Digital Camera Module

DC motor

Overview

This camera module can be a pretty neat idea for designing a real camera. This module was originally designed for security systems and does two main things – it outputs NTSC video and can take snapshots of that video (in colour) and transmit them over the TTL serial link. You can snap pictures at 640×480, 320×240 or 160×120 and they’re pre-compressed to JPEG image, which makes them nice and small and easy to store on an SD card. Perfect for a data-logging, security, or photography project.

The really nice feature about this particular camera module is all the ‘extras’ that come with it. For example it has manually adjustable focus, AWB (auto-white-balance), AE (auto-exposure), AGC (auto-gain-control), AB (auto-brightness) and AC (auto-contrast) taken care of for you. OV7670 camera module also has build in motion detection and OSD display function of screen characters and pattern overlay, capable of self-defining detection area and sensitivity. This simply means you can have an alert script in your project, when something moves in the frame the cameral will take a snapshot.

 

Health & safety

  • Ensure you are familiar with all H&S rules that apply to the environment you are working in.
  • Identify where first aid can be found in your work space
  • Keep all components dry and free from liquid spillages
  • To avoid static, make sure your work surface is sufficiently earthed