# Crate Cam

> A bolt-on camera that photographs every crate a weighing or scanning machine already processes, triggered by that machine's own RS232 signal.

- **Page** - https://iotready.com/hardware/crate-cam
- **Family** - [Vision](https://iotready.com/hardware/family/vision)
- **Form factor** - Fixed
- **Datasheet** - https://iotready.com/downloads/crate-cam-datasheet.pdf

## At a glance

- **5 MP** Camera sensor
- **RS232** Trigger + crate ID in
- **<1 s** Capture to buffer
- **BLE / Wi-Fi / GSM** Connectivity, per order

Bolts onto a weighing or scanning machine already in the field and gives it a
photographic record of every crate that crosses it, without touching the host
machine's own logic. The host's existing trigger and crate ID, sent over RS232
the moment a crate is weighed or scanned, tell the addon exactly when to fire
and what to label the shot.

The unit captures the photo, stamps it with the crate ID and timestamp, and
queues it to on-board storage before pushing it out over the link the site
ordered. If that link is down, the queue drains once it returns.

## Specifications

| Parameter | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Camera | 5MP sensor |
| Image format | JPEG, with crate ID and timestamp overlaid on the frame |
| Trigger input | RS232; carries the host machine's trigger and crate ID |
| Trigger latency | < 1 s from RS232 trigger to image queued locally |
| Local buffer | On-board storage; queues captures independent of link state |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LE, Wi-Fi, or GSM/cellular, specified per unit |
| Power | Drawn from the host machine - no separate supply required |
| Mounting | Bolt-on bracket, adjustable to frame the host's crate position |