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Gdgros · 2012-06-18 12:56

Hello all

Just a question i have a project in mine that i would like to build a motion sensor trail camera is it possible to use a propeller P8x32a board and a PIR motion sensor from parallax part #555-28027-RT for this project , and what else would I need to accomplish this project I would like to either connect to a digital camera or I could purchase one of the cameras on this website and save the images via sd card or USB has anyone tried to make a motion sensor like this.

Thanks for any help

kwinn · 2012-06-18 13:05

The Prop can easily handle motion sensing and activating the camera. Storing single images and low rez/frame rate video is also possible but standard or high rez video would range from difficult to impossible for the prop alone. If you want video you should probably consider using a commercial camera and having the Prop control it.

Gdgros · 2012-06-18 13:11

Thanks kwinn is there some good YouTube videos or some instruction on how to wire this board , I have some video cameras I picked up at a pawn shop and would love to play with them and see if I could get it to work sorry for all the questions

Publison · 2012-06-18 15:57

Here's a recent thread about a remote camera:

http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?137836-Camera-Control-Box

Jim

Gdgros · 2012-06-18 16:25

Thanks jim I am new to working with circuit boards and want to make sure I don't mess up my board

kwinn · 2012-06-18 16:32

Great link. I am sure that provides a lot of information and ideas.Thanks for posting it Jim.

@Gdgros....No problem asking questions on this forum. There are a lot of very knowledgeable and helpful people here so ask away whenever you feel the need.

Publison · 2012-06-18 16:35

Forgot to say welcome to the forums!

Gdgros · 2012-06-18 16:46

Thanks for the welcome

I wouldn't think it would be hard to attach a camera to a propeller p8x32a board using the pir sensor to snap a picture and save it to the camera sd card I have messed around with cameras before hacking the shutter, command and ground wire but some of them are hard to find on the board of the camera, I see alot of these board demand code I am a computer programmer but that was back in my days using cobal, RPG and basic. I keep looking for the forums for cool stuff to do with this board

xanadu · 2012-06-18 18:01

Gdgros wrote: »

Thanks for the welcome

I wouldn't think it would be hard to attach a camera to a propeller p8x32a board using the pir sensor to snap a picture and save it to the camera sd card I have messed around with cameras before hacking the shutter, command and ground wire but some of them are hard to find on the board of the camera, I see alot of these board demand code I am a computer programmer but that was back in my days using cobal, RPG and basic. I keep looking for the forums for cool stuff to do with this board

It wouldn't be hard at all. What camera are you using?

Gdgros · 2012-06-18 18:20

xanadu I have 2 cameras I like to try and 2 video cams I like to try
Camers are hp photosmart hp315 and Kodak easy share dx4530
Video are jaz dv140 and vivitar dvr 610 it would be cool if these would work

Gdgros · 2012-06-19 02:58

Am I missing something I have looked over the web site to see if there was any documentation on the P8x32a board but can not find any on the website describing what can can go where etc , power, pir etc location on the board where they can be also is there a great book on these boards that you recommend for a newbie

blittled · 2012-06-19 05:03

The KickStarts book http://www.parallax.com/Store/Books/Propeller/tabid/171/CategoryID/45/List/0/SortField/0/Level/a/ProductID/808/Default.aspx may be something that can help you with the PIR.

Gdgros · 2012-06-19 05:07

cool thanks I will have to look at Radio shack and see if they have that book or order it online, it stinks when I can not find what what everything is on the board and how to hook items up to it

RS_Jim · 2012-06-19 05:51

Welcome to the forum!
All of the documentation for Parallax products is on parallax.com . When you select a product from their store, there is a list of resource downloads on the product page that include schematics.

You might also go to the resources tab on the main page and look for the Nuts and Volts articles. The last couple of years are propeller based and contain both hardware and software ideas.

