Should Pyra have a Camera?

[Neelix]

- it looks like a stiff bendable cable, that supports itself - About as fast as the pyra itself I guess - buy a new one??

Which sounds like a good idea until you actually try it.  I have a LED lamp like this, which I used to use to illuminate the keyboard of my old EeePC.   I found that getting it to stay in a useful position  was a lot harder than I would have expected.   Also, it doesn't support itself,  the USB socket supports it,  and it turns out that a fair amount of pressure is placed on the little plastic tongue that supports the contacts,  which doesn't do the socket any good and can lead to poor performance (or outright failure) of anything subsequently connected to the same socket.

-Neelix

 

[Natsu]

I want verification that the camera pcb wouldn't actual fit in the lid with the camera bulging out. Other wise we would need a case for the cam pcb or a thicker case. I'm also thinking how can you make a hole without making it too big. I was thinking maybe we can put some flaps around the hole?

 

[rygD]

- it looks like a stiff bendable cable, that supports itself - About as fast as the pyra itself I guess - buy a new one??

Which sounds like a good idea until you actually try it.  I have a LED lamp like this, which I used to use to illuminate the keyboard of my old EeePC.   I found that getting it to stay in a useful position  was a lot harder than I would have expected.   Also, it doesn't support itself,  the USB socket supports it,  and it turns out that a fair amount of pressure is placed on the little plastic tongue that supports the contacts,  which doesn't do the socket any good and can lead to poor performance (or outright failure) of anything subsequently connected to the same socket.

-Neelix

I have a couple of these little lamps as well.  I use them occasionally, and they stay in position for me, but I prefer to use another light source if possible to avoid the damage they may inflict.  I had another that had a large base with flexible cable up to the LEDs that attached to the USB port with a non flexible cable, however that one was rather top heavy and fell over frequently.

If you use some method to attach the cable of the cam to the lid of the Pyra (something cleaner than taping it to the side, but that gives you an idea of what I mean) and connect it using a USB extension cable it can still support itself without causing too much damage to the Pyra.

Edit: I want to be more clear.  Use some method to hold the flexible cable to the lid that doesn't allow it to slide around much.  I have a few ideas, but most require some modification to the lid (screwing things into the plastic), or they might not work as well.  To go really cheap while trying to reduce damage, maybe a binder clip lined with bicycle innertube would work.

I'm also thinking how can you make a hole without making it too big.

Drill carefully.

 

[Urben]

I'm also thinking how can you make a hole without making it too big.

Drill carefully.

You could say you have to...

Spoiler

know the drill

 

[Natsu]

The usb ends are bigger than the actual cord, especially for a regular usb cord. Would be a big opening unless covered up with something.

 As I said before, how would you mount this camera? If you pull it on the lid, it will be pointing straight up. Pretty awkward.

 

[rygD]

The usb ends are bigger than the actual cord, especially for a regular usb cord. Would be a big opening unless covered up with something.


 As I said before, how would you mount this camera? If you pull it on the lid, it will be pointing straight up. Pretty awkward.

Which one are you talking about?

 

[Natsu]

The usb ends are bigger than the actual cord, especially for a regular usb cord. Would be a big opening unless covered up with something.

 As I said before, how would you mount this camera? If you pull it on the lid, it will be pointing straight up. Pretty awkward.

Which one are you talking about?

Spoiler

Spoiler

A cheap idea how to add a webcam

Wouldn't it need to be much wider to actually fit the head of the usb? Even if we use that "lamp camera", the head is still bigger than the cord.

 

[EvilDragon]

Spoiler

Spoiler

A cheap idea how to add a webcam

Looking at the module with the connector, it seems you want to increase the lid thickness about at least 1cm.

 

[Natsu]

Thanks for verification. So, someone has to make thicker cases for us. Probably would be better than just making a case for the camera module.

 

[Neelix]

If you want something semi-permanent and don't mind having a big bulge on the lid you could affix it externally with Sugru...

-Neelix

 

[Natsu]

If you want something semi-permanent and don't mind having a big bulge on the lid you could affix it externally with Sugru...

-Neelix

That..., actually may not be bad if it works, but will the camera pbc be ok?

 

[Neelix]

I think so.  There's records on the site of several projects where it's used in conjunction with PCBs including at least one where the user encased a bare USB-key PCB to attach a key-ring to it.

Heat could conceivably be an issue,  but I don't know how critical that would be for the camera PCB.  

It also occurs to me that It might be tricky to later remove the sugru from the PCB if you changed your mind.

-Neelix

 

[Urben]

If you want something semi-permanent and don't mind having a big bulge on the lid you could affix it externally with Sugru...

-Neelix

That..., actually may not be bad if it works, but will the camera pbc be ok?

Note having something rubber-like on the outside of the pyra will greatly suck when one tries to shove it into a tight pocket.

 

[Caine]

Note having something rubber-like on the outside of the pyra will greatly suck when one tries to shove it into a tight pocket.

You can't stuff rubber into tight spaces?

 

[Urben]

You can't stuff rubber into tight spaces?

Spoiler

 

[bzar]

 

[fahrstuhl]

This guy is trying to build one of the smallest 1080p USB cams. 20x20mm² with a heatsink at the back. Maybe one could 3D-print a clip-on case for the Pyra.

(I always have a Canon compact camera with me. The one in my phone just plain sucks and the Canon is said to be one of the best compact cameras that actually fit in your pocket.)

Also, I don't quite get why people are afraid of cameras in their laptops and phones. When someone has access to your camera, they should also have access to pretty much any other part in your device. My emails, the GPS, the keyboard are way scarier than the camera, imo.

 

[Natsu]

Note having something rubber-like on the outside of the pyra will greatly suck when one tries to shove it into a tight pocket.

Bulge is going to be there regardless, but you are right. It may rub off.

 

[rygD]

This guy is trying to build one of the smallest 1080p USB cams. 20x20mm² with a heatsink at the back. Maybe one could 3D-print a clip-on case for the Pyra.

We will public all its features about in butt of August

 Made me laugh.

Also, I don't quite get why people are afraid of cameras in their laptops and phones. When someone has access to your camera, they should also have access to pretty much any other part in your device. My emails, the GPS, the keyboard are way scarier than the camera, imo.

I don't think afraid is the right word.  You are correct, though, and I think you get it more than you realise.  Weren't people asking for a physical switch for wifi and 3G.  Unless the keyboard really sucks, or someone is trying to beat you with it, I don't know why someone would be scared of it.  Are you talking about keylogging?  I guess Pyra needs to be touchscreen only.

 

[Binky]

All characters should be entered with comboboxes, letters arranged in a random order, wrapped up in a blob of Adobe Flash.

That'll fox keyloggers!