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Cell Phone Camera where to? — Parallax Forums

Cell Phone Camera where to?

NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
edited 2012-10-16 20:48 in General Discussion
Does anyone by chance know where I could find a company that sells the cameras that are installed in cell phones? I have an application idea and one of them would be perfect. I have thought of hacking a cell phone but I am worried about not knowing power consumption, etc.
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Comments

  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-10-10 13:32
    The camera used by Parallax's Laser Range Finder is a cell phone camera. The camera is available at Digi-Key but you need to sign a NDA before you can get a datasheet.

    SparkFun sells a couple of different little cameras I believe are also cell phone cameras but I think getting an image from one can be tricky.
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2012-10-10 13:48
    As Duane mentions Parallax uses one in the rangefinder, it's also used in the CMUcam4, both projects of Kye's. Kye gave me some background on hacking that camera at UPEW 2010, and long story short -- don't even think about it. Even if you can get your hands on a datasheet it's very incomplete with many registers used by the example code undocumented either in the datasheet or code comments. Since the CMUcam4 is open source you could also check its documentation out as a starting point for using the sensor directly.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-10-10 14:31
    localroger wrote: »
    As Duane mentions Parallax uses one in the rangefinder, it's also used in the CMUcam4, both projects of Kye's.

    Kye did the CMUcam4 but Joe Grand did the rangefinder.

    They don't use the same camera. The CMUcam4 camera has a little ribbon cable while the rangefinder camera uses a ball grid on the bottom.

    While the camera in the rangefinder is available to purchase in small quantities, I don't think there's a source for the CMUcam4's camera where one could only buy a couple (at least this was the case the last time I checked).

    Joe has given some insight on how to hack the rangefinder camera in a couple of his threads. There's also some discussion about using the rangefinder as a camera here.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-10 14:54
    $2 http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G17609
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-10 15:23
    @erco, that one would be great if they had data sheets. I guess at $2.00 ea I could afford to fry a few!!!!
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-10 15:30
    Be a hero and figure it out for the rest of us! :)
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-10 15:43
    erco wrote: »
    Be a hero and figure it out for the rest of us! :)

    I might just have to do that. I took a look at the CMOS ones at Sparfun. The Datasheets look very similar to these same layouts and I may be able to get one to work. THink I will order about 5 of them.

    Edit: I was going to buy 5 but minimum order is $10.00 so I bought 6. I am sure once I get them I will have some questions for the brainiacs in the forum!!!!!
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-10 17:55
    Anyone care to take a look at the data sheet and see if you can figure out what goes where? These are from Sparkfun. Will ALL data connections need to be made to get video? http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Imaging/TCM8230MD.pdf

    http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Imaging/TCM8240MD_E150405_REV13.pdf
  • KyeKye Posts: 2,200
    edited 2012-10-11 15:37
    Hi NXCCTV,

    The CMUcam4 has a cell phone camera on it that can likely do what you want. The propeller chip's processing powers are not infinite but it can get stuff done. I can get you started with code to talk to the camera if you would like and how to change the firmware.

    I do not recommend starting from scratch with a camera module. It is an unpleasant amount of work...

    Thanks,
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-11 15:49
    Kye wrote: »
    Hi NXCCTV,



    I do not recommend starting from scratch with a camera module. It is an unpleasant amount of work...

    Thanks,

    Now you tell me!!!! I already ordered 6 of them. Blame erco!!!! Is the CMUcam as small as the cell phone cams? they are only about 1/4' square and would be perfect for what I am trying to accomplish.

    Edit: BTW, the project I am working on does not involve a prop or stamp. I will need to provide power directly to the camera and get video output directly from it. Is this possible or are there other HW requirements to accomplish this?
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-11 18:18
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    Now you tell me!!!! BTW, the project I am working on does not involve a prop or stamp. I will need to provide power directly to the camera and get video output directly from it. Is this possible or are there other HW requirements to accomplish this?

    NOW you tell us! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Wired-SPY-Video-CCTV-Security-Color-Camera-NTSC-/261056826317?pt=US_Surveillance_Gadgets&hash=item3cc8330bcd

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Mini-Wireless-Nanny-Micro-Camera-Receiver-Full-Kit-/290780378303?forcev4exp=true&forceRpt=true
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-11 18:31
    Nope. Way too big for my application. The ones you pointed out earlier are the perfect size. I just hope I can get one of them to work without other HW.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-10-11 19:31
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    I just hope I can get one of them to work without other HW.

    OK, I'll bite. What does HW mean to you? Hard Work?

    For me, it's Hot Wheels.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-11 20:02
    Hardware. I am an IT guy!!! Hard work comes with the territory cuz I also do CCTV installs and setups.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-10-11 21:06
    @Kye,

    Is there a source for the cameras in small quantities?

