1. DESIgN DESIgN
TIpS TIpS
IN ASSoCIATIoN WITh
Software pre-focus (S2). Pressing S4 brings up a new Focus
CAMERA INTERVAL TIMER
As for every microcontroller circuit, the software menu where S2 and S3 are used to set the
is what makes all the functions possible. Here, time delay between shots from 0 to 3,599 GND Trigger
the software (available free from [1]) has been seconds (i.e. 1 hour less 1 second, Figure 7).
written in C and compiled using the free ‘lite’ For user convenience, if you keep one of these figure 2. here’s how to wire up the control
With infrared remote control version of the Hi-Tech C for PIC10/12/16 compiler
(version 9.70) [2].
two switches pressed, the value increases or
decreases automatically. This function works in
the other menus too.
plug for the Canon camera.
By Jean-pierre gauthier (france) Interaction with the software is achieved via a Table 1:
series of menus, around which we navigate with Pressing S4 starts shooting. The Focus output The codes for some of the keys on an
the help of the four push-buttons S1–S4. Their is active for 400 ms ten seconds before each SIRC remote control, as seen by the
As a passionate orchid-grower, function depends on the menu selected and is shot is taken (if pre-focusing has been enabled, timer. It only accepts codes between
I wanted to photograph these displayed on the LCD using little ‘icons’. of course). Depending on how the buzzer is 128 and 137 i.e. the ‘0’ to ‘9’ keys.
,
configured, this event may be accompanied by
beautiful flowers as they If S1 is pressed while power is applied to the an audible signal. Firing the Trigger output, also
opened, so as to understand circuit, the software goes first into configuration for 400 ms, also activates the buzzer (if enabled). HEX decimal key
and admire their blossoming. mode before going into normal mode. A series The elapsed time is displayed briefly, and
0x80 128 1
of menus appear that let you configure the pressing S3 lets you mute the buzzer.
I first tried to do it using my remote-control keys (Figures 3 and 4) that will The number of photos taken is updated then 0x81 129 2
camera’s remote control, but be recognized by the timer (see Table 1, don’t displayed on the LCD after each shot (Figure 8).
that wasn’t very practical. use the same code twice!) and the number of Pressing S4 for at least 2 s allows you to stop 0x82 130 3
photos to be taken (Figure 5). In these menus, the count at any time and go back to the start
Taking a closer look at my pressing S2 decreases the value displayed, menu. 0x83 131 4
camera’s instructions, I noticed while pressing S3 increases it. S1 lets you store
0x84 132 5
that the shutter and focus the value in the EEPROM and go on to the next If the timer finishes its program without being
menu. S4 is only used in the third menu, where interrupted, it plays a little tune and then goes
commands were accessible it offers the possibility of enabling the backlight. into stand-by. You then have to reboot it, or
0x85 133 6
via a jack socket. That was just The camera shutter operating system the circuit itself (Figure 1) has been kept ‘wake it up’ using the remote control, followed 0x86 134 7
described here makes it possible to simple: four push-buttons, a liquid crystal In normal mode, a menu is displayed (Figure 6) by a long (at least 2 s) press on S4 to start a new
what I needed... take photos at a predefined interval, display, and a few additional components that shows the status of the buzzer (S3) and series of photos. 0x87 135 8
or to trigger two cameras together for are all it takes to control the camera.
