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In article <BuzD6s.BxM.2@cs.cmu.edu>, br@cs.cmu.edu (Bill Ross) writes:
|> 
|>     I'm looking for a camera pan/tilt head.  It should be small,
|>     fairly quick, and be equipped with pots or encoders to sense
|>     camera orientation.  Any ideas on who could sell me one of
|>     these?
|> 
|>     Thanks!
|>     Bill
|>     br@cs.cmu.edu 

Hi Bill,

A commercially available computer-controlled pan-tilt unit is being
produced by a local bay area company called Directed Perception. It
has been designed to be low-cost ($1200), fast (e.g., over 180
degrees/sec), and accurate (e.g., resolution of 3.09 seconds/arc per
position). I saw a Beta unit (it's now entering Beta testing), and it
was impressive.

Some info from their preliminary spec sheet:

GENERAL FEATURES
	* Simple to use from any RS-232 terminal or computer
	* Fast and accurate camera positioning at low cost
	* Precise control of position, speed & acceleration
	* Small form factor
	* Allow on-the-fly position and speed changes
	* Self-calibration upon reset
	* Motor power consumption controlled from host
	* Can use DC power input from unregulated or noisy sources
PAN-TILT PERFORMANCE
	* Maximum rated payload: over 3 lbs.
	* Maximum speed: over 180 degrees/sec
	* Acceleration/Deceleration: Trapezoidal, on-the-fly target
	  speed and position changes
	* Resolution: 3.086 arc minutes per position
BUILT-IN CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS
	* Basic mode: Host RS-232 port connected to single pan-tilt
	  unit and controller
	* Extended mode: Control of multiple pan-tilt units from one
	  or more host computers. Multidrop, high-speed RS-485 
	  packet network with error detection. 
POWER REQUIREMENTS
	* Input voltage: 11-25VDC unregulated
MECHANICAL
	* Weight 2.2 lbs
	* Dimensions: 3" wide X 5.2" wide X 4" deep
	* Load mounting: standard #1/4-20 screw and mounting plate
  	  easily removed for custom modifications
	* Pan-Tilt mounting: Bottom and front #1/4-20 mounting.

Information can be obtained from:
	Directed Perception
	1451 Capuchino Avenue
	Burlingame, CA  94010
	(415) 342-9399

Otto

P.S.	I don't have any connections with Directed Perception, just happen
	to know the people there.

-- 
Otto Lind                            Sybase, Inc.
otto@sybase.com                      6475 Christie Ave Emeryville, CA 94608
{pacbell,pyramid,sun}!sybase!otto    (510) 596-3691