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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Half Shell on September 10, 2009, 08:50:58 PM

Title: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: Half Shell on September 10, 2009, 08:50:58 PM
I am looking for an IR camera sensor module I can buy and develop a circuit for. Really I want something like the wiimote sensor, which comes complete and ready to do up to 4 point tracking for IR and can talk over I2C and is only 40 bucks like the wiimote, BUT it seems that maker (PixArt) only sells that to Nintendo. Anyone else know where I can find something similar?
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: chelmi on September 11, 2009, 11:20:04 AM
look for wiimote on ebay ?
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: Half Shell on September 11, 2009, 02:31:45 PM
look for wiimote on ebay ?
Oh yeah real helpful.

Anyway, I've been doing some research. Apparently Nintendo had that camera/processing board developed purely for them by Pixart, who won't sell it to anyone else. I can just buy a wiimote and take it from that, but I'm now looking at other camera sensors, seeing what I can get from those. I'm hoping that, much like a webcam, I can find one that can find the IR frequency just fine. Throw in a proper filter and I might be able to make this for the 40 dollars a wiimote costs. I'm just hoping I can pull this off for a wiimote cost or less, and not have to devote more money than just the hack and grab method.
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: radhoo on September 14, 2009, 03:12:49 AM
I'm not sure I got this right, but what you need is a camera processor that detects IR spots?

If yes I've done something similar with a regular camera, using image processing, see:
http://www.pocketmagic.net/?p=520 (http://www.pocketmagic.net/?p=520)

The algorithm was reliable because of the unique characteristics of the spot. For IR this should be better, but not all regular cameras are as sensitive to IR light.
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: chelmi on September 14, 2009, 09:44:44 AM
look for wiimote on ebay ?
Oh yeah real helpful.

You're welcome :D give more details in your question and you will get a more useful answer. You want a camera? the processing element? why not use wiimote parts?

Chelmi.
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: Half Shell on September 14, 2009, 11:35:19 AM
I'm not sure I got this right, but what you need is a camera processor that detects IR spots?

If yes I've done something similar with a regular camera, using image processing, see:
http://www.pocketmagic.net/?p=520 (http://www.pocketmagic.net/?p=520)

The algorithm was reliable because of the unique characteristics of the spot. For IR this should be better, but not all regular cameras are as sensitive to IR light.

This is actually, useful thanks.

I need to be able to figure out the location of two points of IR light (IR LEDs). Maybe up to four, but two should be sufficient. The Wiimote camera is known for doing 4 points, and excellently. Do you know of a good IR sensitive camera I can do the above link with?
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: Soeren on September 14, 2009, 12:58:44 PM
Any camera with it's IR filter removed.
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: radhoo on September 14, 2009, 02:32:40 PM
This is actually, useful thanks.

I need to be able to figure out the location of two points of IR light (IR LEDs). Maybe up to four, but two should be sufficient. The Wiimote camera is known for doing 4 points, and excellently. Do you know of a good IR sensitive camera I can do the above link with?
If this is a question of optimal performance I don't have a top recommendation.  But I can say that all the cameras I've tried (professional, webcams, phone-cameras) seemed to record the IR quite good. Playing with a remote in front of them showed bright spots as the remote buttons were pressed.

So I'd say pick one that is most comfortable for you and it would probably work. And if you need help with the image processing I'd be more then happy to help since it was one of my favorite university course.
Title: Re: IR camera with point tracking (similar to wiimote)?
Post by: Half Shell on September 14, 2009, 03:34:59 PM
This is actually, useful thanks.

I need to be able to figure out the location of two points of IR light (IR LEDs). Maybe up to four, but two should be sufficient. The Wiimote camera is known for doing 4 points, and excellently. Do you know of a good IR sensitive camera I can do the above link with?
If this is a question of optimal performance I don't have a top recommendation.  But I can say that all the cameras I've tried (professional, webcams, phone-cameras) seemed to record the IR quite good. Playing with a remote in front of them showed bright spots as the remote buttons were pressed.

So I'd say pick one that is most comfortable for you and it would probably work. And if you need help with the image processing I'd be more then happy to help since it was one of my favorite university course.

Thanks, you'll be hearing from me soonish.