Active Server Pages, Script & the

Web CamBy: Shara Rell

CS 460:

Senior Capstone Experience in CS

Dr. David Pankratz

May 8, 2001

Description:

•Design and launch a web server that uses active server pages in an application

General Requirements:

• Research and purchase or secure the necessary equipment and software to implement ASP

•Learn VB Script or Java Script and write a test web server

•Server must collect specific requests from clients (input) and react based on that input

•Design and implement a real-time web server using ASP

•Animate the application over time

Project Definition

-Technology built directly into Microsoft Web servers

-Script is automatically compiled when page is loaded

•Java Script VS VB Script-Client Side Script: executed on the client

-Server Side Script: executed on the server

-What difference does it make where the script is executed?

•Definition: -Files that contain both HTML and script code (VB Script or Java Script) and can make calls to components in other languages like database tables or ActiveX objects

What is ASP?

-Did find a single site with actual video streaming

-Some had automatic update while others had a refresh button

•Much too complex

-Graduate programs that deal only with video streaming

-Madison: sending only some of the information and then using algorithm to fill in the missing areas

•Didn’t have the appropriate equipment

-Needed encoder and decoders

-School lab doesn’t have the equipment to support it

•Other sites with Web Cams

Why Not Video Streaming?

Web Cam

Camera software that will automatically

take the picture and upload it to the

web server.

Web serverLoaded with most

current pic. Every ? Seconds, automatically

updated with newest pic.Or have button that willget newest pic for user.

Client

Loaded with mostcurrent pic. Every ?

Seconds, automaticallyupdated with newest pic.Or have button that willget newest pic for user.

Client

VB program that will copy the image taken

from the camera to one of 100 files.

•Basic Idea

Capture ProgramImage Copy Program

Strategy for Success

Contains thepictures,

html, ASP.

•Not sure how to store the images for later use

-Camera program will automatically take an image and store it in a file but keeps storing in same file

•Racing Conditions

-Have camera program save image in one file and then have another program copy that image to a bunch of different files?

- can’t read and write to same file at the same time

•How do we get the image files on the web server?

-FTP from computer to computer

•What web server are we going to use?

•SNCUW, PWS, NT, YAHOO, ….

Problems

•What is PWS?

-Turns your computer into a miniature web server

-Creates virtual directories that can be linked to anywhere on your computer (C:\MyDocuments or G:\Pankdc)

•Where to get PWS?

-Comes with Windows 95, 98

•Why use PWS?

-Can work on projects at home without constantly uploading them to a web server

-Others can see what you’re working on if connected to network

-Easy to install and use

Personal Web Server (PWS)

•Java Script Samples

-WM_ImageSwap(ImageName, NewSource)

-OverMouse Hyperlink <AHREF="#picture"onmouseover=document.visible.src=imgSrc[0].src >

-Document.Write(“<IMG SRC=“Image1.jpg”>”)

-creates a new image on the page with the given source

-Document.ImageName.Src = “Image1.jpg”

-changes the source of the image called ImageName

•No Good VB Script samples

-Document.Write(“IMG SRC=“Image1.jpg”>)

Image Swapping

Animate()

Fwd() Rev()Stop()

Launch()

AnimateFwd() AnimateRev()GoToImage()

ChangeMode()ChangeSpeed()Array of Images

1

2

3

...

+ -

Java Movie Player

Update( )

setTimeout (“Update();”, delay);

Statement;

Statement;

Statement;

Statement;

•setTimeout(function, delay)

ALARM

While (True) {

Statement;

Statement;

Update();

Alarm(delay);

}

Similar To:

Web CamC:\Inetpub\Asp\Capture.jpg

VBCopy

ProgramImage

ImageImage

C:\Inetpub\Asp\Pic0.jpg

……Pic99.jpg

ImageCaptureProgram

Server ViewFreeCam.exe

Web Cam C:\Inetpub\Asp\Capture.jpg

VBCopy

ProgramImage

Image

C:\Inetpub\Asp\Pic0.jpg

……Pic99.jpg

ImageCaptureProgram

FreeCam.exe

30 Seconds Later…

Client ViewClient 1

Launch()

StopPlayStartUpdate()

Stop()

Update()

+ -

ChangeSpeed()

Client 2

Launch()

StopPlayStartUpdate()

Stop()

Update()

+ -

ChangeSpeed()

Web ServerC:\Inetpub

Image

?

??

? ??

?

??

?

What?!

Learning & Development Process

•Best Learning Technique - where I found answers

-INTERNET!!!!

-Other People

•Knowledge - what MT/CS courses were most helpful

•Further Research or Enhancements?!

-Video Streaming???

•Advice for Next Year Seniors

-Don’t put things off

-Can’t get it, just ask!

•Overall Experience

•Easy Free Web Cam

Capture Programs

-http://www.msagentsoftware.com/easyfreewebcam/index.html

-Written by college group in Germany

•IBM Net Camera

-Free with IBM Net Camera

•WebMedia

-www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/wm7/encoder.asp

-Couldn’t get it to work properly

•Useful Web Sites

-http://www.realnetworks.com/products/producer/info.html

-http://www.playstream.com/home/3minute.asp

-http://www.vivo.com/products/playfree/vaplayer.htm

-http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting/default.htm?jscript

-http://www.4guysfromrolla.com/webtech/

-http://www.faqts.com/knowlegde-base/index.phtml/fid/53/

-http://www.deja.com/usenet/

-http://www.webmonkey.com

•Books

-Active Server Pages by Morneau and Batistick

Resources

•Record small video file or capture still frames

-.AVI (Microsoft) files or .RAM files (RealPlayer)

-.JPG, .BMP ???

•USB Hook Up

•Other Specifications

-Resolution

-Speed

-Picture quality

•PC Cam VS Web Cam

-Make sure it supports video streaming

Web Cam