How to interface Matlab with an external camera ?

I am looking for help(best if a peice of Matlab code is availble) so that I can interface an external camera with a Matlab program so that the camera takes snapshots at a user-defined rate (e.g. @ one pic per second or one pic every two seconds) and store images on a network drive/PC for further processing. PS: (I'm still confused about wich kind of camera am I going to use knowing that my project consist on default detection in plastic pieces in an industrial chain) and also knowing that i tried to connect my sumsung digital camera to matlab but in vain my question : is all kind of cameras are compatible with matlab ?