DigiSnap 3000
Digital Camera Remote Controller
www.Harbortronics.com
4
9/25/03
Rev B
Features of the DigiSnap 3000
Interfaces
The DigiSnap 3000 provides a communication interface to the operator via a standard asynchronous
interface. This interface is field selectable for full duplex RS232 (short range) or half-duplex RS485 (long
distance). Two protocols are offered.
1) Terminal Interface.
Control is via a ‘dumb’ terminal, such as a terminal emulator program running on any type of computer
equipment (i.e. laptop, palmtop). All commands are very simple menu based interactions with typically
single key stroke entry. All operations to the remote camera system are accessible through this terminal
interface, including camera control and lighting.
2) Program Interface (Not Yet Implemented)
All functions are also available through a multi-character protocol, intended for use with a dedicated GUI
program. This program will be initially developed for PC / Windows, but may be ported to other equipment
if required. This program will also support the image download option.
The DigiSnap 3000 firmware may be upgraded at any time in the field via the program interface, possibly
even in-situ! It is conceivable to have an issue in the field, contact Harbortronics, and have new firmware
emailed directly to the site, and uploaded to the DigiSnap 3000 to provide a solution to a particular issue
with absolutely minimum downtime.
Camera Control
The DigiSnap 3000 controls the operation of a wide range of digital cameras via serial port commands.
Compatible cameras include those from Nikon, Olympus, Sanyo, Toshiba, and Epson. The Nikon Coolpix
990 / 995 / 5000 are often considered for remote applications given their feature set, and acclaimed quality.
The DigiSnap 3000 can support all of the remote control functions permitted by each camera model.
The base firmware of the DigiSnap 3000 includes the fundamentals of camera control (camera parameters,
picture acquisition, focal length (zoom), and image review). More advanced features, such as image
download, are additional options will be offered subsequent to the initial release. Other camera control
features may be added upon request to support various mission profiles.
Operating Mode
As with the other DigiSnap product offerings, the DigiSnap 3000 provides the ability to operate in attended
or non-attended modes. Two different time-lapse modes are available to the user for non-attended
operation. When configured to operate in either Time-Lapse mode, the DigiSnap 3000 automatically
configures the camera per the parameters saved within the DigiSnap 3000, and begins the time-lapse
operation upon power-up.
1) Attended Operation
In Attended operation, the user may manually control the camera, auxiliary lighting, and all other
features of the system. Note that STL and ATL operations (describe below) are also available
within the attended operation.
2) Simple Time-Lapse (STL)
There are three configurable STL parameters: Interval, Number of Images, Initial Delay.
