PicturesAndPlaces

A collection of scripts for logging GPS data and taking periodic / timelapse photos via webcam on a Raspberry Pi. Intended for use in vehicles on roadtrips.

This code is a one-off project written over a couple weeks in preparation for a road trip way out west. I apologize for the mess.

You can read more at my website: http://wiki.exceedindustries.net/index.php?title=GPS_logger_%26_time_lapse_image_device

Hardware

• Raspberry Pi Model B
  • Running latest Raspbian
• BU-353 S4 USB GPS Reciever
• Logitech C270 HD webcam
• A nice univeral car charger with a USB port

Dependencies

sudo apt-get install gpsd gpsd-clients python-gps sqlite3 fswebcam

GPS Install and Test

1. Install the dependencies as listed above.
2. Plug in the GPS unit to an open USB port. Be near a window, or better yet, outdoors.
3. Open a terminal and:
   • Run dmesg to see the device name of your GPS (likely /dev/ttyUSB0)
   • Run cgps and/or xgps to verify GPS functionality

Camera Install and Test

1. Assuming you've installed the dependencies...
2. Plug in the webcam to an open USB port
3. Run fswebacm and adjust camera
4. Tip: Try experimenting with the -S flag of fswebcam. It tells your camera to take a few pictures, but only returns the last one taken. This allows your webcam to auto-focus and/or adjust light levels. I've found a value between 3-10 is about right; it all depends on the webcam in use.

Raspberry Pi Specific

sudo pip install RPi.GPIO

Edit /etc/default/gpsd:

START_DAEMON="true"
GPSD_OPTIONS="/dev/ttyUSB0"

Create /home/pi/launcher.sh:

#!/bin/sh
# launcher.sh
# You can cd or skip the next line and add the full path to the last line
# but be careful if your script relies on relative paths?
cd /home/pi/logger
sudo python your_script.py

Edit /etc/xdg/lxsession/LXDE-pi/autostart:

Add to the bottom:

@lxterminal -e /home/pi/launcher.sh