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CHDKremote2 - a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK

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Offline Knuckx

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CHDKremote2 - a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK
« on: 23 / February / 2012, 22:42:11 »
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So I have just got a SX230 HS. First thing I did out of the box was install CHDK :D

I built the normal USB Remote with a 3V battery, switch and connector. I found it to be quite annoying and almost unusable as I am used to using a very old Bridge DSLR (3MP Fuji) with a 2-stage button remote; so I decided I would make an adapter.

CHDKremote2
is a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK.

My design uses 2 CR2032 batteries, a 5V Low Dropout Regulator (I used a LE50CZ), a Microchip PIC10F200 and a cheap 2-stage standard camera remote (from eBay). The PIC is programmed to work with CHDKs normal remote mode (not synchable mode). A spare input only pin is present on the PIC (I am working on IR remote support using this spare pin and a TSOP4838 IR reciever).

In the spirit of CHDK the PIC source code/firmware is under the GPLv2, and the circuit board/design files are under the TAPR Open Hardware Licence.


On the left is the 2-stage remote, in the middle is the USB connector for the camera and on the right is a small enclosure with the batteries, LDO, PIC and the power switch just visible on the top right of the enclosure.


The insides of the small enclosure, showing PIC, LDO, Batteries and Switch. All of the wires have now been hotglued down to prevent damage during use.


The back of the (home-etched) PCB and my bad soldering.

If you want to make one of these, you will need some way of making a PCB (I used toner transfer, although any method should work as the board is very simple), and a way of programming the PIC with the firmware (PICkit 2/3, simple JDM programmers etc all should work, or if you really can't program the PIC - message me, but you will have to pay for the PIC and postage to you (I am in the UK)).

Don't forget to take a look at "CircuitBoardDesign.png" which shows the orientation of all the components, and has the external connections labeled ("mode" is unused in the current firmware).

Parts List:
1x PIC10F200 in DIL-8 package http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Pic10f200-i-pg-Microcontroller-73-1952
1x 8pin DIL IC Socket http://www.rapidonline.com/Cables-Connectors/8-Pin-0-3in-Turned-Pin-Socket-22-1720
1x LE50CZ or equivalent 5V LDO http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Le50cz-Ldo-Reg-5v-0-1a-2-st-82-3012
1x PCB mount switch http://www.rapidonline.com/Electronic-Components/Spdt-Miniature-Slide-Switch-4-4mm-ACT-6-Volt-78-3762
1x Dual CR2032 coin cell holder http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrical-Power/20mm-Dual-Coin-Cell-Holder-18-3625
2x CR2032 batteries
A USB Mini-B connector & cable (chop a normal MiniUSB cable in half, Red to "USB-Out", Black to "USB-GND", DO NOT connect the white, green or shielding to anything)
Some Copper-Clad PCB
A 2-stage button camera remote (bought off of eBay)
A small enclosure - I used http://www.rapidonline.com/Tools-Equipment/ABS-Box-56-X-31-X-24mm-Black-30-1912

Download (source, designs, HEX for PIC): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39043879/CHDKremote2.zip
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Offline waterwingz

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Re: CHDKremote2 - a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK
« Reply #1 on: 23 / February / 2012, 23:20:23 »
Very nice !

FWIW,  there is a new version of the USB remote code in the development / unstable branch that should eventually make it into the mainstream version.   Not sure if it helps or not - but there is still an option to add functionality if it helps with your project.

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/User:Waterwingz/USB_Remote_V2

http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=7127.0


Also,  did you look at the Ricoh CA-1 - easy to find on the internet and it does the two stage press thing :
 
« Last Edit: 23 / February / 2012, 23:41:56 by waterwingz »
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Offline Knuckx

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Re: CHDKremote2 - a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK
« Reply #2 on: 24 / February / 2012, 00:08:43 »
Quote from: waterwingz on 23 / February / 2012, 23:20:23
Very nice !
Thanks  :)

Quote from: waterwingz on 23 / February / 2012, 23:20:23
FWIW,  there is a new version of the USB remote code in the development / unstable branch that should eventually make it into the mainstream version.   Not sure if it helps or not - but there is still an option to add functionality if it helps with your project.

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/User:Waterwingz/USB_Remote_V2

http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php?topic=7127.0
On the (USB Remote V2) wiki page it says about device modules - do you think it would be possible to implement a custom CHDK protocol module (properly documented, obviously) that allows a connected remote to send a command (8bit selfclocking manchester encoding for instance) to the camera for full control over every button, as that would be amazing for the IR support I am working on.

Quote from: waterwingz on 23 / February / 2012, 23:20:23
Also,  did you look at the Ricoh CA-1 - easy to find on the internet and it does the two stage press thing :
Yeah, I did look at the Ricoh CA-1, but from the information on the old wiki page for the USB remote, I couldn't tell if it was supported properly (and the cost is about 5 times what this cost me to make) - plus I wanted to be able to extend my remote with new features (IR is a work in progress using the spare input pin).
« Last Edit: 24 / February / 2012, 00:10:52 by Knuckx »
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Offline waterwingz

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Re: CHDKremote2 - a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK
« Reply #3 on: 24 / February / 2012, 00:13:46 »
Quote from: Knuckx on 24 / February / 2012, 00:08:43
On the (USB Remote V2) wiki page it says about device modules - do you think it would be possible to implement a custom CHDK protocol module (properly documented, obviously) that allows a connected remote to send a command (8bit selfclocking manchester encoding for instance) to the camera for full control over every button, as that would be amazing for the IR support I am working on.
Absolutely !   That's exactly what I had in mind when I started the project - its just one of those things I have not gotten to myself yet.   Manchester encoding might be a bit ambitious but simple pulse trains or pwm stuff is already working.   You could probably also implement this with a script and the new USB remote options - but I like to keep scripts for custom things.  A universal remote becomes much more than that.

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Offline waterwingz

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Re: CHDKremote2 - a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK
« Reply #4 on: 24 / February / 2012, 00:15:59 »
Quote from: Knuckx on 24 / February / 2012, 00:08:43
Yeah, I did look at the Ricoh CA-1, but from the information on the old wiki page for the USB remote, I couldn't tell if it was supported properly (and the cost is about 5 times what this cost me to make) - plus I wanted to be able to extend my remote with new features (IR is a work in progress using the spare input pin).
The CA-1 mostly works pretty well with the current version of CHDK.  And it works really well with the new dev version.  But the two stage switch mechanical mechanism is really really touchy so its not the best solution.
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Offline Knuckx

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Re: CHDKremote2 - a two stage remote control adapter for CHDK
« Reply #5 on: 24 / February / 2012, 00:31:17 »
Quote from: waterwingz on 24 / February / 2012, 00:13:46
Quote from: Knuckx on 24 / February / 2012, 00:08:43
On the (USB Remote V2) wiki page it says about device modules - do you think it would be possible to implement a custom CHDK protocol module (properly documented, obviously) that allows a connected remote to send a command (8bit selfclocking manchester encoding for instance) to the camera for full control over every button, as that would be amazing for the IR support I am working on.
Absolutely !   That's exactly what I had in mind when I started the project - its just one of those things I have not gotten to myself yet.   Manchester encoding might be a bit ambitious but simple pulse trains or pwm stuff is already working.   You could probably also implement this with a script and the new USB remote options - but I like to keep scripts for custom things.  A universal remote becomes much more than that.
Well so far I have the PIC with an IR reciever decoding Sony SIRC IR protocol from a universal remote, just no way of getting anything other than half-press, full-press and cancel to be sent to the camera. I think a custom remote may have to be designed/coded as the universal remote is not the best way of triggering a camera ever...
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