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$$$ REWARD!- Can you make a stamp controlled digital camera? — Parallax Forums

$$$ REWARD!- Can you make a stamp controlled digital camera?

DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
edited 2005-01-21 23:34 in BASIC Stamp
Don't ask why, but I would like a stamp controlled digital camera.

I am looking to develope a product that is essentially a VGA digital camera.· Meaning it will store 640x480 digital images on a removeable SD card when, how, and under the conditions I want.

I am NOT looking for a simple hacked camera.· I need to be able to control the writing of files to the SD card, and also displaying them back to the LCD screen.

I am willing to pay someone some serious money to work with me to develope this.

If you are QUALIFIED, and interested, please respond or email me:

If you know of a good company that can help me, that would be GREAT too!· Please let me know!

davidflana@hotmail.com

Thanks!
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Comments

  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-05 16:31
    Depends on the type of camera.

    There was a post on this board from someone that had used one of those "key chain" cameras in an R/C airplane.· He had it connected up with a 555Timer and a couple transistors to trigger the camera.·

    Was a neat little hack....but I'll be darned if I can find the post on the board ( it was posted amid a different subject!).

    ITGUY: I tried searching for the above described post....when you search, is it scanning message body's or just he subject line?



    Anyhow, back on topic [noparse];)[/noparse]....if you can find an old digital camera that had the serial interface, then you might have easy luck!· But I think, since the new digicams are all USB....well....yer in for some hard luck!

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-05 16:37
    Sorry, I missed something....

    You COULD use a stamp to control a couple servo's or solenoids that would trigger the camera!!

    It's chunky, lunky and clunky....but it beats cracking open a nice new camera.



    I recently repaired my neices digital camera.· The mechanical zoom had jumped a couple teeth and I had to crack it open.· Well, they use these special 'security' screws so that no standard screwdriver will get a good hold in there (instead of a 4point star it's a 3point)...anyhow, I had to drill out the screws and marred up the case some.··· It works now....but cosmetically it took a beating! haha

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-01-05 17:15
    I have controlled my Kodak DC210 digital camera with the BS2.
    It is a 1 megapixel camera and stores pictures on Compact-Flash cards.
    It is quite a few years old, but does have a 2x optical zoom.

    You can control the whole camera through it's serial port.
    Taking pictures, zoom and everything.

    I had downloaded the communication spec from Kodak (I think I had to sign-up as a software developer).

    Bean.
  • achilles03achilles03 Posts: 247
    edited 2005-01-05 18:22
    I've controlled multiple film and digital cameras with a BS2. I imagine your looking for a clean, polished, production product? First, you might need to explain your following statement:

    "Meaning it will store 640x480 digital images on a removeable SD card when, how, and under the conditions I want."

    The devil is in the details... what exactly are the conditions you want? You might want to explain the application. If not, you're asking use to help you blind.

    Also, you stated:

    "I need to be able to control the writing of files to the SD card, and also displaying them back to the LCD screen."

    Are you saying you want the BS2 to write to the SD card and display it on an LCD screen? Or are you saying you only care about the final product being able to write to the SD card and displaying on an LCD screen? Sounds like what you MIGHT want is to outsource cheap, 640 x 480 digital camera with a (likely) custom digital interface (maybe serial?) with your own "screw on" module that controls the camera.

    Dave
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-05 19:59
    Are you guys interfacing to newer USB cameras?· or the older serial ones?

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-05 21:10
    achilles03:
    I need a stamp to be able to control the camera using most of the functions that you could with your hands:
    Take a picture, set resolutions, display the pictures taken on the LCD screen, delete files, etc.

    I have spoken with some poeple, and it turns out that some manufacturers have developer SDK kits where you can write programs using C++ and/or VB to do all of this stuff... If I can get a stamp to work with that, then that will work perfectly!!

    Someone named Pete emailed me this link to Olympus's SDK:
    http://developer.olympus.com/

    I just ordered my stamp kit today, so I am obviously clueless as to its capabilities until I have time to play around with it.

    BEAN:
    You say you did all of this with you camera? If so, what type of SDK am I looking for? I am assuming the C++ or VB on will not work... am I right?

    All of your help is GREATLY appreciated! You guys are AWESOME!!

