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(Click a picture to see bigger one.)
For the Camera For K project, I hacked the Canon WL-DC100 Wireless Controller so that disabilities can operate a camera using their familiar input devices such as a big switch button, a joystick and a touch switch button. Here is the process of it.
1. Preparing Step
 
* smaller than expected * using 3V CR 2025 battery
 
* no signal * emitting signal
A remote controller usually uses Infra Red (IR) LED that we can't see with our eyes but can see through a camera. BUT, DO NOT BELIEVE THIS. I saw an IR signal but, the remote controller didn't work at all. It worked after changing a battery.
2. Start Hacking
 
* Uncover the button surface * Back side of the board
I opened to figure out how I could hack this. The front side was so simple, it seemed just closing the circuit would be work perfect. But, the back side looked I couldn't solder by my hand because every part was too tiny as well as hard to find the connection status.
* schematic of the switch circuit.
I tested the circuit and found that I didn't need 16 wires (8 button x 2 wires/button) but, only 7 wires becuase buttons were sharing the connections.
3. Soldering - totally struggled
 
* first piece * using guidance of solder
The part using for the original button didn't have good surface for soldering. Therefore I uncovered the coating with fine-metal-wool so that make it better for solder and then covered with hot glue.(left pic) At first time, it seemed fine but turned out very unstable connection.
I've tried several alternative methods such as put guidance of solder. (right pic) It also failed.
* forced the wire (with tape in this picture)
The next thing I tried was physically pressing the wire after soldering to attach firmly with the surface. It worked well so I went further step.
* took IR LED out from the remote controller
I re-wired IR LED by unsoldering and soldering so that I can just attach LED rather than whole remote controller to a camera. BUT, in this step, the remote controller was broken. I think I burned the circuit.
4. Final product and test
 
* Testing * connect to 1/8" female socket
Finally, I made the same one with a new remote controller and tested successfully. Then, I connected the wires to 1/8" female mono audio socket for making an interface to connect with switches that the kids and the school already had and were familiar with. For examples,
 
* jelly bean switch (?) * microlite switch
5. Future Plan
Since, the connection is somehow unstable, I need to find better solutions. I researched with the keywords, "remote controller hack", and I got these results that described how to hack IR signal and make own remote controller.
http://www.thenorth.com/APBLOG4.nsf/0/5826429868D4A610852570E7001273D9
http://features.engadget.com/2004/07/27/how-to-turn-your-ipod-in-to-a-universal-infrared-remote-control/
http://www.gogglemarks.net/index.php?action=display&tag=irclock
http://users.tkk.fi/~jwagner/electr/d70remote/
http://www.chantalcurrid.com/remoteControl.htm
I also found this excellent product. - gentled. I will use devices for future products because the therapists of the school wanted a sustainable product rather than an one-time product. I will write more about this issue soon.
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Commented by John S at 2007/04/24 15:25 
