Installing Anaconda Distribution and OpenCV in Windows PC

I am doing lots of Image Processing projects based on OPENCV and Python. This is how to setup it up on a Windows PC.
You need to download Anaconda and OpenCV.

OpenCV download link:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/opencvlibrary/

The version I have on my machine is 3.2.0. Executable file is "opencv-3.2.0-vc14.exe".

Anaconda download link:
https://www.anaconda.com/download/

For the Anaconda, I still use Python 2.
The version I have on my machine is 4.4.0. Executable file is "Anaconda2-4.4.0-Windows-x86_64.exe"

You need to install Anaconda. After installation you will have access with the default IDE which is Spyder. I have a stream.py script when I captured my screen.

It is now time to install OpenCV.

Put the .exe installer to the C: drive and install it. You will have an opencv folder after installation.


Next step is to copy-paste cv2.pyd file to Anaconda Site-packages to be able to import it to our Python scripts.

The location of cv2.pyd file is located here:

For 64bit machines (C:\opencv\build\python\2.7\x64)
For 32bit machiens (C:\opencv\build\python\2.7\x86)

Paste it on this location. (C:\ProgramData\Anaconda2\Lib\site-packages)

You should be able to import cv2 on a python script.

On the Spyder console on the lower right part. I use IPython console.

Try to input import cv2.


Then check version by print cv2.__version__.

You can now try to access the webcam on your laptop or PC.



import cv2, time

cap = cv2.VideoCapture(0)

while(True):

    ret, frame = cap.read()
    print ret
    if ret == 1:
        cv2.imshow('frame',frame)
    else:
        print "no video"
    if cv2.waitKey(1) & 0xFF == ord('q'):
        break

cap.release()
cv2.destroyAllWindows()

You can also access IP cameras.

cap = cv2.VideoCapture("http://192.168.1.7:8080")

And also input video files.

cap = cv2.VideoCapture("test.mp4")

Programming ATMEGA328-AU and other non-P type on Arduino using USBasp.

I am searching for the fix on programming ATMEGA328-AU on arduino board using USBasp. It turns out that I need to modify avrdude.conf file to much the signature. This link present the solution.

http://academy.cba.mit.edu/2013/students/anderson.douglas/atmega328.html

This is the error I get,

avrdude: Expected signature for ATMEGA328P is 1E 95 0F Double check chip, or use -F to override this check.

To fix this, I as metioned on the above link, I need to modify the avrdude.conf file located here,

C:\Program Files\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr\etc

I need to modify the signature entry of ATMEGA328P from,

#------------------------------------------------------------
# ATmega328P
#------------------------------------------------------------
part
    id = "m328p";
    desc = "ATMEGA328P";
    has_debugwire = yes;
    flash_instr = 0xB6, 0x01, 0x11;
    eeprom_instr = 0xBD, 0xF2, 0xBD, 0xE1, 0xBB, 0xCF, 0xB4, 0x00,
 0xBE, 0x01, 0xB6, 0x01, 0xBC, 0x00, 0xBB, 0xBF,
 0x99, 0xF9, 0xBB, 0xAF;
    stk500_devcode = 0x86;
    # avr910_devcode = 0x;
    signature = 0x1e 0x95 0x0F;
    pagel = 0xd7;
    bs2 = 0xc2;
    chip_erase_delay = 9000;
    pgm_enable = "1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1",
"x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x";

 to,

#------------------------------------------------------------
# ATmega328P
#------------------------------------------------------------
part
    id = "m328p";
    desc = "ATMEGA328P";
    has_debugwire = yes;
    flash_instr = 0xB6, 0x01, 0x11;
    eeprom_instr = 0xBD, 0xF2, 0xBD, 0xE1, 0xBB, 0xCF, 0xB4, 0x00,
  0xBE, 0x01, 0xB6, 0x01, 0xBC, 0x00, 0xBB, 0xBF,
  0x99, 0xF9, 0xBB, 0xAF;
    stk500_devcode = 0x86;
    # avr910_devcode = 0x;
    signature = 0x1e 0x95 0x14;
    pagel = 0xd7;
    bs2 = 0xc2;
    chip_erase_delay = 9000;
    pgm_enable = "1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1",
 "x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x";

After the change, if I want to use the arduino isp bootloader again, the original signature must be returned. Otherwise if USBasp will be programmer to use(not a the arduino isp bootloader) for programming, new signature must be maintained. 

Digital Clock Using PIC16f628a Microcontroller

This is a very basic digital clock that can be done using a microcontroller. I particularly used a PIC16f628a.

