AiM SmartyCam User Manual ver 1.22
SMARTYCAM
User Manual
SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
Dear Customer,
SmartyCam, the new on board camera with data overlay, descends from the great AIM
experience in developing data acquisition systems, mainly for motorsports applications.
SmartyCam can review racing performances on a PC or TV, merging crystal clear images
with graphical data coming from integrated GPS and three-axial accelerometer, as well as
from the ECU (Engine Control Unit from here onward ECU) or from an AIM logger: that is
why SmartyCam can be used in any situation, on any sort of vehicle.
Acquired data can be overlaid to frames in a great variety of formats, configurable by the
user. On a Micro SD card hours of movies and sounds can be saved: ratio depends on the
video quality and is approximately 1 hour = 2 Giga.
It is recommended to periodically check www.smartycam.com for software and/or firmware
updates or – recommended option – subscribe the www.smartycam.com newsletter to
receive all updates in real time.
Warning: this user manual is regularly updated. All new versions can be found on
www.smartycam.com. Please make sure your manual is the latest version
available: the issue number of each manual is reported on the top of the page.
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SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
INDEX
SmartyCam Quick Guide ................................................................................................... 5
1 – SmartyCam stand alone ....................................................................................................................... 5
2 – SmartyCam Slave (connected to an AIM device or the ECU via ECU Bridge) ................................ 6
Chapter 1 – SmartyCam: kit and optional items ............................................................. 7
1.1 – SmartyCam kits .................................................................................................................................. 7
1.1.1 – SmartyCam part numbers ............................................................................................................. 8
1.2 – SmartyCam Bridges kits .................................................................................................................... 9
1.2.1 – ECU Bridge kits ............................................................................................................................. 9
1.2.2 – RPM Bridge kit .............................................................................................................................. 9
1.3 – SmartyCam optional items: cables, external microphone and external GPS ............................ 10
1.3.1 – External GPS module working mode .......................................................................................... 10
Chapter 2 – Data sampled by SmartyCam stand alone/slave ...................................... 11
Chapter 3 – SmartyCam connections ............................................................................ 12
3.1 – Connecting SmartyCam stand alone ............................................................................................. 12
3.2 – Connecting SmartyCam Slave expansion with SMC Bridges ..................................................... 13
3.3 – SmartyCam in Slave expansion mode with AIM loggers ............................................................. 14
Chapter 4 – How to charge SmartyCam battery ............................................................ 15
4.1 – Battery charging via USB ................................................................................................................ 15
4.2 – Battery charging via connector ...................................................................................................... 15
Chapter 5 – SmartyCam configuration ........................................................................... 16
Chapter 6 – How to use SmartyCam .............................................................................. 17
6.1 – “Battery and Memory Status” field ................................................................................................. 17
6.2 – How to switch SmartyCam on/off ................................................................................................... 18
6.3 – “Online” status (or mode) ............................................................................................................... 19
6.4 – SmartyCam “MENU” ........................................................................................................................ 19
6.4.1 – “LAP MANAGEMENT” option ..................................................................................................... 19
6.4.2 – “SETTINGS” option ..................................................................................................................... 20
6.4.2.1 – “CONF LOAD” option ............................................................................................................... 20
6.4.2.2 – Accelerometer calibration: “ACCEL CALIBR” option ............................................................... 21
6.4.2.3 – “TRACKS” option ..................................................................................................................... 21
6.5 – How to record videos ....................................................................................................................... 22
6.5.1 – Manual recording ........................................................................................................................ 22
6.5.2 – Automatic recording .................................................................................................................... 23
6.6 – SmartyCam recording support ....................................................................................................... 23
Chapter 7– Downloading data and viewing SmartyCam videos .................................. 24
7.1 – Downloading data ............................................................................................................................ 24
7.2 – Viewing SmartyCam videos ............................................................................................................ 24
7.2.1 – Viewing SmartyCam videos on the PC ....................................................................................... 24
7.2.2 – Viewing SmartyCam videos on the TV ....................................................................................... 24
Chapter 8 – SmartyCam Maintenance ............................................................................ 25
8.1 – How to update SmartyCam firmware through the micro SD ....................................................... 25
Appendix “A” – Technical specifications ...................................................................... 26
Appendix “B” – SmartyCam Pinout ............................................................................... 27
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SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
INTRODUCTION
SmartyCam features three different working modes.
Stand alone: for non-motorsport applications or for motorsport applications whenever
there is no ECU nor AIM data acquisition system/data logger (from here onward: logger).
Slave connected to the vehicle ECU: for motorsport applications to sample data from the
ECU with no need of additional sensors. In this case an AIM ECU Bridge is required. It is
described in www.smartycam.com, “Accessories” area.
Slave connected to an AIM logger: for motorsport applications when a detailed analysis
of performances is needed, desired. In this case the ECU bridge is not required because
connection to the vehicle ECU is made using an AIM logger. SmartyCam is supported by
the following loggers:
• MXL,
• EVO3,
• EVO4,
• MyChron4.
Information concerning these loggers are on “Car” and “Kart” – MyChron4 only – section
of www.aim-sportline.com.
There is also an intermediate slave connection mode that needs an optional RPM Bridge.
This new AIM device shows on SmartyCam video, but does not to record, RPM value of
the vehicle engine the on-board camera is installed on. This is also possible when the
vehicle has no ECU or the ECU does not communicate through CAN/RS232 or K line
communication protocol (Nascar car for instance). Information concerning this device are
available at www.smartycam.com – “Accessories” section.
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SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
SmartyCam Quick Guide
SmartyCam is a very flexible product: it has been designed to fit the needs of an entry
level user as well as these of a more professional motorsport driver. This flexibility implies
the need for the user to configure the logger using the proper software.
This quick guide includes all essential information for an easy and immediate SmartyCam
use. Any other information is to be looked for in the indicated chapter/paragraph.
1 – SmartyCam stand alone
Battery charge
It is recommended to charge the battery via socket (Chapter 4) and not via PC. In case of
very first usage or after a long period of inactivity please ensure SmartyCam charge status
is at least 80%.
Insert the micro SD
The housing is under the rear flip of the product (close carefully after insertion).
Power on SmartyCam (and enable “AUTO REC” function if desired)
Power on is made through the central button (Paragraph 6.2)
SmartyCam comes with “AUTO REC” function disabled: recording is started/stopped
manually pressing “Rec” and – at the end of the recording session – “Stop” (Paragraph
6.5.1). Enabling “AUTO REC” recording is automatically started/stopped when
acceleration exceeds the threshold set by user (Paragraph 6.5.2). This way there is no
need of intervention on the camera while travelling.
Install SmartyCam in the desired position
Install SmartyCam in the right position to shoot: the display shows a frame preview.
Optional kits are available for any kind of installation (roll-bar, with suction cup, etc.). They
are shown on www.smartycam.com, Accessories>>Bracket kits.
Calibrating the accelerometer
Accelerometer calibration is important because it influences the accuracy of acceleration
measurement as well as the taken images centring (Paragraph 6.4.2.2).
Recording movies
Shooting can be managed manually or automatically (Paragraph 6.5). SmartyCam movies
can be in .mov or in .avi format with H.264 codec. It is suggested to use VLC player
(downloadable from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ ). To edit movies use AVS Video Editor
(downloadable from http://www.avsmedia.com/it/avs-video-editor.aspx).
Downloading movies on a PC
SmartyCam allows to download data both via USB and manually extracting the micro SD
from the rear flip of SmartyCam and inserting it in the PC reader (Chapter 7). It is
reminded to use only a 2.0 type USB port.
Install SmartyManager software on the PC
It is needed to: download new firmware versions from www.smartycam.com
– Updates
area – and update SmartyCam functionalities, modify/add/delete overlay configurations
and download/see movies (Chapter 7). SmartyManager is on the CD of SmartyCam kit
and can be downloaded from the same website. Periodically check possible new
software/firmware releases.
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SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
2 – SmartyCam Slave (connected to an AIM device or the ECU via ECU
Bridge)
Install SmartyManager and Race Studio 2 software on the PC. The first one is needed
to download new firmware versions from download area of www.smartycam.com and
update SmartyCam functionalities, modify/add/delete overlay configurations – if desired –
and download/see SmartyCam movies (Chapter 7). The CD included in SmartyCam kit
contains SmartyManager and Race Studio 2 that can also be downloaded from
www.aim-sportline.com, download area >>software section. Periodically check possible
new software/firmware releases.
Configure the logger (or Bridge) with Race Studio 2
See Race Studio Configuration user manual, downloadable from download
area>>software section of www.aim-sportline.com to know how to configure each logger
and Bridge.
Configure SmartyCam with SmartyManager
See SmartyManager user manual downloadable from www.aim-sportline.com download
area>>software section.
Connect SmartyCam to the logger/Bridge
Each logger connection mode is shown in “Connection” area of www.smartycam.com.
Insert the micro SD
The housing is under the rear flip of the product (carefully close after insertion).
Install SmartyCam in the desired position
Install SmartyCam in the right position to shoot: the display shows a frame preview.
Optional kits are available for any kind of installation (roll-bar, with suction cup, etc.). They
are shown on www.smartycam.com, Accessories>>Bracket kits.
