Topcon FC-2600 User manual

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POSITIONING SYSTEMS
FC-2600
Quick Reference Guide
Part Number 1000505-01
Rev A
©Copyright Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.
July, 2012
All contents in this manual are copyrighted by Topcon. All rights reserved.
The information contained herein may not be used, accessed, copied, stored,
displayed, sold, modified, published, or distributed, or otherwise reproduced
without express written consent from Topcon.

ECO#000102

P/N 1000505-01
TOC
i
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................... 1-1
The FC-2600 Digital Camera .......................................... 1-1
Components of the FC-2600 ..................................... 1-1
Positioning the FC-2600 .................................................. 1-2
Settings for the FC-2600 ........................................... 1-3
Getting Started ................................................................. 1-3
Keypad Controls ........................................................ 1-4
Camera Settings for the FC-2600 .................................... 1-5
The Viewfinder ................................................................ 1-10
Taking a Photo Using the FC-2600 ................................. 1-12
Taking Good Photos with the FC-2600 .................... 1-14
Composition ........................................................ 1-15
Focus ................................................................... 1-16
Exposure ............................................................. 1-19
Color Temperature .............................................. 1-23

Table of Contents
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
Notes
ii

FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
Chapter 1
1-1
Introduction
The FC-2600 Digital Camera
The FC-2600 is not your everyday digital camera. The same CMOS
imaging technology found in many digital cameras is present in this
powerful and rugged computer (Figure 1-1).
Figure 1-1. The FC-2600 Hand-Held Computer
Components of the FC-2600
The following are the components of the FC-2600 (Figure 1-2 on
page 1-2):
• The FC-2600 is a 5 megapixel camera (4 megapixel processed).
• The FC-2600 has four illuminators that allows you to take
pictures in low light conditions.
• The FC-2600 has two 635 nm red visible lasers that you can use
to position objects and to align the FC-2600.

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-2
Figure 1-2. Components of the FC-2600 – Back View
The key to taking great pictures with the FC-2600 digital camera is
learning how to properly use it. Before warming up, take the time to
know the FC-2600 to make consistently great quality pictures.
Positioning the FC-2600
The main difference between an off-the-shelf digital camera and the
FC-2600 is how it is held. Whereas traditional cameras include a
viewfinder and sometimes, an LCD display, the FC-2600’s display is
the viewfinder that operates on a horizontal plane. Instead of holding
the FC-2600 up to your eye, you hold it in front of you, about waist
high (or whatever is comfortable).
NOTE
Please refer to your FC-2600 Operator’s Manual
for a comprehensive glossary of photography and
terms, and detailed instructions on how to change
the settings mentioned in this companion guide.
NOTICE
For a detailed description of all FC-2600
components (including indicators and interface
connections) please refer to your FC-2600
Operator’s Manual.
Illuminators Camera Lasers

Getting Started
P/N 1000505-01 1-3
Settings for the FC-2600
Some settings in the FC-2600 can be changed easily while others are
more complex and should be left to the programmer. Depending on
your application, things such as resolution, key controls, and options
to save may already be set up for you (pre-programmed).
Getting Started
Unlike conventional digital cameras, the FC-2600 does not have a
menu system that allows users to directly change camera options,
such as shutter speed and aperture. Because the FC-2600 is a
computer capable of taking pictures, camera functionality is
integrated into an application via eyeware.
Eyeware is an API that enables an application to communicate with
the FC-2600 to take and store pictures. One component of eyeware
enables you to do the following:
• Store different camera settings (shutter speed, aperture, etc.)
• Store picture information
• Key press functions in configuration files that you can load from
your application to take a picture.
When you start eyeware, a configuration file is loaded. This activates
the keys on the FC-2600 or you can use the buttons from your
application to activate camera functions.
You don’t have to write an application to take pictures just yet. Pre-
programmed applications within eyeware Setup allows you to take
pictures until you are ready to take your own.
NOTE
For complete instructions on how to change and
save your settings, refer to the FC-2600 Operator’s
Manual.

