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1 | README for Linux device driver for the IBM "C-It" USB video camera | ||
2 | |||
3 | INTRODUCTION: | ||
4 | |||
5 | This driver does not use all features known to exist in | ||
6 | the IBM camera. However most of needed features work well. | ||
7 | |||
8 | This driver was developed using logs of observed USB traffic | ||
9 | which was produced by standard Windows driver (c-it98.sys). | ||
10 | I did not have data sheets from Xirlink. | ||
11 | |||
12 | Video formats: | ||
13 | 128x96 [model 1] | ||
14 | 176x144 | ||
15 | 320x240 [model 2] | ||
16 | 352x240 [model 2] | ||
17 | 352x288 | ||
18 | Frame rate: 3 - 30 frames per second (FPS) | ||
19 | External interface: USB | ||
20 | Internal interface: Video For Linux (V4L) | ||
21 | Supported controls: | ||
22 | - by V4L: Contrast, Brightness, Color, Hue | ||
23 | - by driver options: frame rate, lighting conditions, video format, | ||
24 | default picture settings, sharpness. | ||
25 | |||
26 | SUPPORTED CAMERAS: | ||
27 | |||
28 | Xirlink "C-It" camera, also known as "IBM PC Camera". | ||
29 | The device uses proprietary ASIC (and compression method); | ||
30 | it is manufactured by Xirlink. See http://www.xirlink.com/ | ||
31 | http://www.ibmpccamera.com or http://www.c-itnow.com/ for | ||
32 | details and pictures. | ||
33 | |||
34 | This very chipset ("X Chip", as marked at the factory) | ||
35 | is used in several other cameras, and they are supported | ||
36 | as well: | ||
37 | |||
38 | - IBM NetCamera | ||
39 | - Veo Stingray | ||
40 | |||
41 | The Linux driver was developed with camera with following | ||
42 | model number (or FCC ID): KSX-XVP510. This camera has three | ||
43 | interfaces, each with one endpoint (control, iso, iso). This | ||
44 | type of cameras is referred to as "model 1". These cameras are | ||
45 | no longer manufactured. | ||
46 | |||
47 | Xirlink now manufactures new cameras which are somewhat different. | ||
48 | In particular, following models [FCC ID] belong to that category: | ||
49 | |||
50 | XVP300 [KSX-X9903] | ||
51 | XVP600 [KSX-X9902] | ||
52 | XVP610 [KSX-X9902] | ||
53 | |||
54 | (see http://www.xirlink.com/ibmpccamera/ for updates, they refer | ||
55 | to these new cameras by Windows driver dated 12-27-99, v3005 BETA) | ||
56 | These cameras have two interfaces, one endpoint in each (iso, bulk). | ||
57 | Such type of cameras is referred to as "model 2". They are supported | ||
58 | (with exception of 352x288 native mode). | ||
59 | |||
60 | Some IBM NetCameras (Model 4) are made to generate only compressed | ||
61 | video streams. This is great for performance, but unfortunately | ||
62 | nobody knows how to decompress the stream :-( Therefore, these | ||
63 | cameras are *unsupported* and if you try to use one of those, all | ||
64 | you get is random colored horizontal streaks, not the image! | ||
65 | If you have one of those cameras, you probably should return it | ||
66 | to the store and get something that is supported. | ||
67 | |||
68 | Tell me more about all that "model" business | ||
69 | -------------------------------------------- | ||
70 | |||
71 | I just invented model numbers to uniquely identify flavors of the | ||
72 | hardware/firmware that were sold. It was very confusing to use | ||
73 | brand names or some other internal numbering schemes. So I found | ||
74 | by experimentation that all Xirlink chipsets fall into four big | ||
75 | classes, and I called them "models". Each model is programmed in | ||
76 | its own way, and each model sends back the video in its own way. | ||
77 | |||
78 | Quirks of Model 2 cameras: | ||
79 | ------------------------- | ||
80 | |||
81 | Model 2 does not have hardware contrast control. Corresponding V4L | ||
82 | control is implemented in software, which is not very nice to your | ||
83 | CPU, but at least it works. | ||
84 | |||
85 | This driver provides 352x288 mode by switching the camera into | ||
86 | quasi-352x288 RGB mode (800 Kbits per frame) essentially limiting | ||
87 | this mode to 10 frames per second or less, in ideal conditions on | ||
