Robotic Arm and Camera Control via the Internet w/ a Joystick

[jL637]

I would like to use LabVIEW to remotely control a robotic arm (x, y, z) and a camera (zoom) with a joystick over the internet. I'm still looking into various arms and cameras. Are there any off-the-shelf hardware and software recommendations out there? Thanks!


P.S. For the robotic arm - it doesn't even really have to be an arm. As long as its capable of moving in the x, y and z directions.

[Enrique]

jL637;

It would help a lot if you can give us at least an insight of what you want to accomplish. For example, I am wondering if you really need movement in the x,y,z directions, or if a pan/tilt/zoom camera will do the work.

I worked with the SONY EVI in the past and is great. I think SONY now has a version that is internet-ready. I know that oldest models like the EVI-D30 use a protocol called VISCA that allows you to control de camera through a serial port. I have some raw LabVIEW VIs I developed to implement the VISCA protocol. Sending commands through the internet with LabVIEW should be no problem.

Regards;
Enrique

[parser]

Hi Enrique,

Thanks for the insight.

We need movement in both, xyz and pan/tilt/zoom because we're making a telemedicine camera that will be controlled remotely (hence the joystick over the internet).

The user needs to be able to see a patient at all angles including full frontal, to the side, etc. The patient will be required to move at times (sitting, lying down, standing, etc), and we must be able to capture those movements.

Will the camera you mentioned be LabVIEW compatible? Will the pan/tilt/zoom and such be controllable over the internet?

[Enrique]

parser;

As I mentioned, I developed some (raw) LabVIEW VIs to implement the VISCA protocol, which mean that you can control the camera from LabVIEW. You still need a frame grabber to capture video. I think you can do that with IMAQ hardware and software, but better ask that question at the Vision forum. I used that camera for still pictures.

Sending commands via the Internet should be no proble. There are several articles and examples like the following which explain the basics and may give you insights:

Using LabVIEW with TCP/IP and UDP

Remote GPIB Using CGI and Internet Toolkit For LabVIEW 

Using DataSockets to Control a Stepper Motor Over the Network 

This is just a very small sample. The best thing is if you do a search at ni.com on the subject of your interest (remote control via Internet, etc.)

Regards;
Enrique Vargas

[Carlos_I]

Hi Enrique,

it's a long time ago, you mentioned that you have implemented the serial VISCA protocol to control a SONY camera from LabVIEW.
Have you continued your task with the tools of LabVIEW 7.1 ?

[Tim M]

Hi

I have a  Sony EVI-D100P camera and am trying to control the tilt and pan with labVIEW. The camera is connected to the serial port with a visca to serial cable I have made from details i have found in the camera technical manual.

I am not getting a response from the camera when i query it using the basic serial write example vi any ideas or help would be great

Thanks

Tim

I know it was a long time ago but  you still have them can I get a copy of your raw LabVIEW VIs that implement the VISCA protocol if you still have them.

[Carlos_I]

Hallo Tim,

It's  a long time ago (july 2005)  a student implemented  the VISCA protocol with LabVIEW 7.1. She has finished her studies with this master thesis, written in german.

I have lost the contact - sorry I can't help you.

Karl Armbruster

.

[PoloV]

Hi Tim M,

I have facing the same problem with a camera Sony FCB-IX11A, which uses the VISCA protocol.

Did you found any solution to get response from the camera?

Thanks in advance for your support.

Polo

[Tim M]

Hi Polo

Yeah I did and it works well

I have attached a small bit of code for you I usually control it with an Xbox controller but I have just wacked some sliders in there and cut that bit out. It just pans and tilts and there is button to centre it.  It’s pretty basic but does what I want it to.

All the string that are written can be found in the technical manual notice that if you right click on the string being written they are set to hex display. you just find what function you want to use from the manual and enter the corresponding hex number.

Hope this helps

Tim

[PoloV]

Thanks Tim for your support, I really appreciate.

I have another issue you might help. I can not open the VI due to I have LabVIEW 8.0 and the VI is saved on 8.2.1

Could you please save the VI in a lower version so I can open it?

Thanks in advance.

Polo