can we leverage people's interest in cameras?" or "How can we leverage all the cameras that are in our building, our city, or our country?" is as natural a question as "How can we leverage people's interest in games and simulations?" and the implications extend beyond entertainment.

Cameras are everywhere. Many of them are attached to powerful host computers and networks. We live, work, and play amidst an army of digital eyes, including...