P07003: Mobile Camera Control System

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Table of Contents

1 Summary
- 1.1 Mission Statement
- 1.2 Project Readiness Package
2 General Project Files
3 Design Review Packets
4 Final Report
5 Software Documentation
6 Documentation

Summary

An individual was involved in a serious bicycle accident resulting in a spinal cord injury that has resulted in significant paralysis. Their left arm is totally paralyzed, they can only move their lower right arm, and they walk with difficulty They cannot lift their complex and heavy camera. They are able to use their computer, and can type with one finger and operate the mouse, although their dexterity has been severely compromised. If a method could be devised by which they could operate their digital camera again, their quality of life would be significantly improved.

Operating the camera requires the ability to accomplish two distinct tasks. The first is to adjust the camera settings, requiring the simultaneous use of both hands and significant dexterity; this can be accomplished through a computer interface. The second is to aim the camera (x,y,z, position and rotation) and adjust the zoom. The goals of this project are two fold: positioning and zooming the camera, while holding it steady enough to take a clear picture and providing a robust, and easily controlled user interface to manipulate the camera settings.

The focus of this project is the first task: manipulating the settings of the camera presuming that the camera can be positioned in a stable and manageable fashion and that the zoom adjustment of the lens can be provided for, preferably with a mechanical linkage that would accept a variety of lenses and that can be easily manipulated within the individual's physical capabilities. As discussed with the individual electronic control of the camera's settings will be accomplished via the development of a turnkey user interface that will use the camera's current remote control protocol (Firewire) that will provide a graphical user interface that can be manipulated using a touch screen and will mount in a flexible manner to the Mobile Camera Positioning Platform (P07004). The interface should have the capability of providing control signals for manipulating the zoom lens linkage if provided. It should also provide the capability of providing pre-configured settings as well as storage and recall of custom configurations. The unit should be weather resistant, easily viewable under a variety of lighting conditions and powered from a re-chargeable battery source. It should also be easily attached/detached from the Mobile Camera Positioning Platform (P07004). It should also be interfaceable with a standard personal computer for downloading/uploading of relevant information.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No. BES-0527358. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

**Staffing**
Team Member	Discipline	Role	E-Mail Address
Elizabeth DeBartolo	ME	Guide	eademe@rit.edu
Daniel Phillips	EE	Consultant	dbpeee@rit.edu
Jennifer Grant	EE	Student	jmg6223@rit.edu
Emmanuel Maceda	EE	Student	eam1665@rit.edu
Chris Nimon	EE	Student	cpn3604@rit.edu
Edward Yiu	EE	Student	eay4903@rit.edu
Ruth Ayalon	ME	Student	rda7082@rit.edu
Erin Gillespie	ME	Student	emg3482@rit.edu
Claudia Forero	ISE	Student	cmf4930@rit.edu

Mission Statement

The mission of this project is to ...

This project will be initiated during the Fall Quarter, 2006-1, with two other projects from the Assistive Devices family of projects in the Assistive Devices and Bioengineering Track. All three projects share a focus of providing a robust, configurable and easy to manipulate, embedded processor based user interface that will facilitate the activities of individuals with a particular physical challenge.

**Related Projects**
Project	Title	Start Term	End Term
P07000	Assistive Devices and Bioengineering Track	2006-1	On-going
P07001	ARC Communication board	2006-1	TBD
P07002	Two way communication board	2006-1	TBD
P07004	Mobile Camera Positioning Platform	2006-2	TBD

Project Readiness Package

The Project Readiness Package Page documents customer needs and expectations, project deliverables (including time frame), budget, and personnel / organizations affiliated with the project. It will serve as the primary source of information for students necessary during Phase 0 (Planning) to develop a SD I plan and schedule including specific deliverables and due dates. The Project Readiness Package will also support Faculty evaluation of project suitability in terms of depth, scope, and student / faculty resources by discipline.