    Dave
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-01-05 21:32
    Dave,

    What I got from kodak was the protocol, it tells you what to send, and what to expect back from the camera. It was a few years ago, but I don't remember any high-level stuff included, but you could do everything that you could do with the controls on the camera plus more.

    If you can find one of these cameras I can get you a copy of the documentation (if I can find it).

    Bean.
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-05 21:52
    Hey Bean!
    Thanks, I am sure I CAN find one of those cameras (Ebay, etc). Could you please forward that info to me (if you can find it) it would be REALLY helpful!

    davidflana@hotmail.com

    Thanks!
  • TinkerTinker Posts: 12
    edited 2005-01-06 03:05
    Hi - There was an article in the Nov Nuts and Volts that described how to trigger a PenCam, by getting access to the PC board and doing some minor soldering. The PenCam was sold by Walmart about 6 months ago for about $25 I think. So that mod would take care of the triggering through a simple switch closure (relay). There was relatively little to control on the PenCam, however. I think that the shutter speed was controled automatically by a light sensor. At the other end of the spectrum I've had experience with the Nikon D-1 digital camera, and was able to get ahold of the SDK from Nikon after I signed an agreement and telling them what I planned to do with it. The SDK did give full control through a firewire interface. And the D1 was triggerable by switch closure. When new the D=1 sold for $2500 (6 years ago). I don't know what you could pick one up for now.

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  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-06 03:31
    I saw the Nutz & Voltz article.· Wasn't that the one with the 'key-chain' camera in the R/C airplane?·

    Anyhow, I worked with a guy that had to interface via USB to a camera using a PC.· It was for a remote weather camera.·
    He was able to do it within linux but I don't recall what he had to do to get source/protocols from the manufacturer.· Shouldn't hurt to email them....

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • achilles03achilles03 Posts: 247
    edited 2005-01-06 13:53
    DaveF,
    I checked that Olympus link you posted. The SDK software won't do you any good with a basic stamp. However, the website had a list of supported cameras. I checked on a couple of these, and none of them have interface/protocol specs readily available. This is probably because they don't want companies producing alternative programs that could cut into their market share. You could email tech support directly and ask for interface/protocol specs, but I don't know if they'd be too keen on handing it over. Other companies might have cameras with readily available specs, so you might want to check that (maybe the Kodak cam Bean mentioned).

    Having said that, if you did get protocol/interface specs, it should be pretty straightforward to wire the BS2 to one of these cameras.

    Dave
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-01-06 14:47
    Bad news,
    I cannot find the document that I had for the DC210. It was quite a few years ago that I used it.
    The only thing I found was a turbo pascal program that transferred the preview picture to a PC.
    Bean.
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-06 15:34
    Thanks guys!

    BEAN:
    I pm'd you back. I was able to log on to the developer portion of Kodak, and I found a document for the DCS series cameras that listed the "properties" that every camera uses. These were the actual codes that are sent to the camera to either cause it to do something (like take a picture) or to reply with a specific setting. Here is a sample:
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    storageRemaining - The number of bytes of space available on the currently active PC card.

    takePictureCheck –This read only property returns the error code that would be returned for a host take picture command. It does not request a capture.

    takePicture – Set this property true to capture an image. This property will be automatically set false after each capture.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    This must be similar to what you were talking about, but this is for the DCS cameras... not the DC series. I am thinking they are probably the same though. i read somewhere that many cameras use the same core OS.

    Was your document specifically for the DC210?

    Dave
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-06 15:37
    one more thing:

    I found a section of HP's website that allows you to download the SDK for their Photosmart cameras (my son has one of these), BUT you have to pay $199 to do it.
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-01-06 16:08
    Dave,
    · I think what you are reading is the library for windows or some other high level OS. What I had told you specifically what bytes to send to the camera. It was for a small range of cameras. I think someone sent it to me, that was not with kodak.

    · Here is a link that should give you some inspiration.

    http://camcontroller.sourceforge.net/dc3400.html

    Bean.
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-06 16:14
    oh, I see!

    Do you think Kodak would send that to me? If not, can you remember who might have sent it to you?

    Thanks.
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-06 16:32
    Here's a question for ya....the old BOE and any stamp really, could be connected to the outgoing serial line from a PC and you could decipher the codes coming out of the PC that would operatore the camera.

    IE. clicking "get pictures" (or whatever) and picking off the signals that would go to the camera.· So, you could then have your stamp read them in and you've got them nice.· But that's serial (rs232).

