Project

ASCII art is a graphic design technique that creates images using characters from a set of character instead of pixels.

The goal of the ASCII Camera is to use real-time image processing to convert camera input to ASCII art.

Why build this?

• ASCII art is a unique storytelling medium, with strengths and weakness.
• A handheld camera gives the user real-time feedback.
• Image processing techniques have implications in many fields.

System

Methods

Design and Hardware

• The ASCII Camera uses a Raspberry Pi microcomputer to read input from a camera, process image data, and display the ASCII image to a LCD screen.
• I designed a 3D-printed case to make the camera user friendly and easy to hold
• The user can plug a USB drive into the camera for easy exporting of images and videos

Data Processing

• The ASCII camera can take pictures and record video
• The image processing program uses 2D convolution for fast filtering
• Image filtering happens on the Raspberry Pi’s GPU using OpenGL language

Conclusion

The ASCII Camera is able to convert images to ASCII art, which is both legible and visually appeal.

The user is able to easily experiment with the ASCII medium, and save images videos to a USB drive if desired.

Through this process I learned how to:

• Design, build, and test a product
• Use a microcomputer manage inputs and outputs
• Write programs that can run on a GPU
• Optimize filters for real-time applications

Future Improvement:

• Change powersource to rechargeable battery
• Make case smaller and more durable
• Optimize fragment shader for higher resolution and framerate