smartNewCamera

This smartNewCamera sensor is an evolution of the smartCamera show-cased at the ft Convention held September 28, 2014.

It now includes its own micro-controller to process the data before answering the requests of the RoboTX controller through the I²C bus.

It also packs a lighting system with 12 LEDs with setting of the white balance.

The camera fit into a standard fischertechnik box, 60x60x30 mm in yellow or red (reference 32076 or 130961). 

Functional Description

The features are very close to those of the smartCamera, except it provides richer information and enhanced ease of use.

Information about an identified element includes signature, centered coordinates x and y, width and height, angle and size. 

The commands should be limited and easy to deal with, as a driver for the sensor is required.

Commands

Based on the functional specifications, only three commands are used:

• sncBegin checks the I²C connection with the sensor.
  
• sncTake takes a picture and returns the number of elements identified.
• sncSignature provides the information of the element corresponding to the given signature.
• sncElement provides the information of the element corresponding to the given index.
• sncLight defines the white balance of the LEDs.

The I²C Smart Sensor smartNewCamera page provides more details about the commands and the RoboPro visual interface.

Using the smartCamera

To define the elements to be recognised, 

• Connect the camera to the PC with the USB cable.
  
• Run the camera utility. 
• Define each colour and colour code you want to identify.
• Disconnect the camera.
• Run the RoboPro example. 
  

The library runs fine on both debug mode and stand-alone mode, at standard and high I²C speeds, 100 kHz and 400 kHz.

Finalised and Working Sensor

The sensor is finalised and integrated into a standard fischertechnik 60x60x30 mm yellow box (reference 32076).