    Being that all new cameras are USB....can the NEW BOE's use their onboard USB connectors in the same way.· Can you connect to the computer and have the computer send commands to the camera and the stamp pick them off.

    Of course, the main issue is the different connector types....just curious!

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-06 16:34
    Steve, that is a GREAT idea! Kind of intercept the code!!!

    Any of you Guru's know if THAT is possible?
  • BriefmarkBriefmark Posts: 10
    edited 2005-01-06 18:43
    Here is one other possibility for Nikon Coolpix cameras.· This page shows control using a Palm, but on this page there is also reference pointers to the actual serial protocol used to control Nikon cameras.· See http://vyskocil.free.fr/coolcom/

    Fred

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  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-01-07 00:38
    Hey sometimes it pays to be a packrat !
    I found the spec !

    I will PM ya about it.
    Bean.
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-07 01:12
    Booyah!!

    I just replied to your PM. You are DA-MAN!!!!!

    Packrats RULE!!

    I got my eye on one of the cameras on ebay.· I think I will get it now!

    Dave
  • Robert KubichekRobert Kubichek Posts: 343
    edited 2005-01-07 01:31
    Would it be possible to get a copy??

    Thanks! yeah.gif
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-07 02:26
    He is mailing them to me. I can scan and email them to you once I get them.
  • ecourtecourt Posts: 13
    edited 2005-01-07 09:33
    Steve,

    The Canon Powershot A70 digital camera (and perhaps others) is sold with a remote control program allowing a total control of the camera from a winXP or a Mac computer. The connection is made with USB 1 or 2 and it should then be difficult to replace the PC with a BS. This program is free on the Canon site.

    Regards,

    ECO
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2005-01-07 14:15
    Just to let everyone know. On this kodak spec, every function can be performed by sending only 8 serial bytes to the camera.
    I was just using the "zoom" and "take picture" functions. But they are VERY easy to code on a stamp.

    Again going by memory, the camera need to see a positive and negative voltage for the serial input. So I used (2) 1K resistors to make 2.5volts and connected that to the camera GND. That makes the serial data go from -2.5V to +2.5V (as far as the camera is concerned).

    My project was to attach my digital camera to a tethered weather balloon and use FRS radios to take arial pictures.
    But I never wanted to spend the money on helium, so I never did it [noparse]:([/noparse]

    Bean.

    Post Edited (Bean) : 1/22/2005 5:57:52 PM GMT
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-07 20:21
    But that is all with a simple rs232 serial camera....

    wonder if it's as easy to do with a USB camera (as all the new ones have gone that route!).

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • DaveFDaveF Posts: 62
    edited 2005-01-07 20:38
    Yes, but as it was said before, USB is still serial... There is that USB adapter for the Stamp.. right?

    How much different is USB besides the speed?
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-07 20:49
    well, the connectors ends are different....maybe that's the main thing.

    I know it's hard to talk to the PC via USB cuz of driver issues (you know how things are autodetected when you connect the USB cable)....but coming back is no biggy, 'cept that the cables ends never match up.

    You've got that wide flat one at the PC end and that squared one at the stamp....which isn't the same squared one you have on your digital camera.

    (at least not mine)

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • allanlane5allanlane5 Posts: 3,815
    edited 2005-01-07 20:54
    Hello, is it time for the obligatory USB Rant? Yes? Ok then.

    USB requires a 'Master' and a 'Slave' role. It turns out it is relatively easy to make a USB 'Slave' -- like a USB to Serial converter, a USB Camera, a USB Disk-Drive, a USB-BOE board.

    It is INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT to make a USB 'Master' -- like a PC. There are auto-detect drivers that have to be loaded. You have to go through the USB Vendor Auto-Detect sequence. I think you need a disk drive to hold all this. Basically, I don't think a BS2 can be a USB Master. Some clever vendor some day may prove me wrong.

    Thus, you can't use a BS2 to control a USB Camera, or a USB Disk-Drive, or a USB-Mouse, or a USB-Joystick. This is why RS-232 was so nice. No Master-Slave role. Selectable baud rates. Nice level conversion chips.

    Thank you for your attention.
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2005-01-07 20:57
    haha..thanks Allan

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    ·

    Steve
    http://members.rogers.com/steve.brady
    http://www.geocities.com/paulsopenstage

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
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