RoastLogger with USB & webcam input

Roasters and roasting

Moderators: GreenBean, Gouezeri, bruceb, CakeBoy

RoastLogger with USB & webcam input

Postby GreenBean » Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:15 am

RoastLogger can log and chart your roasts in real time as the roast progresses and, with suitable hardware, can also provide computer control of your roaster.

See the RoastLogger website for full details of the current version including screenshots and details of how to download and install.

Image

This thread covers the development of RoastLogger from the first version, that exclusively read temperature data from the computers display via webcams, to the current version that can provide computer control and accepts temperature input from a range of input devices.

The thread is now rather long making it difficult to find information on a particular input device. To assist in that regard the following table lists some key stages in development when various input/control interfaces where added. The table indicates the page number in this thread and the date of the relevant first post related to the update:

Image

____________________________________________________________

The initial title for this thread was "The roast logger Heath Robinson would be proud of?" this is referred to in the following post.

Just in case Heath Robinson is not known so well outside the UK: From Wikipedia:
"Heath Robinson" has entered the language (in British usage) as a description of any unnecessarily complex and implausible contraption.

I am posting this in the members area to see if any TMC members wish to give it a try and advise if they think it is suitable for general release.

This started as a bet and a bit of a joke with my son. It was not supposed to be serious, and It may have been more sensible to delay posting this until April 1st next year. But ....... it works! ....... it works very well! ..... Well for me anyway. See the photos below.

My son has recently graduated from Cambridge in Computer Science and is home on holiday before he starts work. I was discussing with him the real difficulty of developing a program to read temperature data from different multi-meters in different operating systems.

I jokingly suggested that it would be easier to use a webcam to display an image of the instruments digital display on the computer and then capture the image in a program that would process the image and use optical character recognition to read the data and log/chart it. I also suggested that this approach would work just as well for roasters with built in temperature displays but no interface to the computer.

My son laughed and said it would be way too difficult. So that was it, it had to be done!

I know this is a really crazy idea and can hardly be described as plug and play but I am now using it to log all my roasts on the Hottop Programmable. It has not missed a beat in several hundred readings.

It will ONLY work from a good clean focused steady webcam image with uniform lighting (no shadows or highlighting in the image). To achieve this the following is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL:-

- Reasonable quality webcam that can be focused at distances of 10 to 40 cm.
- Support bracket to hold the webcam steady in relation to the digital display.
- A small screen (any uniform colour) positioned so that the reflection the webcam sees in the display is of Nothing but the screen. See my circular "shreddies" screen painted matt black and mounted on the camera focusing ring for one solution. I can not emphasise enough that this is essential. If you can see anything in the image other than the digital display it will not work reliably.

So if you have read on to this point without collapsing into fits of laughter, are willing to make the support bracket and screen, would like to play with the beta version and test it in the near future, I will email a copy to the first few people to PM me with their email address. All I ask for in return is feedback on how it works (or doesn't) for you.

The program can read two separate temperature displays simultaneously and log/chart both. It saves logs to comma separated value files suitable for spreadsheet programs. Any previously saved log can be read in to use as a template for the next roast. The program will work on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux or OSX (64 bit only for OSX) provided that the Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 or above is installed. The only other software required is whatever program/drivers you use to display webcam images on your computer.

If people are interested and further testing goes well I will make this generally available for download.

The general arrangement. Note the high tech Shreddies anti reflection screen!
Image

The layout. The area to capture is placed on the RHS of the screen.
Image

The captured and processed image. The result must be black characters on white background. The program can invert black to white for reading LED's and can rotate the image 180 degrees if necessary.
Image

Having captured the image the logger records the results at 5 - 60 second intervals as chosen by the user.
Buttons are provided to record time and temp. at the main roast stages.
Image

The log is automatically charted against any previous roast profile. This chart is from a 5 second interval log. The chart is much smother if 30 second or 60 second interval is used.
Image

The program can save the chart as a png file.
Image

Any previous profile can be used as a template. The main roast stages of the template are listed for guidance and the profile shown on the chart.
Image

Alarms can be set as shown.
Image

Webcam capture. Note the uniform background in the area of the temperature display shielded by the screen and the reflections below the screen (above on the image as the camera is upside down).
Image
Last edited by GreenBean on Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:46 pm, edited 11 times in total.
Image

Izzo Alex Duetto | Gaggia XD 2 Group | Mazzer Super Jolly | La Cimbali Max | Solis 166 | Dalian 1 kg roaster | Hottop P | Hottop B | French Press (several) | Kettle modded, no really, added digital thermometer |
User avatar
GreenBean
 
Posts: 2215
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:15 pm
Location: Chester

Postby EricC » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:03 am

Fantastic, absolutely brilliant. 8)

Trust you to come up with this just AFTER i have sold my Hottop. :wink:

All the Best
Eric
KvdW Speedster, Versalab M3/4, Kafatek Monolith MAX
User avatar
EricC
 
Posts: 692
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 3:31 pm
Location: Liverpool

RE: The roast logger Heath Robinson would be proud of?

