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ESP32 DIGITAL CAMERA
- Student: Vladescu Adrian-Marian
- Master: SPF
1. Introduction
The objective of this project is to use Internet of Things devices to create a wireless, interactive camera streaming system that can transmit live footage from an ESP32-CAM module to a another ESP32 board that has a 2.8” touchscreen display. A Flask-based web server is also part of the configuration for processing, control, and gallery administration. This project demonstrates how computer vision and user interfaces may be integrated with Internet of Things components like the ESP32 to create responsive, real-time video applications for hobbyist, educational, or surveillance purposes.
2. Camera and Wireless Streaming Concept
Images are captured by the ESP32-CAM module in JPEG format and sent to a local Flask server over HTTP POST via Wi-Fi. This camera has an optional GPIO flash control feature that runs independently. Incoming frames are processed by the server, which then uses OpenCV and PIL to apply filters like grayscale, sepia, and cartoon effects before sending them to a second ESP32 device and a web dashboard. The second ESP32 functions as a wireless receiver and has an XPT2046 touchscreen and a 320×240 TFT display. Through an easy-to-use touch-based user interface, it retrieves the most recent frames from the Flask server, shows them in real time, and facilitates interaction.
3. Project and Hardware Description
Three primary parts make up this system:
*ESP32-CAM records every 100 milliseconds (around 10 frames per second) and uploads JPEG frames to the Flask server. GPIO4 allows for flash control in tandem with server-side toggle requests. * Flask Server (Python): Provides a responsive web dashboard with gallery access and filter controls, handles snapshot saving, applies live filters, and receives and redistributes camera frames. * ESP32-TFT Display: Renders the MJPEG stream on-screen using the TFT_eSPI and TJpg_Decoder libraries. Choosing filters, taking pictures, turning on flash, and perusing the picture collection are all made possible by the touch interface (XPT2046).
