need assistance...

[ApachePilot]

Hey gang,

I am looking for anyone with the knowledge to build a custom Rx.

Here's the scoop, I would like to build/co-build or obtain a rx that will recieve video/pictures in the 400 mhz range precisely the 432.13mHz - 433.94mHz spectrum.

I have access to what most know as the pillcam used for endoscopy. It has a battery life of 8 hours but is run by a few eveready No. 399 batteries for 3v. The built in video Tx transmits at the frequencies listed above.
I have a way to replace the batteries. I am jut looking for a way to view what pictures/video it takes.

Also, I have the rapid software for viewing, just not the Rx to plug into my laptop via rca plugs.

If anyone is interested in this project, please IM me for more details.


ApachePilot

[bearcreek]

Have you looked into getting one of the pillcam receivers to hack, or do you need to build the entire thing from scratch?

I do not know what the rapid software is, but I have built video digitizers that could be connected to an amateur uhf video downconverter (tunable 420-450 mhz). Check out northcountryradio.com or other places for these.

If the signal is not a standard NTSC, etc, then you will need to build a video digitizer. They can be built for around $30 or less if you search for free samples :) then you may be able to write software that does some scan conversion and displays it on the screen. I have used visual c++ for this.

[ApachePilot]

bearcreek

Thanks for your response....

I have no idea what exactly I need, to be honest.

Facts: Things that I do know.
1. The Pill cam consists of a camera with 108 degree FOV
2. Has a internal power supply consisting of 2 eveready No.399 watch batteries wired in parralel for 3 volts, and finally a transmiter with coil antenna transmitting at the frequencies I posted above.
3. there are 4 led's that flash each time a picture is taken, average 2 flashes/pics per second.
4. the patient that swallows the pill is outfitted with magnetic leads like those of a EKG machine and data is downloaded to a reciever box worn around the waist.
5. At the end of battery life the patient returns to the hospital and the machine is connected to a pc/normal type, lika a laptop with the (Rapid software installed). I have this software. It is nothing more than a viewer, capture software.

I have removed the internal batteries and have verified they are eveready 399 watch batteries. I have installed new batteries and cannot get the led's to flash. Therefore I don't know if I have power.

That is where I am at right now.

Thanks again

ApachePilot

[Ron W3FJW]

You sure you have battery polarity correct? From what you write, there is no other option. It's either on or off.

[bearcreek]

This sounds like an exciting project. Do you mind us asking what you plan to use it for? (micro plane, espionage, etc.)? If it only transmits 2 pics/seconds then it is probably a proprietary scan rate and you would need to do a lot of engineering to build a receiver (or someone else). It may be more convenient to buy a micro spy camera, but if you enjoy hacking or plan to sell a lot of these then it would be good.

[ApachePilot]

Micro UAV

[Tomapowa]

I'd hate to ask how he obtained this "pill" camera.... :)

Is is used... ? :eek:

[Malc C]

I'd hate to ask how he obtained this "pill" camera.... :)

Is is used... ? :eek:

Haven't you heard of re-cycling :eek: :D :D

[Tomapowa]

Haven't you heard of re-cycling :eek: :D :D
LOL :D

Must had been a pain in the butt to get! :eek: :D

OK,... enuf of that...


ApachePilot,
The nature of this pill-type camera does not lend itself for adaption for UAV use mainly since the onboard transmitter is of such low power. Actually, this is one spec you forgot to mention.... Range! (maybe on the order of inches...).

Maybe the miniature camera itself is of some use though.... :confused:

p.s. Here's a good story on the camera:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3606947/

Funny thing... at the very end it says:
"Once the images are recorded and the camera belt is removed, the patient simply passes the pill. “They aren’t used again,”

So they think! :D


One last link on how a newer version of this camera works... (no batteries... pure induction!)
http://www.popsci.com/how-it-works/article/2008-03/how-it-works-endoscope-camera-pill

[ApachePilot]

Haven't you heard of re-cycling :eek: :D :D


Exactly!!!!

Now, to what end would others go to for their hobby? :D

Yes, it is used, but I sure didn't fish it out.....my father-inlaw did, and he sanitized it before giving it to me....

Just trying to see if I can get the thing working....


ApachePilot

[darkith]

I wonder if it's actually an analog video transmission, or a digital still picture transmission.

It's possible the camera would transmit still pictures in a digital packet, and perhaps it needs to receive a simple handshake before it starts sending to synchronize with the receiver, even if it was just to ensure that the camera doesn't waste battery power transmitting when the receiver isn't ready or is sleeping to preserve it's own battery.

If it's a digital picture, you could be in for world of hurt to analyze and decode it. Lots of different layers (modulation, bandwidth, bit encoding scheme, data packet format, data fields, picture format, picture fields, picture colorspace, picture compression, etc)

Doable, but you'd be best off if you knew more about the hardware layers first (e.g. a 433 mhz transmitter chip capable of only certain modulations would tell you a lot) and what it's actually transmitting (jpegs, ntsc video, raw, etc)

D.

[ApachePilot]

JPEG and MPEG,




ApachePilot :confused: