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I have been working on a webcam mod for my x61 recently, so would like to share with the results so far.
As you know there is no much space inside the x61 screen to place a webcam. So for me there are two options:
1. a tiny webcam module from another model to be small enough to fit into the space for bluetooth module, below the screen. As an alternative an endoscope module can be considered, as they are generally smaller than average webcam. The only concern would be the focal distance of such cameras.
2. to find a module which has a tiny lens attached to its board through a ribbon cable. Such camera can be added to the top of the bezel and be wired down either to bluetooth section or down to the mainboard where its board can be positioned. Here are few examples:
For now I have been playing with webcam and endoscope modules. I tried one very tiny endoscope module
the link
but, unfortunately couldn't make it work. I don't know why it didn't work, but the poor support from the seller didn't help me either.
I will return to endoscope modules later. Have ordered several different modules to play with. They haven't arrived yet though.
So for now I am focusing on webcam modules from different laptops.
The main problem here is the size. I couldn't find a module to be small enough, so I started to look for a one that can be trimmed to a smaller size. The one I found is the T410/510 camera. Its edges do not contain major circuit components, there might be few contact lines which can be replaced with soldering.
here is the one I used.
The module is not a common 5v. It is using 3.3v. At first I was planning to wire it down to the motherboard and connect it to a usb via an LM3940 voltage regulator. Another option was connecting it to the bluetooth connector on the lcd cable. Luckyly the bluetooth module uses 3.3v as well. With the help of flyingfishfinger who made a pinout of the bluetooth connector I made a connector for it. The connector used here (the one on the bluetooth module) is the HIROSE DF12(3.0)-14DS-0.5V(86). Can be ordered from mouser.ch. The connector is really tiny. Soldering is a real pain (at least with my skills), but after an hour of soldering under a microscope I managed to do it.
the pinout of the connector on the cable
the HIROSE DF12(3.0)-14DS-0.5V(86) connector
the USB pinout of the webcam
The connector soldered 2 3
camera vs space
connector soldered for trial
a selphie
Thus, the camera is working! Now I need to trim it a bit to fit into the space. The connector will be attached to the board at the back (same way as the BT module)
will update the thread according to the progress.
Cheers,
VA
!!!
.
