Overview
The pi-camera node captures photos and video from Raspberry Pi Camera
modules (CSI ribbon cable) and USB webcams. It supports still image capture, video recording, and basic
motion detection with configurable resolution, quality, and camera adjustments.
Properties
| Property | Type | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| mode | select | "photo" | Capture mode: "photo", "video", or "detect" |
| width | number | 1920 | Image/video width in pixels |
| height | number | 1080 | Image/video height in pixels |
| quality | number | 85 | JPEG compression quality (1-100) |
| format | select | "jpeg" | Output format: "jpeg", "png", or "bmp" |
| rotation | select | "0" | Image rotation: "0", "90", "180", or "270" degrees |
| hflip | boolean | false | Horizontal flip (mirror image) |
| vflip | boolean | false | Vertical flip (upside down) |
| exposure | select | "auto" | Exposure mode: "auto", "short", or "long" |
| awb | select | "auto" | Auto white balance: "auto", "daylight", "cloudy", "tungsten", "fluorescent" |
| duration | number | 5 | Video recording duration in seconds |
| outputDir | string | "/tmp/edgeflow-camera" | Directory to save captured files |
Inputs
Any incoming message triggers a capture. Optionally override settings via payload.
{
"payload": {
"mode": "photo",
"width": 1280,
"height": 720,
"quality": 90
}
}Outputs
{
"payload": {
"filepath": "/tmp/edgeflow-camera/img_001.jpeg",
"filename": "img_001.jpeg",
"size": 245760,
"width": 1920,
"height": 1080,
"format": "jpeg",
"mode": "photo",
"timestamp": 1707734400000
}
}Example Flows
Timelapse Photography
Capture a photo every 60 seconds for timelapse sequences.
[
{
"id": "timelapse-timer",
"type": "inject",
"repeat": "60",
"payload": ""
},
{
"id": "camera-capture",
"type": "pi-camera",
"mode": "photo",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1080,
"quality": 95,
"format": "jpeg",
"outputDir": "/home/pi/timelapse"
},
{
"id": "log-capture",
"type": "debug",
"name": "Timelapse Frame"
}
]Motion-Triggered Security Camera
Capture a photo when PIR sensor detects motion and send notification.
[
{
"id": "pir-sensor",
"type": "gpio-in",
"pin": 17,
"edge": "rising"
},
{
"id": "camera-snap",
"type": "pi-camera",
"mode": "photo",
"width": 1280,
"height": 720,
"quality": 85,
"rotation": "0",
"outputDir": "/home/pi/security"
},
{
"id": "send-alert",
"type": "email",
"to": "admin@example.com",
"subject": "Motion Detected!"
}
]Record Video Clip on Demand
Trigger a 10-second video recording via dashboard button.
[
{
"id": "record-btn",
"type": "ui-button",
"label": "Record Clip"
},
{
"id": "set-video-mode",
"type": "change",
"rules": [
{ "t": "set", "p": "payload.mode", "to": "video" },
{ "t": "set", "p": "payload.duration", "to": 10 }
]
},
{
"id": "video-capture",
"type": "pi-camera",
"mode": "video",
"width": 1280,
"height": 720,
"duration": 10,
"outputDir": "/home/pi/clips"
}
]Common Use Cases
Security Monitoring
Capture images on motion detection and store or send alerts with attached photos.
Timelapse Recording
Schedule periodic captures for plant growth, weather, or construction monitoring.
Quality Inspection
Photograph products on an assembly line and feed images to AI vision models.
Remote Observation
Monitor wildlife, pets, or remote sites with on-demand photo and video capture.