Controlling microcamera via aduino uno

Projects General Guidance
1

I'm trying to control a micro camera using an arduino uno. There are two buttons on the camera; Power and Mode. When the power button is pressed, 5V flow across the button. When the Mode button is pressed, I believe it drops the 3V to 0V across the button.

Camera circuit
Camera circuit926×816 58.3 KB

I've connected the 0V side of the power button to a digital pin and when I use the command digitalWrite(HIGH), it causes the power to come on. So I can control the power button by setting the pin HIGH or LOW. HIGH when I want the button pushed, LOW when I don't.

But the mode button seems to be different. What I have found is, connecting the 3V side of the mode button to a digital pin and then setting the pin output to LOW then HIGH, simulates the mode button being pushed. LOW when I want the button pushed, HIGH when I don't.

This whole setup works, but is it bad to have 3V being sent into a pin that is setup for output? Because when not "pushing "the mode button, the pin that is connect to the 3V on the camera is set to HIGH and is pushing out 5V.

2

Please post the datasheet. There are plenty of cameras out there.

Please post schematics. That picture is not good enough.

3

There may be 5 volts across the open button, but if current is flowing on a pressed button, there is zero volts across the button. But you can likely add a mosfet across the button and remotely control the camera. Please check with your meter as to the camera electronics having a ground that is connected to the power negative. That would be a normal situation, but be sure.

4

I don't think a datasheet or schematic exist for this. It's a cheap camera that probably isn't available anymore. Here's the only listing I found for it Amazon.com : Winait 5MP Mini 5mp Worlds Smallest Hd Digital Video Camera Spy Camera Video Recorder Hidden Cam DV DVR with 1280 X 960 Resolution : Spy Cam Button : Electronics

It's an old camera that we are using for student projects, and I was hoping to use an arduino to power and control it since the battery is dead.

5

Does it still work using the USB cable?

6

Yes.

7

Then replace the battery and keep it charged this time.

8

Those voltage readings in the original picture are all from that point to ground. I also checked the voltage on the contacts when the buttons are pushed. The power moves 5V, but the mode button drops the 3V to 0.

camera 2
camera 21266×834 72.4 KB

I was hoping to avoid any really complicated modifications to the circuit because it's supposed to be doable by high school students.

9

Your mode button is active low with 3V pullup.
Instead of writing the pin high, set it as input and see how it behaves.
pinMode(pin , INPUT);
Or make a voltage divider to drop to 3V.

10

Then best to use a two relay module to duplicate the switch action.

11

Hi try to use a relay or even a voltage ragulator as potentiometer.

12

Setting the pin mode to INPUT when the button is not being pressed works.
I'm not really worried about the camera receiving 5V when it's only supposed to be 3V. I think the camera circuit can handle that. But I feel better not having the Arduino trying to send 5V while the camera is sending 3V at the same time.

Thanks.

13

That's the point, when set as input, the pin is in high impedance state. So from camera's point of view it's disconnected.

14

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