Auto Switch Reverse Cam Integration

**aplusmiami** · 02-25-2009, 11:26 AM

I searched the forums and there seems to be no definitive answer to this. I would like my reverse camera to automatically come on within RR Skin, as opposed to using a monitor that supports reverse cam or a hack job to the AV switch.

So... I figured I would see what you guys have done to accomplish this.

My thinking:

1. Using a USB Video Capture dongle or USB webCam.

2. Detecting when Video is present (12v from Reverse lamps power up camera) and the software comes alive... Probably not going to work with a USB WebCam without major hacking and having to constantly monitor the Video Stream for change. To much overhead for the PC?

3. Monitor the 12V Reverse light, Convert it to 5V, and send it to a serial ports DTR. When this line goes high, automatically activate the capture device. This seems like the more simple approach. This would make the reverse cam feature universally compatible with just about any capture device supported under windows WDM.

Are there enough of you out there that would care about something like this?

**Robby BMW** · 02-25-2009, 12:05 PM

My RRPDC extension plugin does exactly what you are looking for, but to get it working, you will need to build my PDC-USB interface, which in addition to handle the camera, allows to connect an ultrasonic parking sensor to the PC through the USB port.

Also, I recommend you to use a USB video capture dongle because in this way you can use a water proof wide viewing angle camera with mirror image, that, for automotive use, is better than a simple webcam.

**aplusmiami** · 02-25-2009, 12:29 PM

Excellent! I will take a look

**quantum** · 02-25-2009, 01:16 PM

Hi Robby,

I've been out of the loop for a while on this. Is it still possible to just buy the USB interface assembled and by itself?

If I am reading this right, it will still fire up an image from a camera in RR when the car is in reverse, but won't have the sensors for distance. And, if I am right on that, then I assume I could always add the sensors to to back bumper later?

Thanks for the info!

Mike

**aplusmiami** · 02-25-2009, 04:22 PM

I would like to use the reverse cam functionality ONLY. Can this be done without the sensors? Where does one obtain the PIC programming and PCB otherwise?

Vincent Medina
APCN

**aplusmiami** · 02-25-2009, 05:00 PM

After reading further - Your mod is really MORE than what I would like to have happen. I just want the video input to come alive when DSR(I think I said DTR previously) is High (12v from reverse lamp - converted to rs232c voltage level). This should be fairly simple to do. Then we would simply embed the capture screen into RR.

Anyone interested in this approach?

Vince

**guino** · 03-01-2009, 02:55 PM

Simplest solution would be to plug a relay onto the reverse lights, then use the relay's contacts to turn on the reverse camera plugged directly to the LCD screen -- most of those screens have an auto-switch function when the video signal is detected.

You could also use the relay's contacts to signal it to RR through the serial port or using FB or something like that, in which case you'd need a USB camera instead of a standard backup camera.

**aplusmiami** · 03-02-2009, 01:52 AM

I purchased a Component to VGA converter which I am going to try and hack. It has VGA passthrough. I am going to hack the switch on this device to hopefully toggle between Component In and VGA In. Will post my results.

---> Rev. Cam Out-->

---------->>> to VGA MONITOR INPUT

---> PC VGA Out ---->

My reason for trying it this way is for speed. Having to wait for the PC to bootup can be a pain.

Also the lilliput I have does support autoswitch or at least from the info gathered here I am missing that option in the secret menu's. I believe the option was autoswitch???

Vince

**rodweb** · 03-30-2009, 10:03 PM

I am working on this with a non auto sensing monitor. I purchased an Aduino (see www.arduino.cc ) and am building a hardware interface board that should allow it to provide:
1. 4 x temperature sensors in RR format (done)
2. 3 x Voltage sensors in RR format (done)
3. 4 x 12 volt relay inputs,
4. 4 x 12 volt relay outputs
5. 4 x monitor switches to select composite input (done)

This will work with the PC still turned off as the Arduino is a standalone microprocessor controller.

To deal with threvesing camera, when the reversing lights are turned on, the Arduino will sense the voltage and press the monitor buttons (input select, down arrow enter key) and when the reversing lights go out, press the monitor butons again (input select, up arrow, enterkey). I got it all worked out, but need a few more nights to finish the soldering. Some info on my build up thread. Hopefully it will work nicely.

There was also a thing called a Cheesebox (which is no longer available) that had composite video to VGA conversion with a VGA input and a switch in to selct between VGA and composite video. People used a relay instead of the input select switch that was triggered by a relay on the reversing light circuit. Sounds like this is what you are doing.

**JohnWPB** · 04-02-2009, 02:28 PM

This can be done with a Fusion brain to see when the reverse lights come on, and send a signal to RR.

The 2nd, and cheapest way, is to search for CDR's Joystick plugin. You can have a relay that switches when the reverse lights come on, send a signal through the USB joystick/game pad and assign it to send a command to RR.

It may sound complicated but its not. Just rip appart an old joystick / gamepad, connect 2 of the wires from a button or axis, and the software can send a command to RR and do whatever you want it to do.