[ANN] AVRcam: Real-time image processing engine based on the AVR

From: john orlando (john_at_jrobot.net)
Date: 08/30/04 

Date: 29 Aug 2004 19:39:20 -0700

Hi All,

I thought I would pass along some information on my latest project:
the AVRcam. The AVRcam is a small, low-cost, image processing engine
based on the Atmel mega8 microcontroller. The AVRcam provides the
following capabilities:
   * Track 8 different objects of 8 different user-defined colors
     at 27 frames/sec
   * Provide real-time tracked object statistics (color, bounding box,
     center of object, and more) through a standard serial port (UART)
   * Tracked image resolution of up to 88 x 144 (at 27 frames/sec)
   * Low power consumption (the ENTIRE system draws 5V at only
     53 mA running at full speed)
   * Small size (Experimental Version with breadboard area:
     3.5" x 3.1" Final Version: 2.3" x 2.0")
   * In-circuit programmability for expanding its capabilities

In addition, a PC application called AVRcamVIEW supports the AVRcam,
allowing the user to test and calibrate the AVRcam. AVRcamVIEW
provides the following:
   * Take full-color snapshots (176 x 144 pixels) with the system and
     display the images (both raw Bayer data and interpolated data)
   * Easily create a Color Map of colors to track based on a snapshot
     (just click on the colors of interest and add them to the Color
     Map)
   * Adjust the precision of each tracked color (i.e. provide a range
     of acceptable R-G-B values for each color), allowing the user to
     adjust the Color Map to the available lighting conditions
   * Display the real-time tracking results of each tracked object
    (with color and bounding box information)
   * Record a tracking session for playback at a later time
   * Test the system out in any OS supported by Java 1.4 (Windows,
     Linux, Macintosh, etc.)

You can find out more about the AVRcam at:
http://www.jrobot.net/RobotProjects/RobotProjectsIndex.html

by clicking on the AVRcam link (there are also links to some of my
other robot projects here...you'll have to forgive my "basic"
website...I'm just starting to figure out this HTML stuff ;-)

I'm continuing development on the project, but wanted to get the word
out to those of you who may be interested in it. I'm planning on
posting both source code as well as schematics and other info about
the project as time becomes available. I also may end up doing a
small production run of the system as well. If interested, drop me an
email at

john@jrobot.net

Thanks for reading,

John Orlando
http://www.jrobot.net

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