RE: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]

["Gene Burbeck" <gburb-at-advantagecs.com>]

Good idea, I was thinking about that, too. That would be the most
effective way to do the tracking IMHO. It would probably be nessesary to
modulate the infrared light source, like a TV remote (I think the
frequency is 40kHz or so). Only here we would flash the LEDs at a lower
frequency so in can be handled by the frame rate of the camera. The sun
is a huge source of infrared light, so the modulation would allow the
camera to tell the difference between the sunlight and the infrared
"bullseye" on the other tank. An easier way to do the same thing could
be to put the LEDs on MY TANK, and put retroreflectors on the other
tank. A further improvement to make the system even more selective of
the retroflective bullseyes on the other tank could be to use polarizing
filters at right angles to each other on the LED spotlight and on the
camera. The polarized light from the LED illuminator gets turned 90
degrees by the cube corners in the reflectors and passes through the
filter on the camera lens. I've done this polarizing trick on a robot
(not a fighting robot) to allow it to navigate while remaining in sight
of three reflective "towers". 

Hope this wasn't too technical, don't hesitate to ask questions or make
suggestions. Would people be open to putting reflectors on their tanks
at least for demos (not nessesarily actual battles)?

Geme


-----Original Message-----
From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com]
On Behalf Of Pete
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 2:52 AM
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: RE: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]

One way for the camera to track a tank or other vehicle is to set up a
IR Led on the vehicle/target. Most Cmos cameras will spot the IR led
very easily, to test take a picture with a digital camera of your tv
remote when you press a button, not sure of the range though>

Pete Curran
www.angelfire.com/mech/sherman 


-----Original Message-----
From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com]
On Behalf Of Gene Burbeck
Sent: Wednesday, 10 January 2007 02:21
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: RE: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]

 
"No it wouldnt track a tank its just for stabilization"

But this might:

http://acroname.com/robotics/parts/R228-CMUCAM2-OV6620.html

I have one of these I'm starting to experiment with. Looks fairly
promising so far. If I can't get to track actual tanks (it's hard to
track non-bright colored objects) at least it will be a good demo to
track a beach ball or something. In my scheme, the tank is sitting
still, and the camera locks onto the COLOR in the moving area (other
tank is moving) of the image. Once the color has been sampled, it will
keep the lock when my tank starts driving again. 

Gene

-----Original Message-----
From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com [mailto:tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com]
On Behalf Of Greg Chapman
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 11:29 PM
To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
Subject: Re: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]

No it wouldnt track a tank its just for stabilization

Regards Greg C

>From: Grant Mahalek <gmahalek-at-shaw.ca>
>Reply-To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
>To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
>Subject: Re: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]
>Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2007 19:33:46 -0700
>
>Hi Greg,
>
>Your idea to use a helicopter gyro to stabilize your gun elevate seems 
>like an interesting idea.
>
>I don't see the diagram though.
>
>Would this application actually provide a gun/turret combination that 
>would track a target while the target vehicle and your tank are on the 
>move.....the same as the Tamiya Gun Barrel Stabilization Unit?
>
>Cool idea!!
>
>Cheers,
>
>Grant P. Mahalek
>Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
>"The Great White...very cold...North"
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg Chapman" 
><blacknchap-at-hotmail.com>
>To: <tanks-at-rctankcombat.com>
>Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 3:30 PM
>Subject: RE: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]
>
>
>>Hi, my name is Greg, I work at Campbelltown Hobbies in Sydney, 
>>Australia and am building a T34.
>>
>>Just a note on the gyro stabilized turret idea, I have attached a 
>>small bmp with a diagram. You can attach a small helicopter gyro 
>>(under AUS$100) where the little square is. The A has to be the top of

>>the gyro so the axis of correction is the elevation of the main gun, 
>>just plug your elevation servo into the gyro and the gyro into your 
>>receiver and there you go should work fine. You could even go the 
>>route I am, which is a 410 JR heading hold gyro, the barrel dosen't 
>>even budge until you tell it to, this way is a little more expensive
though (over $100 AUS).
>>
>>Any questions dont hesitate to ask :-)
>>
>>Regards Greg C
>>
>>
>>>From: "Gene Burbeck" <gburb-at-advantagecs.com>
>>>Reply-To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
>>>To: <tanks-at-rctankcombat.com>
>>>Subject: RE: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]
>>>Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 10:00:16 -0500
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>That's awesome. Might have to try one of those out.
>>>
>>>Gene
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: tanks-admin-at-rctankcombat.com on behalf of Grant Mahalek
>>>Sent: Sun 1/7/2007 7:09 AM
>>>To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
>>>Subject: Re: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]
>>>
>>>Gene,
>>>
>>>I just thought of something regarding your gyro stabilized turret 
>>>(ie.- hereafter called the GSTS).
>>>
>>>I noticed a device that is available for the Tamiya 1/16 th scale r/c

>>>combat tanks that would be fantastic if the design or even the device

>>>could be adapted to the GSTS.
>>>
>>>Of course the device is called the Tamiya Gun Barrel Stabilizer Unit 
>>>item # 57626 (GBS), 
>>>www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id:57626
>>>
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>   From: Marc en Wendy
>>>   To: tanks-at-rctankcombat.com
>>>   Sent: Sunday, January 07, 2007 3:44 AM
>>>   Subject: Re: Gene is building a tank! [TANKS]
>>>
>>>
>>>   Gene wrote:
>>>
>>>   > Video of the turret working with the gyro:
>>>
>>>   
>>> http://www.greendragoncommunications.com/photos/robots/turretgyro.AV
>>> I
>>>
>>>   Now this is impressive! Keep up the good work.
>>>
>>>   Marc
>>>   The Netherlands
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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