B4J Question Datalogger analog value + streaming camera video

[amorosik]

I need to monitor the operation of a device for which I cannot transform some parameters into electrical values without very important interventions that would invalidate the device's warranty
It involves monitoring the operation of a hydraulic power unit that powers double-acting cylinders
Some electrical parameters will be read with a data logger, but I have no way of measuring the oil pressure coming out of the control unit and so I thought of 'filming' it using a video camera and framing the pressure indicator supplied as standard in the control unit

How to solve the two main problems that I would see in:

1- the video from the camera should be filmed continuously, from the moment the measurement starts to the moment the measurement ends, then in the graph it should be 'broken' into a sequence of single images that the operator can see by positioning the graph cursor at a certain point

2- once the video has been filmed, and also having a sequence of readings of both digital and analog values taken from a data logger (with timestamp), the images should be put in 'sync' with the readings of the values taken from the datalogger to allow the operator to 'see' the image of the pressure gauge at the same time as the other electrical variables, how to synchronize the two information flows (video + datalogger readings) in time?

 

[walterf25]

I need to monitor the operation of a device for which I cannot transform some parameters into electrical values without very important interventions that would invalidate the device's warranty
It involves monitoring the operation of a hydraulic power unit that powers double-acting cylinders
Some electrical parameters will be read with a data logger, but I have no way of measuring the oil pressure coming out of the control unit and so I thought of 'filming' it using a video camera and framing the pressure indicator supplied as standard in the control unit

How to solve the two main problems that I would see in:

1- the video from the camera should be filmed continuously, from the moment the measurement starts to the moment the measurement ends, then in the graph it should be 'broken' into a sequence of single images that the operator can see by positioning the graph cursor at a certain point

2- once the video has been filmed, and also having a sequence of readings of both digital and analog values taken from a data logger (with timestamp), the images should be put in 'sync' with the readings of the values taken from the datalogger to allow the operator to 'see' the image of the pressure gauge at the same time as the other electrical variables, how to synchronize the two information flows (video + datalogger readings) in time?




View attachment 156454

I am not sure which Data Logger you are using, but in my experience at least the ones I have used, they all have a way to trigger the start of a reading, either internal or external, my thought would be to use a common trigger for both the Data Logger and the Camera, also make sure that the camera can embed the capture time for each frame in the metadata of each frame.

If you don't mind me asking, do you really need to take a video, or are you only looking for a specific value when monitoring the oil pressure, if you only want to make sure that the oil pressure doesn't go above or below a certain value, you can use OpenCV to monitor for a specific value and perform an action based on such value.

I have worked in automating equipment for some time so it would be interesting to me if you find a solution to this.

Regards,
Walter

 

[amorosik]

It is not a precise device, it is a conceptual scheme to make you understand what I want to achieve
Inside the datalogger 'box' I believe there will be a PC with a card for reading analog voltages 0-20V
What I wanted to clarify and is the reason why I am asking for help is the reading of the images from the camera/webcam
And their synchronization in time to make the images appear in the same graph where the information taken from the analog voltage reader will appear