88 | the bus (USB is shared, after all). The frame rate | ||
89 | has to be programmed very conservatively. Additional concern is that | ||
90 | frame rate depends on brightness setting; therefore the picture can | ||
91 | be good at one brightness and broken at another! I did not want to fix | ||
92 | the frame rate at slowest setting, but I had to move it pretty much down | ||
93 | the scale (so that framerate option barely matters). I also noticed that | ||
94 | camera after first powering up produces frames slightly faster than during | ||
95 | consecutive uses. All this means that if you use 352x288 (which is | ||
96 | default), be warned - you may encounter broken picture on first connect; | ||
97 | try to adjust brightness - brighter image is slower, so USB will be able | ||
98 | to send all data. However if you regularly use Model 2 cameras you may | ||
99 | prefer 176x144 which makes perfectly good I420, with no scaling and | ||
100 | lesser demands on USB (300 Kbits per second, or 26 frames per second). | ||
101 | |||
102 | Another strange effect of 352x288 mode is the fine vertical grid visible | ||
103 | on some colored surfaces. I am sure it is caused by me not understanding | ||
104 | what the camera is trying to say. Blame trade secrets for that. | ||
105 | |||
106 | The camera that I had also has a hardware quirk: if disconnected, | ||
107 | it needs few minutes to "relax" before it can be plugged in again | ||
108 | (poorly designed USB processor reset circuit?) | ||
109 | |||
110 | [Veo Stingray with Product ID 0x800C is also Model 2, but I haven't | ||
111 | observed this particular flaw in it.] | ||
112 | |||
113 | Model 2 camera can be programmed for very high sensitivity (even starlight | ||
114 | may be enough), this makes it convenient for tinkering with. The driver | ||
115 | code has enough comments to help a programmer to tweak the camera | ||
116 | as s/he feels necessary. | ||
117 | |||
118 | WHAT YOU NEED: | ||
119 | |||
120 | - A supported IBM PC (C-it) camera (model 1 or 2) | ||
121 | |||
122 | - A Linux box with USB support (2.3/2.4; 2.2 w/backport may work) | ||
123 | |||
124 | - A Video4Linux compatible frame grabber program such as xawtv. | ||
125 | |||
126 | HOW TO COMPILE THE DRIVER: | ||
127 | |||
128 | You need to compile the driver only if you are a developer | ||
129 | or if you want to make changes to the code. Most distributions | ||
130 | precompile all modules, so you can go directly to the next | ||
131 | section "HOW TO USE THE DRIVER". | ||
132 | |||
133 | The ibmcam driver uses usbvideo helper library (module), | ||
134 | so if you are studying the ibmcam code you will be led there. | ||
135 | |||
136 | The driver itself consists of only one file in usb/ directory: | ||
137 | ibmcam.c. This file is included into the Linux kernel build | ||
138 | process if you configure the kernel for CONFIG_USB_IBMCAM. | ||
139 | Run "make xconfig" and in USB section you will find the IBM | ||
140 | camera driver. Select it, save the configuration and recompile. | ||
141 | |||
142 | HOW TO USE THE DRIVER: | ||
143 | |||
144 | I recommend to compile driver as a module. This gives you an | ||
145 | easier access to its configuration. The camera has many more | ||
146 | settings than V4L can operate, so some settings are done using | ||
147 | module options. | ||
148 | |||
149 | To begin with, on most modern Linux distributions the driver | ||
150 | will be automatically loaded whenever you plug the supported | ||
151 | camera in. Therefore, you don't need to do anything. However | ||
152 | if you want to experiment with some module parameters then | ||
153 | you can load and unload the driver manually, with camera | ||
154 | plugged in or unplugged. | ||
155 | |||
156 | Typically module is installed with command 'modprobe', like this: | ||
157 | |||
158 | # modprobe ibmcam framerate=1 | ||
159 | |||
160 | Alternatively you can use 'insmod' in similar fashion: | ||
161 | |||
162 | # insmod /lib/modules/2.x.y/usb/ibmcam.o framerate=1 | ||
163 | |||
164 | Module can be inserted with camera connected or disconnected. | ||
