Summary
Wim Sweldens is a Belgian American business leader, scientist, and inventor notable for innovations in communications and signal processing technology. Sweldens is the inventor of the wavelet lifting scheme, an algorithm used both in the JPEG 2000 image compression standard, as well as for compressing 3D images[1] into billions of tiny triangular modules.[2] At telecommunications firm Alcatel-Lucent in New Jersey, he led development of new cell tower technology called lightRadio which reduces the size of transmission equipment dramatically.[3] The equipment uses only basic electrical power and can be placed indoors and linked to optical fiber cables;[4] it enables mobile networks to operate with much less electricity, halving CO2 emissions and reducing the carbon footprint,[5] and permitting cell phone service to reach more people over expanded geographic areas.[6]
Wim Sweldens | |
|---|---|
 Sweldens speaking at the World Economic Forum in 2012 | |
| Education | University of Leuven, Belgium |
| Occupation(s) | Scientist, Telecom innovator |
| Employer | Kiswe Mobile |
| Known for | data compression |
In 2013 Sweldens co-founded Kiswe Mobile with Jeong Kim and Jimmy Lynn. The Kiswe interactive streaming (also called reverse streaming) technology[7] has powered some of the biggest music and sports events in the world, notably with the K-pop band BTS with over one million live viewers.[8][9][10]
Kiswe's multi view technology allows end users to live choose their favorite camera angle of an event. Users can also remote participate in an event through chat, cheering, and uploading selfie videos. Sweldens was one of the key people behind Kiswe's virtual Tour of Flanders during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.[11][12][13][14]
Sweldens holds 28 US patents[15] and has received prestigious awards, including the MIT TR35 in 1999[16] and the Leslie Fox Prize for Numerical Analysis.[17] He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Leuven.[18]
References edit
- ^ Peter Schröder, Wim Sweldens (May 1995). "Geek Page - Wavelet Image Compression: Beating the bandwidth bottleneck". Wired. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ LEE DYE (September 11, 2000). "A Leap for High-Speed Transmission: Data: Latest technology will lessen image process time. 3-D capacity could prove boon for industries". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ Ben Rooney (February 7, 2011). "Alcatel-Lucent Shrinks Cell Tower". The Wall Street Journal: Technology. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ "Wireless advances could mean no more cell towers". USA Today. Associated Press. February 12, 2011. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ Nick Wood (7 February 2011). "Alcatel-Lucent signals 'end of base station'". Total Telecom. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ Charles Arthur (7 February 2011). "Tiny device could transform mobile communications, says its creator". The Guardian. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
- ^ "Reverse streaming: the fan experience of tomorrow - Wim Sweldens". YouTube. June 9, 2020.
- ^ "BTS' agency inks partnership with US streaming firm Kiswe". June 9, 2020.
- ^ Bogedon-Hikino, Kara (20 April 2022). "Kiswe on how hybrid concerts led the live music industry to the new normal".
- ^ "BTS label Big Hit Entertainment inks broad partnership with streaming tech company Kiswe".
- ^ Knowles, Ed (25 May 2022). "Can virtual cycling ever match up to the great outdoors?".
- ^ "2020 Virtual Tour of Flanders".
- ^ Vermont, W. (22 March 2022). "Virtual Tour of Flanders". SMPTE Motion Imaging Journal. 131 (2): 17–22. doi:10.5594/JMI.2022.3143607.
- ^ "Tour of Flanders goes virtual". April 3, 2020.
- ^ "United States Patent and Trademark Office".
- ^ "Innovator Under 35: Wim Sweldens, 32 - MIT Technology Review".
- ^ Moler, Cleve (27 June 1997). "Announcement of Fox Prize Winners".
- ^ "Wim Sweldens honorary professor".
External links edit
- Wim Sweldens at lightRadio press conference (see 3:00+ minutes)
- Research website