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PHOTOPC(1)			  User Commands 		      PHOTOPC(1)

NAME
     photopc  -  utility  to  control  digital	cameras  based on Sierra Imaging
     firmware

SYNOPSIS
     photopc [-h] [-V] [-v[v]] [-q] [-z] [-t] [-f timeformat] [-s  <speed>]  [-S
     <pseudo-speed>] [-l <device>] [command [params] ] ...

DESCRIPTION
     This  is  a  command line tool to manipulate digital still cameras that use
     certain control protocol, namely Agfa  ePhoto  line,  Epson  PhotoPC  line,
     Olympus  D-xxxL  line,  Sanyo and Nikon (at least CoolPix 9xx) cameras.  It
     can set camera parameters, download and  erase  pictures,	e.t.c.	 It  was
     originally  developed  for  Epson	PhotoPC 500, now the author uses it with
     Olympus D-600L, results with other models may vary.

OPTIONS
     -h   This option produces a help screen of all options and commands.

     -V   This option prints software revision information.

     -v   This option enables verbose output. Using two -v options increases the
	  level of verbosity. This is primarily meant for debugging.

     -q   This option sets quiet mode.	If it is not specified, the program will
	  show running download progress indicator.

     -z   This option sets no time-zone processing mode.  Use this option if the
	  camera's clock is (should be) set up shifted	by  the  local	timezone
	  offset.

     -s speed
	  This	option	allows	setting  the data rate to use when communicating
	  with the camera.  Valid rates are 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 and 115200
	  (the default).

     -S speed
	  On some UNIX systems with some serial hardware/driver combinations you
	  need to "lie" to the driver about the  communication	speed  that  you
	  want to use at startup and during the session.  Physical startup speed
	  is  always  19200.   E.g.,  if  on  your system speeds up to 19200 are
	  translated one to one, but in order to use  57600  baud  you	have  to
	  specify  50 baud, and you want to run at 57600, you'll need to specify
	  photopc -s57600 -S19200,50 <commands ...>

	  Another example: if your driver will use physical speed four times  as
	  high	as  you  told  it  to set, and you want to run at default 115200
	  physical speed, specify photopc -S4800,28800 <commands ...>

     -t   Set timestamp of generated files to the time of snapshot.

     -f timeformat
	  This option allows to specify the format for	automatically  generated
	  image  file  names;  the  value is used as the format string for strf-
	  time(3) function.  By default, names of the format "MMDD_NNN.jpg"  are
	  generated, where MM is a month, DD is a day, and NNN is a count start-
	  ing from 001.  A good starting point for the timeformat value could be
	  "%Y_%m_%d-%H_%M_%S.jpg".    If  the  format  string  contains  context
	  "%%XXXd" where XXX are digits, it is taken for the count, i.e. if  the
	  file	with  such  name is present, next count is tried.  If the format
	  string does not contain "%%XXXd" part, the count field, if  necessary,
	  is appended at the end of the name.

	  A  few  single-character formats are used as shortcuts.  "x" makes the
	  name of seconds since the epoch in hexadecimal format (8 characters  +
	  ".jpg"),  "d" - the same in decimal format (10 characters), "1" stands
	  for default format "%m%d_%%03d.jpg", "2" stands for "%y%m%d%%02d.jpg",
	  "3"	stands	 for   "%Y_%m_%d-%H_%M_%S.jpg"	 and   4   stands    for
	  "%Y/%m/%d/%H_%M_%S.jpg".   The program attempts to create intermediate
	  directories if necessary (and possible).

     -l device
	  This allows specifying the serial device to use for communicating with
	  the camera. The default is /dev/photopc (which is typically created as
	  a (symbolic) link to the real device, e.g. /dev/ttyS0)  in  UNIX,  and
	  COM1:  in  DOS  and  Windows.  Note that the program does not use UUCP
	  style locks so you need to be certain that no other program,	such  as
	  uugetty, uucico or mouse manager, is trying to access the same device.
	  Another  note:  on  some systems (notably Linux) terminal settings are
	  kept across usage of the serial port by different  programs.	 photopc
	  may  have  troubles if, say, hardware flow control was kept turned on.
	  Try "stty -F /dev/ttyXX sane" if you suspect that you  are  bitten  by
	  this.

COMMANDS
     After the options, one or more commands can be given in the command line.

     Some commands accept frame-list as a parameter.  Frame list is a comma-sep-
     arated  list  of tokens (no whitespace allowed), each of the tokens being a
     word all, or a single number, or two numbers separated by a dash (-), or  a
     number followed by a dash and a word last (without whitespace).

     query
	  Display all current camera settings.

     count
	  Output  the number of pictures stored in the camera.	This is intended
	  for use in shell scripts.

     list
	  List information about frames stored in the camera.  Fields  displayed
	  are:	frame  number,	size of image file, protection state, resolution
	  mode, timestamp and filename if available.  Faster than llist but  may
	  not work with some (older) models.

