Echo360 Tools

Summary

The Python script capture_device.py is a wrapper that implements Echo360 Capture Device API Version 3_0.

It is useful as a support tool to control and monitor a capture device.

The classes Echo360CaptureDevice and Echo360CaptureDeviceResponse can be used to automate the operation of a capture device.

I am not associated in any way with echo360.com.

CLI Examples

Simple help is available using: python capture_device.py --help

The following are examples of typical commands:

python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c new-capture --profile "Standard Lecture"
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c confidence-monitor --profile "Standard Lecture"
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c status --count 4 --sleep 5
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c status --count 9999 --sleep 1
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c pause
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c resume
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c extend --duration 300
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c stop
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c ping --url www.google.com
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c traceroute --timeout 20 --url www.google.com
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c log --count 3
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c system-info --timeout 20
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c test-status
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c test-capture --sleep 15
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c test-confidence --sleep 15

The default username is admin. Note all lecture controllers are able to use secure HTTP (HTTPS). If that is the case, use http instead of https.

Replace the IP address (10.10.10.10) in the URL with the IP address of your Lecture Capture device.

Typical Usage

Two command windows, one for monitoring:

python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c status --count 9999 --sleep 1

And the other for the control commands:

python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c new-capture --profile "Standard Lecture"
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c pause
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c resume
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c extend --duration 300
python capture_device.py -s https://10.10.10.10 -p "letmein" -c stop

The monitoring output while the commands above are executed will look something like:

...
State=inactive
State=waiting; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=waiting; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=waiting; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=waiting; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=active; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=active; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
...
State=active; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=active; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=paused; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=paused; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
...
State=paused; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=paused; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=active; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=active; duration=5400; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
...
State=active; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=active; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=complete; duration=5700; start time (local)=2014-07-09T15:08:22
State=inactive
State=inactive
...

Python Classes

The script contains examples of how to use the classes Echo360CaptureDevice and Echo360CaptureDeviceResponse.

sample-status.py is an example using the status/system API:

from capture_device import Echo360CaptureDevice
import sys

device = Echo360CaptureDevice('https://10.10.10.10', 'admin', 'letmein', timeout=5)

if device.connection_test.success():
    print(str(device.status_system()))
else:
    print('Unknown error ({0}): {1}'.format(device.connection_test._result_code, device.connection_test._result_message))

It returns:

status_system: success Ok
Data: content_state: idle
  last_sync: 2014-06-11T02:50:41.276Z
  last_sync_local: 2014-06-11T12:50:41
  serial_number: ff-ff-08-00-ff-ff
  system_version: 5.4.39512
  up_since: 2014-06-07T15:33:45.198Z
  up_since_local: 2014-06-08T01:33:45
  utc_offset: 600
  wall_clock_time: 2014-06-11T02:50:56.749Z
  wall_clock_time_local: 2014-06-11T12:50:56

Sample device controller (Raspberry Pi)

This is a proof of concept for a Smart Capture HD Python controller. It works from a Linux, OS/X command line, or a Raspberry Pi.

Requires diesel.io.

If used on a Raspberry Pi Model B, an LCD Display (and its associated software) is recommended.

The command sudo python echo360/monitor.py room_name or sudo nohup python echo360/monitor.py room_name & will start the controller. The script runs as root to access the LCD display.

Usage

The Raspberry Pi button and CLI character mapping is as follows:

button	character	function
select	a	start
left	b	pause/resume
right	c	stop
up	t	button press test
down	s	display current status

The functions (characters: a, b, c, t, s) can also be used from the command line.

Typical log output (log timestamps are UTC):

[2014/07/21 00:56:46] {monitor} INFO:starting state change monitor for https://10.10.10.10 user admin
[2014/07/21 00:56:46] {monitor} INFO:Commands: a=start/extend; b=pause/resume; c=stop
[2014/07/21 00:56:46] {monitor} INFO:No command line input. Probably running as a daemon.
[2014/07/21 00:56:46] {monitor} INFO:Ready for LCD button
[2014/07/21 00:56:47] {monitor} INFO:Message: State: inactive
[2014/07/21 00:56:55] {monitor} INFO:Execute user command: a
[2014/07/21 00:56:55] {monitor} INFO:Change state to start
[2014/07/21 00:56:55] {monitor} INFO:Message: Command: start
[2014/07/21 00:56:55] {monitor} INFO:Device command: start
[2014/07/21 00:56:55] {monitor} INFO:Name=Lecture Capture 2014-07-21 10:56 room_name
[2014/07/21 00:56:56] {monitor} INFO:Message: State: waiting
[2014/07/21 00:57:05] {monitor} INFO:Message: State: active
[2014/07/21 00:57:17] {monitor} INFO:Execute user command: c
[2014/07/21 00:57:17] {monitor} INFO:Change state to stop
[2014/07/21 00:57:17] {monitor} INFO:Message: Command: stop
[2014/07/21 00:57:17] {monitor} INFO:Device command: stop
[2014/07/21 00:57:17] {monitor} INFO:Message: State: complete
[2014/07/21 00:57:36] {monitor} INFO:Message: State: inactive