Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucsd!rutgers!dayton!jad
From: jad@dayton.UUCP (J. Deters)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Very Small Cheap Cameras for Machine Vision
Summary: Couple of options
Keywords: Video Cameras
Message-ID: <6777@dayton.UUCP>
Date: 26 Sep 89 21:32:08 GMT
References: <1989Sep25.064723.775@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca>
Reply-To: jad@dayton.UUCP (J. Deters)
Organization: Terrapin Transit Authority
Lines: 30

In article <1989Sep25.064723.775@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca> craig@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (Craig Hubley) writes:
>I am interested in specifications, and ultimately a source, for very small
>cheap cameras for use in machine-vision-type applications.  Very low
>resolution monochrome is appropriate, though of course other options will
>be considered in a bang/buck/size/weight equation!  Small size is the
>primary consideration:  I would like to find something maybe the size of
>a Chap-Stick or less that still has the capability of focussing on full-
>size real-world objects.  I saw something like this in a Japanese film
>(A Taxing Woman by Juzo Itami) and it didn't look like they were faking it.

A small cheap camera you may consider may be available at your local
model railroad hobby store.  Lionel has a product called 'RailScope'
which is a television camera mounted inside an HO scale railroad engine.
It transmits the video back across the rails to an RF modulator tied
to the track.  About $240 (US) through most of the mail order places.

Another source to consider would be local security firms.  If small size/
low mass is a consideration, PULNiX America, Inc. manufactures a 'Remote
Imager CCD Camera (TM-540-R)'.  The camera electronics are tethered to
a CCD chip by a 48" cable.  The chip/lens assembly is about 1.5" x 1." x .5"
and is available with the cable exiting from whatever side is most convienent.
However, the cost of these may be prohibitive.  Look in your Yellow Pages
under 'SECURITY'.

Disclaimer:  I've only seen these in magazines, although people I talk
to are more than impressed by them.  I have no relationship with Lionel, etc.

-j
-- 
J. Deters - jad@dayton.DHDSC.MN.ORG  john@jaded.DHDSC.MN.ORG