IPC@CHIP Internet demonstration


Internet visualisation examples.
The next examples show how you can visualise up to date information from the SC12 in a web-browser. Each method has it's advantages and disadvantages. It is often not easy to make an objective comparison. The strength lies in the combination of methods. The example under Java combines Javascript with Applets. The Speech example combines the MS-Agent with ACP and Javascript.
These examples can help you in finding the right 'mix' for your application.


Regular html and CGI
Regular html pages are 'static'. This means that their content is fixed at design time. The operating system of the SC12 offers two methods for producing pages with a changing content. The use of CGI handlers is explained here. All other techniques such as Java Applets, ACP and even FLASH use these CGI handlers to retrieve up to date information. How this information is used to change the appearance in the browser, is different for each method. A simple example using CGI.
  • CGI handlers form the basis for all other methods.

  • CGI Handlers are programmed in C



Active Chip Pages (ACP)
Active Chip Pages is a technology where a piece of code reads and processes a file from the file system before handing it to the web-server. During this process, commands inside the file are interpreted.
With this technique, a web-designer who is familiar with html can create web pages with a dynamic content.
An example is shown here.

  • The ACP interpreter is a CGI handler.

  • The ACP Handler is programmed in C
  • The web page programmed in HTML



Java Applets
Java Applets are small pieces of code that run inside a protected area in your browser. The Java Applet retrieves information from the SC12 by calling CGI handlers and then changes the appearance of a area inside the browser.
Java Applets are ideal if you want to do something graphic. Changes can be made visible automatically (without a click on reload). The user is not confronted with flicker as a results of slow screen updates (re-paints).
A Java example can be seen here.
A significant advantage of Java Applets is that they can continiously update the images without annoying repaints.
  • Applets can do great animations.

  • Applets can do data processing.
  • Applets use CGI handlers to retrieve new data.
  • Image can be updated without reloads/repaints.
  • Development tools available in the internet.



Flash
Flash technology is gaining popularity with web designers. The designer creates a 'movie' of images. Action scripts are used to retrieve information from the SC12 and initiate a branche to a different image.
A demonstration with the DK40 can be found here.
Flash animations can also update their appearance without a re-load of the page.
  • Specialized in (interactive) animations.

  • Image can be updated without reloads/repaints.



Speech
The Microsoft Agent offers methods for letting your computer 'talk'. Unfortunately, it only works with the Microsoft Internet Explorer and not with Netscape. The Merlin character of the Microsoft Agent here.
  • Audio output that is not pre-recorded.

  • It is fun.







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