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-4
Keypad Controls
When using eyeware with a standard 55-key joystick keypad, use the
default control buttons on the left when taking pictures.
Table 1-1 describes the keys/button on the FC-2600 and their
functions.
Table 1-1. FC-2600 Button/Key Functions
Icon Name Function
Camera Takes a picture
V Viewfinder Toggle
(Turns the viewfinder on and off)
L Lamp Toggle
(Turns the lamp on and off)
S Shutter Toggle
(Changes the shutter cycle)
A Aperture Toggle
(Changes the aperture setting)
Colon (:)
(FUNC + O) Manual Focus Forward
(Changes the focus setting forward)
Semicolon (;)
(FUNC + P) Manual Focus Back
(Changes the focus setting backward)
4 Saves the current picture
1 Deletes the current picture
TIP
Create a custom keypad to work intuitively with
your application.

Camera Settings for the FC-2600
P/N 1000505-01 1-5
Camera Settings for the FC-2600
Eyesee setup is the part of eyeware that allows you to create
configuration files to change camera settings in your application and
determine how eyeware works (Figure 1-3).
Figure 1-3. Eyesee Camera Configuration Screen
Table 1-2. eyeSetup Menu
Menu Item Menu Option/Description
Figure 1-4. Camera Setup – Camera Tab
Image Format select either (HF) 320x200, (VGA) 640x480, (SXGA)
1280x960 or (QSXGA) 2048x1944 resolution.
Lighting select either Daylight, Fluorescent, or Tungsten from the
drop-down box.
Enables you to configure the FC-2600 to compensate for
different light conditions and environments.

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-6
Focus select either Auto, Laser, Macro, 4in (10cm), 9in (20cm),
12in (30 cm), 18in (45cm), or Infinity from the drop-down
box.
Figure 1-5. Camera Setup – Accessories Tab
Lamps check mark the On box for lamps, then select the desired
Intensity in which to display the LEDs.
Lasers check mark the On /picture box for lasers.
Flash move the scale to select a level of intensity for the flash.
Figure 1-6. Camera Setup – Save Tab
Key Press Mode select either Single or Double
Auto Save check mark the On box to automatically save files.
Preview (sec) select the amount of time to preview files.
Table 1-2. eyeSetup Menu
Menu Item Menu Option/Description

Camera Settings for the FC-2600
P/N 1000505-01 1-7
Figure 1-7. Camera Setup – File Tab
Format select either JPG or BMP for graphics
JPG Quality (%) select the level of quality for your JPG graphics
Folder press the Browse button to select a folder to save your
work.
Name enter a filename
Increment select either NOne, Counter, or Date & Time
Figure 1-8. Camera Setup – Viewfinder Tab
Display • Show Viewfinder: check mark this box to display the
viewfinder or uncheck mark to hide viewfinder.
• Show Overlay: check mark this box to display the
overlay or uncheck mark to hide overlay.
Timeout • Enable: check mark this box to enable the timeout
feature.
• Time: select the amount of time (in seconds) for the
timeout.
Table 1-2. eyeSetup Menu
Menu Item Menu Option/Description

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-8
Figure 1-9. Camera Setup – Key Control Tab
Place a check mark
next to the following
parameters to:
• Allow (2) White Balance Change
• Allow (3) Flash Level Change
• Allow (6) Refocus
• Allow (7) Focus Mode Change
Figure 1-10. Camera Setup – Status Bar Tab
Error • displays when an error is detected.
Ready • displays when you are ready to start the viewfinder
(press camera button to focus)
Focusing • displays text when focusing
Capture Ready • displays when your are ready to capture a screen.
Capturing • displays when taking a picture.
Save Ready • text that displays when you save or delete something
Saving • text that displays when you save a file
Table 1-2. eyeSetup Menu
Menu Item Menu Option/Description

Camera Settings for the FC-2600
P/N 1000505-01 1-9
Figure 1-11. Camera Setup – Wedge Tab
Action Select either None, Send file name, or Send file path
Prefix enter a prefix
Suffix enter a suffix
Figure 1-12. Camera Setup – Data Stamp Parameters
Trace Data check mark the Include box to include trace data.
Date/Time Check mark this box to include the following parameters:
• Colors: check mark the color palette icon on the screen
to select a time stamp color.
• Format: select a time and date format from the drop-
down box.
Table 1-2. eyeSetup Menu
Menu Item Menu Option/Description

