Logging and reviewing mice data and videos can be time consuming and tedious. The purpose of this project was to create a device that would constantly log the weight from a Mettler Toledo ML-303 while only capturing 20 seconds prior and 10 seconds after the event. The trigger mechanism was change in scale weight of 5mg from one recording to the next.
* Raspberry Pi 3
- Camera Module V2
- Mettler Toledo Scale with USB communication
- Mice cage suspended above mettler toledo scale with mesh floor
- Plastic enclosure surrounding system to prevent air flow from triggering recording event.
From link below do the following: Setup Python
Dont install homebrew OR python -- macOS 10.11 already has python in it
sudo easy_install pip
sudo pip install virtualenv
sudo pip install ipython
sudo pip install pyserialmkdir -p ~/virtualenvs/mettler_toledo_device
virtualenv ~/virtualenvs/mettler_toledo_device
source ~/virtualenvs/mettler_toledo_device/bin/activate
pip install mettler_toledo_device ## Be sure this installs successfully
Open a new terminal and run the command again
pip install mettler_toledo_device ## Be sure this installs successfully/Library/Python/2.7/site-packages/serial-device2
$ python circularBuffer_latest.py
-
Script ends abruptly
-
Problem: Mettler Toledo Scale is in standby mode
-
Solution: Tap the scale to take it out of standby mode
-
Problem: Mettler Toledo Cable is not connected properly
-
Typically error says “No Mettler Toledo Device Found”
-
Solution: Check that the USB cable is securely attached to the raspberry pi and scale
-
-
Plugging HDMI while raspberry pi is already booted. Note: raspberry pi is not hot pluggable
- Plugin HDMI monitor
- Restart Raspberry pi
-
Run script while connected to raspberry pi
- Open terminal
- Execute command $ python circularBuffer_latest.py
-
Distorted video feed
- If the camera module cable is wrapped too tightly onto itself, the video feel will be distorted due to interference.