165 | |||
166 | The driver can have options, though some defaults are provided. | ||
167 | |||
168 | Driver options: (* indicates that option is model-dependent) | ||
169 | |||
170 | Name Type Range [default] Example | ||
171 | -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------------ | ||
172 | debug Integer 0-9 [0] debug=1 | ||
173 | flags Integer 0-0xFF [0] flags=0x0d | ||
174 | framerate Integer 0-6 [2] framerate=1 | ||
175 | hue_correction Integer 0-255 [128] hue_correction=115 | ||
176 | init_brightness Integer 0-255 [128] init_brightness=100 | ||
177 | init_contrast Integer 0-255 [192] init_contrast=200 | ||
178 | init_color Integer 0-255 [128] init_color=130 | ||
179 | init_hue Integer 0-255 [128] init_hue=115 | ||
180 | lighting Integer 0-2* [1] lighting=2 | ||
181 | sharpness Integer 0-6* [4] sharpness=3 | ||
182 | size Integer 0-2* [2] size=1 | ||
183 | |||
184 | Options for Model 2 only: | ||
185 | |||
186 | Name Type Range [default] Example | ||
187 | -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------------ | ||
188 | init_model2_rg Integer 0..255 [0x70] init_model2_rg=128 | ||
189 | init_model2_rg2 Integer 0..255 [0x2f] init_model2_rg2=50 | ||
190 | init_model2_sat Integer 0..255 [0x34] init_model2_sat=65 | ||
191 | init_model2_yb Integer 0..255 [0xa0] init_model2_yb=200 | ||
192 | |||
193 | debug You don't need this option unless you are a developer. | ||
194 | If you are a developer then you will see in the code | ||
195 | what values do what. 0=off. | ||
196 | |||
197 | flags This is a bit mask, and you can combine any number of | ||
198 | bits to produce what you want. Usually you don't want | ||
199 | any of extra features this option provides: | ||
200 | |||
201 | FLAGS_RETRY_VIDIOCSYNC 1 This bit allows to retry failed | ||
202 | VIDIOCSYNC ioctls without failing. | ||
203 | Will work with xawtv, will not | ||
204 | with xrealproducer. Default is | ||
205 | not set. | ||
206 | FLAGS_MONOCHROME 2 Activates monochrome (b/w) mode. | ||
207 | FLAGS_DISPLAY_HINTS 4 Shows colored pixels which have | ||
208 | magic meaning to developers. | ||
209 | FLAGS_OVERLAY_STATS 8 Shows tiny numbers on screen, | ||
210 | useful only for debugging. | ||
211 | FLAGS_FORCE_TESTPATTERN 16 Shows blue screen with numbers. | ||
212 | FLAGS_SEPARATE_FRAMES 32 Shows each frame separately, as | ||
213 | it was received from the camera. | ||
214 | Default (not set) is to mix the | ||
215 | preceding frame in to compensate | ||
216 | for occasional loss of Isoc data | ||
217 | on high frame rates. | ||
218 | FLAGS_CLEAN_FRAMES 64 Forces "cleanup" of each frame | ||
219 | prior to use; relevant only if | ||
220 | FLAGS_SEPARATE_FRAMES is set. | ||
221 | Default is not to clean frames, | ||
222 | this is a little faster but may | ||
223 | produce flicker if frame rate is | ||
224 | too high and Isoc data gets lost. | ||
225 | FLAGS_NO_DECODING 128 This flag turns the video stream | ||
226 | decoder off, and dumps the raw | ||
227 | Isoc data from the camera into | ||
228 | the reading process. Useful to | ||
229 | developers, but not to users. | ||
230 | |||
231 | framerate This setting controls frame rate of the camera. This is | ||
232 | an approximate setting (in terms of "worst" ... "best") | ||
233 | because camera changes frame rate depending on amount | ||
234 | of light available. Setting 0 is slowest, 6 is fastest. | ||
235 | Beware - fast settings are very demanding and may not | ||
236 | work well with all video sizes. Be conservative. | ||
237 | |||
238 | hue_correction This highly optional setting allows to adjust the | ||
239 | hue of the image in a way slightly different from | ||
240 | what usual "hue" control does. Both controls affect | ||
241 | YUV colorspace: regular "hue" control adjusts only | ||
242 | U component, and this "hue_correction" option similarly | ||
243 | adjusts only V component. However usually it is enough | ||
244 | to tweak only U or V to compensate for colored light or | ||
245 | color temperature; this option simply allows more | ||
246 | complicated correction when and if it is necessary. | ||