	  WARNING: this command changes current directory on models that support
	  directory tree on the flash media.

     llist
	  List	more information about frames stored in the camera.  Fields dis-
	  played are: frame number, protection state, size of image file,  reso-
	  lution  mode, flash, shutter and timestamp.  Slower than list and does
	  not work with models that use Exif file format.

	  WARNING: this command changes current directory on models that support
	  directory tree on the flash media.

     cd <path>
	  On the models that support multiple directories on  the  flash  media,
	  change current directory as specified.

	  The  program	chdir's  to the first non-empty folder at the beginning.
	  So, your first cd command must  specify  full  path  starting  with  a
	  slash.  If it where unix you could also cd ../something but here we do
	  not have a way to move up one level.

     protect <frame-list> On | Off
	  Change "protected" status of frames. Frame numbering starts at 1.  The
	  command will fail if the frame number is omitted, not numeric, or does
	  not correspond to a stored frame.  "Protected" frames cannot be erased
	  with "erase" and "eraseall" commands or with the "erase" button on the
	  camera.

     erase <frame-list>
	  Erase  frames.  Frame  numbering starts at 1. The command will fail if
	  the frame number is omitted, not numeric, or does not correspond to  a
	  stored frame.

	  To avoid unexpected results, list of frames specified for this command
	  is sorted and processed in reverse order.

     eraseall
	  Erase all stored frames.

     eraselast
	  Erase most recently taken frame.

     snapshot
	  Take a picture.

     off  Switch off the camera.  This command only has this effect on some mod-
	  els (notably Olympus D-600L).  On other models, it just terminates the
	  session immediately (otherwise the camera would be active several sec-
	  onds	after  the  last  command).  On models with big timeout, such as
	  Photopc 600, it may be wise to always issue "off" at the end	of  com-
	  mand row, to decrease power consumption.

	  All commands going after "off" are ignored.

     image <frame-list> <file-or-dir-name>
	  Download  an image or series of images from the camera to disk file(s)
	  on the host computer.  Frame numbering starts at 1. The  command  will
	  fail	if  the frame number is omitted, not numeric, or does not corre-
	  spond to a stored frame.  Files are stored in JPEG (JFIF or Exif) for-
	  mat.	Image file also contains a thumbnail portion, and set of parame-
	  ters like the shutter speed, date and time, I.D. string and more.  Di-
	  rectory must be specified if frame list is  requested.   If  directory
	  name	is  specified, downloaded file(s) will get unique names starting
	  with month and date of snapshot, unless -f option is	used,  in  which
	  case unique names according to -f option setting.

     thumbnail <frame-list> <file-or-dir-name>
	  Download  a thumbnail image or series of thumbnails from the camera to
	  disk file(s) on the host computer. Frame numbering starts  at  1.  The
	  command will fail if the frame number is omitted, not numeric, or does
	  not  correspond  to  a stored frame. Files are stored in JPEG (JFIF or
	  Exif) format.  If the camera does not keep files in EXIF format,  then
	  the  thumbnail file also contains a set of parameters like the shutter
	  speed, date and time, I.D.  string and more.	Directory must be speci-
	  fied if frame list is requested.   If  directory  name  is  specified,
	  downloaded  file(s)  will get unique names according to -f option set-
	  ting.

     audio <frame-list> <file-or-dir-name>
	  Download an audio notice file or series of files from  the  camera  to
	  disk	file(s)  on  the host computer. Frame numbering starts at 1. The
	  command will fail if the frame number is omitted, not numeric, or does
	  not correspond to a stored frame. Files are stored with ".wav"  exten-
	  tion	but the format is not RIFF WAV format.	It is compressed in some
	  way, probably with some variation of ADPCM.  The  program  stores  the
	  raw  data  as  provided  by the camera, it is not playable as a normal
	  .wav file.  Directory must be specified if frame  list  is  requested.
	  If  directory  name  is  specified, downloaded file(s) will get unique
	  names according to -f option setting.

     preview <file-name>
	  take a `preview' snapshot and save image as a <file-name>.  File is in
	  JPEG (JFIF or Exif) format, and does not contain any additional  data,
	  just plain (very low resolution) image.

     upload <file-name>
	  Upload  image  file  into  the camera.  This command is not enabled in
	  LOWMEMORY version (i.e. under MS/DOS).

	  WARNING!  You cannot upload arbitrary JPEG  file.   Depending  on  the
	  camera  model,  such attempt may result in the image not uploaded, not
	  viewable, or even the camera "hung" needing to remove the batteries to
	  make it work again.  File previously downloaded from the  same  camera
	  model is always uploadable.  Otherwise, your milage may vary.  photopc
	  program does not perform any checks, so it's up to the user to provide
	  the file in proper format.

     mode Record | Play | Thumbnail
	  Set specified operation mode on certain models.

     resolution Hi | Lo | Ext | <number>
	  Set  the camera to high, low or extended resolution mode.  Exact mean-
	  ing of the modes is model-dependant and may  specify	different  image
	  dimensions and/or JPEG compression rate.

