The Camera Control System Picture of system

Team Members Ruth Ayalon – ME Erin Gillespie -ME Claudia Forero –ISE Jennifer Grant-EE Emmanuel Maceda-EE Chris Nimon-EE Edward Yiu-EE SPONSORS : National Science Foundation Par Technology Corporation

Project Description Design, build and implement a portable and user –friendly interface to remotely control a Canon EOS 1Ds Mark ll digital camera for use by a disabled individual

Background Camera 16.7 Megapixel Customer Avid Photographer Recently Disabled

High Level Customer Needs Manipulate camera settings via an external interface Portable Ability to use system in a variety of settings (indoor-outdoor) Ability to interface with another computer Communication with camera using FireWire Load preferred settings Auto sleep mode

Design Concepts Brainstorming External Research Identification of critical subsystems Software Interface Navigation System configuration and thermal balance of electronics Identification of non-critical subsystems Group discussion Pugh matrices for evaluation of alternate options Available camera settings prioritized by customer

Final Design Concept

Final Concept Description Packaging Custom case Aluminum frame with plastic sides Hinged lid for adjusting the screen angle Three sided bellows to enclose internal components Battery Case

Final Concept Description Hardware CPU VIA 10000M Mini-ITX Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) NEC NL6448DC26-01 Hard Drive Seagate Momentus 5400.2 60 GB Rechargeable Battery 10-cell NiMH 12V, 4500mAhr

Final Concept Description Graphical User Interface (GUI) Control Unit Trackball Battery Bellows

Control Unit Specifications Size smaller than 8x10x5 and weight less than 10lbs Control Unit Size: 9.375 x 8.25 x 4.5 inches Control Unit Weight: 4.95 lbs Control Unit + Battery Weight: 7.71 lbs Survive an impact resulting from being dropped 3 ft Internal temperatures must be between 0°C and 50°C Average Internal Temperature: External temperatures must be less than 40°C Average External Temperature: Battery life must be at least 1.5 hours Average battery life: 2.2 hrs The control unit must be usable in both indoor and outdoor light conditions

Control Unit Specifications Customer rating of comfort must be greater than three on a scale of 1-5 Unbiased Tester Average: 4.36 Customers Representatives Average: 3.9 Font size must be 16 point Too large to fit in screen 12 point font used Customer representatives accepted change The control unit must be able to withstand mild exposure to water (splash resistant) Exposed cables must be less than 36” Maximum exposed cable length: 32” The control unit must require only one step to turn on and off.

Control Unit Specifications All customer’s 1st & 2nd priority settings must be accessible through interface Prevented by SDK Auto Focus Set Bulb Mode Set Time and Date Time constraints Initialize memory card Protect Images from being erased Interface must automatically set the customer’s preferred settings to camera upon power up Budget of $1200 Total Control Unit Expenses: $1,128

Control Unit Specifications The customer must not be required to purchase any additional software licenses The control unit must include a portable case A photo must be taken through the interface 100% The interface must display the image after the photo is taken Minimum possible time between successive pictures must be less than 3 seconds A useful reference guide must be included The control unit must go into sleep mode after 3 minutes idle Control unit must not interfere with normal download of pictures

Strengths of Final Design Meets customer’s basic needs plus some additional desired functionality Testing of prototype proved a robust design Customers were overall pleased with the prototype Safely within budget

Weaknesses of Final Design Font size may not be readable to someone with poor vision Download and upload of pictures Lack of portability Inability to perform all customer desired functions

Future Implementations Refine continuous capture mode to allow intervals <1 second between shots Photos are not immediately downloaded to control unit unless desired Option to download & delete pictures stored on camera’s memory card Camera battery indicator displayed on screen Software reconnects to camera on wake up Add system battery power indicator Use a plastic for the case that does not deform over time Refine bellows attachment method Attach system to a mobile platform Create submenus on GUI

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