Postby bruceb » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:11 am

Bean, this is so ingenious and so off the wall that I'm going to have to try it. I hope you get the job instead of your son! Congratulations, nonetheless, on his graduation from Cambridge.
:D
Three Francesconi (CMA) espresso machines - Rossi, San Marco, LaCimbali, Faema and 2 Mazzer Major grinders- CoffeeTech Maggionlino, Hottop, Alpenröst and HW Precision roasters.
I decided I needed a bit of a change so I roasted some Monsooned Malabar. That was a change!
Image
User avatar
bruceb
 
Posts: 5361
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:49 pm
Location: Northern Hesse, Germany

Postby EricC » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:30 am

Yes, of course. :oops: :oops: :oops:

Congratulations to both you and your son on his graduation from Cambridge in Computer Science.

It must be in the Genes. :wink:
KvdW Speedster, Versalab M3/4, Kafatek Monolith MAX
User avatar
EricC
 
Posts: 692
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2004 3:31 pm
Location: Liverpool

Postby GreenBean » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:37 am

Thanks guys :D . A copy will be sent to you in the near future Bruce. I have not written a help file or any instructions for it yet but hopefully you will get the idea from the screen shots.
Image

Izzo Alex Duetto | Gaggia XD 2 Group | Mazzer Super Jolly | La Cimbali Max | Solis 166 | Dalian 1 kg roaster | Hottop P | Hottop B | French Press (several) | Kettle modded, no really, added digital thermometer |
User avatar
GreenBean
 
Posts: 2215
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:15 pm
Location: Chester

Postby DrTom » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:54 am

Is this awesome?

Yes/Yes

Delete as appropriate.
DrTom
 
Posts: 466
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:00 am
Location: NE England

Postby CakeBoy » Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:05 am

This is so mad that it's brilliant. Just goes to show how fine the line is between genius and madness ;)

We would love to try it but are also Hottopless. Perhaps it will spur us on to sort out a decent probe system in the Pinhalense at last.

Superb innovative stuff GB.

Stickying this :)
www.CakeBoy.co.uk
International muffin blagger

Iberital L'Anna 1 Gp Hand-Fill | Wega Orion 2 Gp | Bezzera 1 Gp | Rancilio Audrey PID | Spidem Trevi
Iberital MC2 Timed | Macap M4 DS & MXA DS | Mazzer SJ | Starbucks Barista Grinder (Dualit E60/Solis 166)
Pinhalense 2x500g Gas Batch/Sample Roaster | Gene Cafe | IMEX CR-100
Aerobie | eSantos | Zassenhaus | Bodum P/Over | Chemex | Hario Woodneck | Timer Filter
User avatar
CakeBoy
 
Posts: 10006
Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:43 pm
Location: Oxfordshire, England

Postby MKSwing » Thu Aug 27, 2009 10:13 am

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant ! :)
Did you try with the isight of the macbook ?
Stephane Cataldi
Coffee keeps your spirit levels high !
User avatar
MKSwing
 
Posts: 517
Joined: Mon May 03, 2004 7:32 pm
Location: Louargat

Postby GreenBean » Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:00 am

Please don't get carried away yet folks. This needs testing in the real world on different equipment to see how easy or otherwise it is for people to get it working on their equipment.

CakeBoy wrote:We would love to try it but are also Hottopless. Perhaps it will spur us on to sort out a decent probe system in the Pinhalense at last.


I may not have been clear. The program is not Hottop specific. It should work on most LCD or LED displays showing temperature readings. I developed it on a digital multimeter LCD and an LED display. The Hottop was only tried once I saw that the program actually works. Reading the Hottop display is actually more difficult than other displays because of the horrible light blue backlight to the display.
Image

Izzo Alex Duetto | Gaggia XD 2 Group | Mazzer Super Jolly | La Cimbali Max | Solis 166 | Dalian 1 kg roaster | Hottop P | Hottop B | French Press (several) | Kettle modded, no really, added digital thermometer |
User avatar
GreenBean
 
Posts: 2215
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:15 pm
Location: Chester

Postby GreenBean » Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:11 am

MKSwing wrote:Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant ! :)
Did you try with the isight of the macbook ?