     clock
	  Set  the  camera's internal real-time clock using the current date and
	  time from the host computer.	Time of taking a  snapshot  is	included
	  inside  the  JPEG  files produced.  Note that the models which display
	  the time on the LCD will then display  GMT  rather  than  local  time.
	  With	-z  option,  time shifted by the timezone offset is set, and the
	  LCD will display local time.	Using unshifted (GMT) time in the camera
	  seems a proper way to go.

     shutter <speed>
	  Set the camera shutter speed.  Units can be specified in  microseconds
	  or  in  traditional  form like "1/250".  Valid interval depends on the
	  model.  If a value outside the interval is specified, the camera  will
	  set  the  speed  to the nearest margin of the valid interval.  Special
	  speed value auto will set automatic  shutter.   Note	that  this  only
	  works  while	the  camera  is connected to the host, and automatically
	  turns the flash off.	While disconnected, shutter speed is always  set
	  automatically.

     aperture Auto | Lo | Med | Hi
	  Set the lense aperture on models that support it.

     flash Auto | Force | Off | AntiRedeye | SlowSync
	  Set the camera flash mode.

     id <string>
	  Set  the  camera  identifier	string	that is included inside the JPEG
	  files produced.  Only few models support this.

     autoshut-host <seconds>
	  Automatically shut off the camera after that many seconds of	inactiv-
	  ity while connected to the computer (on the host).

     autoshut-field <seconds>
	  Automatically  shut off the camera after that many seconds of inactiv-
	  ity while disconnected from the computer (in the field).

     lcd-autoshut <seconds>
	  Automatically shut off the LCD monitor after that many seconds of  in-
	  activity.

     lcd-brightness <value>
	  Set LCD brightness to the value (valid values are 1 to 7).

     focus Macro | Normal | Infinity
	  Set the lens focusing mode.  As far as I can tell, on fixed focus mod-
	  els  macro  only  means  force  minimum aperture, not change the focal
	  length.  Only has effect in the same invocation with	"snapshot"  com-
	  mand.

     adjust Normal | Contrast+ | Contrast- | Brightness+ | Brightness-
	  Set adjustment of picture brightness/contrast.

     metering Center-weighted | Spot | Matrix
	  Set auto exposure metering mode.

     whitebalance Normal | Sunny | Incandescent | Fluorescent | Flash | Preset |
     Cloudy
	  Set white balance.

     color On | Off
	  Set color or B/W mode.

     dzoom On | Off | <number>
	  Set digital zoom on or off.  Note that it may only work if low resolu-
	  tion was set prior to turning on digital zoom, and only have effect in
	  the  same  invocation  with  "snapshot"  command.  Numeric values have
	  model-dependant meaning.

     zoom <mm>
	  Set optical zoom value on models that support it.

EXAMPLES
     % photopc query

     % photopc -f "image%H:%M:%S" eraseall snapshot image 1 .

OTHER NOTES
     The latest version of this tool  can  be  found  at  http://photopc.source-
     forge.net/

     Trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

KNOWN BUGS
     On  some  models,	powersaving  timeouts are measured not in seconds but in
     1/10 sec units.  The program reports them as in seconds.

     Llist command relies on the format of thumbnail image that does not contain
     necessary information on some models (e.g. Nikon CP 900), this command does
     not work for these models.  List command, on the contrary, do  not  display
     useful  data  on models that do not return it in the register 47 (e.g. Agfa
     780).

     The program is known to have some timing problems talking	to  Nikon  CP900
     when  the	camera	is  "napping" in powersaving mode.  Until the problem is
     solved, a workaround is to run the program this way:

     $ photopc && photopc <command list>

     Nikon seem to have some other problems too, especially when doing "actions"
     (e.g. snapshots, erase).

     Another Nikon problem: if 32Mb (or bigger?) memry	card  is  inserted,  the
     program  cannot  get  the number of frames taken, and if "all" or "NN-last"
     range is specified for downloading, the program  fails.   Specify	explicit
     range  of	frames.   Also, with any card, number of frames taken is not up-
     dated immediately after the "snapshot" command (the same has been	reported
     for  other  models).  If you find how to find the correct number of frames,
     please let me know.

COPYRIGHT
     The program is copyrighted by Eugene G. Crosser  <crosser@average.org>  and
     freely  distributable.  See README file for detailes.  DOS and Windows sup-
     port copyright Bruce D. Lightner <lightner@lightner.net>

CREDITS
     The  man  page  was  originally  written  by   Jeff   Tranter   <jeff_tran-
     ter@pobox.com>,  who  also  contributed  a  few bugfixes.	Some information
     about the serial protocol obtained  from  Jun-ichiro  "itojun"  Itoh  <ito-
     jun@itojun.org>,  Thierry	Bousch <bousch%linotte.uucp@topo.math.u-psud.fr>
     and other contributors.

SEE ALSO
     epinfo(1), strftime(3), protocol description (protocol.htm  in  the  source
     distribution).

PhotoPC manipulation tool	   24 May 1997			      PHOTOPC(1)

Want to link to this manual page? Use this URL:
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