Power on SmartyCam
SmartyCam switches on as soon as the camera detects the 12V power.
Power on is also made through the central button (Paragraph 6.2)
Calibrating the accelerometer
Accelerometer calibration is important because it influences the accuracy of acceleration
measurement as well as the taken images centring (Paragraph 6.4.2.2).
Recording movies
Shooting can be managed both manually and automatically (Paragraph 6.5). SmartyCam
movies are in .mov or in .avi format with H.264 codec. It is suggested to use VLC
player (downloadable from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ ). To edit movies use AVS Video
Editor (downloadable from http://www.avsmedia.com/it/avs-video-editor.aspx).
Downloading movies on a PC
SmartyCam allows to download data both via USB and manually extracting the micro SD
from the rear flip of SmartyCam and inserting it in the PC reader (Chapter 7). It is
reminded to use only a 2.0 type USB port.
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SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
Chapter 1 – SmartyCam: kit and optional items
SmartyCam package includes a complete kit that permits standard usage: in this manual
some optional items are also shown, which can be useful in particular situations.
1.1 – SmartyCam kits
Stand alone kit:
1 – SmartyCam;
1 – power supply;
1 – adapter;
1 – external GPS module;
1 – power and battery charge cable;
1 – USB cable for data download and battery charge;
1 – 4 Giga Micro SD;
1 – SmartyCam user manual;
1 – SmartyManager user manual
1 – CD containing SmartyManager software and USB driver.
Slave kit with AIM Bridge or logger (EVO3 Pro/Pista, EVO4, MXL Strada/Pista /Pro05,
MyChron4):
1 – SmartyCam;
1 – power supply;
1 – adapter;
1 – external GPS module;
1 – 2m or 4m CAN cable (for AIM logger/Bridge connection);
1 – USB cable for data download and battery charge;
1 – 4 Giga Micro SD;
1 – SmartyCam user manual;
1 – SmartyManager user manual;
1 – CD containing SmartyManager + Race Studio 2 software and USB driver.
Warning: to use SmartyCam in slave mode an ECU Bridge or an RPM Bridge
(optional) or the appropriate AIM logger is needed.
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SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
1.1.1 – SmartyCam part numbers
As shown here below, SmartyCam part number is made up of 11 alphanumeric types, 7 of
which already settled.
Here follows explanation of how o determine the four remaining types.
CAN or power cable selection:
To use the on board camera in standalone mode a power cable is needed. All
cables are available in 2 or 4 meters length: generally the short one is
recommended for bikes and karts while the 4 meters one for cars.
To use the camera with Bridge or logger a CAN cable and not a power cable is
needed.
Available options are:
1 – Power cable 2m long
2 – Power cable 4m long
3 – CAN cable 2m long
4 – CAN cable 4m long
GPS cable length selection:
Available options are:
1 – GPS cable 2m long
2 – GPS cable 4m long
Lens type selection:
Two lens types are available: with 67° horizontal field of view (HFOV) or a wider
one, with 84°(HFOV). The 84° lens is recommended for kart, bike, formula car
and open roof car in general. The 67° lens is the best choice for closed roof cars
(i.e. touring cars).
Available options are:
S – 67° lens
W – 84° lens
Optional microphone selection:
If no additional microphone is needed, input 0. If an additional microphone is
needed choose the cable chosen above (step 1):
1. with a jack (to connect a microphone of your choice), or alternatively
2. with a microphone (supplied by AIM) already jointed to the cable
Available options are:
0 – No additional microphone
1 – Power cable or CAN cable with Jack for external microphone
2 – Power cable or CAN cable with external microphone.
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SmartyCam
User Manual
Release 1.22 – firmware version 1.03.10
1.2 – SmartyCam Bridges kits
There are two available Briges for SmartyCam: ECU Bridge and RPM Bridge.
1.2.1 – ECU Bridge kits
There are two available ECU Bridges, required to connect SmartyCam to the vehicle
ECU. Their part number changes according to the communication protocol they are
equipped with.
• ECU Bridge with CAN/RS232 communication protocol: X90BGGPI2R
• ECU Bridge with CAN/K Line communication protocol: X90BGGPI2K
Each ECU Bridge kit includes:
1 – ECU Bridge
1 – USB cable.
Refer to www.smartycam.com, accessories area for further information concerning ECU
Bridges.
1.2.2 – RPM Bridge kit
RPM Bridge is needed to view RPM values on SmartyCam videos. The kit includes:
• RPM Bridge
• USB cable
RPM Bridge kit part number is: X90BGGP3RPM
Refer to www.smartycam.com, accessories area for further information concerning RPM
Bridge.
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