Hacking A Keychain Digital Camera for Arduino Control

Step 6 Take Pictures!

Plug a AAA battery into your camera. It should beep and turn on.
Wait 30 seconds for the camera to turn off. (The code I've included assumes the camera is already off when it is run, and will turn your camera on for you.)
Now, position your camera and Arduino for your desired viewing angle and turn on your Arduino. Voila!

Maybe you're asking - this camera is a little unwieldy, with an Arduino and breadboard and all. Can't we make this a little more compact, to take pictures from pretty much anywhere we want ?
The good news is, it can! This was designed for use as a stand-alone circuit, using the Atmega pulled off of an Arduino, on a single camera/circuit object which can be placed anywhere. I've included a picture of that setup below as well - and if folks are intrigued by it, I'll work on another Instructable or at least add the Eagle files to this page for others to work from. Just let me know!

Hope you found this helpful - comments on both technology and application are welcome! Feel free to write me directly or comment if you have any questions or want any clarifications.

Comments

[benashbe]

Did anyone ever find a driver? This is a great project - my first experience soldering. Thanks!

Ben

[starvinartist17]

I have done all of the wiring and the camera was working fine until I tried to download the images to my computer. I installed the CD and it doesn't recognize the device. I've uninstalled, rebooted, done pretty much all I can think of. What more can I try?

[robonerd]

Did you figure it out? I put an email in to the company, but no response (go figure) I may actually have to bite the bullet and call them! I really want this to work! The only thing that doesn't is the stinkin driver for the "el cheapo" camera! lol!

[robonerd]

Same problem here. Must be a software issue? did you find a solution by any chance? BTW, this is an awesome instructible! Everything is documented quite well. THANKS!!! I'm wondering if I can use this on an old fuji finepix camera of mine?

[Build_it_Bob]

Excellent work ! I have one of these cams ...just need to find the time to hack it and try your code.

Thanks!
Build_it_Bob