Jim

Gdgros · 2012-06-19 05:58

Thanks RS_Jim I was wandering if there was a good book that describes how the components attach to the boards , I can find alot of good stuff but not any information on where they fit on the boards

RS_Jim · 2012-06-19 07:17

Gdgros,
Because the propeller is such a versatile device,you often have to look into the software for a given device to see where the developer made his connections. For example look at the diagrams for the demo board and you will see where most people connect VGA Monitors keyboard and mouse. The better programmers will creat a constant section at the beginning of an object. This tells where everything is connected and allows the user to alter the hardware setup to suit their own needs. You might also check out gadget gangster.com for propeller based hardware that are plug on adapters for various propeller boards.
Jim

Gdgros · 2012-06-19 07:29

Thanks all you guys are great Haven't messed with micro-controller boards and this looks like fun and addicting, just wanted to make sure I install the component to the right connection on the board and then play with the programming and see if it works

Duane Degn · 2012-06-19 07:38

Gadget Gangster gives out a proto board with each QuickStart board they sell. Their proto board should make it easier to add components to the QuickStart board.

There are some other ideas of how to connect things to the QuickStart in this thread.

If any of your cameras have an IR remote, you could have the Prop imitate the remote (with an IR LED) to trigger the camera. This would save you the hassle of opening up the camera and having to solder wires to the appropriate switches.

Post #3 of my index has some links to Propeller education sources.

I think my favorite Propeller book is probably Programming and Customizing the Muticore Propeller Microcontroller.

xanadu · 2012-06-19 12:10

Gdgros wrote: »

xanadu I have 2 cameras I like to try and 2 video cams I like to try
Camers are hp photosmart hp315 and Kodak easy share dx4530
Video are jaz dv140 and vivitar dvr 610 it would be cool if these would work

I briefly Google'd your cameras and didn't see a remote shutter. The Jaz dv140 looks like it might have an IR remote, which would be the way to go. Personally, I wouldn't try to attach anything to the inside of the camera until the rest of the system is working. You might end up with troubleshooting issues if something doesn't work.

Just to get started I would get a Prop Protoboard, a standard servo, and the PIR sensor. You can load the PIR demo code, and play with that, then get it to move your servo when there is motion. Then strap the servo to the camera and you'll have a working system at minimal cost and time investment. Then work on making it better.

As far as where stuff fits on the boards, the Proto boards have more than enough space for this. How is your soldering skills? If you don't want to solder you might want to get a Prop BOE (Board of Education).

The BOE is sweet for rapid prototyping but not so solid for field use (breadboard), it's a great learning tool! You build a variety of circuits. I don't know what your level of electronic experience is, but a camera remote with a PIR trigger is a lot to bite off on the first round

If that is the case, then the Board of Education and its documentation is definitely for you.

Tymkrs · 2012-06-20 23:00

Welcome to the forums and to the world of the Propeller! I'd like to echo what others have said about using http://learn.parallax.com - it's a great starting place for the sensors that Parallax provides. If you are completely new to programming/electronics, feel free to also check our podcast http://firstspin.tv - it looks at Spin and the Propeller from a noob's perspective and recently we've been covering different modules and doing code analysis for those who like the nitty gritty!

Gdgros · 2012-06-23 12:00

Thanks Tymkrs and everyone else you guys are great one thing I don't see in the help forums is how to connect the components to the micro boards meaning sensors, controls panels , power for the 9 volt etc, I got tips on a book from the folks on here in whih I am looking at but I see alot with the breadboard is this what is used to connect those devices power etc and again thanks for all the help

LoopyByteloose · 2012-06-23 12:14

Canons seem to be one of the easiest to hack due to CHDK. The remote trigger feature is in there somewhere. Plus a heck of a lot more.

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

Gadgetman · 2012-06-24 05:06

Any camera can be 'hacked' to work with a microcontroller.
At worst you'll need to replace a couple of buttons with relays of some sort, or add a mechanical actuator(servo motor possibly) to activate something.

The problem is in the camera's 'Sleep' or auto-off modes.
Modern digitals take a 'little while' to initialise and be ready to shoot...
If any of the cameras have the option to disable this, or doesn't switch off if powered externally, that's the camera you should go for.

Or you could get hold of a FlyCamOne camera.
These are small, designed for use in RC models, can be used in photo or movie record modes and is very easy to control. Picture quality isn't all that great, though, unless you get the HD version...
But a Propeller should be able to control a whole lot of them...

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