# Camera

The **OcuTrap camera** provides **daytime and night vision capabilities**, allowing users to configure image capture settings based on lighting conditions.

***

### Camera Time-Lapse Mode

OcuTrap can **automatically capture images** at set intervals while the trap is in **armed mode**.

#### Configurable Option

* **Photo Capture Frequency** – Defines how often the camera captures an image while the trap is armed.

{% hint style="info" %}
If images are too frequent, **reduce the frequency** to conserve battery and data. If you need more monitoring, **increase the frequency** to capture more activity.
{% endhint %}

***

### Camera Image Settings

These settings control **image quality, resolution, and night vision brightness**.

* **Image Quality** – Adjusts resolution and compression. Higher quality means clearer images but **increased data usage**.
* **Image Size** – Defines the resolution of captured images.
* **Maximum IR Brightness** – Adjusts infrared light intensity in **night vision mode** to **prevent overexposure or underexposure**.

{% hint style="info" %}
If **daytime images look fine but nighttime images are too dark**, **increase** *Max IR Brightness*.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If **nighttime images are washed out or too bright**, **lower** *Max IR Brightness*.
{% endhint %}

#### Limits for IR Brightness

| **Setting**           | **Min Value** | **Default Value** | **Max Value** |
| --------------------- | ------------- | ----------------- | ------------- |
| **Max IR Brightness** | `0`           | `50`              | `100`         |
| **Min IR Brightness** | `0`           | `20`              | `100`         |

***

### Night Vision & Light Adaptation

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Most users do not need to adjust light settings**, as the camera is designed to work automatically. However, users can fine-tune these settings for optimal image clarity in specific environments.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/JgZ4QdnAyqvIQBjMzp1T" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The camera **automatically adjusts** between **color mode** (daytime) and **night vision (greyscale)** based on ambient light levels.

#### Automatic Light Switching

* **Dark Lux Threshold**
  * If ambient light **falls below this value**, the camera activates **night vision mode** (greyscale) and **enables IR**.
* **Dynamic Light Adaptation**
  * When light is **between the two thresholds**, the IR brightness **gradually adjusts** to optimize visibility.

#### Limits for Light Thresholds

| **Setting**              | **Min Value** | **Default Value** | **Max Value** |
| ------------------------ | ------------- | ----------------- | ------------- |
| ***Dark Lux Threshold*** | `10.0`        | `20.0`            | `100.0`       |

{% hint style="info" %}
If **daytime images are still in greyscale**, **lower** *Dark Lux Threshold* so the camera switches to color mode sooner.

If **nighttime images are still in color and too dark**, **increase** *Dark Lux Threshold* to enable greyscale mode earlier.
{% endhint %}

***

### Understanding and Adjusting Image Quality

If you experience **image quality issues**, use the guide below to fine-tune your settings:

| **Issue**                                         | **Cause**                        | **Solution**                                                            |
| ------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Daytime images appear too dark**                | *Dark Lux Threshold* is too high | Lower *Dark Lux Threshold* so the camera switches to color mode sooner. |
| **Daytime images are blurry**                     | Low image quality setting        | Increase **Image Quality** in settings.                                 |
| **Nighttime images are too dark**                 | IR brightness is too low         | Increase *Max IR Brightness* to enhance night vision.                   |
| **Nighttime images are too bright or washed out** | IR brightness is too high        | Lower *Max IR Brightness* to prevent overexposure.                      |
| **Images have too much glare**                    | Reflections from IR light        | Adjust trap positioning or lower *Max IR Brightness*.                   |
| **Images are too pixelated**                      | Low resolution setting           | Increase **Image Size** or **Image Quality**.                           |

***

### How OcuTrap Adapts to Different Light Conditions

| **Light Condition**                              | **Camera Mode**              | **IR Brightness**                       |
| ------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Bright daylight** (above *dark lux threshold*) | **Color**                    | **Off**                                 |
| **Low light/Night** (below *dark lux threshold*) | **Greyscale (night vision)** | ***Between Max and Min IR Brightness*** |

***

### Summary of Best Practices

**For Most Users:**

* No need to adjust light settings—the camera adapts automatically.

**If Adjustments Are Needed:**

* **Improve night images** → Increase `maxIrBrightness`.
* **Fix overexposed IR images** → Lower `maxIrBrightness`.
* **Make daytime images clearer** → Increase **Image Quality**.


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