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-10
The Viewfinder
Press the Camera button for eyeware to:
• Display the viewfinder screen
• Automatically put the camera in focus
• Calculate the exposure setting
By default, a red square or Region of Interest (ROI) displays in the
center of the viewfinder and a status bar displays at the top. A blue
exposure bar displays on the left side of the viewfinder. As the
exposure changes, the blue exposure bar moves up for a brighter
exposure or down for a darker exposure. When the correct exposure
has been reached, the bar remains still and a green box displays. To
readjust the focus, place the center of the subject within the ROI and
press F4. The viewfinder automatically closes if a picture is not taken
within 15 seconds.
Figure 1-13. Camera Setup – Text Stamps Parameters
Filename Check mark the Include box to select a color combination
from the color palette below by pressing the color palette
button.
User Note Check mark the Include box to select a color combination
from the color palette below by pressing the color palette
button.
Table 1-2. eyeSetup Menu
Menu Item Menu Option/Description

The Viewfinder
P/N 1000505-01 1-11
When the focusing process completes, a green square displays on the
right side of the viewfinder. When the exposure has stabilized, a
green square displays on the left side of the viewfinder (Figure 1-14).
Figure 1-14. The Focusing Process
If the camera is overexposed, a red square displays in the top left
section of the viewfinder. In this case, the mirror finish of the license
plate causes a glare (Figure 1-15).
Figure 1-15. An Overexposed Picture

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-12
If the camera has reached an underexposure limit, a red square
appears in the top left section of the viewfinder. In this case, the
mirror finish of the license plate is causing a glare (Figure 1-16).
Figure 1-16. An Underexposed Picture
Taking a Photo Using the FC-2600
If the viewfinder is active and both green squares are visible, press the
Camera button to take a picture.
If the viewfinder is not active, press the Camera button to activate
the viewfinder, wait for two green squares to display, then press the
Camera button again to take a picture. If you are successful in taking
the picture, you can expect the following:
• the FC-2600 makes a beeping noise
• the picture displays in the viewfinder
• an update displays in the status bar
Press 4to save the picture or 1 to delete the picture.
By default, the eyeWARE engine saves the pictures as JPEG files in
the My Documents folder.
NOTICE
If you are not successful in taking a picture, the
FC-2600 makes a buzzing noise.

Taking a Photo Using the FC-2600
P/N 1000505-01 1-13
Hold the FC-2600 parallel to the ground to avoid a skewed
perspective. The best way to hold the FC-2600 is in front of you,
about waist high, with your arms comfortably bent (Figure 1-17).
Figure 1-17. The Correct Way to Hold the FC-2600
Holding the FC-2600 out in front of you with one hand may cause
your image to blur. Using a stationary object for support helps to
reduce the blur (Figure 1-18 on page 1-14).

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-14
Figure 1-18. Reduce Blur by Using a Stationary Support
Taking Good Photos with the FC-2600
There are four basic elements to consider to produce good
photographs.
• Composition
•Focus
• Exposure
• Color Temperature
WARNING
Remember! The Beep is your friend! Don’t move
until you hear the Beep!

Taking a Photo Using the FC-2600
P/N 1000505-01 1-15
Composition
Composition is how the subject is presented in the frame of the
photograph. While basically artistic, composition is important
because it affects the focus and exposure of the picture taken.
Figure 1-19. Top Half and Part of Rear is Cut Off
To avoid the frustration of realizing you have cropped out the
important details of a picture (Figure 1-19), do the following:
• Be certain that your main subject is in the center of the
viewfinder. There should be about 10% of white space around the
subject.
• Use the ROI square as a guide.
• If your ROI square falls on a bright spot or a dark spot, move
slightly to find a neutral zone.
Figure 1-20 shows an improved image of Figure 1-19 above.
Figure 1-20. Full Image of Truck
CAUTION
Some cropping will occur on the sides of your final
image. Make sure that you capture your entire
subject, then take a step back.

Introduction
FC-2600 Quick Reference Guide
1-16
Focus
Focus is the sharpness of the photograph. Images that are out of focus
lose detail and can appear blurry. Poor focus can be the result of one
of the following:
• not waiting for the green focus indicator
• incorrect manual adjustment of the focus
• motion blur
The right focus determines whether your picture comes out blurry or
crystal clear.
To avoid blurry pictures do the following:
• Freeze! Do your best to stay completely still until you hear the
BEEP!
• Use a tripod or brace your hands on a sturdy object like a table
when photographing moving objects.
The photograph shown in Figure 1-21 is out of focus. Details are not
visibly clear.
Figure 1-21. Example of an Out of Focus Picture
NOTICE
Things such as muscle fatigue, too much caffeine,
and impatience can cause you to lose focus in your
picture.
Out of Focus