Ilias

$@$.... How is is going... Do you need any help compiling the code? Tell me about the progress of the project....

have you ever used Linux... Well I've got an application from a book of mine, that it is suppose to compile for Linux. I don't think that windows will be a problem....try Borland's C compiler or any other compiler you prefer. Please do mind that any use of the code uploaded here should be fully referenced. The web page included (0750677783.html) is an amazon link to the book...Go to the web site of the author. you will probably find more info. you will probably want to look here->http://www.aaai.org/AITopics/html/vision.html and also try "googling" for "open source robotics" bmp-derive.zip

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_vision

do you have any hints from your supervisor??? A good place to start looking is the seattle robotics society. http://www.seattlerobotics.org In general 1. you get the image 2. you extract features of the image that you are interested in, most usually edges which are apparent because of the colour difference of the object and the background color. 3. On the next move of the robot you compare the current image with the previous one and if the image is larger that the one before (that is if the same edges are more spreaded on the new image) then you are probably closer to that object. Take a look at the attachement and don't forget to look more forums as the seattle robotics society one...What are the project specifications??? for example are you supposed to used an 8-bit microcontroller or an arm-based one? http://www.seattlerobotics.com/cmucam.htm http://www.cis.udel.edu/~cer/arv/ google "robot vision" now in order to find source code paradigms and how others have done it google for "source code". it will give you results such as www.koders.com and you can browse through ready made projects or other source codes on relevant projects Survey_of_vision-based_robot_control.pdf

http://hwb.sunsite.dk/

I.M.H.O use Ultrasonics. -Simpler to interface with -Cheaper to interface with -Simple distance calculations the doppler effect is readilly available In small distances you can not expect big RF signal variations indicating distance changes in the cm range. Ultrasonic and RF beacons are most of the time found wotking together like this: -According to the RF signal find which ultrasonic is operating. Eitherway the signal strenth in dB can be used to find the distance from the RF beacon. There is an attachement showing the relationship of signal strength with the distance. Once you find this the rest is easy. I can help you with the rest FAQ-0005.pdf.zip

to conclude my suggestion is webcam-->pc-->mcu-->actuators

to put it simply, you just can't have image processing (in robotics is called "machine vision") by using a cmos sensor (that's the camera) and microcontroller. there are a lot of tasks involved. to get you started check this link out http://emsys.denayer.wenk.be/?project=emcam&page=cases&id=16 For image processing you need significant processing power. Some tasks required are compression, frame rate, edge detection, motion detection etc. There is the "easy" but expensive way and the "hard" and cheap way. The "easy" way involves the integration of integrated machine vision systems like those in the attachement. The "hard" way involves a camera that communicates prefferably wirelessly with a pc, which with your own crafted algorithms image processing is performed and the required data are modified accordingly and sent to the robot in order to perform the required action. In my opinion this is the best way to do it, since you have "unlimited" processing power and several algorithms have already been developed. Additionally it is the cheapest way to do it. Now if you have other directions by your supervisor we can talk about it again. It would be great though if you could be more specific about the components you have access to... Do you have to choose your own components, and if yes what is the budget. If the components are already defined, what are they? Remember that earlier mobile robots with computers on board needed almost 15 minutes to calculate the next step. So response time is another significant factor. Consequently for fast response times off-board processing is compelled. inventory.pdf.zip

hey. stevem999 I don't think that it is dependent on the box. Although i have never opened a sky+ box. i only use it at friends for Simpsons. Anyway I think that the best way to go (if you don't want to mess with electronics) is to try maplin electronics every three months or so they have new gizmos and applications and most of them are things that you on the internet and you want to have them but you can't build them. They do i haven't look at their catalogue lately but they will know of something i'm prety sure.

http://www.lynxmotion.com/Product.aspx?productID=245&CategoryID=49

hey thanks gsmaster... ;D

Doen anybody know of a good & detailed cooking site in english or in greek. I'm out of ideas. So anything new? A satisfactory good electronics project requires food for thought. And as we all know you always trust what you are making by yourself. The secret lies in choosing the right components/ingredients

maybe i could help if u're anywhere close to manchester. although i don't know if my spare time allows me to.

An absolute guide though on how to do it ( although you have to do it using a PICMicro) can be found on this site http://www.circuitcellar.com/pastissues/articles/richey110/text.htm

elec-dunce if i'm correct u're staying in uk arent'u?