You can also check my digital clock based on 74ls90
here --> http://circuitdesolator.blogspot.com/2010/12/digital-clock-based-on-74ls90.html

Here's the picture of my digital clock prototype

 

This is the schematic of the device:

 Notes to remember:

1. Put resistors from 7447 to the seven segment display pins(a-g) as current limiter resistors
2. You need to start up you're clock at exactly 1200am/pm.



-------------------------------------------SOURCE CODE-----------------------------------------------

//Digital Clock using PIC16f628a microcontroller
//Design by: circuit_desolator
//Date: April 2011

#include<htc.h>

#define _XTAL_FREQ 4000000

__CONFIG(INTIO & WDTDIS & PWRTDIS & UNPROTECT & BORDIS & LVPDIS);

unsigned int hours = 0;
unsigned int mins = 59;

unsigned int timer = 0;
unsigned char mpx_cnt = 0;
static unsigned char mode = 0;

void interrupt ISR(void)
{   
       
            {       
            timer++;
           
            if(timer > 19650)
            {
                mins++;   
                if(mins == 60)
                {           
                    mins = 0;
                    hours++;
                    if(hours == 13)
                    hours == 1;                   
                }
               
                timer = 0;
            }
        }
       
        switch (mpx_cnt)
        {
            case 0:
                PORTB = hours/10;
                RA0 = 1;       
                mpx_cnt = 1;
               
            case 1:
                PORTB = hours%10;
                RA1 = 1;       
                mpx_cnt = 2;
           
            case 2:
                PORTB = mins/10;
                RA2 = 1;       
                mpx_cnt = 3;
           
            case 3:
                PORTB = mins%10;
                RA3 = 1;
                mpx_cnt = 0;
        }
   
        T0IF = 0;                //clear TMR0 interrupt flag   
}


void init_Timers(void)
{
    GIE = 0;               
   
    T0CS = 0;               
    PSA = 0;                                           
    PS2 = 0;              
    PS1 = 0;              
    PS0 = 0;

    T0IF = 0;               
    T0IE = 1;                  
    TMR0 = 6;                                                                                               
   
    GIE = 1;             
}

void main()
{
    TRISA = 0x00;
    TRISB &= ~0x0F;
    TRISB |= 0xF0;
   
    init_Timers();
   
    while(1);
}

---------------------------------------SOURCE CODE--------------------------------------------

Simple Line Following Mobot

A year ago I built a simple line following mobot. It doesn't use any microcontroller(Arduino, PIC, Atmel, etc.) and even logic ICs.

Simplest Line Following Mobot

This line following mobot uses basic electronic components. Actually, the circuit for this mobot is based on the previous project light/dark activated switch.

The chassis and wheels of the robot are recycled materials. The body is from a box of cookies and the wheels are from the container of wafer stick. I also added a wristband from one of presidential candidates last election for the additional traction of the wheel.

The whole circuit for this mobot is not mounted on a pcb nor a protoboard but on a mini-breadboard. I also uses scrap components for this mobot I found on my bin. 

 

The circuit on the mini-breadboard

This is the circuit of the simple line following mobot.

Basic components are used in this mobot. I uses the following components(all in pairs): bright leds, resistor, variable resistor, ldr, general purpose npn transistor, signal diode, spdt relay and a geared dc motor. 

Here are some pictures of the mobot parts:

Top view of the mobot

DC Geared Motor with recycled wheels.

Sensor part: pair of LEDs and LDRs.

Powered up!

Isometric view of the robot

This is a simple demo video showing the performance of the mobot:

Quiz Bee Buzzer Circuit using PIC16f628a

This is a simple simulation on implementing a Quiz Bee Buzzer using a PIC microcontroller. 

*source code to be followed..

PIC Uart to PC's Serial Port Communication Circuit

This is a simple circuit for communicating PIC to PC's Serial Port

It uses a hardware UART of PIC16f628a. A level converter used is a max232 chip.

Please refer to the datasheet of both IC to check its vcc and ground pins.

Here's the schematic:

Simple Analog Comparator Circuit using lm311

This is one of the common circuit blocks being used both in digital and analog electronics. Its output is dependent on the relationship of its two input pins. One of the inputs is set to give the reference voltage while the other one is commonly connected to different sensors. If the reference voltage was overcome by the input connected to the sensor, the output of the comparator changes.

In this circuit, the we'll use an LDR.

 

The advantage of a comparator IC than an opamp used as an comparator is the property of IC comparators to be open collector output. Having this feature, we can set the output of the comparator beyond its biased voltage.