I am trying to design a robotic page turning machine and I would like
the ability to take pictures of every page that is turned with a
digital camera. Is there any way to have either a microcontroller or
a software program to automatically have the camera take a picture
every five or 10 seconds? I know there are software programs where
you can remotely trigger the camera to take a picture, but it requires
the input of the user. I know there must be a way, because there are
automatic book scanners that do that kind of thing.
On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:01:53 +0000, dmehling wrote:
> I am trying to design a robotic page turning machine and I would like
> the ability to take pictures of every page that is turned with a
> digital camera. Is there any way to have either a microcontroller or
> a software program to automatically have the camera take a picture
> every five or 10 seconds? I know there are software programs where
> you can remotely trigger the camera to take a picture, but it requires
> the input of the user. I know there must be a way, because there are
> automatic book scanners that do that kind of thing.
A lot of cameras, e.g. Kodak P850, can be set to take a picture every five
or 10 seconds.
On Jul 8, 7:27 pm, ray <r...@zianet.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:01:53 +0000, dmehling wrote:
> > I am trying to design a robotic page turning machine and I would like
> > the ability to take pictures of every page that is turned with a
> > digital camera. Is there any way to have either a microcontroller or
> > a software program to automatically have the camera take a picture
> > every five or 10 seconds? I know there are software programs where
> > you can remotely trigger the camera to take a picture, but it requires
> > the input of the user. I know there must be a way, because there are
> > automatic book scanners that do that kind of thing.
>
> A lot of cameras, e.g. Kodak P850, can be set to take a picture every five
> or 10 seconds.
That was just a rough figure. There will be many variables in regard
to timing, and the camera will need to take a picture during a
specific point in the sequence of turning the page. This will be an
entirely automated process, and the robot will need to have control
over the camera.
> I am trying to design a robotic page turning machine and I would like
> the ability to take pictures of every page that is turned with a
> digital camera. Is there any way to have either a microcontroller or
> a software program to automatically have the camera take a picture
> every five or 10 seconds? I know there are software programs where
> you can remotely trigger the camera to take a picture, but it requires
> the input of the user. I know there must be a way, because there are
> automatic book scanners that do that kind of thing.
If I remember correctly, Olympus offers a SDK that you can use to write your
own program to interact with the camera (for the current generation of cameras,
it is mostly the DSLRs).
If you use Linux, gphoto2 can remotely trigger via the command line, depending
on the camera (be sure to check the compatibility list, most cameras can't do
this).
Some cameras have an infrared trigger, and you might be able to program an
infrared device to mimic the natice trigger.
Some cameras support a wired shutter release, and if you are not adverse to a
little cable slicing, you can make your own trigger.
On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:36:17 +0000, dmehling wrote:
> On Jul 8, 7:27 pm, ray <r...@zianet.com> wrote:
>> On Mon, 09 Jul 2007 00:01:53 +0000, dmehling wrote:
>> > I am trying to design a robotic page turning machine and I would like
>> > the ability to take pictures of every page that is turned with a
>> > digital camera. Is there any way to have either a microcontroller or
>> > a software program to automatically have the camera take a picture
>> > every five or 10 seconds? I know there are software programs where
>> > you can remotely trigger the camera to take a picture, but it requires
>> > the input of the user. I know there must be a way, because there are
>> > automatic book scanners that do that kind of thing.
>>
>> A lot of cameras, e.g. Kodak P850, can be set to take a picture every five
>> or 10 seconds.
>
> That was just a rough figure. There will be many variables in regard
> to timing, and the camera will need to take a picture during a
> specific point in the sequence of turning the page. This will be an
> entirely automated process, and the robot will need to have control
> over the camera.
Have you tried your camera maker's web site for an SDK?
Modern digital SLR cameras have an electrical remote shutter release (as
opposed to a plunger shutter release mechanism in some film SLR's). These
must be a cable, plug to go in the camera and a hand operated switch. buy
one of these and replace the switch with a relay or electronic switch. See
for example of remote shutter cables on Canons web site for remotes for
their 400D, 5D etc digital SLR's
Malcolm
<dmehling@keenebroadband.com> wrote:
>I am trying to design a robotic page turning machine and I would like
>the ability to take pictures of every page that is turned with a
>digital camera. Is there any way to have either a microcontroller or
>a software program to automatically have the camera take a picture
>every five or 10 seconds?
Yep. Don't know about others, but Canon produces a software
development kit that allows you to control camera functions via
software.
You are right Ray - I was forgetting - I run my 1Canon Ds tethered to a
laptop in my studio and the camera can be fired from the Laptop (a feature I
don't use very often) and the data is downloaded to the laptop (ie not
stored in the incamera flash card). I find this very convenient as I can
see a decent size histogram and, if required, enlarge the image to full
screen.
In my previous post I was suggesting a simpler solution. I use a remote
firing cable for my camera which is about 75cm long which I believe has a
switch at one end and has a plug for the camera at the other. The proposed
solution is to buy one of these cables and replace the switch with relay
contacts or an electronic switch.
Malcolm Smith <malcolms@cyberone.com.au> wrote:
>You are right Ray - I was forgetting - I run my 1Canon Ds tethered to a
>laptop in my studio and the camera can be fired from the Laptop (a feature I
>don't use very often) and the data is downloaded to the laptop (ie not
>stored in the incamera flash card). I find this very convenient as I can
>see a decent size histogram and, if required, enlarge the image to full
>screen.
>
>In my previous post I was suggesting a simpler solution. I use a remote
>firing cable for my camera which is about 75cm long which I believe has a
>switch at one end and has a plug for the camera at the other. The proposed
>solution is to buy one of these cables and replace the switch with relay
>contacts or an electronic switch.
Simple is good, but if you're going to all the trouble to build a
robotic page-turner then you're probably willing to go to the trouble
of writing your own software.
digital camera control 
Linear Mode
