Creating a Hacked Webcam for an iRobot Roomba Project

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on integrating a hacked webcam with an iRobot Roomba project using a TI lms1968 microcontroller. The user is exploring options for obtaining RGB output from the webcam, considering both USB and parallel connections. The challenges include the complexity of USB hosting, which requires more processing power than USB slaving. Suggestions include hacking the webcam for a direct signal output or utilizing a controller board that supports USB hosting.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of microcontroller programming, specifically with the TI lms1968.
  • Knowledge of USB communication protocols and device roles.
  • Familiarity with RGB video signal processing.
  • Experience with hardware hacking techniques for webcams.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research USB hosting capabilities and requirements for microcontrollers.
  • Learn about RGB output signal extraction from webcams.
  • Explore alternative microcontrollers with built-in USB hosting support.
  • Investigate hardware hacking methods for modifying webcams for direct signal output.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for hobbyists, robotics enthusiasts, and developers working on embedded systems projects involving video input and microcontroller integration.

cmcclellan
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Hi everyone, I'm about to start a MCU project that involves using a already hacked iRobot Roomba and taking video input. However, I'm trying to figure out how I would read the data from a webcam. I was thinking about hacking an old webcam so that it could give me an RGB output, but that would involve either using a usb connection, for which I don't know the commands, or creating an entirely new parallel connection which is in itself a project. Any suggestions? By the way memory and speed are not an issue as I'll be using the TI lms1968 which has a clock speed of 50Mhz and 265k of memory.
 
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The typical webcam with USB acts as a slave device and needs to be connected to a "host" USB device. It turns out that hosting USB is way harder than slaving, so it needs more processing power. I don't know if your chosen controller has the features or power to do it. You might be able to hack into the camera and find a usable signal before the USB. Or just give in and use a controller board that supports USB hosting, maybe an old laptop...

You can also reconsider what you need the video image for...if it's navigating around the floor maybe just a 2-d line of sensors is all you need.
 

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