Using serial port as a simple switch-trigger for a digicam

[kosmarnik]

Re: Using serial port as a simple switch-trigger for a digic

Hi!
I'm a newb. Treat me as one
Now, please help out.
I need to trigger a digicam (Minolta Dimage 7i) through a serial port.
It doesn't support usb control, but it does have external trigger port.
I've made a trigger from an old joystick and it works fine.

The port has 3 pins: - and two 3.3v pins.
To focus one needs to short one and to shoot both 3.3pins with the -.

I think it should be possible to control the trigger through the serial port alone.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!

Added after 5 hours 2 minutes:

Um, if I'm wrong in my assumption that serial port can be used that way would you suggest as the simplest solution?

 

[siongboon]

Re: Using serial port as a simple switch-trigger for a digic

You can design/purchase a kit using
serial, usb, ethernet, etc to trigger it from the computer.
This probably requires you to know microcontroller to doing the triggering.
Parallel port would be the easiest but we hardly find it in newer computer system.

Best Regards,
Siong Boon

MODERATOR - SIGNATURE LINKS ARE NOT ALLOWED

 

[kosmarnik]

Re: Using serial port as a simple switch-trigger for a digic

You can design/purchase a kit using
serial, usb, ethernet, etc to trigger it from the computer.
This probably requires you to know microcontroller to doing the triggering.
Parallel port would be the easiest but we hardly find it in newer computer system.

Ah, I'm planning to get one of Velleman kits, probably k8055, but I'd like if I could get this to work with a simple solution, if it's possible.

Parallel port is ok, I got one on the laptop I plan to use for the purpose.
After you mentioned it I googled some post mentioning LED control through the parallel port and 3.3v output which sounds about right for my purposes.
I'll look further into it.

If you have any suggestions please advise.

 

[simonvav]

I suggest you use some better SW than Velleman's... The board is OK, but their SW in PIC18F24J50 is very limiting.. I came accross may new ideas on this website: https://sites.google.com/site/pcusbprojects.