stereoscopic shots. This device makes it The shutter and focus commands are D2
0x88 136 9
1N4004
possible, for example, to take a series of produced using two relays RE1 and RE2, LCD1 0x89 137 0
photos every 30 minutes of a flower as driven by transistors T2 and T3. The two IC1 +5V
D1 7805 K6
it opens, a baby bird hatching, etc. so as relays connect the contacts of the jack K1
1 3
4 x 20
FOCUS
0x8C 140 1-
1N4004 C1 TRIGGER
to include them in a video. The system socket K6 to ground via the switches in C2 C3 C4
2
8V - 12V
was originally designed for a Canon EOS S5. Figure 2 shows how to wire the jack 0x8D 141 2-
LED+A
470u 100n 100n 47u
LED-C
-
VDD
VSS
R/W
POWER INPUT
RS
VL
D0
D1
D2
D3
D4
D5
D6
D7
E
camera, but it can readily be adapted for so as to be compatible with a Canon GND
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
GND
other cameras that are able to be camera. +5V
+5V +5V 0x90 144 Program+
C5 P1 R3
remote controlled. Provision has been made for two R1
100n
C6
0x91 145 Program-
10R
0W5
4k7
additional terminal blocks (K4 and K5) 100n
20
10k
K2
The timer is capable of taking from 1 to in case the project is going to be used 1
2
+5V
1 11
GND +5V
+5V 0x92 146 Volume+
100 photos at intervals from 1 second to to drive something other than a Canon 3
GND
2
MCLR/Vpp RC0
12
T1 BC337
RA0 RC1 TRIGGER
59 minutes, 59 seconds, with or without camera. In this case, the positions of the 4
5
3
4
RA1 RC2
13
14
R7
RE1 K4 0x93 147 Volume-
R4
14
RA2 RC3
pre-focusing. The parameters are stored S5 switches depend on the application.
3
6 5 15
1k
2
RA3 RC4
2k7
7 6 16
RA4 RC5
in EEPROM. An alphanumeric LCD uses 8 7 IC2 17 0x94 148 Mute
6
RA5 RC6 GND D3
8
18
four lines of 20 characters to show the Each output has an LED to let you see K3
1 25
PIC16F886
RC7
21 T2
Technical characteristics 0x95 149 Standby
RB4 RB0 R5
number of shots taken and display menus at a distance if one of the relays is on or 2
3
+5V
26
27
RB5 RB1
22
23
68k
GND RB6/ICSPCLK RB2
to help you configure the device. The not. The buzzer BZ1 offers the possibility 4 28 24 BC547
100k
RB7/ICSPDAT RB3 R2 R9
5
+5V 0x96 150 Normal
backlight is controlled by of producing an audible signal, for those 100R
OSC1
OSC2
• PIC16F886 microcontroller ICSP C9
+5V
the microcontroller. instances where you might not be able to
19
9
10
8
GND
X1 BZ1
4u7 FOCUS 0xA5 165 TV/Video
• Compatible with Sony SIRC remote controls see the LEDs. GND
R8
RE2 K5
14
S1 S2 S3 IC3
3
S4
If necessary, you can adjust the focus and The remote control signal is picked up by
1k
2
2
4 MHz 0xB4 180 +
• Number of photos programmable between 1 and 100 C7 C8 3
shot at any time between shots by using IR detector IC3.
6
D4
8
22p 22p
a remote control compatible with Sony’s Transistor T1 is used to enable the +5V TSOP1138 0xB5 181 -
1
• Interval programmable between 1 and 3,599 s GND GND GND R6
T3
SIRC protocol [3]. Once all the photos backlight only when it is needed — a
3
4
68k
S5
• Automatic standby have been taken, the timer goes into handy function that all too often still gets BC547 0xB6 182 Sleep
100k
R10
stand-by mode to save power. overlooked.
2
1
• Optimised for Canon EOS camera, but can be 0xBA 186 Display
Thanks to regulator IC1, the circuit can be GND 081184 - 11 GND
used for any other purpose
A simple circuit powered from any voltage between 8 and 0xBC 188 Select
Thanks to the use of a microcontroller, 12 Vdc. figure 1. The timer is a basic microcontroller project.
36 eTech - ISSUE 7 eTech - ISSUE 7 37

2. With over 65,000 products, the RS
Catalogue can assist your needs
when there is no internet access.
But there is so much more Online for when you do have internet access:
RS Online gives you instant access to more than 500,000 products. In addition to
our large product range online, you can:
• Find what you need easily and faster with our powerful online product search
• Find all the latest products and technologies online first
• Check technical data sheets, stock and the latest prices before placing your order
• Benefit from special online discounts and offers and much more
www.rsgreece.com www.rsincyprus.com www.rsinlibya.com www.rsmalta.com