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Connecting a USB web camera to my TM4C 129E crypto connected launchpad.

Ashim Paudel
Prodigy 70 points
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: TM4C129XNCZAD, EK-TM4C1294XL, EK-TM4C129EXL

I am trying to connect my usb web camera to my launch pad and somehow able to remotely monitor it. I did research on the web but could not find a good walkthrough or instruction how exactly should I do it?

I tried using ti.exosite.com but was not able to connect my device. I will order another micro controller and see if there is fault in my micro controller. Even if my micro controller was working, I could not find a platform in exosite that deals with fetching and monitoring the video.

- Links to any resources would be highly appreciated.

P.S. I am a beginner and the thing I am trying to build with TI micro controller can be easily done on Arduino and there are lot of walkthrough videos out there but I was unable to find anything useful on TI micro controller. 

  • 0
    Guru 47900 points

    Ashim Paudel said:
    can be easily done on Arduino and there are lot of walkthrough videos out there

    My friend - should that prove the case - why change?

  • 0
    TI__Guru 59540 points
    Hello Ashim,

    Video is an application that requires specialized hardware for which the Launchpad is not explicitly designed, at least not out of box. TheTM4C does have some graphics capability and with the right interface hardware, would be able to support video. In fact, I know some that have done this and there might even be some posts in this E2E forum regarding this topic if you search. Certainly, however, TM4C is not pug and play as you seem to expect.

    As for Arduino, I have no experience with it so I can't make any comparison as to ease of use or capability vs. cost. I do know that Arduino is a development platform with many different boards/microcontroller/processor combinations where as TM4C129x is a launchpad development board so I would lay odds that you are comparing apples and oranges in terms of capability but if the Arduino board does the trick for you easily, by all means go for it! I am always an advocate of taking the path of least resistance and ease of success.

    Let me know how you decide to proceed. If you want to give it a go with TM4C then I will pull in someone with the expertise to help as long as you know it may mean some extra work on your side.
  • 0 in reply to Chuck Davenport
    Prodigy 70 points

    Thanks Chuck!

    As I told you I am completely new to this hardware and micro-controller world, my expertise is on programming part. But the class that I am taking teach us about hardware and processors. So, in order to pass my class I must complete the project on TM4c 129E launchpad. I cannot switch it to arduino as it violates the rule of the project. And sorry for my ignorance in trying to compare two different things arduino and TI launchpad.

    Yes, I definetly want to proceed with TM4c and I am ready to do that extra work. Please advise.

  • 0 in reply to Ashim Paudel
    TI__Guru 59540 points
    Hello Ashim,

    Apologies if my comments offended. It was certainly not my intention. We certainly welcome comments such as what you made since it helps us understand what types of additional support tools we can add to improve our usability. My primary point was, however, to be sure you are comparing like products.

    None the less, I assume some direction to supporting training and documentation would be in order given your beginner status with the device. Some useful links are included here:

    Some basic use of the TM4C129XL Launchpad (not the Crypto version but still useful): processors.wiki.ti.com/.../Tiva_C_Series_TM4C1294_LaunchPad

    An overview video of the Crypto Connected Launchpad:
    www.ti.com/.../watch.tsp

    Additional Tm4C129 LP training (IoT solutions):
    processors.wiki.ti.com/.../Creating_IoT_Solutions_with_the_TM4C1294XL_Connected_LaunchPad_Workshop

    TM4C129 Crypto Connected Launchpad Product page with links to related documentation:
    www.ti.com/.../ek-tm4c129exl

    TM4C129XNCZAD product page with links to related materials (documentation, training, application notes, software support, etc.):
    www.ti.com/.../tm4c129xnczad

    This should provide quite a bit of material to help you get started with the basics. For the specific application, it would be great if you could provide more details of the project requirements. For example, you mentioned that you were wanting to use a webcam connected to the Launchpad to display video. Is it required that you use a webcam and if so is there a specific webcam you have to use? Do you have to achieve a specific frame rate or resolution? Is there a specific display that you are required to use? Any of your requirements that you can share will help us guide you along your journey to completing your project.

    Meanwhile, I am going to forward this thread to an associate that has the most experience with supporting video with TM4C (not to mention with TM4C altogether). Hopefully he will be able to help.
  • 0 in reply to Ashim Paudel
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Ashim,

    I have some questions that need answer (though not an exhaustive list)

    1. Is the use of a USB web camera a must or can any other camera do?
    2. Did you run the qs_iot example from ek-tm4c1294xl on the ek-tm4c129exl, and that did not work to connect to Exosite?
    3. Is it must that the camera be connected to a cloud server or can the TM4C129x device host a page, e.g. webserver?

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Prodigy 70 points

    Hi Amit,

    First of all thanks for reaching out.

    1. Use of USB webcam is optional. I was using USB webcam thinking that it would be universal and should be easy to work on but now I have a feeling that it's going to make things more complex. I actually don't know which model of embedded camera sensor is compatible with my launchpad.

