How do you take a picture automatically that is connected to your computer through USB, using MATLAB code?

I need my code to signal the camera to take a picture once an object is placed in the frame and then store the image in MATLAB.

[Merged information from duplicate question]

The model of the camera I want to access that is connected through USB is a "Windows Life Cam". I need this camera to take picture. My code is only pulling up the Web Cam that is permantly installed on the computer (that comes with the machine). Here is what I have:

vid = videoinput('winvideo', 2);
start(vid);
im = getdata(vid,2);
figure, imshow(im);
imwrite(im, 'myfirstimage.jpg');

Thanks.

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

Did you try the getsnapshot() function? Or did you run imaqtool to see what functions you need to run (there's more than just getsnapshot()).

[Bob]

I used the imaqtool. I found out how to do it. Now I'm just running into how to zoom in with the camera.

Answer 2

[Walter Roberson]

Most cameras do not offer a mechanism for this. Some cameras do. What make and model of camera are you using?

[Bob]

The camera is called "Microsoft Life Camera" which is a web camera. We also need code to zoom and focus on the object.