camera.py

import cv2
import numpy as np

class VideoCamera(object):
    def __init__(self):
        self.video = cv2.VideoCapture(0)
        if not self.video.isOpened():
            print("Warning: Could not open camera. Using placeholder.")
    
    def __del__(self):
        if self.video.isOpened():
            self.video.release()
    
    def get_frame(self):
        if self.video.isOpened():
            success, image = self.video.read()
            if success:
                ret, jpeg = cv2.imencode('.jpg', image)
                return jpeg.tobytes()
        
        # Create placeholder if camera not available
        image = np.zeros((480, 640, 3), dtype=np.uint8)
        cv2.putText(image, "CAMERA NOT AVAILABLE", (100, 240), 
                   cv2.FONT_HERSHEY_SIMPLEX, 1, (255, 255, 255), 2)
        ret, jpeg = cv2.imencode('.jpg', image)
        return jpeg.tobytes()