247 | |||
248 | init_brightness These settings specify _initial_ values which will be | ||
249 | init_contrast used to set up the camera. If your V4L application has | ||
250 | init_color its own controls to adjust the picture then these | ||
251 | init_hue controls will be used too. These options allow you to | ||
252 | preconfigure the camera when it gets connected, before | ||
253 | any V4L application connects to it. Good for webcams. | ||
254 | |||
255 | init_model2_rg These initial settings alter color balance of the | ||
256 | init_model2_rg2 camera on hardware level. All four settings may be used | ||
257 | init_model2_sat to tune the camera to specific lighting conditions. These | ||
258 | init_model2_yb settings only apply to Model 2 cameras. | ||
259 | |||
260 | lighting This option selects one of three hardware-defined | ||
261 | photosensitivity settings of the camera. 0=bright light, | ||
262 | 1=Medium (default), 2=Low light. This setting affects | ||
263 | frame rate: the dimmer the lighting the lower the frame | ||
264 | rate (because longer exposition time is needed). The | ||
265 | Model 2 cameras allow values more than 2 for this option, | ||
266 | thus enabling extremely high sensitivity at cost of frame | ||
267 | rate, color saturation and imaging sensor noise. | ||
268 | |||
269 | sharpness This option controls smoothing (noise reduction) | ||
270 | made by camera. Setting 0 is most smooth, setting 6 | ||
271 | is most sharp. Be aware that CMOS sensor used in the | ||
272 | camera is pretty noisy, so if you choose 6 you will | ||
273 | be greeted with "snowy" image. Default is 4. Model 2 | ||
274 | cameras do not support this feature. | ||
275 | |||
276 | size This setting chooses one of several image sizes that are | ||
277 | supported by this driver. Cameras may support more, but | ||
278 | it's difficult to reverse-engineer all formats. | ||
279 | Following video sizes are supported: | ||
280 | |||
281 | size=0 128x96 (Model 1 only) | ||
282 | size=1 160x120 | ||
283 | size=2 176x144 | ||
284 | size=3 320x240 (Model 2 only) | ||
285 | size=4 352x240 (Model 2 only) | ||
286 | size=5 352x288 | ||
287 | size=6 640x480 (Model 3 only) | ||
288 | |||
289 | The 352x288 is the native size of the Model 1 sensor | ||
290 | array, so it's the best resolution the camera can | ||
291 | yield. The best resolution of Model 2 is 176x144, and | ||
292 | larger images are produced by stretching the bitmap. | ||
293 | Model 3 has sensor with 640x480 grid, and it works too, | ||
294 | but the frame rate will be exceptionally low (1-2 FPS); | ||
295 | it may be still OK for some applications, like security. | ||
296 | Choose the image size you need. The smaller image can | ||
297 | support faster frame rate. Default is 352x288. | ||
298 | |||
299 | For more information and the Troubleshooting FAQ visit this URL: | ||
300 | |||
301 | http://www.linux-usb.org/ibmcam/ | ||
302 | |||
303 | WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE: | ||
304 | |||
305 | - The button on the camera is not used. I don't know how to get to it. | ||
306 | I know now how to read button on Model 2, but what to do with it? | ||
307 | |||
308 | - Camera reports its status back to the driver; however I don't know | ||
309 | what returned data means. If camera fails at some initialization | ||
310 | stage then something should be done, and I don't do that because | ||
311 | I don't even know that some command failed. This is mostly Model 1 | ||
312 | concern because Model 2 uses different commands which do not return | ||
313 | status (and seem to complete successfully every time). | ||
314 | |||
315 | - Some flavors of Model 4 NetCameras produce only compressed video | ||
316 | streams, and I don't know how to decode them. | ||
317 | |||
318 | CREDITS: | ||
319 | |||
320 | The code is based in no small part on the CPiA driver by Johannes Erdfelt, | ||
321 | Randy Dunlap, and others. Big thanks to them for their pioneering work on that | ||
322 | and the USB stack. | ||
323 | |||
324 | I also thank John Lightsey for his donation of the Veo Stingray camera. | ||