I am currently working on a new function for WIA-Loader to automatically tag images during import without using an online service. Until now, WIA Loader could only do this via an external provider (Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services). The new function now loads a locally available ONNX model and lets it evaluate the imported images. The result is a list of keywords for the respective image. The quantity and quality of the keywords determined depends on the ONNX model used.

If you would like to try this out, you will need:

• A purchased WIA-Loader license from the Microsoft Store
• The current WIA-Loader beta version.
• A suitable Resnet ONNX model. I have been using this one so far

In the new version there is a new import step called ‘AutoTag’. You add this to the profile and select the previously downloaded ONNX model in the step settings. Now you can test the tagging by starting an import or right-clicking on an image in the preview and selecting ‘Automatic tagging (offline)’.

With the ONNX model linked above you can get a pretty good result, but it’s still miles away from what you can get from Microsoft’s online service. I am trying to find a better model or perhaps even train my own. I could then distribute this directly with the download from WIA-Loader…..

Another DIY project I’m currently working on is a radio based on an ESP32. I used a very cheap, old, and faulty Siemens RS-555 radio as the foundation, meaning I removed the old electronics from the radio and am now building it up piece by piece with new components. The original controls of the radio are being preserved and I’m trying to maintain the original functionality of the radio as much as possible and where it makes sense.
Continue reading →

Since I haven’t written anything here for ages, I thought I’d present one of my current projects: A small game console based on an ESP32.
Continue reading →

Even though it may not always look like this, I’m always working on my ‘WIA-Loader‘ tool. This is probably one of the projects that will never be completed. I am currently in the process of switching the program from Windows Forms to WPF, which means that I am rebuilding the entire user interface. One of the biggest advantages of this changeover is that WIA loaders can now be displayed sensibly on high-resolution screens.
Continue reading →

Since December last year I also have a skill for Alexa 'on offer'. ISSTracker empowers Alexa to answer questions about the visibility of the ISS!

It took a long time, but now the first version of SmartBloggy, the RSS Feed Reader by Marco Büttner and me, is also available in the Windows Store.

Continue reading →

In the last few weeks, I’ve managed to get 2 of my apps fit for Windows 10. On the one hand of course, pmBubbles, because I always ‘practice’ with it when I make apps for a new platform. And on the other hand my GPS-Logger Pro, which I originally developed for Samsungs bada OS.

Continue reading →