motion tracking

Question

I'd like to know if it is possible to use the parallel port rather than using the serial one, to control a stepper motor.

The circuit is simple, just a parallel port, a ULN2003 chip and a stepper motor.

Environment

Motion version:	3.2.4
ffmpeg version:
Libraries:	ffmpeg, mysql, postgresql
Server OS:	knoppix, kernel 2.6.10

-- TWikiGuest - 21 Dec 2005

Answer

Currently the only possibilities for tracking are

• Specially supported cameras like Logitech Sphere/Orbit which cannot be controlled any other way because the V4L device is already occupied by Motion.
• Another special camera that I have never owned myself
• The specially designed stepper motor tracking circuit that uses the serial port
• Calling external program when Motion is detected. You can use the Conversion Specifiers to send coordinates of the detected Motion to a program which again calls a program that writes to a parallel port.

I have plans to extend the tracking feature but not by adding direct access to the parallel port.

-- KennethLavrsen - 21 Dec 2005