I have not tried it. I do not consider the usual notebook built in webcams suitable for this. You really need a webcam that can be held in a fixed position relative to the display. My webcam is years old, a logitech notebook and cost about £15 but is much better quality than the built in cameras and can be focused close enough to the display to make the support bracket a reasonable length.
Image

Izzo Alex Duetto | Gaggia XD 2 Group | Mazzer Super Jolly | La Cimbali Max | Solis 166 | Dalian 1 kg roaster | Hottop P | Hottop B | French Press (several) | Kettle modded, no really, added digital thermometer |
User avatar
GreenBean
 
Posts: 2215
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:15 pm
Location: Chester

Postby bruceb » Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:24 pm

I have a somewhat newer Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 USB with a Carl Zeiss Tessar objective and it works a treat with GB's software. I just got it installed on my "Roaster-dedicated" laptop and it reads the digital temperature display without difficulty. I don't have time to do a roast today, but it looks like a real winner here.
:D :D
Three Francesconi (CMA) espresso machines - Rossi, San Marco, LaCimbali, Faema and 2 Mazzer Major grinders- CoffeeTech Maggionlino, Hottop, Alpenröst and HW Precision roasters.
I decided I needed a bit of a change so I roasted some Monsooned Malabar. That was a change!
Image
User avatar
bruceb
 
Posts: 5361
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:49 pm
Location: Northern Hesse, Germany

Postby GreenBean » Thu Aug 27, 2009 1:47 pm

bruceb wrote:I have a somewhat newer Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000 USB with a Carl Zeiss Tessar objective and it works a treat with GB's software. I just got it installed on my "Roaster-dedicated" laptop and it reads the digital temperature display without difficulty. I don't have time to do a roast today, but it looks like a real winner here.
:D :D

Great news Bruce. We eagerly await your results and verdict on ease of use. :? :D
Image

Izzo Alex Duetto | Gaggia XD 2 Group | Mazzer Super Jolly | La Cimbali Max | Solis 166 | Dalian 1 kg roaster | Hottop P | Hottop B | French Press (several) | Kettle modded, no really, added digital thermometer |
User avatar
GreenBean
 
Posts: 2215
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:15 pm
Location: Chester

Postby bruceb » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:34 pm

Well, I did a quick "dry run," ie. without beans and it works perfectly. I'll do a roast or two tomorrow and post screenshots and pictures. I'm mightily chuffed with this program. It's easy to use and self explanatory. I wish some other software I am forced to use was as user friendly as this one is. Thanks GB!
:D :D :D
Three Francesconi (CMA) espresso machines - Rossi, San Marco, LaCimbali, Faema and 2 Mazzer Major grinders- CoffeeTech Maggionlino, Hottop, Alpenröst and HW Precision roasters.
I decided I needed a bit of a change so I roasted some Monsooned Malabar. That was a change!
Image
User avatar
bruceb
 
Posts: 5361
Joined: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:49 pm
Location: Northern Hesse, Germany

Postby JulieJayne » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:42 pm

Brilliant, utterly brilliant. This could be the first time that I have found a serious use for a webcam... Now I will just have to buy one and figure out hoe it works, and then how to connect it to the Gene Cafe.
Espresso: BFC TCI Lira.
Grinders: Eureka Mignon (2), Mahlkonig Guatemala,
Roaster: Gene Cafe.
Retired... Cimbali Junior, Cimbali Alinox.
User avatar
JulieJayne
 
Posts: 371
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:06 pm
Location: Dordrecht, Nederland

Postby GreenBean » Fri Aug 28, 2009 6:31 am

JulieJayne wrote:Brilliant, utterly brilliant. This could be the first time that I have found a serious use for a webcam... Now I will just have to buy one and figure out hoe it works, and then how to connect it to the Gene Cafe.


Bad news for the Gene Cafe I am afraid. If I remember correctly it uses the same display to show both the set temperature and the current temperature, alternating from one to the other. I don't think it can be set to show just the current temperature. This would produce strange and wonderful charts! :cry:
Image

Izzo Alex Duetto | Gaggia XD 2 Group | Mazzer Super Jolly | La Cimbali Max | Solis 166 | Dalian 1 kg roaster | Hottop P | Hottop B | French Press (several) | Kettle modded, no really, added digital thermometer |
User avatar
GreenBean
 
Posts: 2215
Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 2:15 pm
Location: Chester

Next

Return to Roasting - Equipment and Techniques

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 17 guests

cron