Electronics part 3: Configuration of the PixyCam 2

The PixyCam needs to be configured in order to work with the scripts on the Arduino. The Pixymon software is able to safe parameters at the PixyCam.

Step 1: Install Arduino library

To use the PixyCam with the Arduino, you need to download the latest library zip-file and import it in the Arduino IDE via Sketch -> Include Library.

The zip-file for the PixyCam2 can be found at "https://pixycam.com/downloads-pixy2/".

The zip-file for the PixyCam1 can be found at "https://pixycam.com/downloads-pixy1/".

Step 2: Install Pixymon

Download the Pixymon software (at Pixycam.com)

• Set up a connection to the PixyCam via USB from your Computer

• MacOS users need to disable gatekeeper for first time usage

• You might need to choose "Blocks, video" in the drop down menu "View" to see the recording

Step 3: PixyCam orientation

Once again make sure that the lens of the PixyCam is pointing away from the table side where rewards get provided.

Step 4: Light settings

Use the lightning settings in the "Pixy Parameter" submenu to optimize the visibility in the Pixymon viewer. You need to check what works best at your setup place. A better visibility of objects in the viewer will result in better object detection.

• Within "Tuning" submenu -> "Camera brightness"

• Several settings in "Camera" submenu

• Maybe you need to adjust light sources as the reflections in the air table contribute to the noise.

• Lowering the frames per second can help in low light situations to reduce noise.

• You can enable "Highlight overexposure" in the Pixymon parameters to show areas with poor image recognition properties.

Step 5: Block detection

• Place the floating platform on the air table. The orientation of the colored rectangle should be parallel or orthogonal to the length of the air table.

• In " Pixy parameters" -> "Expert"

  • Set "Max blocks" to 2, as you only need to detect two connected blocks.
  • Set "Default program" to "color connected components"

• In the drop down menu "Actions"

  • Select "Set CC signature 1" and "Set CC signature 2" to mark the center area of each color on the floating platform

• In " Pixy parameters" -> "Expert"

  • Play with the "Signature teach threshold" to have the hole object detected but not more than it.

• Afterwards in the Pixymon viewer: A box should be visible around both colors at the bottom side of the platform with a "s" and "phi" value.

The detection configuration will be saved on the PixyCam and can be used with the Arduino scripts.

Step 6: Configuration of coordinates

In the definitions.h you need to specify the y-axis minimum and maximum coordinates of the movement of the platform. Further you need to change the y-axis motor threshold which triggers the motor if the mouse is in the lane. As the mouse moves forwards in a lane, the platform moves to the non reward side of the air table. You need to determine the y-axis value when the mouse is deep enough in the lane.

In definitions.h the PixyCam coordinates for our set up are set to:

• this->y_threshold_min = 45
• this->y_threshold_max = 190
• this->y_motor_threshold = 115

---

Previous page | Next page