    2. I tried to follow this video tutorial:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZBRR7UKJUs

    But, I was not able to activate it. I could not make the Ethernet light blink. I am still waiting for my new launchpad to come so that I can be sure that it's not my launchpad's problem.

    3. It is not a must for the camera to be connected to a cloud server. Anything will be fine as long as I can fetch the video or at least a photo from the camera sensor (or webcam) connected to my launchpad.

    Side note: Actually, My idea is to make a device which will enable me to view the video or photo at least remotely. Ideally I want to put this device inside a refrigerator and be able to view the contents of refrigerator without actually opening the refrigerator. It's a refrigerator camera. 

  • 0 in reply to cb1
    Prodigy 70 points
    Because it is my class project and I must use TI's TM4C 129E crypto connected launchpad in order to pass the class.
  • 0 in reply to Ashim Paudel
    Guru 117855 points

    Feel your pain. It is a very wide (global) world - and MCUs are available which (far better) support the (standard) camera interface.

    Choosing the "best tool for task" was emphasized during my (past) time in engineering school - appears cast aside - in your case...

    Would it not prove "more productive" for you to seek Amit's & Chuck's guidance as to an application more suitable (w/in the "sweet spot") of (forced) 129?

  • 0 in reply to Ashim Paudel
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Ashim,

    There would be a fundamental question that needs to be answered for a "refrigerator camera". Power can be via a battery pack or siphoned from an electrical socket inside the fridge, but do you expect to run a RJ45 cable from the refrigerator.

    Won't a wireless MCU like CC32xx with support for camera interface be a better suited product, eliminating the need for cabling!

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Guru 117855 points

    Hi Amit,

    Use of "wireless" is inspired - "if" the RF output is sufficient to escape the (usual) "metal box" refrigerator enclosure.

    Sometimes there exist "engineered paths" for bringing in (to the cold interior) lighting and/or sensors (or water) and these may prove superior to wireless...

  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello cb1,

    I am trying to check if the scope of the project is limited to TM4C or does it go to Cortex M4 device, in which case has the poster checked other options.

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Ashim Paudel
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Ashim,

    In that case I would suggest looking for Serial port camera's. The drivers on these camera's are very simple UART based drivers. One suggestion is checking on uCAM-II.

    USB while Universal, requires embedded software drivers to be developed (if you are up for significant time investment to be done for integrating it).

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Guru 117855 points

    Amit Ashara said:
    if you are up for significant time investment to be done

    May I note that  to more usually be, "Significant time, pain & suffering" investment.

    Poster states that he's a beginner - committing to (far beyond) his course requirements is (unlikely) to end well...   (not to ask - "How I know?)

  • 0 in reply to cb1_mobile
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello cb1

    Ashim said:
    I was using USB webcam thinking that it would be universal and should be easy to work on but now I have a feeling that it's going to make things more complex. I actually don't know which model of embedded camera sensor is compatible with my launchpad.


    Information gathering stage was based on experiment. Identifying compatibility and requirements at early state could have saved time.

    Regards
    Amot
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Prodigy 70 points

    Amit Ashara said:
    Hello Ashim,

    In that case I would suggest looking for Serial port camera's. The drivers on these camera's are very simple UART based drivers. One suggestion is checking on uCAM-II.

    USB while Universal, requires embedded software drivers to be developed (if you are up for significant time investment to be done for integrating it).

    Regards
    Amit

    Thanks Amit for the advice,

    So, I finally decided to use uCAM-II:  http://www.4dsystems.com.au/product/uCAM_II/

    and buy CC3200- LAUNCH XL: https://store.ti.com/cc3200-launchxl.aspx

    (I know I'm supposed to use TM4c 129e launchpad, but after explaining all the hassels with the tm4c 129e, my professor will let me swith the microcontroller)

    Do you think with these two devices  would I be able to create at least a minimum viable product of the refrigerator- camera? Would I still be requiring to use ti.exosite.com's platform or I can find other better platform that will ease my work?

  • 0 in reply to Ashim Paudel
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Ashim,

    I have used TM4C129x and the uCAM-II and been able to send QQVGA images from the uCAM-II to TM4C129x and onward to a hosted web page at 1 image a second.

    Regards
    Amit
  • 0 in reply to Amit Ashara
    Prodigy 70 points

    Hello Amit!

    Did you used the camera booster, if yes, what camera booster did you use? I researched and found about CC3200CAMBOOST       http ://www.ti.com/lit/ug/swru384/swru384.pdf

    But i could not find it on the ti store, I called TI but they said they are out of stock. Are there any alternative to this? Please suggest!

  • 0 in reply to Ashim Paudel
    TI__Guru**** 244400 points
    Hello Ashim,

    No, I did not use uCAM-II with the camera booster pack. uCAM-II uses UART serial communication to send data. The best I have seen it do is a 3 fps for a QQVGA frame

    Regards
    Amit