    @NWCCTV,

    I did link to a small camera available at Digi-Key. It's pretty small and used in the range finder.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-11 21:08
    @Duane, Thanks, I overlooked the link. I will have to see about ordering one of them also. Do those require additional hardware or can I connect power, common and video out?
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,706
    edited 2012-10-11 21:40
    I think what NWCCTV is chasing is a small CMOS or CCD analog camera that puts out composite video ("video out"). These are not the same as the ones in cell phones, although some of them get small ("bullet size")

    If so, you could look on ebay for "reversing cameras" for cars/trucks.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-11 22:23
    No, That is what I have now and they are too big. I need the small footprint of a cell phone camera. If I need to add more HW it needs to be wired seperately from the camera, not directly to a board.
  • KyeKye Posts: 2,200
    edited 2012-10-12 10:38
    @ Duane Degn - Um, no, you have to buy over 100 at once for even decent pricing. You can call up Omnivision and ask for the camera... its a bit of a wild goose chase. But if your persistent they will talk to you.

    @ NWCCTV - Oh you need video output... the CMUcam4 will not be able to give you that. Sorry,
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,706
    edited 2012-10-12 13:14
    NWCCTV, we're clutching at straws trying to help you out here, but it's not really clear what you're needing - other than a compact sensor at the front.

    You stated no prop/stamp - does that mean you need composite as the final output at the viewing point? If so, what distance away from the camera sensor does that composite output need to be? There are ways of transmitting high speed data over a few metres, eg LVDS, or CAT5 techniques, that *might* help you achieve what you want to do. But without nailing down some constraints we'll still be clutching

    cheers
    tubular
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-12 14:54
    OK. My original idea was to use just the cell phone camera module, connect a wire for power, ground and video out. These wires would be about 5 foot in length and would plug directly in to power and a monitor. However, If it can not be done because it needs mor circuitry I can live with that. I would still need the wires to run about 5 foot in length and then be attached to a propeller or whatever other circuitry is needed. It is imperative for this application to use the tiniest camera possible, which is why I was thinking of a cell phone camera. I already have several different sized board cameras that video/power/ground comes straight out of but they are too large for this application. Think of a snake camera but smaller still.
  • KyeKye Posts: 2,200
    edited 2012-10-12 15:44
    You might wish to look for spy cameras and such.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-12 15:47
    Yea, I actually have a pen camera but I really do not want to tear it apart as it is the only one I have. Also, I would need to have a steady supply of them if this project works out.
  • Spiral_72Spiral_72 Posts: 791
    edited 2012-10-13 06:37
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    The camera used by Parallax's Laser Range Finder is a cell phone camera. The camera is available at Digi-Key but you need to sign a NDA before you can get a datasheet............

    I was looking to use this exact camera module as it is indeed tiny and complete. I have requested the datasheet several times, not even to be offered a reply that said GO AWAY.
    http://www.ovt.com/support/datasheet.php

    I'm assuming since getting a datasheet requires an NDA is also the reason I cannot find the sheet anywhere on the internet... I found one on a Japanese site, but it was less than helpful.

    To NWCCTV, I'm not sure your resolution requirements, however can you use a fiber optic pipe to the camera? Harbor Freight (I think) offered a snake camera, but it also offered relatively inexpensive extensions to that camera you could use for a remote camera. I've done a fair bit of research into this. I don't recall any readily available analog out cameras this tiny.
  • KyeKye Posts: 2,200
    edited 2012-10-13 09:45
    You have to call them with a phone. Omnivision's customer support is limited to people with deep pockets buying many, many, cameras.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-10-13 18:11
    Have you looked through Super Circuits' micro cameras?

    Some are very small.

    634303457232333750_PC304XP.jpg


    They cost a lot more than the camera modules mentioned in this thread though.
    634303457232333750_PC304XP.jpg
    450 x 450 - 106K
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-10-13 19:18
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    Have you looked through Super Circuits' micro cameras?

    Some are very small.

    634303457232333750_PC304XP.jpg


    They cost a lot more than the camera modules mentioned in this thread though.

    Yea, I actually resell some of SC's product line. Even at discount pricing they are too high for what I need to do.
  • tonyp12tonyp12 Posts: 1,951
    edited 2012-10-14 07:48
    Here is some data on the OV(M)7690
    http://wenku.baidu.com/view/f9b8cf030740be1e650e9abe.html
    http://wenku.baidu.com/view/2664fd19964bcf84b9d57b2f.html
  • KyeKye Posts: 2,200
    edited 2012-10-14 11:28
    The problem with OmniVision cameras is that the data sheet is not enough to get the camera working. Not enough at all... You pretty much have to get an NDA signed with OmniVision before you can get anything going.
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2012-10-16 20:11
    http://hackaday.com/2012/10/16/magic-finger-input-device-is-a-camera-on-your-finger-tip/

    This one is pretty small
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