About This System
Learn about the camera trap monitoring system, its components, and how it works to capture wildlife activity while maintaining autonomous operation.
System Overview
This camera trap monitoring system automatically captures wildlife images using an ESP32-based camera module. The system is designed for long-term outdoor deployment and provides comprehensive monitoring of both wildlife activity and device performance.
The system combines hardware sensing with web-based monitoring to create a complete solution for wildlife observation and research.
Key Features
Automated Image Capture
Photos are taken at regular intervals with precise timestamps. Each image is automatically named with the capture date and time for easy organization and analysis.
Battery Monitoring
Real-time tracking of power levels and system health ensures reliable operation. Battery data is logged continuously and visualized through interactive charts.
Data Logging
All measurements are stored in a local SQLite database for historical analysis. The system maintains detailed records of battery levels, timestamps, and system events.
Web Interface
Easy access to images and system status through this responsive website. View recent captures, browse historical data, and monitor system health remotely.
Date-Based Organization
Images are automatically organized by capture date, making it easy to browse through large volumes of wildlife photos and track activity patterns over time.
Performance Analytics
Daily and weekly battery trend visualizations help monitor device performance and plan maintenance activities to ensure continuous operation.
Technical Implementation
Hardware Components
- ESP32 Microcontroller: Main processing unit with built-in WiFi capabilities
- Camera Module: High-resolution image sensor optimized for outdoor use
- Battery System: Rechargeable power supply with voltage monitoring
- Weather Housing: Protective enclosure for outdoor deployment
Software Architecture
- Firmware: Custom ESP32 code for image capture and data transmission
- Database: SQLite for local data storage and historical analysis
- Visualization: Python scripts using matplotlib for chart generation
- Web Server: Caddy web server for serving the monitoring interface
File Naming Convention
Images follow a standardized naming pattern: cam_01_image_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.jpg
This convention enables automatic sorting, easy identification, and efficient organization of captured images. The timestamp is embedded directly in the filename for reliable chronological ordering.
System Data Flow
- Image Capture: Camera trap device captures images at scheduled intervals
- Data Collection: Battery voltage and system metrics are recorded
- Storage: Images are saved to the file system with timestamped names
- Database Logging: Sensor data is stored in SQLite database with timestamps
- Visualization: Python scripts generate SVG charts from database data
- Web Serving: Caddy web server provides access to images and status data
- User Interface: Web interface displays latest images and system status
System Directory Structure
/home/kris/Project/www_camtrap/
├── index.html # Main dashboard page
├── gallery.html # Image browsing interface
├── about.html # System documentation
├── camtrap-style.css # Website styling
├── plot_camtrap_data.py # Data visualization script
├── battery_status.json # Real-time battery data
├── camtrap_01_data.db # SQLite measurement database
├── images/ # Camera trap image storage
├── static/ # Web assets (favicons, etc.)
├── last_24_hours.svg # 24-hour battery chart
└── last_week.svg # Weekly battery trend chart
System Maintenance
Regular maintenance ensures optimal system performance and continuous data collection:
- Battery Monitoring: Check charge levels daily through the web interface
- Data Updates: Charts and status are automatically updated when the Python script runs
- Storage Management: Monitor disk space usage as image collection grows
- Weather Protection: Inspect housing and connections periodically
- Backup: Regularly backup database and image files for data preservation