esp-idf-http-camera

Take a picture and Publish it via HTTP.
This project use ESP32 Camera Driver.

Server Side

Download the server from here.

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ESP32 Side

Hardware requirements

ESP32 development board with OV2640 camera.
If you use other camera, edit sdkconfig.default.
From the left:

• Aithinker ESP32-CAM
• Freenove ESP32-WROVER CAM
• UICPAL ESPS3 CAM
• Freenove ESP32S3-WROVER CAM (Clone)

Software requirements

esp-idf v4.4/v5.0.

Installation

For AiThinker ESP32-CAM, You have to use a USB-TTL converter.

ESP-32	USB-TTL
U0TXD	RXD
U0RXD	TXD
GPIO0	GND
5V	5V
GND	GND

git clone https://github.com/nopnop2002/esp-idf-http-camera
cd esp-idf-http-camera
idf.py set-target {esp32/esp32s3}
idf.py menuconfig
idf.py flash monitor

Start firmware

For AiThinker ESP32-CAM, Change GPIO0 to open and press the RESET button.

Configuration

Set the following items using menuconfig.

Wifi Setting

You can connect using the mDNS hostname instead of the IP address.

You can use static IP.

Using mDNS hostname

You can connect using the mDNS hostname instead of the IP address.

• esp-idf V4.3 or earlier
  You will need to manually change the mDNS strict mode according to this instruction.
• esp-idf V4.4
  If you set CONFIG_MDNS_STRICT_MODE = y in sdkconfig.defaults, the firmware will be built with MDNS_STRICT_MODE.
  If MDNS_STRICT_MODE is not set, mDNS name resolution will not be possible after long-term operation.
• esp-idf V4.4.1
  mDNS component has been updated.
  If you set CONFIG_MDNS_STRICT_MODE = y in sdkconfig.defaults, the firmware will be built with MDNS_STRICT_MODE.
  Even if MDNS_STRICT_MODE is set, mDNS name resolution will not be possible after long-term operation.
• esp-idf V5.0 or later
  mDNS component has been updated.
  Long-term operation is possible without setting MDNS_STRICT_MODE.
  The following lines in sdkconfig.defaults should be removed before menuconfig.
  CONFIG_MDNS_STRICT_MODE=y

HTTP Server Setting

Attached File Name Setting

You can choose the file name on the HTTP server side from the following.

• Always the same file name
• File name based on date and time
  When you choose date and time file name, you will need an NTP server.
  The file name will be YYYYMMDD-hhmmss.jpg.

• Add FrameSize to Remote file Name
  When this is enabled, FrameSize is added to remote file name like this.
  20210520-165740_800x600.jpg

Select Board

Select Frame Size

Large frame sizes take longer to take a picture.

Select Shutter

You can choose one of the following shutter methods

• Shutter is the Enter key on the keyboard
  For operation check.
  When using the USB port provided by the USB Serial/JTAG Controller Console, you need to enable the following line in sdkconfig.

CONFIG_ESP_CONSOLE_USB_SERIAL_JTAG=y

• Shutter is a GPIO toggle

  • Initial Sate is PULLDOWN
    The shutter is prepared when it is turned from OFF to ON, and a picture is taken when it is turned from ON to OFF.

  • Initial Sate is PULLUP
    The shutter is prepared when it is turned from ON to OFF, and a picture is taken when it is turned from OFF to ON.

I confirmed that the following GPIO can be used.

GPIO	PullDown	PullUp
GPIO12	OK	NG
GPIO13	OK	OK
GPIO14	OK	OK
GPIO15	OK	OK
GPIO16	NG	NG

• Shutter is TCP Socket
  You can use tcp_send.py as shutter.
  python3 ./tcp_send.py

• Shutter is UDP Socket
  You can use udp_send.py as shutter.
  Requires netifaces.
  python3 ./udp_send.py

• Shutter is HTTP Request
  You can use this command as shutter.
  curl "http://esp32-camera.local:8080/take/picture"

Flash Light

ESP32-CAM by AI-Thinker have flash light on GPIO4.

PSRAM

When you use ESP32S3-WROVER CAM, you need to set the PSRAM type.

View picture using Built-in WEB Server

ESP32 works as a web server.
You can view the pictures taken using the built-in WEB server.
Enter the ESP32's IP address and port number in the address bar of your browser.
You can connect using mDNS hostname instead of IP address.