Pan & tilt webcam - USB or Parallel port interfacing?

Hi,

I need some help for my last year project which is a pan and tilt webcam controlled over internet using client/server application (csharp). Can someone tell me what do I need to interface 2 stepper motors with the PC using a USB port? I searched on the internet and I found that I will require a microcontroller, right? Which model is the best for my needs? I've already managed to control the motors through the parallel port, but since the parallel port is out of fashion I thought it might be more interesting using a USB connection. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks, claytonc

Reply to
Clayton
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look at FTDI usb interfaces, these will convert the usb from the PC to logic levels that a micro can understand, through its uart

As for the micro, there are 3 main breeds, all flash based

8051, old, still reasonably good, simplish Atmel AVR, good, TI MSP430, low power, good, trying to find the correct version can be problematic

PIC, Bletch

GCC do C compilers, or get a demo from Keil, Amrai/raisonance,imagecraft

If you are goinig to use the same usb port for the video, and power, it might take a bit more time.....

martin

Reply to
martin griffith

Some interesting pan and tilt mechanisms make use of radio control servos. It has been awhile, but I think they work on pulse position. Search for RC servo testers.

I built something back in 2000 to remote pan/tilt my security cameras and only needed three op amps from a 4 amp integrated circuit. Strong little suckers, inexpensive, and decoding logic built in. I paid something like $6 each for them. (~$10 today)

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Reply to
default

The U4x1 from

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might be a good start for you. If you add the driver circuit that you used for your parallel port interface, you likely have a finished solution.

-Rob

Reply to
Huey

OK, thanks alot! I think I'll switch to USB, its better! Thanks again,

Clayt> > > Hi,

Reply to
Clayton

WE use a little webcam off the shelf at work for ID photo cards. ITs made by creative or dlink or one of those big name computer manufacturers. It pans and tilts, and the software even tracks your face, or multiple faces. Its not fail proof, but its pretty good. I will try to remember to get the manufacturer on monday when i go back to work.

Reply to
The Real Andy

In defense of the PIC they do have some with built-in USB2.0 pic assembler is pretty yucky though, I guess that's why most people use C or basic to program them.

AVRs on the other hand have only software USB, (or the external FTDI)

still that's probably fast enough for this task. The smallest capable AVR is the ATTiny2031

AIUI atmel do an 8051-oid with built-in USB too.

Oh yeah! much easier to use a hub and run the motion control separate from the video.

Bye. Jasen

Reply to
jasen

There are many USB development boards around. One I found on google:

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should do almost everything you need and includes the microcontroller. It's just $32.

Reply to
Brendan Gillatt

On a sunny day (Sun, 26 Nov 2006 19:07:09 +0000) it happened Brendan Gillatt wrote in :

And (I do not see the original posting) there is my RS232 open source PIC controller, pan, tilt, focus, zoom, PWM light control, and move to x,y on interrupt.

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and USB to RS232 converters exist. It only wants ASCII. Fully programmable, has auto pan, several motion programs.

Reply to
Jan Panteltje

cant see this without a password..

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sounds good though!

Reply to
hackinblack

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Reply to
The Real Andy

On a sunny day (26 Nov 2006 18:12:03 -0800) it happened "hackinblack" wrote in :

It _should_ display user guest password none

Reply to
Jan Panteltje

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